Chapter 27 - Puppy Eyes

“You really are an asshole, Zaft.”

Neil’s voice echoed down the corridor, drawing the attention of passing students. I was walking beside him and his partner, Fei, while Myrrh strolled at my other side. Neil’s loud statement made my cheeks heat slightly with embarrassment, especially with the curious glances we were getting. Now that classes had ended, we were headed to our group study session, but Neil’s teasing seemed far from over.

“Huh. You’ll get used to his crap, Neil.” Myrrh chimed in, rolling her eyes with a half-smile. “Zaft just loves trolling people like some hyperactive kid with a new toy. So immature.”

Fei forced a chuckle, her laughter light but slightly strained. “It’s mostly your fault, though, Neil. If you’d stop dozing off in class, maybe you’d be able to answer the professor’s questions.”

Neil scratched the back of his head, his face scrunched in a look of sheepish regret. “Maybe, but I can’t help it, Fei. I’m so worn out from my part-time job that staying awake is a struggle these days.”

Myrrh’s eyes widened as she looked at Neil with surprise. “You have a part-time job?”

“Yeah, why?” He tilted his head, a playful smirk appearing. “Is it really that shocking for a regular college guy to have a job? I have to earn money somehow to keep up with all these tuition hikes.”

“Hmmm.” Myrrh crossed her arms, the movement causing her ample figure to shift as she studied Neil thoughtfully.

Fei’s eyes lit up as she spoke. “Neil works at this ramen joint not too far from here! He makes the most amazing ramen—thick noodles, rich broth, so many toppings…” She trailed off, blushing slightly, clearly proud of him.

Myrrh grinned, her interest piqued. “Do you mind if we check it out today?” She glanced at me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Zaft’s treat, of course.”

“Hey!” I burst out, finally breaking my silence. I’d been listening to their back-and-forth without saying a word, but the moment my name was tossed into the conversation, I knew it was time to step in. I could practically feel my wallet shudder at the thought of an impromptu dinner expense. “I’m not letting you raid my funds!”

“What?” Myrrh turned to me, feigning innocence with a tilt of her head. “You owe Neil, remember? After trolling him in class earlier, it’s only fair that you treat him to a meal, right?”

I sighed, exasperated. “Alright, fine, maybe Neil. But why does that mean the two of you should tag along?”

Myrrh’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned in close, batting her eyelashes. “Aww, wouldn’t you treat cute girls like us?” She winked, puckering her lips and sending me a playful, exaggerated flying kiss like a teasing succubus. “Pretty puhlease…”

“Shut up, you scammer!” I shot back, rolling my eyes. “That charm of yours might work on me sometimes, but not today. Besides, you still owe me three dates—on your dime!”

“Tsk.” Myrrh clicked her tongue, then nudged Fei with a sly grin. “Alright, Plan B. Fei, time to bring out the big guns.”

Fei tilted her head, confusion softening her expression. “You mean… right here? In the middle of the hallway?”

“Yes! Our free meal depends on it!” Myrrh urged, whispering like they were hatching some grand heist. “Quick, use your cute face!”

With an embarrassed smile, Fei dropped her gaze and bowed, covering her face with her hands. The bashful gesture was almost comically effective—it was clear she knew exactly how adorable she looked, and even I had to admit, it was hard to resist.

“Whatever dirty tricks you’re cooking up, it won’t work on me,” I said, leveling a cold glare at the pair of them.

Fei Xian slowly lowered her hands, unveiling her face with a deliberate, dramatic flair. Her golden-brown eyes shimmered, catching the light as she looked up at me with the most devastatingly cute, wide-eyed stare—like a puppy that had been left in the rain. “Aww… Pwetty Pweaaaaase?” she murmured, her voice soft and pleading, almost like a little song. A faint blush painted her cheeks, making her look like the very definition of “adorable.” She took my hand, her touch gentle and warm, like she was sharing her soft-hearted charm directly with me.

She seemed to glow, radiating a light that felt almost divine, like an angel stepping out of heaven itself to charm a poor mortal like me. It was so bright, so pure, that it practically blinded me—a flash of light that left me reeling, like I’d been hit with an emotional flashbang.

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“She’s too bright!” I exclaimed, shielding my eyes with my free hand as if warding off her overwhelming aura. “I’m not going to survive this!”

Myrrh crossed her arms, smirking with a look of triumph. “Just look at her,” she said, gesturing at Fei like a proud coach. “How could you possibly say no to an abandoned puppy like this?”

“God fucking damn it,” I muttered, resigned to my fate. "Fine!"

And just like that, my destiny was sealed. Myrrh clapped her hands. “Sponsor secured! Onward to the ramen shop!” She led the way with a spring in her step, her victory fully claimed.

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The ramen shop where Neil worked was just a few blocks away, nestled under a neon sign that buzzed softly in the early evening glow. The streets were quiet, the usual hustle of this cyberpunk city dimmed at this hour, making it an ideal time to settle in. Inside, only three or four other patrons sat hunched over their bowls, the comforting hum of low conversation mingling with the scent of miso and simmering broth. Neil greeted the shop owner and his co-worker, who gave him a tired but friendly nod as he covered Neil’s shift for the evening.

