Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

Qingyi gave Zane a once-over, her expression shifting to one of surprise and intrigue, her eyes widening slightly like she'd just witnessed something outrageous.

"Tsk, what a rare sight. I always thought you were the kind of guy who could crack a joke, but deep down was totally serious…"

Though dressed in a police uniform, Qingyi had a playful glint in her eyes. She walked up to Zane, stood on tiptoe, and reached out to pat the cat-ear headband on his head.

"Ooh, pretty soft…"

"Come on now, let me give it a good rub…"

Grinning from ear to ear, Qingyi had completely forgotten why she'd even come here. Normally, she didn't have any particular fondness for furry things, but...

Zane like this? Way too rare to pass up!

"Uh... Belle asked me to wear this headband, that's all. Senior, that guy over there is way more committed than I am—he's got the full costume and props…"

Zane glanced toward Wise, who was working hard to attract customers at the entrance, clearly hoping to get released from his duties faster. Zane sighed helplessly.

As expected, his own brother always got the short end of the stick.

Qingyi raised an eyebrow, catching the implication in Zane's words.

"Wise? I saw him earlier and thought he volunteered to bring in customers. Didn't expect you two were both voluntold..."

As Zane looked on in exasperation, Qingyi reached up with both hands and gave his hair a playful tousle, leaving it messier than before.

She withdrew her hands, her gaze lingering on Zane, then chuckled and said,

"I get it. If you really didn't want to, no one could force you. So if you agreed to Belle's request, it means you weren't totally against it."

"In that case, how about you wear a full outfit like this once—for me, your master?"

"After all, Belle's just your friend, but your master should be more important than a friend, right?"

Qingyi clasped her hands together in front of her, smiling sweetly with a bit of hopeful sparkle in her eyes.

"I may be a senior-level Automaton, but I'm still a proper staff member. My salary's not bad, and I don't spend much, so I've saved quite a bit…"

"If you don't mind, we could buy lots and lots of nice clothes. Ahem, I truly believe, with a face like yours, you'd look good in anything…"

Seeing she was about to ramble on endlessly, Zane quickly cut her off.

"Senior, Belle said we need to hit a certain sales quota. How about buying some videotapes to support us?"

"The tapes here are high quality and reasonably priced. You'd regret missing out."

"Plus, the store's running a special today—second tape's half off~"

Zane picked up a tape and gave it a little wave with a grin.

Then his smile faded into a resigned expression.

"If you're not planning to buy, and you've got business elsewhere... could you maybe wait somewhere else for a bit?"

"Standing here with Zhu Yuan is really scaring off customers…"

Outside the shop, passersby were already avoiding the place, wary of the uniformed enforcers who clearly didn't look like they were here for fun.

"She's right, Senior. We really should handle official matters first."

Zhu Yuan walked over, Belle trailing behind her while munching on snacks. As the two approached, Zhu Yuan continued,

"Zane, there's something going on that we need your input on. Can we have a word in private?"

Zane raised an eyebrow. Zhu Yuan's strictly professional tone caught him off guard.

Wait—had he done something again?

Didn't seem like it... He'd only interacted with Hollow Special Operations Unit 6 once inside Hollow Zero, acquired a new Hollow, and then went back in for another incident...

As he mentally reviewed his recent actions, Zane realized that while some of them might not strictly align with New Eridu law, none of it should involve the Criminal Investigation Special Task Force, right?

After all, they were law enforcement officers, tasked with keeping order in Janus District. Anything involving combat operations should fall under military jurisdiction.

To be blunt, public security officers weren't meant to fight on battlefields—that wasn't their job.

With that in mind, Zane looked at Belle.

"What? Why are you looking at me?"

Belle blinked at his gaze, momentarily stunned. She quickly swallowed her snack and said,

"I have no clue what you did. Just be honest with Commander Zhu Yuan…"

"Oh, right! Go on and work with the commander—I've got things covered here."

Belle waved dismissively, essentially "pardoning" Zane. But she was also dying to know what he'd gotten himself into this time.

After all, this guy never failed to stir up drama.

Just earlier, Zhu Yuan had asked her about Zane's recent activity. Aside from some details she couldn't say out loud, she'd told her everything.

As Belle finished speaking, Zane reached up to take off his headband—but before his hand got there, Qingyi yanked him back down.

"Leave it on a bit longer!"

Zane's face darkened. He glanced at Qingyi, then at Zhu Yuan, and muttered,

"Senior... can't you act a little more professional, like Zhu Yuan?"

A silly senior and a serious junior—turns out "serious" can mean a lot of things...

"Ahem, let's go."

Zhu Yuan cleared her throat, her gaze briefly flicking to the headband on Zane's head before regaining her composure. The four of them headed into the adjacent room.

Just before they stepped inside, Belle couldn't help but chime in again.

"Be honest, Zane!"

She was all smiles, already picturing Zane getting grilled by both enforcers.

But as time passed...

Moments later.

Belle now sat primly on the sofa, looking like the very picture of obedience. While the others talked, she kept shooting Zane looks.

I told the truth, spare me!

Next to her, Zhu Yuan continued laying out the situation.

"But really, Zane—how did you end up using so much electricity?"

She blinked those big eyes of hers, curiosity written all over her face.

Qingyi chimed in slowly from the side,

"Good disciple, you'd better give a clear explanation. Otherwise, it's going to be hard to justify. The folks upstairs are sharp. If we can't provide a reasonable answer…"

As she spoke, she casually pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs from who-knows-where.

"I might have to personally bring my 'beloved disciple' to justice."

"But don't worry—it's just symbolic. You'd only be held for a few days, and not taken anywhere else. You'll be confined at the Public Security Bureau, and I'll stay by your side the whole time…"

She twirled the cuffs in her hand, wearing a calm and breezy smile.

Hearing this, Zane glanced silently at Belle standing nearby.