"Cat-eye, actually, he..."
Before Hoshimi Aya could reveal the truth, Cat-eye directly subdued Ollie with a grapple.
"Aya, you don't need to plead for this guy!"
"I originally thought that this Ollie, with his timid appearance in The Hollow, was at most a petty thief."
"I didn't expect him to dare steal a Public Security Officer's belongings!"
"I thought taking on his commission would lead to a big score, but judging by the situation now, you should be thankful we didn't get into serious trouble!"
"And he claims the 'handcuffs were picked up'? What kind of clueless Public Security Officer loses their own equipment?!"
"But to be snatched away by a guy like you, that officer must be incredibly weak."
Saying this, Cat-eye increased the force in his grip, showing no mercy to the person who had implicated him.
"Uh, Cat-eye."
"He might actually be the weak Public Security Officer you mentioned."
"His identification should be in the inner pocket of his trench coat. Take a look."
Hoshimi Aya reminded him.
"Uh... Let me see."
After speaking, Cat-eye flipped Ollie over and reached into the inner pocket of the trench coat, pulling out a Public Security Officer ID.
"Huh?! This guy really is a Public Security Officer?!"
Cat-eye quickly threw the ID back to Ollie.
At the same time, he looked like he had seen a ghost, unable to believe Ollie was actually a Public Security Officer.
In the end, the group decided to talk outside. Ollie assured them on the way that he would not pursue any responsibility against them.
Of course, the group didn't take that to heart.
After leaving The Hollow, Hoshimi Aya took off the hood of her cloak, revealing her true appearance.
Since the truth was known, there was no need to hide anymore. Ollie wasn't a bad person after all; his only flaw was being a bit timid.
"You, you, you, you... You are that Void Hunter!"
"Hoshimi Miyabi? The Section Chief of HAND's Special Operations Unit Six, Aerial Group?!"
Ollie immediately recognized Hoshimi Aya.
"No, just call me Aya."
"Regarding what happened just now, you have earned my trust."
"So, I feel it's fine to show you my true appearance."
Hoshimi Aya introduced herself.
Regarding Ollie's identity and her impression of him,
she believed he wouldn't casually spread this matter around.
Although, she wasn't afraid even if he did.
After that, the group began discussing the next steps.
Ultimately, after a series of dramatic reversals, Ollie received praise from his superior.
Ollie then invited the group to follow up on the commission.
After concluding their business, everyone went their separate ways over the next few days.
Cat-eye returned to Cunning Hares, and Ollie returned to the 12th Street Public Security Bureau.
...
Inside the Video Store.
As soon as Hoshimi Aya returned to the secret room, she took off all her gear.
"Zhe, this cloak is a bit impractical."
"It makes drawing my sword awkward when wearing it."
"It needs modification."
Hoshimi Aya recalled the scene in The Hollow when Ollie's timid nature caused him to run around everywhere, forcing her to draw her sword.
At that time, the cloak had been somewhat of an obstruction when drawing her weapon.
Fortunately, the impact wasn't too significant.
"This longbow is also inconvenient, even troublesome."
Hoshimi Aya complained. Although shooting felt good, retrieving the arrows was a hassle.
Moreover, if she shot too many times, she might run out of arrows.
"Aya, I'm the one having the trouble, alright?"
"I've been picking up the arrows you shot the entire time. Except for places I couldn't reach, I basically retrieved them all for you, okay?"
Ling twisted her body, her bones making cracking sounds.
It seemed sitting for too long had made her stiff.
"Brother, how about we go to a wellness center for a massage today?"
"Lately, my bones have been feeling a bit achy."
"It would be good to relax."
Ling suggested.
"..."
"Sister, do you remember that our current savings aren't sufficient?"
"If it weren't for needing to buy clothes for Aya, I might actually agree."
"But if you two go, for the next month, we might only be able to eat instant noodles, not even ramen."
Zhe fell silent.
Although he hated admitting it, that was the reality.
Their Video Store was close to going bankrupt.
"... No way?!"
"Brother, it's fine."
"For the coming days, I can just take on more commissions."
Ling pondered.
"Sister, have you ever considered that your discomfort is because you've connected with Eous too many times and entered The Hollow?"
"Never mind, you two go ahead."
"I need to think about how to earn money faster."
Saying this, Zhe covered his forehead in distress. These past few days had indeed been busy.
And it was true that they all needed a good relaxation.
...
Light Reflection Square.
Ling and Hoshimi Aya arrived at Old Man Dui's massage parlor.
They booked a double room.
Ling and Hoshimi Aya followed the instructions, undressed, and lay down on the massage beds covered only by white cloths.
"Aya, this is your first time."
"Let me tell you, the technicians here at Old Man Dui's are incredibly skilled."
"You'll know soon enough."
"They'll definitely leave you feeling completely relaxed."
Ling, lying on the next bed, smiled at Hoshimi Aya.
"Hmm, is this full-body massage reliable?"
"Will it hurt?!"
Hoshimi Aya asked doubtfully. She remembered hearing from her phone in her past life that body scrubs could be quite painful; she assumed this was similar.
"Aya, what are you talking about?!"
"How can a massage hurt?!"
"This is very comfortable. You'll know once the technician arrives."
"I guarantee it's more comfortable than when I work on you."
After speaking, Ling hummed contentedly, waiting for the technicians.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya nodded and closed her eyes to rest while waiting for the technicians.
About ten minutes later, two female technicians arrived.
One of them, like Hoshimi Aya, was a Thiren with furry ears.
The other was human, like Ling.
The two technicians first lit some incense after entering.
"Hello, I am Technician Number 1."
"That is Number 2 over there."
The Thiren technician smiled at Hoshimi Aya, who was in front of her.
Hoshimi Aya softly hummed in acknowledgment, indicating she was ready.
"Aya, just leave everything to the technician sister."
"Don't be nervous, just close your eyes and rest."
Ling began enjoying the massage from Technician Number 2.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya nodded and also closed her eyes to rest.
Technician Number 1 took out an unknown essential oil and first started tending to Hoshimi Aya's ears.
Then she began the massage, starting from the head, moving to the shoulders, then the torso, and finally the feet.
Time slowly passed.
The massage session ended more than two hours later.
"This massage was really good."
"Aya, how do you feel?"
Ling stretched and asked.
"Hmm, it was indeed very comfortable."
"Though, I actually fell asleep halfway through the massage."
Hoshimi Aya looked a bit embarrassed.
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