Chapter 41 — The New member
Morning sunlight slipped through the small wooden window, warm rays falling across the room where Jin Yuan slept. Still half-curled from last night's tiredness, he had unknowingly shifted in his sleep—his face now resting softly on Emily's chest.
Emily slowly opened her eyes.
Her cheeks instantly turned pink.
Emily (thinking): H-He's so soft… and warm…
Carefully, she stroked Jin Yuan's hair, gently brushing his bangs aside.
Jin Yuan's eyelashes twitched.
He blinked awake slowly… then realized where he was.
His entire face exploded red.
Jin Yuan: "I—I'm sorry…"
He sat up instantly, looking away in embarrassment.
Emily gave a shy, warm smile.
Emily: "It's okay, Jin Yuan… I don't mind."
Still flustered, Jin Yuan grabbed his towel and rushed into the bathroom.
---
Meanwhile, in the other room…
Yuzurei was sprawled across the bed, snoring louder than an alarm clock, his white fluff hair all over the pillow.
Musukoni opened his eyes slowly, exhausted.
Musukoni: "Yuzurei… stop snoring… please…"
But Yuzurei was gone into another dimension of sleep.
Musukoni sighed, grabbed a pillow, and gently pushed it onto Yuzurei's mouth.
Instant silence.
Musukoni smirked.
Musukoni: "Heh. Blackmail material."
He snapped a photo with his phone and casually walked toward the bathroom.
---
Outside, in the training yard…
Shioinkin stretched under the morning sun.
Shioinkin: "Hmm… looks like the new student should arrive soon."
Right on cue, a girl approached—brown hair, big blue eyes, a soft aura around her.
She wore a pink sweater over a white shirt, a black skirt, and moved nervously.
Name: Aria Shinoki
Shinoki: "Um… S-Sensei…"
Her voice was soft, almost trembling.
Shioinkin smirked.
Shioinkin: "There you are. Come in—I'll introduce you to everyone."
Shinoki: "O-Okay… Sensei…"
She followed him shyly.
---
Inside the house
Musukoni sat on the wooden couch, talking with Jin Yuan.
Emily stood beside them, speaking quietly.
Everyone was gathered…
Except Yuzurei.
Musukoni noticed Shinoki first.
Musukoni: "Sensei… who's she?"
Jin Yuan glanced at her—face still expressionless as always.
Emily greeted Shinoki warmly.
Emily: "Hello! Nice to meet you."
Shinoki: "I-I'm… Shinoki…"
Her cheeks flushed pink.
And right then—
BAM!
Yuzurei kicked his room door open.
His white hair was fluffy and messy, falling over his neck.
His left eye was covered with a band and a scar.
Still yawning loudly, wearing an oversized black T-shirt and black track pants.
He stared at Shinoki, then at Shioinkin.
Yuzurei: "Huh!? Who's she?!"
Shioinkin: "She's your new team member."
Shinoki turned bright red, staring at Yuzurei.
Shinoki: "I-I'm… Shinoki…"
Yuzurei tilted his head, eyes narrowing in confusion as he pointed at her.
Yuzurei: "Why are you blushing?"