After about ten minutes, our bowls arrived. Though this was a ramen shop, we all ended up with bowls of thick, steaming udon, which Neil insisted was their specialty. He told us it was especially popular with late-night barhoppers, looking for a hearty, starchy meal to sober up. As I took in the aroma, the rich, umami scent made my stomach growl, and we dug in, savoring the satisfying chew of the noodles and the subtle notes of soy and green onion in the broth.

I glanced at Myrrh, who was delicately tucking a strand of her lime-green hair behind her ear, exposing a sliver of her neck. Her focus and grace as she took each sip stirred something primal in me, and I quickly shifted my gaze. When she glanced up and caught me looking, I seized the moment to ask what had been on my mind.

“So… why’d you pick this ramen shop as our study venue?” I asked, trying to sound casual. “Doesn’t seem like you’re the ramen-lover type.”

She laughed lightly, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Honestly, I was curious about Neil’s part-time job. I thought I might check it out and maybe even consider getting a job myself. But seeing this place… well, there’s no way I’d work in a hot kitchen. Do you know what heat does to hair?” She playfully twirled the tips of her vibrant hair, emphasizing her point. “A girl’s gotta avoid split ends at all costs.”

“Figures,” I replied with a smirk. “Just admit it—you don’t know how to cook, do you? Why not just stick to cup ramen? It’s foolproof: hot water, three minutes, and voilà.”

“Wow. Rude,” she huffed, pressing a hand to her chest as if genuinely offended. “For your information, I do know how to cook. A proper lady knows her way around the kitchen!”

“Oh wow, Myrrh, you know how to cook?” Fei Xian chimed in, her eyes bright with curiosity. “You’ll have to teach me! What dishes are you a master of?”

“Mostly barbecue,” Myrrh replied, crossing her arms with a smug grin. “Pork barbecue, chicken barbecue, beef barbecue, squid barbecue, lamb barbecue—you name it, I can grill it.”

I couldn’t help myself and let out a snicker, trying hard not to burst into full-blown laughter. “You… you call that cooking?” I asked, barely holding back.

“What’s wrong with barbecue?” she shot back, her lips forming an indignant pout. “That’s not all, you know. I can make a mean salad too!”

“Oh, so impressive,” I said with a smirk. “Just one question—are you actually supposed to cook salad?”

I glanced up briefly and saw both Fei Xian and Neil watching me, each giving me a warning look that said: Don’t start. They knew full well that if I kept this up, Myrrh and I would end up in one of our classic banter spirals, totally derailing any chance of a study session. There's even a fair chance of raining morphers straight to my face. I sighed, throwing up my hands as I leaned back in my seat.

“N-No, never mind,” I said, shrugging. “I’ll save it for another time.”

Myrrh flicked her hair, giving me a satisfied look. “See? Even you can act like a decent person if you manage to keep that mouth shut.”

“A-anyway!” Neil clapped his hands together, attempting to steer the conversation in a safer direction. “So, Myrrh, what kind of part-time job are you looking for? I get that a classy lady like you wouldn’t survive long in a ramen shop kitchen.”

Myrrh’s expression shifted as she pulled out her phone, her voice turning a little more serious. “Actually, I’ve been considering applying for that internship with the investigations bureau,” she said, showing Neil and Fei a flashy digital ad for the Licensure Examinations Tournament—the same one that Agent Feena had shown us. “They offer an allowance and even a scholarship if you pass, but you’ll have to ace both written and practical exams.”

Neil’s eyebrows raised as he leaned in to get a closer look at the ad. “Wow, that’s impressive. Sounds intense, but it could be a great opportunity.”

Fei Xian nodded, her face lighting up with admiration. “That’s a really good plan, Myrrh. You’d be amazing in a place like that!”

“I’m pretty interested in that license,” Neil said, glancing over at me with a spark of excitement. “If we get it, there’s a chance we could be chosen for the Vanguard, right?”

I just shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant, but honestly, I wasn’t sure of the answer.

“I’d like to give it a shot too, Neil!” Fei Xian chimed in, her usual shyness momentarily replaced by determination. “I’m pretty clumsy—so clumsy that most jobs would probably fire me after day one—but I think this could work. If I’m good at anything, it’s breaking stuff, hahaha!”

Myrrh gave her an encouraging smile. “Don’t put yourself down, Fei! You both aced advanced calculus, and you came in second in the last Weapon Basics Test. I’m sure you two have what it takes to get that license.”

“Finally!” Neil flexed his arms in an exaggerated display of confidence, his face lighting up. “Once I get my license, I’ll quit this nightmare of a job for good!”

There was a sudden silence, and we all looked over to see the shop owner and the other workers glancing our way, their faces a mix of irritation and thinly-veiled amusement. Neil blinked, realizing the damage his words had done. He turned back to us, eyes wide, as if only now understanding he might not need to quit—there was a good chance he’d be out of a job by the end of the night.

I stifled a laugh. “Looks like they heard you loud and clear, Neil. Better start studying for that license… you might need it sooner than you think.”