Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

"No way..."

Nicole looked around—the courtyard was several times larger than the orphanage, and behind her stood a fully furnished, three-story building occupying a huge area.

"You really bought this place?"

Her brain went into overdrive, trying to estimate the value. But it just started smoking mentally—there were way too many zeroes to count...

"Relax, it wasn't that expensive—just a little over two hundred million."

"Two hundred... million? Only?!"

Nicole's vision went dark. She nearly passed out.

Sure, Nekomata had hinted that Zane was rich, but she had no idea he was this rich.

She'd split a single Dennie coin in half to make it stretch... and Zane...

By the time she came back to her senses, she didn't even know what to say. A mix of emotions swirled in her chest. Then Zane casually pulled out a card.

"Here. Take this."

"What is it?"

"Just take it."

Before she could react, he placed the card in her hand. Seeing her blank, stunned expression, Zane gave a slight smile.

"I gave Nekomata 2.1 billion to keep the cat café running."

"I transferred another billion over. Bought this place for a little over two hundred million. The rest's on the card."

"Use it to take care of the kids."

It was easy enough—there was a bank nearby, and Zane had only needed to stop by once.

His tone was calm, but Nicole was anything but. That card in her hand held hundreds of millions of Dennies!

"How much?! Did you say how much?!"

Her heart pounded wildly. She shook her head quickly, trying to give the card back.

"No way, that's too much—I can't take it. Buying this place already helped more than enough. Treat that as a loan, okay? I'll pay you back, slowly, even if it takes forever."

But Zane didn't take it. Once he gave something, he had no intention of taking it back.

"Keep it. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Let me guess... You heard about it from Nekomata, didn't you?"

The moment he said that, Nicole froze. Her movements stiffened, and her face turned pale.

Suddenly, even breathing felt heavy.

Zane's words hit her like a lightning strike. Thoughts exploded in her mind.

"No—it's not like that..."

"Zane, it's not what you think..."

Her voice trembled. Panic welled up inside as she gripped his arm tightly and looked up.

"Zane, let me explain..."

Now it was Zane's turn to be confused.

As tears started spilling from Nicole's eyes, he panicked.

"Wait, why are you crying?"

Then, seeing the dim look in her eyes, he realized what had happened.

What was meant as reassurance had completely backfired.

He'd only wanted to tell her he already knew—so she wouldn't feel guilty. But instead...

"Zane, it's not like you think! Nekomata didn't tell me how much you had. I just thought I could mooch off the tanuki house a bit and maybe borrow a few million Dennies..."

Nicole sobbed as she explained, completely thrown off by how fast things had spiraled.

"I didn't bring you along just for the money. I never thought you had to do anything. Please—believe me..."

She leaned in closer, but there was nothing romantic about it. Her shaking, panicked tone left Zane struggling for words.

Just as he was racking his brain to say something, Nicole began apologizing again.

"I'm sorry, Zane. I'm so sorry..."

"It's fine, it's fine..."

Words weren't enough—so Zane gently pulled her into a hug and let out a quiet sigh.

Girls crying...

Definitely the hardest thing to deal with.

Resting against Zane's chest, Nicole finally sensed his true feelings, and her panic began to fade—though her sobs still hadn't stopped.

It took a while before she calmed down.

Even then, she stayed nestled against him, not wanting to move.

"You misunderstood me, Nicole."

Zane spoke softly now—it was time to explain.

"What I meant was I'd already figured things out on my own. So this was my decision. It had nothing to do with you."

"What I see. What I think. What I decide."

"You simply brought me here. You didn't push for anything or try to lead me anywhere."

"So there's no need for you to carry any guilt."

Listening to him, Nicole finally relaxed. She sat up, eyes still red, giving Zane a glance before lowering her head again.

"I'm just... curious. Why did you cry?"

Now that she was calmer, Zane asked, genuinely curious what she'd been thinking.

"I... I was just really scared..."

Nicole didn't hold back. Her emotions may have settled, but they hadn't vanished. Just remembering what Zane had said earlier still made her feel uneasy.

"I was afraid you'd see me differently. That you'd think I was some awful person, and we couldn't even be friends anymore..."

She held one arm with the other, voice soft and uncertain.

Zane sighed, a bit helpless.

"I didn't say anything like that, did I?"

"Yes, you did!"

"You suddenly said that in such a cold tone—I thought you were cutting ties with me for good..."

The moment she finished, Zane tapped her forehead lightly.

"You overthink too much. If I had a problem with you, I'd have just left the moment I figured it out. I wouldn't still be here wasting my time."

"You really are a dummy."

Nicole didn't argue. Being scolded by Zane... honestly, it made her feel more secure.

This was good. This was better.

"You're keeping that card. If you really don't want it, toss it out—but don't give it back to me."

"This place is the new orphanage. Later, we'll build a school for the kids too. Don't be stingy. Money's just material stuff."

In other words—he had more than enough to spare.

Nicole opened her mouth, knowing full well that Zane meant every word.

As for tossing it? She could never. Not a chance.

But just holding onto it like this...

Suddenly she thought of something. Nicole looked up at Zane, serious now.

"Zane, consider this money a debt I owe you."

"I'll pay you back someday. I promise."

Zane looked like he wanted to speak, but Nicole covered his mouth with one hand, her eyes full of firm resolve and a quiet plea.

"Promise me, okay?"

Seeing her like that, Zane understood. If he refused, she'd never accept the money.

So he simply nodded.

Nicole's face lit up. She pulled her hand away and smiled—finally back to her usual self.

The night was still and silent, but to Nicole, the skies had cleared.

What she'd feared hadn't happened. Her heart, which had dropped to rock bottom, now soared again like a roller coaster.

Elsewhere, Billy, Anby, and Nekomata had no idea...

That Hare's House hadn't just missed out on a windfall—

It had gained a mountain of debt.

...