Inside the Hollow, at a different time, Ellen and Astra met once again.
"Ellen, you're here! Are you... okay? Why do you look so down?"
"I was on my phone all night yesterday."
Noticing Ellen's unusual state, Astra couldn't help but ask. However, despite what Ellen said, the dark circles under her eyes weren't very noticeable.
Was this also an advantage of being a Thiren?
"After finishing the last commission, I started thinking... if I had to give a gift, I wouldn't know what to give."
"Eh?! You've been undecided since last time and stayed up thinking about it until last night?"
"Yeah, it's a bit annoying."
It wasn't that Ellen hadn't asked Belle for her opinion, but she never received a satisfactory answer.
Knowing there were many girls around Wise, and that many of them would be giving him gifts, she felt that whatever she gave him had to be unique.
"It seems you really cherish your friends too!"
"...Yeah," Ellen replied in her usual lazy voice.
"Alright, then let's quickly finish this commission. That way, you'll have more time to think about it."
Astra waved her arm and began moving through the Hollow in a wide arc.
"Ugh, I still haven't thought of what to give. My head hurts," Ellen suddenly complained.
Seeing this, Astra moved to her side and tried to comfort her.
"Right? Pat, pat~ Giving gifts is like this. You need to understand the other person's preferences, be creative, and make it one of a kind. It's really difficult," Astra said as she patted Ellen's head.
At that moment, she seemed to think of something, and a flicker of interest appeared in her eyes.
"How about I help you? What kind of person is the one you want to give a gift to?"
"He also works in the Hollow field, but... he doesn't go out much. He's very good with technical things."
"Eh? You like people like that~" Astra teased with a smile.
"No, it's not because of work... I just like him..." Ellen said before adding in her heart, 'Although his flirtatious habits can't be changed...'
As a girl, she was still very shy when discussing topics of love with someone else, especially a friend she had only recently met.
"Mhm, mhm, I understand! I've also met someone like that recently, and I'll be preparing a gift for him too!"
Wise's figure involuntarily appeared in Astra's mind, and the same was true for Ellen.
"Then let's look for the Crystal Flowers while we think about it properly."
"Okay."
Ellen didn't refuse. During the rest of their journey through the Hollow, she collected items while pondering the gift.
"Mhm, it went smoothly! This is enough Crystal Flowers."
"So fast..."
The speed at which the commission ended surprised Ellen.
Astra, who had already put away the items, looked at her.
"Ah, right, I still haven't thought of a good idea for you, Ellen!"
However, Ellen shook her head.
"I just thought about it. It's not needed."
"Eh? No, no..."
Astra's tone became slightly agitated, and Ellen quickly explained to avoid being misunderstood.
"What I mean is, I should think of this myself. Just like you personally went into the Hollow and collected Crystal Flowers one by one for your partner, I also need to spend time and rack my brain for him. That way, the gift will be unique."
Hearing this, Astra nodded in understanding.
"I see, I understand. You want to come up with it yourself, huh?"
"I think only by doing it myself can I create something that truly represents us. Although it's a bit troublesome..."
"Mhm, as long as you get to see the other person's expression when they open the gift, it's all worth it!" Astra said happily.
On this point, the two reached a consensus. Both were pleased, and their friendship naturally deepened.
On the way back, Astra felt a bit bored, so she proactively started talking to Ellen about love.
"Ellen, Ellen~ Tell me more about your boyfriend. I want to hear more details!"
Astra couldn't help feeling curious about this kind of gossip, and with a newly made friend, discussing such topics was one of the easiest ways to deepen their friendship even more.
"I've already told you everything before..."
"I want to know more!"
Unable to resist Astra's questioning, Ellen recalled everything about Wise, though she spoke only of his good qualities.
"...Although one of our dates ended in a huge accident, he's also amazing with VR and similar things. I think he's the best. No one can beat him."
Ellen spoke as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, but Astra, hearing this, clenched her fists, somewhat unconvinced.
"I know you like him... and I understand that the person you're talking about is amazing, but... 'the best'... what's that supposed to mean?"
"Huh? Because it's a fact."
Ellen recalled how Wise had recently broken an arcade game record and how no one had surpassed it since. However, her attitude made Astra unable to hold back.
"Ugh... Although I have no intention of belittling your boyfriend, the strongest person around here has to be my friend! He's the most amazing!"
"Ah..."
Astra's somewhat childish remark caught Ellen off guard, but neither side was willing to back down on this matter.
Neither of them expected that the "he" they were talking about was actually the same person.
After all, one was a well-known celebrity in New Eridu. The other was a Victoria Housekeeping employee who specialized in handling affairs for the upper class.
Soon after, the two left the Hollow, and Ellen prepared to say goodbye.
"Well then, I'm going back to suffer from insomnia."
"Good luck! When you finish it, send me pictures, okay?"
"Okay."
After returning that night, Ellen hugged Wise in bed and checked on him several times, leaving him utterly confused.
Normally, after they finished, she would simply hold him and fall asleep.
So why was she moving around so much tonight?
<<>>
In front of the Lumina Station mall, Belle stretched lazily.
"Finally, I can relax a bit... There are only a few days left until the New Year. It should be time to say that phrase... No matter what happens, let's talk about it after the New Year."
After saying that, she paused.
"Sigh... Honestly, I wanted to say that a month ago. Originally, going to the concert was supposed to help me relax..."
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
Wise comforted her while reaching out to stroke her head, but upon hearing that, Belle quickly waved her hand.
"...Brother, I beg you, please take that back... Um, wait, where's Eous?"
Belle was about to tell her brother not to say anything ominous when she suddenly realized that a Bangboo was missing from her side.
"Over there, Master."
Odile pointed toward a spot not far away.
Eous was talking to another Bangboo.
Looking closer, wasn't that Amillion?
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