I was sure there was a milk tea shop across the street—right in front of the NEPS building. A perfect pce to chill, or so I thought.

  "Let's just hope I don't run into any cssmates," I muttered.

  "You might not like this but..." Elf’s voice trailed off with a hum of amusement.

  I groaned before she could finish.

  Across the street, gathered in front of the milk tea shop like it was a casual hangout spot and not a social ambush, stood Ellen Joe, Monna, Ruby, and Lynn.

  “I suddenly feel... less thirsty,” I said, already turning on my heel.

  Before I could make a clean getaway, something tugged hard on the colr of my tracksuit. I didn’t need to look. Only one person could sprint fast enough to catch me in under two seconds.

  "Ellen. Long time no see," I said, forcing a crooked smile as I turned.

  Ellen Joe. Partial Thiren. Shark type. Sharp eyes. Sharper teeth. Even sharper instincts. She had her arms crossed and was breathing a little heavier than usual. Not from exhaustion—more like low-grade annoyance.

  "If you noticed us, then why'd you make me chase you? What a pain," she sighed, her voice ft but not unfriendly.

  The rest of the group caught up, forming a loose semicircle around me like I was a rare animal being coaxed out of hiding.

  "Yo, yo! Did I just spot the elusive Lumina in the wild?" Ruby grinned. “Didn’t think I’d see you running away from us, though.”

  "I wasn’t running," I said quickly. "Just heading back to grab my wallet."

  "You always use your digital bank," Lynn deadpanned, her gsses flickering ever so slightly.

  "My account's dry," I said with as much dignity as I could muster. "I'm struggling, okay?"

  "But you told us you had enough savings to live without worrying about rent or food... forever," Monna added helpfully. Bull Thiren. Always factual. Never forgets anything I blurt out when I’m showing off.

  I rubbed the back of my neck. "...Did I say that?"

  "Do you hate being with us?"

  Ellen didn’t raise her voice. She just asked it. Pin. Direct. The kind of question that cuts through all the awkward dodging.

  I defted instantly. "No. It's not that. It’s just awkward seeing you guys again when I’ve skipped school for two weeks straight."

  For a second, no one said anything. Then Ruby rolled her eyes and smirked.

  "Geez. We thought you were dead. You could’ve just texted."

  Lynn nodded. "We were actually kind of worried. Don’t vanish next time, dumbass."

  “Come on,” Ellen said, stepping past me. “We’re already here. Might as well get something to drink.”

  I looked at Elf’s icon blinking on my watch, and she gave me a smug thumbs up from the digital projection. I sighed.

  “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.”

  We stepped into Richard Teammilk, a cozy little shop that smelled like roasted sugar and cold pearls. The familiar chime rang as the door closed behind us. Behind the counter was Coco, our cssmate—and by the looks of her posture, she’d rather be anywhere else.

  "Ahh… you guys again," she mumbled, barely making eye contact.

  "Coco! We’re ordering the usual!" Ruby announced cheerfully, throwing up a peace sign like this was some kind of reunion tour.

  "You can’t just say that!" Coco protested, staring at the counter like it might swallow her whole. "I don’t remember your orders... even from yesterday..."

  She radiated anxiety like a busted vending machine sparks. Poor girl.

  "Here," Lynn said, handing her a small folded note. “Prepared for emergencies.”

  Coco blinked, then took it with both hands like it was an ancient scroll. “Thanks...”

  "Honeydew milk tea, right Lumina?" Lynn asked casually, gncing my way.

  I blinked. "Yeah… but how did you know that?"

  "Actually, Lynn is—" Monna started to say, but Lynn instantly elbowed her in the ribs. Hard. She looked away, face slightly pink.

  I narrowed my eyes but didn’t push.

  As Coco scribbled our orders, Ellen turned her attention to me, sharp as ever.

  "So. What’ve you been doing these past two weeks?"

  I hesitated.

  Technically… fighting ethereals, doing Proxy runs, avoiding school, definitely not dying. But also... 140 hours into Wanderer’s Rite: Redux. And counting.

  With the straightest face I could muster, I said, “Saving the world.”

  Ellen stared at me. Then sighed, long and tired. “So you’ve been pying a game.”

  “It’s not just that!” I protested quickly.

  “Uh-huh.”

  Lynn quietly turned her phone around, revealing my profile page on Wanderer’s Rite: Redux—complete with 140+ hours logged and the shiny 100% completion badge glowing like a neon lie detector.

  “How do you even have my game ID?!”

  Lynn shrugged innocently. “It was on your public profile. You posted a screenshot.”

  Right. My brag post. Damn it.

  “Okay, fine,” I said, looking away. “I may have… gotten invested.”

  Ellen didn’t scold me. She just let the silence hang for a few seconds. Then:

  “Tomorrow. You’re going to school.”

  I gave a sheepish nod, feeling like a criminal sentenced by a mildly disappointed but fair judge.

  As the conversation lulled, I gnced at Ellen, who was now resting her head on my shoulder, eyes closed. Her steady breathing indicated she had drifted off.?

  "Looks like Ellen's running on empty," I murmured.

  Monna leaned in, her voice low. "She and Lynn kept you listed as a participant in group activities. The teachers weren't exactly thrilled, but they managed to pull it off."?

  I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"?

  Monna nodded. "Though, considering your family's influence, the school probably didn't want to push the issue."?

  Before I could respond, Coco arrived with our drinks, pcing them gently on the table.?

  "Here you go," she said softly.?

  I reached for my honeydew milk tea and then picked up Ellen's mocha. Noticing the extra whipped cream and chocote drizzle, I smirked. "Ellen and her sweet tooth," I mused, recalling her penchant for sugary treats, especially lollipops. ?

  As Ellen stirred beside me, her eyes fluttered open. She gnced at the mocha in my hand and then up at me.?

  "Thanks," she muttered, taking the cup.?

  I smiled. "You seemed like you needed it."?

  She took a sip, sighing contentedly. "Didn't get much sleep st night."?

  Lynn chimed in, "Bancing school and work catching up to you?"?

  Ellen shrugged. "Something like that."?

  I observed her for a moment, noting the subtle dark circles under her eyes. Despite her nonchant demeanor, it was clear she was pushing herself.?

  "Maybe take it easy for a bit," I suggested.?

  Ellen smirked. "Coming from the one who's been MIA for two weeks?"?

  Touché.?

  As I drained the st of my honeydew milk tea, I set the cup down and stood up with a stretch. “Alright, I’ve got to go. Still need to buy groceries unless I want dinner to be instant noodles… again.”

  “See you tomorrow, then!” I added casually, already turning toward the door.

  Before I could take two steps, Lynn quickly stood up, grabbing her bag. “Wait—let’s go together. I need to pick up a few things too.”

  Huh? That was fast.

  “I’ll tag along,” Ellen added as she rose from her seat, slinging her jacket over one shoulder. “There’s something I want to check out near the pza.”

  “Same here!” Ruby chirped, already bouncing after us.

  Monna gave a zy grin. “Might as well. I’ve got nothing better to do.”

  I paused in the doorway, staring at the suddenly-formed group behind me.

  …Great.

  What was supposed to be a simple, quiet errand run just turned into a parade.

  I let out a quiet sigh, resigned. “This day just keeps getting better…”

  From behind me, Ellen smirked. “You sound like you're suffering, but your legs keep moving.”

  “Tch. That’s because I’ve accepted my fate,” I muttered, stepping out into the street with the impromptu entourage following close behind.