ZZZ: Dawn of The Black Sun

Koleda was very, very nervous. The innocent wooden door feels more imposing than a Hollow Entrance. The woman kindly smiling at her feels more intimidating than an Ethereal. The raucious sound echoing around sounded more haunting than the echoes of the damned.

"Are you nervous Koleda?" the woman said gently. "It's okay, just step in, and introduce yourself, mkay?"

Koleda nodded. "Yes, Miss Himeko, I'll do my best..." she took a deep breath and opened the door, revealing a classroom filled with children that looked like her age. She gave everyone a nervous smile as the whole room went silent.

"Good morning, everyone!" the woman greeted them.

"Good morning miss Himeko!" the students replied in perfect sync.

Himeko nodded and gently pat Koleda's shoulder. "Today we're having a new friend joining us," she gave Koleda and encouraging push. "Go on Koleda, introduce yourself!"

Koleda took a deep breath. "My name is Koleda Howard, I'm from Sixth Street, pleased to meet you," she bowed a little nervously.

Some students looked at her in curiosity. Some raised their hand.

"Koleda! Are you related with Miss Himeko?" a girl with white hair asked.

Koleda looked between her and Himeko, realizing that their hair is the same striking red. "Uhh, no, it's just coincidence," she said, with a light blush.

"A lovely coincidence, you have a beautiful hair Koleda," Himeko said. "In any case, why don't you pick a seat? There's one beside Bronya," she pointed at a seat next to a little girl with grey hair tied into drills. "Don't be afraid to ask her help if you have any question,"

Koleda nodded and sat next to Bronya. "Hey, I'm Koleda," she greeted her.

"Bronya," the girl nodded, expression calm and voice monotone, reminding her of a certain white-haired soldier. "Pleased to meet you,"

"Yeah, pleased to meet you too..." Koleda cleared her throat and looked down. She opened her bag and took out the books Belle prepared for her. Despite being undercover, Belle still expects her to try and do well at school, as she was homeschooled and has no experienced with it. It's a good learning experience.

"Hey, what's with the eyepatch?" the white haired girl sitting in front of her leaned back. "Is your eye hurt? Is it fashion or you the chuuni type?"

Right, the eyepatch. "It's... fashion, yea, I just think it's cool," Koleda replied. "And you are?"

Bronya answered her question before the girl could. "That's Idiotka, you can disregard everything she says,"

"It's Kiana!!!" Kiana exclaimed, drawing some looks around her.

A black-haired girl sitting next to Kiana nudged her shoulder. "Shh, not too loud Kiana, class is starting..."

"Oh come on Mei, Bronya's badmouthing me again!" Kiana turned to Koleda. "Anyway, you said it looks cool right? I think I agree! It does look great on you!" she grinned. "Do you like pirates? I heard about pirates on some old civilization movies, have you heard of them?"

Koleda tilted her head. "Hmm... I don't know, but I can go check it out, I live in a Video Store,"

Kiana's eyes widened. "You live in a Video Store?! Does that mean it's an all you can watch movies everyday!? Really!?!?"

Koleda nodded.

"THAT'S SO COOL!!!"

'smack'

A chalk went flying, hitting Kiana right at the head. At the front, Himeko still has that kind smile on her face, despite the dangerous aura comically visible around her. "No screaming in my class Miss Kaslana," she returned back to the chalkboard. "As I was saying, there are 3 eras of civilization..."

Koleda gulped and snapped her attention back to the chalkboard. Not just the hair, it appears that Himeko has similar temper as her. Though she's practically bullet proof compared to normal humans, Koleda does not feel like testing Himeko's temper.

All in all, for once in a lifetime, Koleda finally became a kid again...

[LINE BREAK]

Anby stepped into the staff room of Random Play to find Belle, sitting on her workspace surrounded by stacks of note. The girl didn't even notice Anby coming, too caught up with writing notes and arranging post its on the table.

"Belle, the store's closing," Anby said.

The girl paused and turned to her. "Anby! Oh, uhh..." she cleared her throat. "Sorry, bit busy," she shook her head. "Also something happen? Why are we closing early?"

"We're not closing early, this is 10 PM," Anby replied calmly. "You've been at it for a whole day Belle, take a break," she handed her a canned drink. "Come, let's wind down on the sofa. It's not productive to stay focus on one task for too long."

Belle sighed a little and stood up. "You're right..." she followed Anby to the sofa and sat next to each other. The manager took a sip of the soft drink and sighed softly. "I really didn't expect that wolf to just... shut me off like that..." she muttered.

"Maybe it's time for you to rethink your method Belle," Anby said. "If you were strive to do good rather than pretend to do good, the Victoria Housekeeping might just see you as their potentially ally instead of a threat," she tilted her head. "You don't need these elaborate schemes to get people on your side."

"Hm..." Belle lowered her gaze and sighed a little. "I know, it's just... it feels more efficient to scheme and it'll take too long to build trust," she leaned on the sofa and took another sip of her drink. "I mean, think about it, do you think I can be this close to Koleda without killing Grace?"

Anby shook her head. "No, but both Koleda and Grace are kind, they would gladly help you if you were their friends," she tapped her fingers. "Take Nekomiya for example, you didn't manipulate her into liking us, she sticks around solely because she knows another version of you who were kind to her."

Belle was silent, considering her words.

"Right... she... she's from another world..." she tapped her fingers. "So, does that mean her version of Belle gets people on their side with pure kindness alone?"

Anby nodded. "Most likely," she replied. "Wise is still alive in her world, you never... became this, in her world."

"Well..." Belle looked down. "You might be right..." she took a deep breath and exhaled. "But it's too late to go back, Anby, I already... forsake it, we already forsake it. There's no turning back for me,"

Anby put a hand on Belle's shoulder. "There's no turning back, but that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy this facade of normalcy..." she gave her a rare smile. "Living an idyllic life as a Video Store Manager, movie nights every weekend, arguing what to eat for dinner... You can have that alongside your side hustle,"

"Anby, what are you talking about?"

"What I'm saying is, Belle is not the Black Sun," Anby tilted her head. "You can be the person Koleda sees you as and be the person Nicole sees you as, at the same time," she let go of Belle's hand and took her hand. "I've been in your position, Anby is another person I created. And she's as real as who I was before."

A soft genuine smile formed on Belle's face, she averted her gaze, face reddening. "Anby... you..." she bit her lip. "I..." she sighed softly. "Is that why you're here? For Belle?"

"Yes, because Belle is here, she never left us..." Anby took her hand. "She's only been acting as a monster, because this cruel world said so..." she closed her eyes for a moment. "And I will always stand beside you Belle," she opened her eyes again. "Because like I said, I love you, you are my precious friend..."