After lunch, the members of the Cunning Hares sat together chatting.
Sol held Baal in his arms, instantly rediscovering that familiar feeling from before.
He took charge of telling the story, while Anby added occasional details. Before long, Nicole, Billy, and Nekomata had learned the full picture of what happened.
However, Sol and Anby had tacitly agreed to hide one part of the truth—the fact that due to the Black Panther organization's cramped base housing, the two of them had been forced to share a single room.
"That was truly a legendary undercover mission!"
Hearing the tale, Nekomata couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
Compared to the small tricks she used to pull on the streets, Sol and Anby's operation—taking down a major arms dealer—was almost unbelievable.
"Right? I think it's pretty legendary myself."
Sol thought of the over two hundred billion Dennies resting quietly in his account, and felt as if it were all a dream.
"Boss Sol! Take me with you next time! That operation of yours was just too cool!"
Billy pleaded, looking at Sol with eyes full of longing.
He was already imagining himself and Sol infiltrating the enemy's base, manipulating countless foes in the palm of their hands.
Then, finishing with a grand explosion and a cool turn-away—that would be perfect.
"Well, it's not impossible... but those arms dealers probably won't fall for it again so soon."
Sol shook his head regretfully. He wouldn't have minded another round, but those smugglers weren't exactly fools.
"Alright then..."
Billy lowered his head, disappointed.
"Wait!" Nicole's eyes shone as she stared at Sol. "You two took down eight arms dealers at once, and you're still secretly wrapping things up now?"
"That's right, Nicole," Anby confirmed with a firm nod.
"Woohoo!" Nicole's face lit up as she realized a massive business opportunity. "If so many arms dealers just vanished, New Eridu's weapons trade will take a huge hit. If I stock up before people figure out what's happening, I can sell for a fortune later!"
"Uh... that's not wrong," Sol said helplessly. "Just don't make it too big. Keep a stash for yourself, but if you sell too much and Zhu Yuan's people catch wind of it, you'll end up in a cell."
Although he had only eliminated eight mid-tier arms organizations, who knew how many black-market lines those eight could lead to?
Now was a dangerous time to speculate.
"That's true." Nicole nodded in understanding. "Besides, it doesn't feel right to jump into business right after you caught those guys."
"So, you're giving up then?"
Sol asked in surprise.
"Of course not!" Nicole thought for a moment, then her eyes brightened with a new idea. "If selling weapons is risky, I'll sell information! Tons of Proxies and agents don't yet know the arms market's tightening—I can make a tidy profit selling them the news instead!"
"Not as profitable as reselling arms, sure, but safer and more stable. The only issue is speed—the faster, the better the price!"
As Nicole spoke, her eyes sparkled brighter and brighter. She could already see a golden road ahead.
"Well, that's definitely a solid plan," Sol admitted, impressed by her business instincts.
No wonder she could fund several orphanages and still keep the Cunning Hares running strong—she had real talent.
"Alright, no more talking—I've got to get to work!" Nicole jumped to her feet and turned to Nekomata. "Mana, you're coming with me—time to make some serious cash!"
Though she trusted Sol and Anby most, for a job like this, her slick and street-savvy companion Nekomata was the best fit.
"No problem, Boss Nicole!"
Nekomata stood at attention, cracking her knuckles with excitement.
Nicole nodded, ready to head out—but suddenly paused, turned back, and leaned in toward Sol.
She rubbed his face affectionately, then planted a quick kiss before declaring with a teasing smile, "No pampering tonight! Be good and get cleaned up for me in a few days!"
With that, Nicole swept out of the room with Nekomata in tow.
"Good grief…"
Sol smiled helplessly, feeling a faint warmth still lingering on his face.
"..."
Anby stayed silent. She felt... uneasy.
During their undercover mission with the Black Panther organization, even with Jane causing trouble, she and Sol had at least shared a world of two.
But once they returned, she realized Sol was Nicole's man. Between them stood a thick, unbreakable wall.
"Here—you didn't eat much earlier, did you? Have another burger."
Sol gently patted Anby's head and handed her a double beef burger.
Nicole had already given her one for lunch, but knowing Anby, Sol figured this extra one would hit just right.
"Mm."
Anby took a bite, silently making up her mind.
She had been calm for too long—now, she wanted to act on impulse for once.
…
That night, at midnight.
Stars shimmered across the sky as the moonlight filtered through thin clouds and poured down upon the streets.
Nicole and Nekomata were still out working tirelessly—after all, when selling intel, timing was everything. Once the Public Security started buying up information, the opportunity would be gone.
Sol had just finished a relaxing shower and was ready to snuggle up with Baal and drift into baby-like sleep.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
He got up to open it, and there stood Anby—dressed once again in her small black suit.
"Anby? What's this about?"
Sol asked in surprise.
"There's something I want to tell you... alone."
Sweat glistened on Anby's palms, her cheeks glowing under the moonlight like blushing jade.
As she stepped closer, a wave of shyness swept over her.
Would Sol like me... looking like this?
Besides her green combat uniform, this was the only outfit she had that Sol himself had given her—and it was the most beautiful one.
Things she'd never cared about before suddenly felt overwhelmingly important.
"Come on in, then. Let's talk properly."
Sol, ever perceptive, gently took her hand and led her inside.
At the Black Panther base, he had refrained from making a move because of Jane—though truthfully, he could've easily sent her away. But that wasn't the right place for something perfect to happen.
Home was.
Bang!
Baal was promptly kicked out and tossed into Nekomata's room.
What would follow was definitely not for young audiences.
"Tch. Men."
Baal muttered as she hugged a pillow on Nekomata's bed.
She felt a little sour—just moments ago, he'd been doting on her, and now she'd been cast aside.
Hmph. Does a Bangboo not deserve even basic respect?
Baal pouted and buried herself in the pillow.
She longed for her days as an archon again—then Sol wouldn't dare toss her aside.
Meanwhile, in the room next door…
"..."
Anby lay on the bed, flushed with a mix of innocence and unease, her hands and feet fidgeting nervously.
She knew something was supposed to happen, but she had no idea how it would unfold.
"Be good, let's press our palms together..."
Sol guided her with patient tenderness, like an experienced teacher in a physiology class.
"Mmm~"
Anby's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment—her inexperienced self was utterly overwhelmed.
The night was long, and the night was wondrous.