"Alright... now let's figure out how to start this thing," Wise muttered quietly.
"Hm?"
"Ah, nothing. I was just saying... hold on tight."
The moment he finished speaking, the motorcycle roared to life. Lucy, seated behind him, barely had time to react before instinctively wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
Few man could resist the allure of speed and adrenaline, and Wise was no exception.
Under his control, the motorcycle surged forward at a breathtaking speed.
The roads around the Outer Ring were nearly empty, making them the perfect place for a ride like this.
Sitting behind him, Lucy steadied the hat on her head with one hand before tightening her hold around his waist again.
Honestly, the speed was a little outrageous.
But she had to admit... It felt amazing.
For a long time, Lucy had imagined something like this: riding through the Outer Ring at sunset with Wise on the same motorcycle.
The two continued riding until they eventually passed through a small town.
There, they stopped at a roadside bar and ordered drinks to rest for a while.
"So?" Wise asked, casually swirling the drink in his hand. "My driving skills aren't bad, right?"
Lucy let out a quiet hum beside him.
"Not bad. Maybe just a little better than mine."
"Oh? Getting that kind of praise from you means I'm pretty impressive after all."
Wise grinned, clearly pleased with himself.
Lucy felt her face warm slightly at his reaction, though she remained quiet and continued listening.
"In that case, I'll drive on the way back too."
"Alright."
Compared to earlier, Lucy now trusted his driving completely.
After resting for a bit and noticing how late it had gotten, the two finally headed back toward the video store.
By the time they arrived, night had fully settled in.
Lucy looked up at the moonlit sky before climbing back onto her motorcycle.
"Well then, I should get going."
"It's already this late. Are you seriously planning to head back to the Outer Ring now?"
If she truly intended to leave at this hour, Wise definitely would have tried to stop her.
But Lucy shook her head.
"No. Going back now would be too much trouble, so I was thinking of just finding a hotel for the night or..."
She paused briefly before glancing at him.
"...would you let me stay over instead?"
"Of course. As long as you don't mind."
Wise answered without the slightest hesitation.
Lucy had only meant it as a joke, but the sincerity in his voice instantly flustered her.
"N-No thanks. I'll just stay at a hotel. And it's not because I'm picky or anything! I just think it'd be... inconvenient."
She deliberately emphasized the last part.
Only after confirming that Wise didn't seem disappointed did Lucy finally relax enough to leave.
<<>>
A few days later, Wise suddenly received a message from Kasa.
She asked if he had time to come to Blazewood, saying she needed his help with something.
Though slightly confused, Wise still informed Belle and the others before heading to the Outer Ring alongside Fairy.
However, the people waiting to greet him weren't Caesar and Lucy, but Kasa and Burnice instead.
"Wise, welcome back to Blazewood... or should I start calling you Manager now?"
"Manager? I mean, it does sound pretty good, but could someone explain what's going on first?"
Wise looked puzzled by Kasa's choice of words, while Burnice beside her looked far more excited.
"Wise! We've been waiting forever for you!"
The moment she finished speaking, Burnice rushed forward and threw herself at him without hesitation.
It felt less like an ordinary greeting and more like a reunion after years apart.
At the same time, her ample chest pressed tightly against him.
"Burnice..."
Kasa sighed helplessly as she reminded her
Only then did Burnice realize what she was doing, and she quickly let go before stepping back.
"Sorry, sorry! I got a little too excited. Ahem... Our boss originally wanted to welcome you personally since this is such an important job."
Burnice paused briefly before continuing.
"It's just that she's been busy running around handling supplies for the restaurant lately... and it's definitely not because she drank way too many cups of my Overlord's Special Nitro-Fuel last night!"
She deliberately emphasized the second half of the sentence.
At that point, Kasa smoothly took over the explanation. It turned out that she planned to hold an Overlord's Feast.
Not only was it meant to celebrate the end of the Tour de Inferno, but it would also officially announce the rise of the new Overlord to the entire Outer Ring while spreading the ideals of the Sons of Calydon.
"What's that saying again? A king has to provide for himself. Our boss hates those fancy hotels inside the city anyway. But look at the Sons of Calydon—not a single one of us can cook properly or even start a decent fire!"
Burnice was actually pretty good at starting fires. Cooking, however, was another matter entirely.
So after discussing things back and forth, Kasa and Burnice eventually thought of Wise.
"I don't mind helping, but... how far along is the restaurant construction?"
Wise was fairly confident in his cooking skills.
However, the moment he asked that question, both Kasa and Burnice awkwardly turned to look at a nearby abandoned building.
"...Wait. Don't tell me that run-down pile of junk is supposed to be the restaurant."
"Congratulations! Correct answer!" Burnice grinned proudly before handing him a slip of paper. "As your prize, you get a special invitation ticket personally designed by Burnice herself!"
Wise silently accepted the paper covered in Burnice's strange doodles.
'...I guessed right, so why do I feel even worse now?'
"Anyway!" Burnice continued energetically. "The restaurant's still under construction, but with you helping us, it'll definitely become successful in no time!"
After Caesar finished speaking, she led the two of them into the unfinished building.
It was obvious the place hadn't been cleaned or maintained in ages.
Dust flew everywhere with every step they took.
"Oh no... I think dust got into my eye. Wise, hurry up and help me blow it out!"
Burnice squinted one eye uncomfortably as she leaned closer to him.
Wise could only sigh helplessly before helping her.
"Phew... much better!" Burnice said cheerfully. "With you helping us, Cheesetopia definitely won't have to worry about temporary poverty anymore!"
"...Why does this suddenly feel like I've climbed aboard a pirate ship?"
Wise looked around at the future restaurant with a complicated expression.
And Cheesetopia?
Apparently, that was the restaurant's name. It sounded almost absurdly idealistic.
Noticing his lack of enthusiasm, Burnice immediately grabbed both of Wise's hands.
"Caesar is really serious about this banquet," she said earnestly.
"And from now on, this place is going to become the Sons of Calydon's main base in Blazewood too. Out of everyone I could think of, you're the only person I trust enough to leave this to."
As she spoke, Burnice tightened her grip and looked at him pleadingly.
"Please, please, please! Everyone from the Sons of Calydon, Kasa, and all of Blazewood will help you! As long as you agree to help, I'll do anything!"
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Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
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