ZZZ: Dawn of The Black Sun

Nekomiya sat on the metallic table surrounded with all sorts of strange gadgets and decorations. Colorful suits of armor lined up on the line around them and a holographic logo of the Starlight Knight spun slowly atop of a pedestal nearby.

It's really not her thing, but part of Nekomiya was glad she agreed to this. The sight of the robot striking poses on a small stage along with other Starlight Knight fans were endearing. It really reminds her of the Billy she knew and love, he may as well be the same person.

"Nekomiya," Anby put down a tall glass of drink in front of her. "Here's your Intergalactic Stellar Shake," the said drink appears to be a dark blue liquid with sparkling white things all over it. Looks very pretty, but not that edible.

"Thanks..." Nekomiya blinked. "What is this?"

"Your order, Intergalactic Stellar Shake," Anby replied.

"Yeah, I know, but... What did they put in this? Ether Battery juice?"

Anby blinked. "We can't know for sure, you could be right,"

"I was half joking nyaa..." Nekomiya said, staring at the drink in slight fear. "But now I'm worried," she grabbed the glass. "One way to find out!" she took a sip, the sweet and extremely acidic taste assaulted her tongue, relieved only briefly by the lightly milky taste of it.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm good... not that bad..." Nekomiya took another sip. "Yeah... I can live with this,"

Anby tilted her head. "You were the one who suggested this place, I'd thought you'd be more familiar with it,"

Nekomiya averted her gaze. "Well... In the... in my reality I refuse to come here and Billy was so sad..." she bit her lip. "I just feel like cheering him up nyaa..."

Anby said nothing and turned to Billy who seems to have attracted lots of attention. For a robot, he does have the look of a Starlight Knights. People took pictures of him, others already went on to their phone. Some sneakily left the restaurant.

...

Sometimes, she forgot that the Cunning Hares is one of Eridu's Most Wanted. Would this be fine? Anby decided not to think too much about that for now. Best not ruin this moment of peace with overthinking, they'll deal with Pubsec later if they show up.

"Say, Anby," Nekomiya started. "You said that you tried to save my life, right? During the TV thing..."

Anby nodded. "Yes, you were wounded in a fight against the Dead End Butcher,"

"And you said I hate you all for killing the Red Fang gang," Nekomiya said. "Then why did you save me?"

Anby paused and looked down. Why did she save her? It's been so long that she forgot. "I forgot," Anby replied calmly. "But I'm glad I did so,"

A small smile graced the thiren's face. "You're so nice nyaa~" Nekomiya said. "You guys are really not all that different from my old friends,"

"There's one..." Anby sighed a little, realizing that the sooner the better to break the news. "Belle is different, I don't know what she's like in your world, but she's different here," she told her. "She's not the same,"

Nekomiya's ears drooped and she nodded. "She must be hurt after she lost her brother," she lowered her head. "I'm gonna miss Wise so much..."

"It's not just that, Nekomiya... Do you know what Belle told us when we were about to save those people?"

The cat tilted her head. "Hm?"

"She told us that... if we don't come back alive, she will finish what Vision started," Anby closed her eyes, the words still haunted her. "I could tell that she was serious, unlike us, Belle would kill in cold blood," she took a deep breath. "I... the only thing we could do is keep her on line... it's like she's teetering on the edge and we're the only thing holding her back from jumping..."

So that's where the dread came from, Nekomiya thought to herself. "Ever since I came here, there's been this... feeling of dread following me anywhere, this wrongness that's as bad as the existence of the Hollow itself," she began. "I've been looking for the source of it, but now I know,"

Anby looked at the cat. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Help you hold it back nya~" Nekomiya smiled gently. "Belle is my precious friend, if me being here can help her hold back the darkness, that'd be wonderful..."

Anby nodded. "I'm glad you think so Nekomiya..."

The entrance to the restaurant burst open, revealing Nicole and Belle walking in. The former sauntered in like she owns the place while the latter looked at the decor around her with an appreciative gaze.

"Mama's here~" Nicole sat on the seat opposite of Anby. "Have you ordered some food?" she looked at the pair before her. "Just drink? Really? Come on, don't be shy!" she turned to Billy who just finished reennacting the fight from Episode 45 with the rest of the patrons. "Oi Billy!"

