112. Mei's Darkening
Generally speaking, there are two drastically different ways bullies and victims interact.
One is the weaker party turning against the weaker, and the other is one party becoming dependent on the other.
The former is the most common, with the latter occurring only in rare cases.
The condition for the latter is that one of the bullied parties is very powerful and unafraid of being bullied.
Yun Ling clearly fits the latter description, and that's why he attracted the girl before him.
Asaka Yuna wanted to be protected, to find someone she could rely on.
Yun Ling didn't usually like meddling in other people's business, but since the girl had come to him personally, he couldn't refuse.
It definitely wasn't because she was pretty (he was certain).
"Please go out with me!" Asaka Yuna shouted to Yun Ling.
Everyone in the shop was drawn to her words, looking on with amusement.
"Alright, alright, sit down first. Don't speak so loudly, I can hear you," Yun Ling reassured her.
Although he disliked assuming the worst of others, confessing in public did indeed carry a sense of 'coercion'.
"Y-yes..." Asaka Yuna obediently sat down, her face still showing some unease.
"Simply put, you fell for me because you saw me fight back against those bullies, right?" Yun Ling chatted with her unhurriedly.
"Hmm..." She nodded slightly, acknowledging it.
"Damn it, it's not because I'm handsome..." Yun Ling sensed a faint sadness.
"No, Yun Ling is extremely handsome! If it were anyone else, I definitely wouldn't feel this way!" Asaka Yuna looked at Yun Ling earnestly.
Listening to that, Yun Ling couldn't help but help her.
"Actually, I already have someone I like." Yun Ling deliberately lowered his voice so the two eavesdroppers behind him couldn't hear.
It sounded like they were whispering.
"I know, Yun Ling likes Mei, right? I don't mind, as long as… I can stay by your side, I'll be content." Asaka Yuna smiled.
She was well aware of Yun Ling's situation; he was facing school bullying because he stood up for Mei, which made Yuna admire him even more.
"There's no need to be so humble… I think you'd be perfect as my wingman." Yun Ling suggested.
"Wingman?" Asaka Yuna didn't understand the term.
"It's okay, you don't need to know what it means. Just listen to me." Yun Ling waved his hand.
"Okay." Asaka Yuna nodded without hesitation.
"I'll help you deal with everyone who bothers you, but in return, you have to be there when I need you, how about that?" Yun Ling gave her the most honest advice.
This wasn't a romantic relationship, but rather a relationship of mutual exploitation, with Yun Ling as the dominant one and Asaka Yuna as the dependent.
Yun Ling had always believed that a love based on subservience would never end well.
It would inevitably end in tragedy for one or both parties.
It was better to establish a relatively equal relationship from the start; as for what happened next... There was no rush.
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say," Asaka Yuna nodded.
Yun Ling was somewhat surprised; she'd already gotten involved so quickly.
"Alright, now pretend to be very happy, and then kiss me."
Yun Ling pointed to his cheek.
Asaka Yuna blushed, but didn't refuse. She glanced around, then quietly leaned close to Yun Ling and kissed his cheek.
"Snap."
The handle of Kiana's coffee cup broke off.
Mei's eyes lost their sparkle, her gaze lingering on Yun Ling, as if contemplating where to begin her attack.
It has to be said, Yun Ling's move was very successful.
It successfully aroused their sense of crisis, but correspondingly, it also put him in a more dangerous situation.
Yun Ling could already feel the murderous gazes behind him.
"Let's go, let's go for a walk," Yun Ling said to Yuna.
"Okay!" Yuna hurriedly grabbed her schoolbag and followed.
Kiana and Mei hid, only appearing after Yun Ling and Asaka Yuna had walked a distance.
After taking Asaka Yuna home, explaining a few things, and exchanging contact information, Yun Ling returned to his house.
As soon as he entered, Yun Ling clearly heard the sound of a kitchen knife hitting the cutting board.
Each sound echoed in Yun Ling's mind.
"You're back? How was it, having fun with your new girlfriend?"
Mei's head turned mechanically, a sharp knife in her hand, a sinister smile playing on her lips. She emphasized the words "new girlfriend," enunciating each syllable clearly.
"Mei, don't smile so creepily, it scares me." Yun Ling felt a chill run down his spine.
"Dinner'll be ready soon. Wait for me in the living room, okay? *Clang!* Mei turned away, continuing to chop the meat on the cutting board with the cleaver.
"...Let me help you, Mei." Yun Ling rolled up his sleeves.
However, the next second, the blade was already in front of him; one centimeter more and Yun Ling's face would be scratched.
"Yun Ling, be good, wait for me in the living room," Mei repeated her words, a bone-chilling coldness spreading through her body.
Yun Ling felt he might have gone a bit too far. How did Mei evolve into a yandere?
"Gulp, okay." Yun Ling swallowed hard, sat down in the living room, and occasionally glanced at Mei's back in the kitchen.
"Beep!!!" The kettle suddenly boiled, releasing a large amount of steam.
"Yun Ling, could you please turn off the kettle for me?" Mei's voice came from the kitchen.
"...Okay."
Yun Ling felt a strange sense of déjà vu about this scene. If his phone had sent a long string of blank text, ending with "Goodbye," then it would have felt right.
Yun Ling unplugged the kettle, and the moment he turned around, he met Mei's deep eyes.
"Mei...Mei, why do you walk so quietly?" Yun Ling broke out in a cold sweat, his back already throbbing with pain.
"The food is ready," Mei said in a strange tone, not answering his question.
Three dishes and a soup were already laid out on the table; it seemed unusually lavish today.
Could this be his last meal?
Yun Ling sat up straight at the table, while Mei's gaze remained fixed on him.
"Yun Ling, try the food today! How's it? Does it suit your taste?" Mei urged Yun Ling.
"Mei, you should eat with me too," Yun Ling said, his heart pounding uncontrollably as he looked at the food in front of him. Could there be rat poison in it?
"I'm not hungry right now," Mei shook her head, still staring intently at Yun Ling, her gaze conveying a sense that he was doomed if he didn't eat.
Yun Ling took a deep breath. He believed Mei was still the same angelic Mei!
Yun Ling picked up his chopsticks and began to eat Mei's food heartily.
Mei froze for a second, then looked surprised, before quickly stepping forward to stop him.
...