Ch-3

In The Courtyard

[Imagine that there are some benches]

The courtyard was calm compared to the noisy cafeteria. A soft breeze rustled through the trees as Venm and Linyun settled on a bench with their lunch trays.

Venm took a big bite of his sandwich. “Man, this courtyard is way better than the cafeteria. Less noise, better vibes.”

“Yeah,” Linyun nodded, sipping his juice.

For a moment, they ate in silence.

 Then,

" Hey! Lin "

" Hmm…"

" So…..about the Truth or Dare game earlier "

Lin groaned,“ Don't remind me. It irritates me!”.

" Come on, tell me....what did Elen told you "

Lin froze.

Flashback hits him.

Lin rolled his eyes in annoyance, " Nothing..."

" Come on.....Lin" venm pressed.

" I said nothing..."

Venm wasn’t giving up. He clasped his hands together and gave his best puppy eyes.

(Come on!! This should work. Please, please.)

" Okay... fine."

Venm instantly leaned in eyes sparkling, " Now spill"

" He said..... that… My eyes are interesting" Lin said while munching his food.

" What!!!!!" Venm’s jaw dropped.

" You are very loud Venm" Lin groaned, covering his ears with his hand.

“Your. Eyes. ?!” Venm blinked rapidly, then suddenly leaned closer, inspecting Lin’s face. “Wait, lemme check. What’s so interesting about them?!”

Lin nearly choked on his food. “Tsk! What are you doing?! Move!” He pushed Venm’s face away.

" D– Don't do that !! Ugh!. You will destroy my handsome face. "

Lin glares at him.

" By the way... Elen's is weird"

" Totally!!" Lin agreed.

Venm sighed.

Lin laughed slightly. " What are you laughing at??" Venm confused.

" I really agree with Niun "

" About what!"

" ‘Broken speaker,’ ‘hyper squirrel’. He wasn't wrong" Lin laughed remembering the whole scene.

" WoW. Thanks for the support" annoyed.

Before they could say more, the sound of footsteps approached.

They both turned—only to see Elen and Niun walking into the courtyard, side by side, trays in hand.

Linyun stiffened immediately. “Oh no…”

Venm muttered, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Elen’s smirk widened slightly as their eyes met.

“Look who’s here,” Niun said teasingly, his tone somehow sharp. “The hyper squirrel and the lazy cat.”

" Ugh!! What's wrong with them!!" Venm muttered.

“Looks like, this lunch break will get worse…” Lin whispered to Venm.

" No Doubt!"

ELen and Niun walked toward the bench where Venm and Linyun sat. The breeze felt heavier all of a sudden.

Niun calmly set his tray down on the table right next to theirs. “Well, this is convenient. Looks like we’ll have lunch together.”

Venm groaned. “Oh, great. Just what I needed—company from the roast king himself.”

Niun tilted his head slightly, his lips barely curving. “Roast king? I prefer truth speaker.”

“Truth speaker?” Venm snorted. “More like walking insult generator.”

“Hmm,” Niun replied calmly, taking a bite of his food. “Better than being an overgrown squirrel with an energy problem.”

“Excuse me?!” Venm sputtered, glaring.

Meanwhile, Elen sat down across from Linyun, resting his chin in one hand, watching him intently.

“You still look uncomfortable,” Elen said casually. “Is it me? Or just your personality?”

Lin bite his lips in anger.

[Cool down lin, cool down. Don't waste your energy. On this fucking Hot. Wet. Socks.!! ]

Elen smirked. “Relax, Lazy. I’m just asking. You’re so easy to fluster.”

Lin crossed his arms defensively. “Stop calling me Lazy! I told you I hate it!”

Elen leaned a little closer, his smirk deepening. “All the more reason to use it. It suits you. Slow… hesitant… always second-guessing.”

Lin felt his cheeks heat up. “You don’t even know me!”

Elen’s eyes gleamed. “I don’t have to. You show enough without saying anything.”

Lin is really going to blast in anger.

 Venm, noticing the tension, quickly cut in. “Hey! Back off, wet socks! You’re making him uncomfortable.”

Elen slowly turned his gaze to Venm, unamused. “…Hot wet socks?”

Niun chuckled at that one. “You two really are like children.”

“Yeah? Well, at least I’m not a quiet robot with no emotions,” Venm shot back.

Niun calmly finished another bite of his food before replying, “Robots are efficient. You, on the other hand, are just… noise.”

Venm gasped. “Oh, it’s on.”

Elen finally let out a low laugh, shaking his head. “Niun, don’t break the squirrel too soon.”

Niun gave the faintest smile. “I’m not. I’m just… observing.”

The courtyard fell silent for a moment. Linyun quietly stared at his tray, unsure what to feel. Were they teasing? Threatening? Or…

Before he could dwell on it, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

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