[Scene: Late evening, in New Fornia's city branch lounge. Shunya has gone out to "buy snacks" but is taking forever. Naomi and Vikoria end up alone together.]
Naomi (leaning back in her chair, sipping tea): You know… he's been gone for a while. Think he got lost?
Vikoria (calmly reading a small cultivation manual): Or distracted. He talks to everyone he meets.
Naomi (smirking): Yeah, I've noticed. Friendly to a fault. Especially to certain people.
Vikoria (closing the book): Are you implying something?
Naomi (grinning): I'm saying he's the type who'll invite a stranger to tea… then forget he's in the middle of a cultivation exam.
Vikoria (soft chuckle): True. But… that's also why people like him. He makes this world feel less… heavy.
Naomi (raising an eyebrow): Huh. Sounds like you've been thinking about him a lot.
Vikoria (looking away, hiding a faint smile): Maybe. And you haven't?
Naomi (mock gasp): I'm a Hard-level cultivator. I don't get distracted.
Vikoria: Mhm. Then why are you smiling?
(A pause. They both sip their tea, neither admitting anything. Outside, footsteps approach—Shunya's voice calling, "They gave me free samples!")
Naomi & Vikoria (at the same time, under their breath): Of course he did.
✦✦✦
By the time Shunya got back to the lounge, both Naomi and Vikoria were already there. Naomi sat cross-legged on one of the branch's soft chairs, sipping tea with the air of someone who had been patiently waiting… and silently judging. Vikoria was beside her, a half-finished book in her lap and the kind of calm smile that only slightly hid her curiosity.
Shunya, oblivious as ever, walked in holding a paper bag like he'd just brought treasure from another world.
"Look! They gave me free snacks!" he said, eyes sparkling. "And I didn't even buy anything!"
Naomi arched an eyebrow. "You went out for tea leaves. Came back with snacks. And no tea leaves."
Shunya froze mid-step. "…Oh."
Vikoria chuckled softly. "I'm guessing you found someone interesting to talk to?"
Shunya grinned sheepishly. "Well… there was this old man selling talismans. We got into a debate about whether luck is real or just placebo."
Naomi sighed like she was already used to this. "And?"
"I think he cursed me for doubting him. But he gave me these sesame crackers, so I'm not complaining."
He dropped into the seat opposite them and tore the bag open. Naomi refused at first, claiming she "didn't snack during training." Five minutes later, she was casually stealing the biggest cracker from the pile. Vikoria didn't even pretend— she just reached over with a polite, "Thank you," and took one.
The three of them ate in companionable silence for a while. The warmth of the tea, the faint sweetness of the crackers, and the low evening light made the lounge feel almost like home. Almost.
Naomi broke the quiet first.
"Shunya, your combat test is tomorrow, right?"
"Yup," he said between bites. "Then the monster hunt the day after. I'm ready… probably."
Vikoria's gaze softened. "Don't underestimate the monster hunt. Even a Normal-ranked beast can kill someone if they're careless."
Shunya gave a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am. I'll keep my head attached to my shoulders."
Naomi smirked. "If you die, I'm not helping with the paperwork."
Before Shunya could come up with a comeback, a sharp ding echoed from the crystal on the wall.
Jean's voice came through, hurried and tense.
"Shunya, we need to talk— right now. There's been… a complication with tomorrow's combat test."
The crystal went silent.
Shunya blinked at the two women.
"…That doesn't sound good."