"Miss Ellen! Miss Ellen! Is she d-dead!?"
Belle stared at Ellen, who had collapsed limply against Sol, her tongue so tied up in shock she could barely speak.
Could someone really die from playing a game?
Brother, I swear I'll never play games again!
No, what was more important now was figuring out how to deal with Ellen.
Her family and friends would probably be devastated.
"She's not dead!" Monna snapped a little at Belle. "She just overexerted her energy. She'll be fine after some rest."
"Oh, oh, sorry, sorry."
Belle was so embarrassed she wanted to crawl into a hole.
Young people's bodies really were amazing—collapse and sleep instantly, and she had mistaken it for something serious.
At this moment, Sol calmly held Ellen in his arms, passing her into Ruby's care. "Take care of her. She's quite interesting."
Though it had been nice holding her, holding her too long wouldn't be appropriate.
"It's my fault, I didn't catch Ellen in time."
"Sorry for letting Ellen crash into you."
Ruby blushed slightly as she took Ellen, guilt welling up inside her.
As Ellen's good friend, she should have caught her immediately. She had failed her duty.
Whether toward Ellen, or Sol who had been hit by Ellen, it was unacceptable.
"There's no need to be so polite. She's not heavy."
Sol said with a smile.
Belle came rushing over, concern written all over her face. "How is she? Ellen's alright, isn't she?"
"She's fine, just exhausted," Lynn explained while helping Monna support Ellen. "All Ellen needs is a good sleep and some food. It's just that our home is a bit far from here, so carrying her back won't be easy."
"But don't worry. There should be a lounge chair nearby. We'll stay with Ellen until she wakes up."
"If you need somewhere to rest, why not come to my place?" Belle offered with a gentle smile. "My shop is right across from Godfinger. Ellen can rest properly on my bed."
"T-That wouldn't be right."
Ruby hesitated, tempted but unsure.
Parents and teachers always said: never go to strangers' homes casually.
But Ellen really did need a comfortable place to rest.
"There's nothing wrong with it. Belle is well-known as a kind-hearted person on this street. Plenty of people have received her help," Sol spoke up to back her. "If you don't believe me, you can ask Miss Asha."
"That's true," Asha added with a smile. "Belle's reputation on this street is excellent. She's always helping others. And Mr. Sol here—he was just on the news yesterday as a hero. If their words can't be trusted, then whose can?"
"Alright then, thank you, Belle, for letting Ellen rest at your place."
Monna, Ruby, and Lynn exchanged glances before bowing in unison to Belle in gratitude.
"No need to be so formal." Belle waved her hand gently. "You three can also watch a movie with us at the video store while waiting for Ellen to wake up."
"Then we'll trouble you, Belle."
The three thanked her again.
So, the three carried Ellen together and followed Belle into the video store.
At that moment, Wise greeted everyone, then turned and left to go acquire new tapes. As siblings who sold movies, they had to constantly keep an eye on the market and bring in the latest films.
Sol, Anby, and Billy Kid also entered the store, kicking off the next stage of today's activities.
With Belle, they watched the free tapes—though this time, with three extra high schoolers and one sleeping beauty shark.
"Anby, Belle, what do you want to eat today? I'll go buy some outside."
Sol glanced at the time—it was already one in the afternoon.
"Double beef burger, crispy shrimp burger, deep-sea bream burger, spicy chicken leg burger." Anby counted on her fingers, then stopped only after confirming she had missed nothing. "That's it. I'll be fine."
"Only four today? Appetite's not so great, huh."
Sol shook his head, looking at her with concern.
"Breakfast was very filling. I'm still not that hungry."
Anby spoke as if it was nothing.
Normally breakfast was just sandwiches she made—one per person.
But today Nekomata had cooked. She'd eaten plenty of dishes and buns.
"Huh?"
Belle, standing to the side, was stunned.
Not too hungry—yet still eating four.
If she was hungry, how much would that be?
And Anby's stomach wasn't even that big. How did it hold so much?
No wonder the Cunning Hares were broke before Sol joined.
"And you, Belle?"
After confirming Anby was fine, Sol turned to Belle.
"Me? I can't finish two burgers, but one's not quite enough…"
Belle was torn, unsure how to choose.
Hearing how much Anby ate made her tempted too.
"It's fine, Sol can bring two for Belle. If she can't finish half, I'll help her out," Anby said considerately.
"But Anby, didn't you say you weren't hungry, only four?"
Belle asked blankly.
"For Belle, I can eat more."
Anby answered calmly.
"Uh, am I supposed to be moved?"
Belle felt conflicted, not knowing how to respond.
"Okay then, I'll head out."
Sol understood and prepared to leave, planning to grab seven or eight burger sets from the system stash.
"Boss Sol, what about me? Why didn't you ask me?"
Billy edged closer.
"You're hungry too, huh." Sol nodded lightly, then looked to Baal. "Baal, give him a recharge."
A flash of blue-white lightning burst out, and Billy let out a satisfied burp. Delicious, high-voltage—robots never had to worry about starving again.
Just then, Monna spoke carefully to Sol. "Could you bring us some too? When Ellen wakes up, she'll need high-calorie food. We'll pay you."
"No problem. How much do you need?"
Sol agreed without hesitation.
It wasn't like they weren't paying. Hardly any trouble for him.
"Same amount as that Anby lady and Belle added together."
Ruby blushed slightly as she spoke.
Six burgers total—Ellen would eat four, while the three of them shared two.
Admitting that amount was a little embarrassing.
If Anby hadn't set the precedent, Ruby wouldn't have dared.
"Got it."
Sol nodded in understanding.
So, Ellen was a big eater too. Raising her would be pressure for most people—but not for him.
He went out, strolled for a bit, then came back carrying a huge box.
Handing out everyone's lunch, Sol and his group squeezed into the HDD archives to eat and watch movies, while Monna's trio stayed upstairs with Ellen, watching in Belle's bedroom.
Half an hour later, Ellen stirred awake from her slumber.
Normally, after exhausting her energy, she could sleep a full day and night.
But the face of that man she'd glimpsed when collapsing had forced her to reboot herself early.
Having fallen into Sol's arms, she needed to wake quickly and deal with it.
Yet, as she felt the soft bed beneath her, a terrifying thought rose.
Am I not pure anymore?