Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street

”A ship captain... Have you ever considered such a profession?”

Astra looked at the ship in the distance and asked Wise, who was standing beside her, before continuing to speak to herself.

”There must be legends from old civilizations where a hero travels the world aboard his ship, right? When you embark on a journey toward a goal you chose for yourself, that voyage becomes your new path...”

Hearing this, Wise spoke.

”Sailing isn’t as romantic as it seems. You’re not really suited for it, and I’ve heard that sailing is a pretty tough gig.”

Wise genuinely thought Astra might do something like that, but she looked surprised by his response.

”So realistic! Have you ever thought about doing this?”

”I’ve only seen it in documentaries,” he said with a shrug.

”Oh, so you like those kinds of films~ Do you want to try acting in something similar...? Ah, just kidding. Anyway, when I was little and could let my imagination run wild... I guess I just yearned for that feeling of having complete control over my life.”

Astra’s voice trailed off. Wise didn’t speak. He simply held her hand quietly for a while.

”...Let’s not talk about that anymore. Let’s go to the lighthouse! It’s where we celebrated my birthday~”

They arrived at the familiar lighthouse. A gentle sea breeze brushed past them, and the sight before her made Astra sigh in admiration.

”Well, here we are again... Sorry, we were supposed to discuss the theme, but I made you and Eous take a stroll with me,” Astra said a little apologetically.

”Clearing your head is good. Besides, you were clearly thinking about the theme the whole time,” Wise said, reassuring Astra, who hadn’t realized it herself.

”Huh? Is that so? But I’ve been thinking about freedom... Rather than how one looks, I think being able to chart one’s own path in life is true elegance... and true freedom. It may be tough, and you may end up looking shabby, but that won’t tarnish that elegance.”

Perhaps that was true elegance and true freedom. Even if things became difficult or messy, that elegance would remain unchanged.

Astra seemed to have revealed a certain emotion. Her eyes remained quietly fixed on Wise as she pondered something.

”Is this what you yearn for?” he asked, staring into her eyes.

”Yes... and no. Because I think I’m doing my best to achieve it! Yet I’m still not doing very well...”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Astra’s face. Then, as if making a decision, she spoke again.

”But I’m trying to get on the right track! I believe I can achieve it one day. So, it’s not beyond my reach, nor is it something to regret.”

At that moment, Astra deeply captivated Wise. There could never be enough compliments for the girl he loved.

”...That’s what makes you so lovely and radiant.”

”Wh-What are you talking about?”

Astra acted shyly, covering the blush on her cheeks with her hand. The decision she had just made was temporarily forgotten in her embarrassment over Wise’s words.

”Oh, right... The theme! We took a really long walk and lost all our discussion time! I’ll have to head off again...”

”It’s okay. I already have an idea,” Wise said confidently.

”Eh, you’ve already thought of it?”

Astra was a little surprised. Wise then suddenly took her hand and spoke.

”Because this place is very suitable for thinking. Astra, you chose a good spot.”

”You’re reliable as always. Well, I’ll leave the new outfit design to you,” Astra said happily.

”No problem. See you tomorrow.”

”Mm~ See you tomorrow~ Ah, wait a moment. I want to say something to Eous.”

As they were parting, Astra suddenly called out to Wise. While he wondered what she wanted, she had already knelt beside Eous and spoken softly.

”Eous, could I trouble you to turn around for a moment?”

”Ehn-ne? (Why?)”

”Cute kids shouldn’t ask so many questions~”

After giving her somewhat shy instruction, Eous obediently turned his head.

Then Astra pretended nothing had happened and walked over to Wise.

”Last time we celebrated my birthday here, you gave me a gift. I’ve already thought of a return gift~ Can you close your eyes?”

”Hmm? What kind of gift?” Wise raised an eyebrow, looking a little curious.

”Don’t ask so many questions. If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise. Hurry and close your eyes~”

At Astra’s repeated urging, Wise obediently closed his eyes. Then, he felt the person in front of him slowly approaching until he felt a familiar, smooth sensation against his lips.

It seemed he had just been kissed.

Shyly, Astra broke the kiss and said her goodbyes, while Wise returned home and began creating accessories that could embody both elegant self-discipline and freedom in their design.

A day later, on the Starloop, Wise noticed someone standing in the corner while accompanying Eous in practicing stage movements.

As he approached, the other person noticed him as well.

”Wise? Why are you here?”

”That’s actually what I want to ask,” Wise said, sounding a little confused.

”Hmm, you might be surprised, but I’m here to celebrate the New Year. They said my tense nerves needed to relax. I originally wanted to find you, but you weren’t there, so I came here. According to them, watching the round Bangboo spin and bounce... is quite relaxing, and especially suitable as a New Year’s celebration activity.”

Because of the Bangboo competition, Wise hadn’t been home much over the past few days.

”Why didn’t you send me a message?” he asked.

Soldier 11 remained silent for a moment before answering.

”Mm, because you weren’t home, you must have been out doing something, and I didn’t want to cause trouble,” she said.

”Don’t think that way. Soldier 11, you’ll never be someone troublesome to me.”

Soldier 11 was deeply touched by Wise’s words. As if she had suddenly thought of something, she spoke again.

”Speaking of New Year, there are a few traditions that always confuse me. For example... People who kiss in the Hollow at the moment of the New Year will spend the rest of their lives together. Do you believe in this?”

”Never heard of a tradition like that,” Wise said, shaking his head.

It seemed Soldier 11 had been watching some strange movies again.

”How surprising. I’ve heard my colleagues say that almost every year.”

’Well, it seems she heard strange things from other people,’ Wise thought.

He then held Soldier 11’s hand and spoke.

”That kind of thing doesn’t sound very scientific. Besides, there’s no need to do something like that.”

”Now that you mention it... Yeah, exposing your oral mucosa like that in the Hollow just increases the risk of corruption... Why didn’t I think of that? Traditions really can be strange.”

”So there is no such custom at all...” Wise emphasized again, somewhat helplessly.

He really didn’t know who was spreading such things.

Didn’t they realize that such rumors could cause trouble for others?

”Whether it’s a rumor or not, I’ll judge for myself. Let’s go, Wise.”

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