As Lin and I waited in the bustling cafeteria line for lunch, the aroma of savory dishes wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of chattering members around us. I found myself reflecting on our recent "lessons," memories swirling in my mind like autumn leaves dancing in the wind. "Saff, you wouldn't believe me if I told you this," I mused silently, "but these humans seem to possess an insatiable desire—far greater than what we werewolves ever experienced! Who, I wonder, taught them to perfect the 'intricate dances of intimacy'?"
My gaze inadvertently settled on Lin, and I couldn't help but notice the dark, passionate hickeys scattered across her collarbone, their vivid colors a stark contrast against her smooth skin. A pang of concern shot through me, and I instinctively winced.
"Meimie, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" Lin inquired, her voice laced with genuine worry as her eyes darted over my body, searching for any signs of distress. I quickly shook my head, eager to shift her focus away from me.
"No, no, not me! I'm perfectly fine. But you—are you okay? Just look at all those hickeys on your neck," I said, my voice tinged with worry as I gently tugged at her collar in an attempt to shield the colorful marks from view. As we inched closer to the front of the line, Lin erupted into a lighthearted laugh, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Leaning in conspiratorially, she whispered in my ear, "You're so strange, Meimie. Honestly, who hasn't accumulated a few hickeys here and there after indulging in at least one lesson? I'm definitely not alone in this!" She pointed subtly with her chin toward the girl standing just ahead of us, who bore her own collection of hickeys, vivid and unapologetic against her skin. Lin chuckled affectionately at my reaction, shaking her head in amusement as if this whole affair—marked by youthful exploration and unabashed intimacy—was just a natural part of life, something completely normal among our peers. I couldn't help but feel a mix of bewilderment and curiosity.
As we picked up our trays, laden with steaming plates of food, we made our way toward the vibrant eating area. The space was alive with chatter, laughter, and the clattering of dishes, creating a lively atmosphere. As we navigated through the tables, I couldn't help but notice a group of girls around our age, dressed in striking contrast to our standard 'uniforms'. Their attire, entirely in black. This sight stirred a vivid memory within me, taking me back to that pivotal moment when I first opened my eyes in this world and encountered Lin. After finding a spot at one of the long communal tables, I settled in and turned to Lin, my curiosity piqued. I asked her why the other girls weren't wearing our 'uniform'. Lin's expression shifted to one of focus and determination as she explained the significance of the week.
"This week is Project Phoenix week," she said, her voice steady and serious. "It's Group B's turn to undertake missions." She gestured discreetly toward the girls, now engrossed in animated conversation and laughter as they prepared for their tasks. Lin elaborated that all the girls in Group B were currently out on a mission, actively engaging in the challenging activities designed to test and enhance their skills. In contrast, the girls who hadn't been selected for the mission remained here, diligently training to sharpen their own abilities and prepare for future assignments. "What about us?" I asked, intrigued by the structure of it all. Lin continued, explaining that those of us in Group A would alternate weekly for these critical missions. If we weren't selected during our designated week, we would use the time to improve, training rigorously to ensure we were ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
I nodded in understanding, my mind swirling with the striking parallels between this world and my own. Just as we were nearing the end of our lunch, a high-pitched, grating voice pierced the air behind me. Its words dripping with disdain. "Madam Song needs to loosen up!" the voice exclaimed, sharp and mocking.
The speaker continued without hesitation, "So what if we played a little prank on those two? It's not like Bigback actually killed them!" The disdain for the two individuals was palpable, echoing through the room. "If it weren't for those two annoying bitches, we would have made it back on time!"
The frustration in the voice escalated, emphasizing the burden they felt. "Having to 'serve' multiple clients all week long feels like an unfair punishment!" The sentiment lingered in the air, thick with resentment and a desire for reprieve.
One of Sulie's lackeys, a tall girl with a sharp chin and a sneer perpetually etched on her face, caught sight of me and Lin at our shared table. A snicker slipped from her lips, a mocking sound that sliced through the bustling noise of members chatting and laughing. At that moment, Sulie pivoted dramatically on her heels, an annoyed huff escaping her lips like the hiss of a scorned cat, and marched over to us, her confidence radiating like a spotlight.
Lin shot her a defiant glare, her posture coiling like a spring as she prepared for the inevitable confrontation. But I, staying cool under pressure, opted to disregard Sulie entirely, turning my attention back to Lin as if the world around us had faded away. She returned my glance with a smirk that danced on her lips, the flash of rebellion in her eyes clear as day.
With a callous shriek of frustration at our dismissal, a sound that caught the attention of every member in the room, Sulie's frustration boiled over. Sulie suddenly hurled her steaming hot soup in our direction. Thanks to my enhanced werewolf hearing, I anticipated her move perfectly. Realizing that Sulie was closer to Lin, I acted swiftly; I pulled Lin into my embrace just as the soup sailed through the air. I braced myself and turned my back toward her, the hot liquid splattering against my skin. Thankfully, since her bowl wasn't full, the impact was less severe than I had expected, but it still left a burning sensation across my back.
A heavy silence fell over the cafeteria, the chatter dying down as everyone turned to witness the confrontation. I could hear Sulie's laughter ringing in the air as she triumphantly walked away, fully satisfied with her small act of bullying. I wrapped my arms around Lin, sensing her rage simmering just below the surface. Leaning in, I whispered softly, "It's okay, it doesn't hurt. Are you alright?"
She shoved me away slightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of frustration. "Meimei," she wailed, her voice trembling, "you should've let me hit her back." I offered her a reassuring smile, the corners of my mouth lifting with confidence. "Karma will take care of it, just watch."
Lin pivoted in her seat, directing her gaze to Sulie, who was now sandwiched between her two lackeys as they regained their composure. A cluster of her lackeys also trailed behind them. Beneath the table, I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of energy flood through me, before suddenly springing them open. In that instant, the soup in one of Sulie's lackeys' trays reacted violently, launching upward and drenching Sulie and her lackey that sandwich her in a scalding spray.
With a flourish, I raised my hands in a dramatic gesture, palms open and fingers flying, as if orchestrating the chaos. Lin erupted in laughter, her eyes sparkling with delight as she pointed at the scene. "Look, karma is real! The invisible hand knows that Sulie is the villain and decided to spray her with her own soup!"
She continued to laugh, wiping tears from her eyes, her joy infectious. "Am I just seeing things?" she asked, turning to me with an exuberant grin as she absentmindedly placed my hands back on my chopsticks, gesturing me to finish the last of my food. I smiled back, playing along. "Who knows, Lin?" I replied with a twinkle in my eye. "Maybe your eyes are just playing tricks on you. I mean, you saw how distracted her lackeys were, right? It could easily have happened that they tripped and splashed their soup on Sulie."
Lin pondered this for a moment, her laughter bringing a welcome lightness back to our table. She nodded in agreement, her expression shifting from anger to amusement. As her giggles mingled with those of the members around us, I could hear the ripple of laughter spread throughout the cafeteria, the collective energy electric. Soon enough, Sulie and her lackeys fled the scene, the unmistakable flush of embarrassment staining their cheeks as they hurriedly exited the cafeteria, leaving the remnants of their humiliation behind.