Six hours later…
Nicole slowly woke up.
After working tirelessly the whole previous day, she really wanted to sleep a little longer.
But she'd had a nightmare—a terrible one. In it, she saw Anby in her bed, sleeping with her man. She had to wake up quickly and get away from that awful dream.
"Awake already?"
Sol gently brushed a strand of Nicole's messy hair back into place, smiling as he spoke.
"Mm."
Nicole blinked blankly, looking at Sol… and then at Anby, who was sleeping beside him on the left.
So, it hadn't been a dream after all.
At that moment, Nicole's entire world collapsed.
Hic!
Her eyes rolled back and she nearly fainted again.
Thankfully, Sol was quick enough to catch her and give her a bit of artificial respiration, bringing her back.
When Nicole woke up the second time, she was much calmer. Looking between Sol and Anby, she suppressed her voice and asked, "So… what exactly is going on right now?"
"I'm sorry, Nicole. While you were out yesterday making money… I made a mistake I shouldn't have." Sol held Anby's hand and turned to her.
"Hmm?"
Nicole froze, her eyes quickly welling up with tears. Her voice trembled. "You mean… you're planning to leave me? To be with Anby instead?"
Just yesterday, everything had been fine—her missing man was back, and she'd found a new business opportunity that earned her a fortune.
So why today? How had today turned into this?
Was she really about to lose not only her lover, but also a sisterly friend?
"Of course I'm not leaving you."
Sol pulled her close, resting her head against his chest.
"And I won't leave you either," Anby whispered, gently stroking Nicole's back.
Feeling their perfect coordination only made Nicole feel worse. She looked up at Sol, her voice trembling with frustration. "Then what do you want? To be with Anby—and make me the outsider?"
"No. You're both my wings," Sol murmured, hugging Nicole closer. "We'll all live together."
For a moment, Nicole wasn't sad—she was angry enough to laugh.
"You're awful! You think I can't live without you or something?!"
Her voice cracked as she shoved Sol away, tears threatening to spill.
Before Sol appeared, she and the others at the Cunning Hares had been doing just fine.
She didn't need him to survive. She and Anby could live well enough without him.
So why did thinking that make her want to cry even more?
"Yes," Sol said quietly, patting her back. "That's exactly what I think. We were made for each other—no one can separate us."
"You— you're so full of yourself!"
Nicole glared at him, her long, foxlike eyes wide open, refusing to let the tears fall.
Sol didn't argue. He simply kept stroking her back in silence.
He knew the truth: when someone loves you deeply, they can't help but forgive you. Unless a woman is fiercely independent and willing to face life alone, she'll always struggle to let go.
And Nicole—greedy, kind-hearted Nicole—would never ignore his feelings completely.
Nicole buried her face in his chest, sobbing softly.
Watching from the side, Anby felt a painful tightness in her chest. She lowered her head, guilt and sorrow twisting inside her.
After a long while, Nicole's tears began to subside. She gave Sol's chest a small, weak punch and whispered, barely audible, "Sol… you win."
How could she cut off a bond that had already tangled three hearts together?
How could she scold Anby—someone who felt like family to her?
She was already tied up in this web of emotions, bound for life and unwilling to escape.
Sol gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "You're both beautiful, free souls," he said softly. "All the blame lies with me and my greed. I'm sorry for forcing you to compromise. But in return, I swear—I'll never leave you for as long as I live."
He spoke with firm conviction—and with truth.
Everyone yearned for beautiful things. But few were as greedy as him—wanting everything beautiful all at once.
Still, if he wished to build a small paradise filled with light, he had to bear the burden of guilt that came with it.
There were many things one could joke about, but true love wasn't one of them.
"Don't you dare make vows again! You've worn that word out!" Nicole snapped, glaring at him through watery eyes. "Last time you swore lightning would strike you and divine fire would burn you alive—and I actually felt bad for you!"
"This time I mean it," Sol said earnestly.
"You said that last time too!" Nicole rolled her eyes. "Get out. I need to talk to Anby alone."
"Alright, alright. I surrender."
Sol raised his hands in mock defeat and stepped out, leaving the two women in the room.
Inside, Nicole questioned Anby, asking how things had spiraled to this point.
In front of her sisterly figure, Anby didn't dare hide anything. She explained everything from the start—the burgers, the movie, the undercover mission—all the way to the end.
When she finished, Nicole clutched her chest in exasperation.
No wonder obedient little Anby had suddenly turned rebellious—Sol had pulled so many tricks! How could her innocent Anby not have fallen for him?
What infuriated her even more was remembering how she had been fooled by him before—with nothing more than a few "just a hug" lines!
"Argh! It's not fair! I want my moment too!"
Nicole began punching the bed furiously, as if it were Sol himself.
"Nicole… you could always redo those moments with Sol," Anby said softly. "If there are any more arms dealers willing to be fooled, that is."
"It's not the same! I wanted the before, not the after!" Nicole yelled into the pillow, pounding it again. After a while, she sighed in defeat. "Well… it's already done. I'll just have to accept it."
Hearing that, Anby felt a flicker of admiration—though soon her face reddened. "Then what should we do from now on? Should we… maybe get a bigger room so the three of us can sleep together?"
Just picturing it made her blush even harder—but also feel a strange kind of happiness. Nicole on one side, Sol on the other… it sounded perfect.
"No way! Absolutely not!" Nicole's face went bright red as she imagined it, sputtering in shock. "We can't let that scumbag have his way! Otherwise, he'll just get more excited—and probably try to bring in even more girls next!"
Grabbing Anby's shoulders, she said firmly, "Anby, you don't want more women around Sol, right?"
Anby thought for a moment, then nodded seriously. "You're right, Nicole."
"Good. Then tonight, we're on the same side!" Nicole clenched her fists with determination. "Together, we'll make our stand!"
"I'll listen to you, Nicole."
Anby, already feeling guilty, found Nicole's reasoning sound—and naturally agreed.
Nicole thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up with mischief.
Leaning close, blushing, she whispered in Anby's ear, "Here's the plan—tonight, we'll sleep with Sol together. We'll show him our unity as sisters and give him a little taste of sweetness. After that, we'll watch his behavior—if he doesn't behave, he gets nothing!"
"Ah?"
Anby blinked, flustered. She'd only suggested a plan—she hadn't expected Nicole to act on it immediately!
Outside the door, Sol—who had been eavesdropping—nearly burst.
As expected from my first girl, he thought, Nicole really understands me.
No more words were needed. Tonight, he'd give it his all—for harmony's sake, of course.
…
Night fell. Billy actually did go stay over at Lighter's place in the Outer Ring.
After a strangely tense dinner, the Cunning Hares' home sank into a long, peculiar silence.
All in all, Sol felt that this night was—without question—the shortest night of his life.