Ru Jian Xuan's stilettos crunched on the shattered glass, making a crisp, breaking sound. She bent down and picked up a white porcelain cup with a cornflower pattern. Her fingertips traced the jagged cracks along the rim, and a single tear slipped down.
"The teacups are all ruined," she said softly, her voice filled with regret. "The manager will be heartbroken."
Dong Xiang subconsciously clutched He Xi Qian Yu's jacket. The fabric still retained his body heat and a faint scent of blood.
She noticed Ru Jian Xuan's gaze sweep over her swollen eyes but was considerate enough not to ask further.
"Bang—"
A loud crash suddenly came from the kitchen, followed by Koma Enji's exaggerated wail: "All my coffee beans spilled!"
This clumsy interjection eased the tense atmosphere. Dong Xiang's lips involuntarily curved upward, then quickly tightened into a straight line.
When she looked up, she happened to catch a fleeting glint of mischief in Ru Jian Xuan's eyes.
"Little Dong Xiang~" Ru Jian Xuan suddenly leaned closer, a mischievous curve on her lips. "How does it feel to be hugged by a boy for the first time?"
Her fingertips twirled a strand of hair at her temple. "Was Qianyu Jun's embrace warmer than you imagined?"
"Wh-what?" Dong Xiang stiffened visibly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. The blush that had not yet faded from her face instantly spread to her earlobes, and even her neck turned a faint pink.
She fumbled to pull the jacket tighter, as if that could hide all the evidence.
"I... I'll go help clean up..." She awkwardly changed the subject, her voice betraying a hint of panic.
Ru Jian Xuan chuckled softly, no longer teasing her. "Go clean yourself up first."
Her gaze meaningfully swept over Dong Xiang's messy bangs and tear-streaked cheeks. "The bathroom mirror isn't broken."
...
As the cold water ran over her palms, Dong Xiang finally saw herself in the mirror: swollen eyes, tear marks still on her slightly pale face, and... this jacket with the scent of pine wood.
She instinctively lowered her head, her nose lightly brushing against the collar. That fresh scent, mixed with the smell of rust, was strangely comforting.
Outside the door, Koma Enji's deliberately raised voice came: "Qianyu, I didn't expect you to actually scare that guy away. Your Koma-nii was really worried for you."
"He's too noisy." He Xi Qian Yu's voice was still calm, but Dong Xiang keenly detected a hint of helplessness in it.
The sound of running water stopped abruptly. Dong Xiang looked at herself in the mirror, slowly straightened her back, and smoothed her messy short hair with her fingers. When she pushed open the door, the familiar Kirishima Touka was back—if one ignored the jacket on her that clearly didn't belong to her.
...
After the initial cleanup, Ru Jian Xuan, in an undeniable manner, pushed the two towards the stairs: "Go up and rest. We'll take care of the rest."
The light in the second-floor hallway was dim and warm. Dong Xiang stood in front of her room door. Moonlight streamed through the window at the end of the corridor, casting a clear glow on the floor.
She took a deep breath and, with somewhat stiff movements, took off the oversized black jacket she was wearing.
"This," her voice was a few shades softer than usual, as she held the not-so-neatly-folded jacket in both hands, extending it towards He Xi Qian Yu, who was leaning against the opposite wall, "...is yours."
Her gaze fell on the jacket, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the fabric. It seemed to still bear the traces of her tears from when she lost control.
He Xi Qian Yu's gaze lingered on her lowered eyelashes for a moment, then he reached out and took it. His fingertips accidentally brushed against the back of her hand, bringing a slightly cool sensation.
Dong Xiang quickly pulled her hand back as if burned, hiding it behind her.
"Mm." He responded, casually draping the jacket over his arm.
A silence flowed between them, broken only by the clear ticking of an old wall clock. Dong Xiang's fingers clenched behind her back, the faint cool sensation of his touch still lingering on her fingertips.
"Um..." She cleared her throat, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible nervousness. "...Goodnight." She said quickly, turning to twist the doorknob.
"Dong Xiang." He Xi Qian Yu's voice echoed in the quiet hallway, softer than usual.
Her hand stopped on the doorknob. She didn't turn around, but her body visibly froze: "Hm?"
He Xi Qian Yu looked at her thin but straight back, the moonlight outlining the curve of her shoulders and neck. He was silent for two seconds before slowly speaking: "...Sleep well."
Dong Xiang's grip on the doorknob tightened. She didn't answer immediately, nor did she turn around, but her tense shoulder line seemed to relax slightly.
A moment later, an extremely soft voice came, with a hint of almost imperceptible tenderness:
"You too... goodnight."
The door closed softly with a faint click.
He Xi Qian Yu stood in place, the jacket with her body heat and scent draped over his arm. He was alone in the hallway, moonlight quietly flowing.
He listened to the faint footsteps from the adjacent room, then the soft rustle of the bed, finally settling into quiet.
"...Tsk tsk tsk..." Slaughter's lazy voice sounded. "...Truly... gentle..."
He Xi Qian Yu didn't respond, but the corners of his mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly.
He didn't immediately return to his own room. He simply leaned against the wall, feeling the lingering warmth on the jacket, listening until the next room was completely quiet, confirming she had settled down, before turning to leave.
"...In a good mood?..." Slaughter's languid voice drifted out again.
"Mm." He didn't deny it.
"...I knew it... you like that girl..." Slaughter's voice was a little smug. "...And you still won't admit it..."
"What were you doing just now? You were silent for ages," He Xi Qian Yu rolled his eyes at the remark, trying to change the subject. "I thought you'd eaten yourself to death."
"...Strictly speaking... I'm using... your digestive system..." Slaughter corrected him unhurriedly. "...If anyone's going to eat themselves to death... it'll be you first..."
He Xi Qian Yu uncharacteristically didn't retort.
In a sense, he had indeed crossed that line, he just didn't want to admit it.
"Then why were you suddenly silent for so long?" He pressed.
"...Reading the room..." Slaughter's voice held a hint of pride. "...Following you... I've learned a lot... about humans..."
"...So... you admit it?..."
"Alright, alright, you're right." He Xi Qian Yu flopped onto his bed, his voice muffled by the pillow. "Now can you please stop thinking about her all the time?"
"...I need Ukaku... to evolve..." Slaughter's voice deepened, carrying a certain longing.
"You'll get it," He Xi Qian Yu said with certainty. "There's plenty... in Kukulia."
Before his thoughts sank into darkness, he heard Slaughter's whisper:
"...Whatever you say..."