Up until a moment ago, the mood was hair-raising, and now we're apparently sharing hot pot like old friends. Well, at least that's how it looks to onlookers.
"So... you want me to eat this?"
"Why are you scared?"
This insane Nian insisted her hot pot wasn't spicy and dumped all her seasonings into it, turning the broth a color that should never exist in this world.
Slurp…
"Sss... ugh... it's actually not bad..."
Of course, having grown accustomed to heat in both my past life and this one, I had no problem taking a bold spoonful at Nian's provocation. My tongue did tingle, but I could handle it.
"Ohoo? I like this one even more."
"Why do you keep saying you like it?"
"Well, you're just one hell of an interesting character."
"Exactly... ow, ouch... what part of me?"
I feel like Ling said something similar. Or was I imagining it?
"Hmm. I can't explain why. It's just that you're a mix of so many things, and like Ling said, you're strangely endearing. What have you been up to?"
"What's that supposed to mean? I don't know. It scares me."
What's your game trying to win the dragons' favor?
"Should I just take you away for myself?"
"Don't be absurd. I'm staying here."
"Why's that for you to decide?"
You can't even decide where I belong? This world really is absurd.
"In times like this, you'd use your sword, right?"
But it's a restaurant—would that be okay? Even a dragon must have its limits.
"Oho~ Is that our little one's sword? Let me have a look."
"You, an older sister my ass... How big do you think the age gap is between us?"
She really is centuries older. Even if I added up my age from both lives, it wouldn't even tickle her lifespan.
"Hoho... so it seems... Did you have your sword serviced recently?"
"Ah, yeah. Why?"
"It's crude, but not so bad that I can't overlook it, considering your age."
"Is that an insult or a compliment?"
"An insult masked as a compliment."
"...You damned dragon."
"Let me see... I can't work on it for you now, but if we meet again sometime, I'll fix it then."
"You're the chattiest one I've ever met."
"What, why say that?"
"Nothing. Well, I guess my eldest brother will set you straight when you meet him..."
"Chongwe? That first fragment of Shei, the eccentric god who sealed her power into a sword to become human?"
"Why? Surprised?"
"Yeah. Why? Am I not enough for Ling that I now have to face my eldest brother too?"
"You have no idea. You're one of the people us siblings are most curious about right now."
"Why not?"
"Well... Ling did talk about you, and everyone was bored already. Then something interesting popped up out of nowhere—so whether they like it or not, they're paying attention."
"...Don't you Shei have anything better to do?"
"Oh, how rude. Everyone's busy except me. Actually, scratch that—everyone except my little sister. She's holed up in a painting, refuses to come out..."
Hmm... It's been eight years since my life reset. Me—the idol of the Shei?
"Terra is really ripe for all this nonsense. Ha ha ha ha."
"Right, I'll admit that. Hey, handle the bill and let's go?"
"...What? Isn't it an unspoken rule that the elder buys?"
"I don't have any money. I spent it all getting here."
"...I'm growing to loathe you all the more."
Leeching off a child's money. Are you still a duelist after that?
"Let's be realistic. This older lady is going to tune your sword next time, okay?"
Such a realistic bastard...
Fortunately, meeting Nian only took about an hour, so if I head over now, I'll be able to resume training without rush.
"What? What are you talking about? Training? You can skip that stuff, man."
"I'm supposed to be the one teaching you, remember?"
"That's enough of that. Just follow me."
"Wow... you really live life on your own terms..."
"I don't even have that."
Ah, makes sense. So that's how they end up living like that.
"Hey? Hey!"
"Oh! Swire? Why are you wandering around alone?"
After everything she's been through recently, she's strolling around unattended, with no caution.
"Who is that person next to you?"
"Someone I know—a younger sister slash madwoman."
"Hey! Is that how you introduce me?"
"Why? Because it's true!"
"Yeah, fine, fair enough! Damn straight it's accurate!"
"Ow! You damned dragon! You wanna go?"
"Should I set the pecking order straight right here, kid?!"
"Wait, you two about to fight? Here?"
Couldn't be more natural. If you feel like it, you fight.
"That girl—who is she? Is she your girlfriend or something?"
"Girlfriend? I—I'm not ready for that, okay?!"
"No, she's just someone I know."
"......"
"Ooo~ Guess I don't have to fight after all? Let's go~"
"What the hell is that...."
I must never become like that when I grow up. No way. Then I'd better get back to it...
"Hyun, are you ashamed of me?"
"What? No! Why all of a sudden?"
They say misfortune comes in bundles. No sooner did Nian leave than Swire shows up?
"Why would I be ashamed of you?"
What's so shameful about her? She's beautiful, filthy rich, noble... maybe her finicky personality's the only flaw...
"Then tell me my strengths."
"You're incredibly pretty and..."
"Ahem! Hold on..."
What's up with her? Is she ill?
"Hey, what's wrong? Look at me."
"Wait! Too close!"
"Let me see... your temperature's a bit high... hey, stay still. Look at me."
"...hic"
She does have a slight fever. Is it a cold?
"We have time, so... did you walk here alone? Or did you come in a car?"
"There... there was... no!"
Heh heh heh Could this be a green light?!
"Come here. Get on my back."
Goal!!!!! Swire!!! That's a goal!!!!
"I'll sprint to the hospital from here. You good with that?"
"Hee hee... first we'll honeymoon at Victoria's villa..."
Hmm... Is she suffering delusions too? She's in a serious state.
"Hold tight. If you fall off, you'll be in big trouble."
"We'll have three kids... hee hee hee..."
Yeah. I need to hurry.
"Hospital... the hospital... must be somewhere around here... ah, there it is."
"Excuse me. My friend's feeling unwell. Could you help her?"
"M-M-Miss Swire? I'll take you immediately!!"
"To spend your old age like this...? Oh? Baekhyun? Where are you going?"
"Ah. It's training time again. I have to go see Talulah and Chen Feijie."
"And me?"
"I was carrying you to the hospital because you were sick. Your condition is more serious than I thought..."
"What? Hey, let me come too... let go of me!"
"Miss Swire, I'll take you immediately!!"
Phew... thank goodness. She'll be healthy again now, right?
"Baekhyun!! Just you wait!"
See? She's up and about again. Maybe I should muster the energy and get back to work too.
"Alright, did everyone finish their meal?"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
"Then swords up! Anyone who lags behind gets hit ten times over!"
"S-save me..."
"Not coming? If you won't come, I'll come to you."
That day, at the training ground, the sounds of people's groans echoed without respite...
"Watch this, Baekhyun!"
"Miss! Please calm down!"
The young tiger tasted the bitter sting of love all by herself. It was winter.