Abandoned Rally Point/Old

Feline demi-humans have a slightly higher body temperature than humans.

Guided by the pull of a warm hand, Nicole finally escaped the maze-like streets.

Billy: Boss!

Anby: Nicole, are you OK?

Nicole: What are you doing here! Didn't we agree to meet back at base?

Anby: We were worried about you.

Billy: We couldn't stop worrying... Oh, and this little kitten is?

Nicole: My new friend—

Nekomata: Name's Nekomata~ Your new client!

Billy: Oh? That's Nicole for you! Finding work at a time like this... My role model!

Anby: Did you approach Nicole yourself?

Nicole: Don't worry, Anby. If it weren't for Nekomata, I'd still be trapped in the Red Fang Gang's hideout.

Nekomata: Yeah, don't be nervous. I'm on your side~

Nekomata: ...There's something I need to get back from the Red Fang Gang.

Nekomata: Several years ago the Red Fang Gang's leader Miguel "Silver" took a relic of my family. I infiltrated their territory to get it back, but I've yet to be successful.

Nekomata: Until a few months ago, when I heard the brave Cunning Hares had tricked Silver into a Hollow and defeated him, leaving the Red Fangs leaderless...

Billy: Tricked and defeated...? Did we do something that awesome? Hahaha...

Nicole: Don't be an idiot in front of the client. —So you want us to take advantage of the current chaos within the gang and get back your family's relic?

Nicole: Hmm, that could be tricky.

Nicole: We're already in trouble with the Red Fang Gang. There've been some unavoidable confrontations. Any further trouble will just make things worse. As the saying goes, harmony breeds wealth...

Nekomata: That relic is really valuable~! I'm willing to pay 30% of its value as a bonus! Depending on the situation, perhaps even 70%!

Nicole: ...

Nicole: Just how much is it worth?

Anby: —Nicole. Can I say something?

Anby: Considering how dangerous the job is, I think it'd be better to confirm the sincerity of the client rather than the fee.

Nekomata: I'm more sincere than when there's an unlimited mackerel buffet!

Anby: Really? ...But in movies, new companions appearing around the main character at times like this are always being deceitful.

Anby: Later on, she might turn into a scary ghost, or a monster will spring out from within her body.

Nekomata: There's no monster inside me! Do...do you want to touch and see?

Anby: No thanks.

Nekomata: ...

Anby: Is there a Red Fang Gang hideout nearby?

Nekomata: There is... Why?

Anby: Good. Let's go there and start searching.

Anby: Just you and me.

Anby: While we search for the relic, you'll have a chance to prove you're an enemy of the Red Fang Gang.

Nekomata: You're annoying. I'd rather go with Nicole~

Anby: Please don't misunderstand. I'm the one whose trust you need to earn.

Nekomata: ...

Billy: ...I never thought Anby was the kind of person to be hated by cats...

Nicole: You're back. Did you find it?

Nekomata: We didn't, but I took out a bunch of Red Fang guys! I'm working hard! Please scratch under my chin~

Nicole: Billy, you do it. Anby, are you satisfied that Nekomata is sincere now?

Anby: ...She did do well, but...

Nicole: OK Nekomata. On behalf of the Cunning Hares, I accept your commission!

Nicole: I need a ten percent deposit. That's the rules.

Nekomata: No problem! Let me see what's in my purse~

Anby: That's MY purse! You stole it while we were fighting...?

Nekomata: That's cuz fighting with you is just so BORING.

Nekomata: Hm? How odd~ Why does your purse have a picture of Nicole?

Anby: That's a group photo. Give it back or I'll...

Nicole: OK OK, Anby put the blade down, Nekomata give the purse back!

Nicole: We'll leave the deposit for later. You've got information on the Red Fang Gang, so you can follow us for now, OK?

Nekomata: Sure! I want to get back my family's relic as soon as possible.

Nekomata: Wait a sec, I have to go home and lock the door. Three minutes!

Nekomata disappears into the alley. A few moments later, Anby speaks cautiously—

Anby: Nicole, is this really OK?

Anby: There's something... familiar about the way she fights. She's got skills only someone involved with the gangs would have.

Anby: But you're the one who makes all the decisions. I'll carry out your orders without question.

Billy: Anby, I understand how you feel... "I was here first" or whatever...

Anby: I don't know what you're talking about.

Nicole: I don't know what you're talking about. —But there's nothing to lose, right?

Nicole: Even if the little kitten has any bad ideas, nothing gets past me. And the Red Fang Gang keeps getting in the way, it's time to try something different.

Nicole: Don't forget we have a mission— We have to help "Phaethon" find out about the strongbox and that hacker.

Nicole: No matter what Nekomata and the Red Fang Gang have going on, this is a chance to find out about the strongbox, not to mention a substantial commission payment. Why shouldn't we do it?

Billy: Nicole has thought of everything.

Nekomata: I'm back~ Did I miss anything?

Nicole: Absolutely nothing. To celebrate the Cunning Hare's new commission, dinner tonight is on Billy!

Billy: Yay! Dinner's on Ni— Wait! Why me?

Nicole: Eh? Who was it who said last time they want to treat everyone to a big meal at the Starlight Knight-themed restaurant~?

Anby: If there's one thing that can be trusted, it's Nicole's memory.

Billy: OK, OK... Just promise me one thing!

Anby: Allow me to refuse.

Billy: Work with me Anby! I told you the condition to treating you last time, right?

Billy: We have to do a group photo of us all doing the Starlight Knight flying kick!

Nekomata: ...The four of us? You mean me too?

Billy: Hehe, of course. You're our important client.

Nekomata: ...

Nicole: Hmph, be prepared Billy... I'm gonna eat back the entire bonus I gave you last month!