After breakfast.
What was supposed to be just Sol and Nicole's trip turned into a full-team outing for the Cunning Hares.
Everyone wanted to see for themselves how Nicole actually supported the orphanage.
Since they were basically family, Nicole only muttered a token complaint before agreeing.
So, the group squeezed into the old jalopy, carrying all the gifts Sol had prepared, and headed toward the nearest orphanage—the Sunshine Orphanage.
Yes, the nearest one—also the very place where Nicole herself had grown up. Though in truth, she supported more than just this one.
It wasn't long before they arrived.
The mont they stepped out of the car, a few sharp-eyed kids spotted them.
They imdiately ran back, shouting joyfully:
"Big Sister Nicole is here! Big Sister Nicole is here!"
"And she brought her robot sidekick and a bunch of friends too!"
Every ti Nicole visited, it was their happiest day.
Not just because of the snacks she always brought, but because she was the kindest big sister they knew.
And today, Nicole had even co in new clothes, with new friends—this made them even more excited.
"Nicole, you're quite popular here," Sol said with a small smile, listening to the children's excited chatter.
"Of course. They're good kids—kind, and grateful," Nicole replied softly, gazing at the little figures with a touch of emotion.
"But hey—why'd they call a robot sidekick!?" Billy cried in frustration. "I'm the dashing, unbeatable Starlight Knight!"
"Maybe it's just… you really look like a sidekick."
Nicole said it casually, with a shrug.
"…"
Billy collapsed into despair, questioning his entire existence. How could soone as stylish as him be mistaken for a lackey!?
At that mont, a frail old woman with white hair ca forward, surrounded by children.
"Nicole, you've co to see us again." Her cloudy eyes shone faintly with feeling. "The orphanage is doing fine lately. You've already helped us so much—don't forget to think about yourself too."
Over the years, without Nicole's support, this orphanage would have gone under countless tis.
She had spent enough on them to buy a house nearby.
"It's fine! I'm the boss of the strongest agency in New Eridu. A little money like this is nothing to !"
Nicole waved her hand boldly, as if it were no big deal.
"You, you…"
The old woman sighed, torn between gratitude and helplessness.
She knew of the Cunning Hares—an underworld na not exactly spotless. If it weren't for their help with the orphanage, she might not have approved.
But lately, the Hares had turned their image around, becoming the heroes who saved Canvas Street.
The old woman turned to Sol and the others with a smile.
"So, these are your friends? Welco, welco!"
She had never seen Nicole bring anyone along before, so she was curious.
After all, these people, too, were benefactors of the orphanage.
Sol, Anby, Billy, and Nekomata each offered a polite greeting—only to be imdiately sward by a horde of children.
"Kids, don't overwhelm our guests!" the old woman scolded lightly.
Nicole, watching, said gently, "It's fine. They're braver than they look."
To everyone's surprise, it was Billy—the so-called robot sidekick—who beca the most popular.
For elentary school boys, nothing was cooler than a chuunibyou robot knight.
Sol, anwhile, was surrounded by little girls.
A handso big brother who was also a hero on the news? Irresistible.
With both looks and strength, he was too dazzling for them to ignore.
"Big brother, are you one of Big Sister Nicole's friends?" a little girl asked curiously.
"Yes. In fact, I'm a very close friend."
Sol thought of his relationship with Nicole and answered confidently.
"Wow! Can you tell us the story of how you saved Canvas Street last ti? On TV, Big Sister Nicole looked so cool—but I want to hear it from you guys!"
Sol smiled. "Alright then. It all started on a rainy Sunday, when Nicole and I got a tip from a mysterious informant…"
He launched into the tale, surrounded by eager little girls.
The children were sweet—innocent flower buds, already more mature than they should've been because of hardship.
In front of them, one couldn't help but soften.
He wove in details like a detective story, à la Conan, scaling down the power levels just a bit.
The villain was persistent, full of tricks and traps, only defeated after a long, hard struggle—though in reality, he had been dispatched in a single blow.
anwhile, Nicole had finished speaking with the old director and quietly joined the group of girls, sitting down beside them.
Resting her chin on her hand, she listened to Sol's storytelling.
Her eyes sparkled, her lips curved in a smile.
He really does like children… she thought with warmth.
Nicole watched him quietly, her heart light and happy.
Soon Anby and Nekomata also joined, sitting beside Nicole.
Sol had a natural gift for storytelling, drawing them in without realizing.
But Anby felt uneasy.
Watching Nicole smile at Sol, she could sense it—Nicole's closest person wasn't her anymore. It was Sol.
The understanding between them left no space for her.
Even sitting right beside Nicole, in front of Sol she felt like an outsider.
Yesterday, it hadn't been like this…
One was Nicole, her dearest friend.
The other was Sol, who watched movies and shared burgers with her.
Both were people she treasured.
So why, now that they were all together, did it hurt inside?
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