Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

Zane smiled softly, tilted his head toward Nicole, feeling the cold, hard Dennies in his hand. He didn't respond immediately, but slowly opened his palm—like a white lotus in bloom.

The Dennies Nicole had seen earlier now lay quietly in his palm.

The magic trick had been exposed, but...

His eyes shimmered like water as he spoke softly.

"No."

"I mean…"

"Nicole is as dazzling as Dennies."

As the words fell, time seemed to slow, then quicken again as the morning light gradually filled the sky.

Nicole stood frozen, her smile stuck on her face. Her lips moved, but she couldn't bring back her usual smile. Her expression slowly settled.

What was she feeling now? Nicole didn't know herself...

Maybe, no matter how much time passed, she'd never be able to describe this moment. It was something that struck straight through the heart…

Her emotions surged like ocean tides. In her ears, only those words echoed again and again.

As dazzling as Dennies.

Such a strange comparison—and yet, to her, it was the most fitting thing he could've said...

At the horizon, golden light began to spill across the sky. The dawn burst forth, chasing away the darkness with joy and energy.

From the orphanage behind them, the children's laughter rang through the air.

The soft morning light reflected off the silver Dennies in Zane's palm, casting a peculiar glow—brilliant yet gentle, cold yet warm.

That light was blinding.

That light was breathtaking.

That light was unforgettable.

Nicole's nose stung. She turned away from Zane's gaze, wanting to speak—but the words wouldn't come out.

So… this is how Zane sees her?

"What's wrong? Got sand in your eyes again?"

His teasing voice reached her ears with a light chuckle, part joke, part sincere curiosity.

Nicole was silent. Her hair fluttered slightly as if she were holding something back, until finally, she sighed.

"You jerk... really..."

"Why would you suddenly say something like that? You caught me completely off guard—I couldn't hold it in…"

Her voice trembled slightly, so soft it tugged at the heart. Then, as if steeling herself, she turned back around to face him directly.

Zane blinked in surprise at her expression, his gaze flickering for a moment.

Her hands were still behind her back, her smile back on her face—this time even brighter. Her eyes curved gently, more radiant than before.

Two glittering trails of tears ran down her cheeks.

"No."

"This time, I'm crying."

Her long pink hair danced in the morning breeze. With tears in the corners of her eyes, her smile carried an emotion hard to describe.

She smiled and cried at once. What exactly was Nicole feeling?

No one could say for sure.

But it was clear—this moment was nothing like the one the night before.

Right now, in this ordinary, peaceful place, a pure soul was shining.

Just like when she was a child.

Maybe someone had given her that light—or maybe it had always been hers. Either way, there was no doubt: it was unique.

Right now, Nicole was the most beautiful thing in the world—radiant in a way that made everything else fade.

Not just to the eye—but to the heart as well.

Bathed in the morning glow, it was perfect.

Zane came to his senses and looked at the tear streaks on her face. His expression softened.

He realized—his words must have touched something delicate inside her.

It wasn't intentional.

But sometimes, it's the unexpected that means the most.

With a gentle smile, he handed her a tissue and spoke softly.

"Wipe those tears, or you'll turn into a little kitten."

"Maybe you should come hang out at the cat cafe with the other cats. Then Nekomata wouldn't be the only big cat there."

Nicole took the tissue and wiped her tears, avoiding his eyes.

"Who's a big cat? I'm not a cat-person. Zane, seriously, how can you say that about someone…"

Zane raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Alright, alright. My bad…"

Once Nicole had pulled herself together, Zane gently said,

"Come on, let's go. Time to head back."

Just as he turned to leave, his sleeve was tugged.

Nicole's hand had caught it.

"Give me what's in your hand."

Without giving him a choice, Nicole grabbed his hand, made him open it, and took the Dennies coin.

Zane felt a sweet breeze pass, her pink hair brushing across his view as Nicole stepped ahead. She turned, looked back at him, and smiled.

"Zane!"

"Now I owe you one billion and one Dennies!"

She lifted her hand, holding the sparkling coin in the sunlight. The light fell on her, and she glowed with it.

"Remember it, okay? 1000000001. Don't you forget, or I won't count it!"

Nicole's eyes sparkled—just like when they first came here.

A number that belonged only to the two of them. The same forwards and backwards, right-side up or upside down.

The matching digits on both ends, the eight zeroes in between—it was distant, and yet, so close.

Nicole couldn't quite explain how she felt just then.

But that moment etched itself deep in her memory.

As dazzling as Dennies. She would remember that line forever.

She turned away and walked forward, taking a deep breath, trying to calm her heart—but it wasn't easy to quiet the flutter inside her chest.

She heard movement behind her. Zane had caught up. Her heart leapt, and she looked up at the sky.

The sun had risen halfway—bright and beautiful.

"Remember that," she said.

She didn't know if she was telling him—or herself.

A few breaths later, she heard the reply.

"Mm, I will."

Nicole smiled, her steps growing lighter.

She wasn't an unlucky person—not really.

Despite the pain and regrets, she'd also gained so much in life.

The principal, the children, her friends… and now, Zane by her side.

This memory would be one of her most treasured.

Forever etched in her heart.

Until the end of time.

...

Gurgle gurgle～

An awkward sound broke the mood.

"Uh… Zane, let's hurry back. I didn't eat anything this morning, and now I'm kinda starving…"

"There's a restaurant over there."

"It looks fancy. Maybe we should skip it…"

"I'll treat."

"That's… not really okay, right? I already owe you so much. If you pay again—"

"Exactly. Like you said, you already owe me so much, what's a little more? It's not like you'll ever pay it back…"

"Zane! Don't underestimate me! What do you mean I can't pay you back? I will!"

"Even if it's hard, I'll save up. Even if it takes my whole life, I'll pay you back!"

"Alright, alright. So are we eating or not?"

"Eating!"

...