[Scene: Late evening, in New Fornia's city branch lounge. Shunya has gone out to "buy snacks" but is taking forever. Naomi and Vikoria end up alone together.]
Naomi (leaning back in her chair, sipping tea): You know… he's been gone for a while. Think he got lost?
Vikoria (calmly reading a small cultivation manual): Or distracted. He talks to everyone he meets.
Naomi (smirking): Yeah, I've noticed. Friendly to a fault. Especially to certain people.
Vikoria (closing the book): Are you implying something?
Naomi (grinning): I'm saying he's the type who'll invite a stranger to tea… then forget he's in the middle of a cultivation exam.
Vikoria (soft chuckle): True. But… that's also why people like him. He makes this world feel less… heavy.
Naomi (raising an eyebrow): Huh. Sounds like you've been thinking about him a lot.
Vikoria (looking away, hiding a faint smile): Maybe. And you haven't?
Naomi (mock gasp): I'm a Hard-level cultivator. I don't get distracted.
