Zenless Zone Zero: Gacha Master

Little Koleda Belobog sat rather awkwardly in her chair, while Ben Bigger's frame was so massive that he could only stand behind her like a bodyguard.

Nicole, who had been quietly observing, gave Koleda a big thumbs up, then gestured for her to keep going.

Clearly, Koleda's "oniisan" strategy had won her approval, and Nicole hoped Koleda would push it further.

"Sol-oniisan, we're here today to talk about the operations on how to handle the Cretan Companion Hollow."

Koleda spoke in a soft, delicate tone, like a fragile little doll.

Her shoes tapped against the floor, toes curling and uncurling.

Ben Bigger turned his head away. The first time, he pitied Koleda for the humiliation she was enduring. The second time, he could no longer see her the same way again.

"Say it again." Sol was visibly delighted, nearly beside himself. "No one's ever called me 'oniisan' before. I like the sound of it."

"Sol-onii…san~"

Koleda forced her voice higher, sweat breaking out across her forehead.

It was unbearable. Truly unbearable.

Far more humiliating than the time Grace Howard caught her sneaking candy.

Meanwhile, Nicole and the others' eyes sparkled as if they were watching the climax of a thrilling movie.

Anby stared unblinking, deeply puzzled. "This feels like such a normal plot, but somehow it's more captivating than any movie. Why is that?"

Without realizing it, Anby was starting to pick up Sol's mischievous tendencies.

Billy explained, "Maybe because we've never seen the president act like this before."

"Billy's right," Nicole said approvingly. "Koleda actually has real talent for this. Looks like we've got this deal in the bag."

Baal had squeezed in beside Anby too, eyes glued to Sol and Koleda, completely engrossed.

She was a country girl. She loved watching drama.

Sol, meanwhile, was utterly refreshed by that reluctant little "oniisan", and smiled contentedly. "President Koleda, now we can talk properly about cooperation terms."

"Alright, no problem!" Koleda instinctively answered in her normal tone, then quickly corrected herself in a girlish voice: "Sol-oniisan~"

"Hehehahaha."

Sol couldn't hold back his laughter.

Seeing this, Koleda scrambled to shift the topic, forcing her voice higher again. "We at Belobog Heavy Industries are willing to give up 70% of the net profit, and we'll always heed oniisan's advice."

"Mm."

Sol nodded slightly.

This was roughly the same as High Ambitions Corp.'s offer—well within his acceptable range.

Ben Bigger spoke in his deep voice. "I'm Belobog Heavy Industries' chief accountant. Aniki is welcome to check our accounts anytime, and Nicole may audit them as well."

"Ben, being open to audits is good," Sol said with an awkward expression. "But you don't need to call me 'aniki'."

Ben stood over two meters tall—broad, burly, and with a thick gold chain around his neck.

Hearing such a hulking bear of a man call him 'aniki' gave Sol the bizarre illusion of standing among Liangshan Bandits.

"My apologies, Mr. Sol."

Ben scratched his head sheepishly.

He'd gotten so wrapped up in Koleda's performance that "aniki" slipped out before he could stop it.

Sol didn't press further, instead continuing: "Belobog Heavy Industries' conditions are better than most corporations'."

"…"

Koleda looked at him with hope in her eyes.

"But!" Sol's tone shifted. "The Three Gates Corp, High Ambitions Corp, and St. Leen—all part of the TOPS Alliance—have offered the same terms. In scale, they far outstrip Belobog Heavy Industries."

"…"

Koleda's expression tensed.

"But!" Sol broke into a grin, twisting the knife: "Since Koleda-chan called me oniisan, I've decided to work with Belobog Heavy Industries."

In the end, he chose Belobog Heavy Industries. With the same 70% cut, he wasn't losing a thing.

With TOPS Alliance's megacorps, he wouldn't have much control.

But Belobog Heavy Industries was smaller. Its workforce was mostly dim-witted bear Thirens, and its executives didn't seem too sharp.

Koleda was too young, Grace Howard was a machine-obsessed nerd, Anton Ivanov was a hot-blooded fool.

Only Ben, the hulking bear accountant, was remotely competent.

That made Belobog far easier to handle than TOPS.

Besides, they'd offered Nicole as supervisor, giving Sol even more authority.

And honestly—Koleda's squirming, reluctant little "oniisan" act was just too cute.

Who could resist teasing a tsundere, contradictory, legal loli?

"Oh, yes!"

Koleda pumped her fist in triumph.

She'd done it—traded a little shame for a massive deal.

Those "oniisan" calls weren't wasted—they'd earned Belobog at least tens of billions of denny in profit.

"Koleda-chan, aren't you forgetting something?"

Sol looked at her, smiling slyly.

Koleda's face stiffened, and her falsetto returned: "Thank you, Sol-oniisan~"

"You're welcome, Koleda-chan."

Sol stood and patted her head.

He was so fast that before Koleda realized it, the pat was over.

Damn it. Don't you know headpats stunt growth?

Koleda seethed, but when she remembered the tens of billions at stake, she swallowed her anger.

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Mercer Belobog Heavy Industries will not disappoint!"

Ben bowed respectfully.

"No need for formality. Just call me Sol. We're partners now."

Sol extended his hand to the bear.

"Alright, Sol!"

Ben bent down quickly, his massive paws engulfing Sol's hand as he shook it earnestly.

"From now on, you'd better help oniisan make lots of money, Koleda-chan."

Sol reached his hand out toward her with a smile.

"No problem, Sol-oniisan~"

Koleda reluctantly shook his hand, face conflicted.

From Sol's reaction, it was clear—the "oniisan" nickname wasn't going away anytime soon. But this humiliating secret… she absolutely couldn't let Grace Howard find out.