Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street

”Because you have companions you want to protect no matter what. But don’t misunderstand, I’m not envious. I also have someone important to me. He might be a bit of a playboy, but he’s really good to me, and he’s capable in just about every way. My life is much, much better than when I was alone.”

Rain’s words carried the unmistakable sweetness of someone in love, leaving Evelyn, who was currently single, feeling a little strange.

After all, the young woman standing before her was quite different from the Rain she remembered, and she couldn’t help wondering who the man Rain was talking about was.

”To hear you praise someone so highly, I have to admit I’m curious about who he is.”

”Well, he’s a very well-known Proxy on the Inter-Knot, Phaethon. If you ever need me and can’t get in touch, you can contact him instead. Just tell him I sent you, and you might even get a discount.”

”Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Evelyn had naturally heard of the legendary Proxy’s name, so having a way to contact him seemed like a wise precaution.

”You’re still as reliable as ever... It’s rather endearing,” Evelyn said with a faint smile.

”Well then, I’m heading home. See you next time, whenever that may be.”

Rain sounded a little impatient as she spoke. Having her intimate time with Wise interrupted had been rather annoying.

Just before leaving, however, she suddenly remembered something and looked back at Evelyn.

”Oh, what’s your name now?”

”Evelyn. Evelyn Chevalier.”

”Evelyn... that’s a beautiful name. Very elegant. My name is Rain now.”

Rain said this as she slipped both hands into the pockets of her hoodie.

”Mm. It was a pleasure meeting you, Rain.”

With their conversation over, Rain smiled at Evelyn before turning and walking away.

Evelyn watched her retreating figure, silently repeating the name to herself.

’Rain... that’s a beautiful name too.’

Later, on her way back to Astra Yao, that IP address kept circling through Evelyn’s mind.

The address had originated from within the company, which meant the person who had leaked Astra Yao’s whereabouts was an insider.

Meanwhile, back at Rain’s house, she was in her bedroom, leaning against Wise on the bed. Although there had been a brief, unexpected interruption, it hadn’t ruined the mood.

”By the way, who was the person who came to see you just now?” Wise asked casually.

The voice he’d heard over the phone had sounded somewhat familiar.

Naturally, Rain didn’t hide anything.

”An old friend of mine. Oh, and I gave her your contact information. She might reach out to you for a collaboration in the future. Her name is Evelyn now.”

”Evelyn?” Wise repeated, sounding slightly surprised.

”What? Do you know her?”

Rain looked at him in surprise.

Could it really be that much of a coincidence?

”Yeah. A friend of mine has a bodyguard named Evelyn. She’s blonde.”

”Well... it really is that much of a coincidence...”

>

A little later, night fell, and the sky stretched overhead like a dark blue silk ribbon embroidered with countless stars.

On the Starloop’s observation deck stood two beautiful figures.

Evelyn and Astra Yao stood side by side.

”...Miss Yao.”

”How’s it looking?” Astra asked.

”I’ve investigated. Those attackers were indeed affiliated with Fugue.”

Astra wasn’t particularly surprised by the report.

Looking at Evelyn, she calmly asked, ”Are they targeting the company... or me?”

”Neither, but in a way, both. Fugue’s objective was to obtain Joran de Winter’s records. They also appear to have recruited a group of irrational fanatics to carry out the operation.”

”How did they find out so quickly? I only found those records in the Hollow today...”

Astra Yao sounded surprised, but there was also a trace of confusion in her voice.

”Your every move is watched by fans, reporters, and people who wish you harm. Even those closest to you... The enemy’s infiltration runs deeper than you think. That’s why we have to be extra cautious.”

Evelyn’s gaze drifted aside. As she spoke those last words, her voice grew noticeably heavier, as though she were hinting at something... or perhaps confessing something.

Astra Yao, however, paid it little mind. Her thoughts were occupied by something else entirely.

”’Just a product propped up by capital,’ huh...”

Those words, spoken by the attackers earlier, had left a deep impression on Astra Yao, causing her to lose herself in thought.

”...Don’t let Fugue’s slander or defamation get to you. You just need to stay true to your heart.”

Evelyn wanted to comfort her, though the words came out a little stiff. Even so, Astra Yao no longer seemed quite as weighed down after hearing them.

”My true heart?” Astra gave a helpless smile. ”I really want to shout, ’Get lost!’ at the petty squabbles between Fugue and Odeum. My music is just my music. Sigh... If only the world were really that simple.”

After venting her frustration, Astra Yao couldn’t help but let out another sigh. Seeing this, Evelyn’s concern only deepened.

”...Covering Joran de Winter’s classics for this concert was the company’s decision, yet you’re the one who’ll bear the backlash. I’m afraid you may end up following Mr. de Winter’s path, becoming another victim sacrificed in the invisible struggle between opposing powers.”

Seeing Evelyn’s worried expression, Astra Yao smiled gently before speaking again.

”I’ve always loved one of Joran’s quotes: ’Every heart is a lonely note.’ His songs truly have a special kind of power. On the night the Old Capital fell, I was huddled beneath a blanket in a makeshift shelter, wondering whether my mom and dad had escaped without me... or whether they’d turned into terrible monsters.”

She paused, her gaze fixed somewhere far away.

”Even though I knew I was lucky to have survived... Even though I knew my life had been bought with someone else’s...”

Her voice grew heavier with every word, trembling ever so slightly by the end.

”The person who rescued me told me, ’Be happy, child. Live on with a smile.’ I knew I had to stay strong, but I just couldn’t. Then, at that very moment, the shelter’s old speakers began playing a song. It turned out to be one of Joran’s.”

Without her even realizing it, the melody slowly melted away her fear and loneliness.

Tears streamed down her face, but they weren’t tears of sorrow. They were tears that gave her the strength to stand back up and face the future with a smile.

And it wasn’t just her.

Everyone who heard that song that day, after enduring such profound loss, felt the invisible connection between their hearts once more.

”I witnessed the captivating power of music. Every era needs its own songstress. People place all their hopes in her, and she, in turn, must give them hope. If every heart is a solitary note, then I hope my singing can become the staff that weaves them into this era’s song.”

”To raise the curtain so hearts are no longer separated, and everyone can hear the echo—the resonance that becomes the most powerful rhythm in New Eridu.”

Carefully putting Joran’s album away, Astra gently ran her fingers across the control panel as though playing a silent piece of music.

The curtain of Starloop Tower slowly begins to lift

Like a dream suspended beneath the night sky, it welcomed the starlight... and the horizon beyond.

”Music is magic.”

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