The robot backflipped and landed right next to Nicole. "You rang?"

"Order us a feast worthy of the Starlight Knights!" Nicole exclaimed.

"Say no more boss!"

Belle on the other hand has finished sight-seeing. She sat down next to Nicole, eyes sparkling a little. "Okay, this place is actually amazing," she gestured at the place. "I love the way they seamlessly bring everything together; it feels so chaotic but so artistic,"

Anby nodded in agreement. "The interior design is wonderful, are you going to use it for an inspiration in your Video Store?"

"Yep! I think the Staff Room and Display Room can do a little spruce up," Belle replied. "Maybe not Starlight Knight, but definitely something as interesting," she leaned back and folded her arms. "Maybe... we can theme it after the Hollow?"

"How about make it for a certain event?" Nicole pointed out.

"Ooh, that's brilliant! We can do a total makeover for a week long event!" Belle rubbed her hands giddily. "First week, it's the Hollow. Second week, it's the Starlight Knight, Third week, it's..." she paused for a bit before turning to Nekomiya. "Cat Cafe!"

"Nya?"

"That's the spirit!!!"

Soon, a few waitress came towards them, serving the group all sorts of food. Some are recognizable like steaks and pasta, others are otherworldly like their selection of pastries and desserts. The Cunning Hares has mixed opinion on it, but the novelty of those dishes does lead them to try things out.

"Behold, The Grand Lumerian Feast!!!" Billy declared. "A gift from Lumerian embassy for the Starlight Knights after they saved the planet from the All Devouring Star!"

"Thanks sweetheart, now sit down and have your food," Nicole said.

As they enjoyed their feast, another group of people stepped into the restaurant. A certain red haired loli led at front, followed by a man holding a drill, a bear wearing a suit, and woman wearing goggles. The group sat on a seat near the Cunning Hares as the loli walked up towards them.

"Belle, Cunning Hares,"

"Koleda! You actually came!" Belle exclaimed. "You even brought your family along,"

The girl blushed a little. "Family? I-I mean, well, Belobog,"

"Didn't expect your mom to look so young though..."

"She's my sister!!!" Koleda shouted in embarrassment. "Do you really have to make it your goal to embarrass me with every word you say!?" she glared at Belle with mock anger.

"I'm not though, I just think that you look like a cute happy family," Belle said, raising her hands up with an apologetic grin.

Koleda huffed. "Really, after all the trouble I made to buy this place..." she folded her arms.

"Buy?" Nekomiya blurted out.

"Yeah, the government compensated us for cracking down on Vision's corruption and relocate the townspeople. We have dennies to spare and those people are jobless, Belle and Nicole convinced me to buy some Starlight Knights restaurant chains to give them jobs," Koleda explained. "Personally I don't mind, nothing wrong with spreading out your industry."

Belle grinned. "And not only that, but we got another hang out spot that's Pubsec free!" she folded her arms. "Aren't you just glad you can come here without wearing hoodies and masks?" she giggled a little. "Though, I think ya'll cosplaying as Starlight Knights would be adorable, ehehe~."

Billy twirled in with a flair, sitting next to Belle. "How are you liking the place ladies?" he asked cheerfully. "If you have any complaints, just give me a call and the Starlight Knights will save the day!!!" he stood back up. "Oh! I almost forgot, a commemorative photo!!!"

The robot took out a camera and looked around. "But who's gonna take the photo?"

"Oh I can," Koleda said.

"Oh how sweet of you young lady!" Billy grinned and grabbed a stool for her to stand on. "Here you go," he handed her the camera and struck a pose along with everyone. "On my mark, everyone say, Starlight Knights! Shines Bright, ready!?"

Well, who could really say no to that kind of enthusiasm?

"Get ready," Billy struck a pose at the back row, carrying model replica of Starlight Knights blaster.

"One," Belle put an arm around Nicole's shoulder who gave the camera a glance and half a smile all cool like.

"Two," Nekomiya hugged Anby from behind while the stoic soldier simply tilted her head looking at the camera.

"Three!" with a flash, Koleda snapped the group photo, the Cunning Hares and Belle, having an extravagant Lumerian Feast surrounded by the Relic of the almighty Starlight Knights. Each one of them showed their joy in their own way, smiling brightly or striking a cool pose.

Each one of them wishing that this joy would last...