Chapter 181: Keys and Claws
I pushed open the dorm door and blinked.
On my bed, stretched out casually like she owned the place, was Mei Mei.
She wore a simple white dress, her long pale-blue hair damp from a recent bath, red lipstick fresh, and her expression cool and confident. When her eyes found mine, she smiled lazily, tilting her head.
But the smile froze when she noticed the person standing behind me.
Maki.
Mei Mei sat up straight, her lips twitching into something polite but edged with annoyance. Her eyes narrowed like she'd just seen an intruder. Who is that?
And Maki? She stopped dead in her tracks, staring at the woman on my bed. A tall, curvy sorcerer with confidence dripping off her like perfume. Maki's fist clenched so tight her knuckles popped.
WHAT?! Why is Mei Mei in Ren's room—on his bed?! She's a first-grade sorcerer… But what is she doing here?!
Mei Mei's eyes flicked over Maki once more, her own thoughts simmering. Who the hell is this girl? And why is she glaring at me like that? Ugh…
Meanwhile, Ren's brain was short-circuiting.
Shit. Shit. SHIT. I forgot I told Mei Mei to stay in my room! Damn it… And now Maki's here too. Fuck… This is all Gojo's fault! If he hadn't forced Maki into babysitting duty, this wouldn't even be happening…
Before either woman could speak ren spoke fast...
"Ah—oh, sorry! I forgot you were here, Mei!" I laughed nervously, stepping forward. "Anyway, Mei Mei, this is Maki, my classmate. And Maki, this is Mei Mei, a sorcerer friend of mine."
Casual tone, calm smile, flawless acting face. Perfect cover.
But the silence in the room was suffocating.
The two women's eyes locked, both wearing smiles that looked far too sweet to be genuine.
Mei Mei was the first to move. Barefoot, she stepped off the bed and walked gracefully to my side, slipping her hand around my arm.
"Hello," she said, her voice honey-smooth. "Nice to meet you, Maki, was it? Yes, I'm Ren's sorcerer friend. We're veryclose, in fact. So close he even gave me his room key."
Her smile was dazzling. Her grip on my arm was territorial.
Maki's face looked like she'd just bitten into something rotten.
Who does she think she is, clinging to Ren like that?! Ugh...
why is she so annoying?!
But instead of exploding, Maki smiled too—sharp, smug. She reached into her pocket and pulled something out.
"Oh, nice to meet you, Mei Mei," she said evenly. "I'm Ren's friend as well. And he also gave me his dorm keys. So…" She dangled them lightly, letting them jingle in the air. "…looks like you're not as close as you think, ha."
The keys glittered under the light.
For once, Mei Mei's composure cracked, her eyes narrowing in genuine surprise.
She has Ren's dorm keys??? Why? How? Ren isn't the type to just hand them out! Ugh… And look at her flaunting them! This girl…
The room grew heavy, smiles carved onto both of the woman's faces, but beneath them were ugly reactions...
And ren? he didn't even bother trying to speak.
'Ugh, I've been caught between two girls who know me… It's not the first time I have been in this situation… And normally this won't be a problem. I mean, normally the girl who is feeling unhappy or even jealous would just walk away… But the problem here is both of these women are not the type to run away! Both of Mei Mei's and Maki's personalities are the worst to clash! Because Mei Mei would just keep asserting herself, and Maki would just try to match Mei Mei out of pure stubbornness, and then I would be in big trouble. Think, think of a way to calm both of them down…'
I had to think fast.
Slipping my arm out of Mei Mei's grip, I moved past them and flopped onto the bed dramatically.
"Ah, I'm so tired," I groaned, holding my stomach. "And hungry too. Are you two hungry?"
Mei Mei turned to me instantly, her expression softening. "Oh, don't worry, Ren. I already cooked you a meal. Wait just a second, I'll bring it in."
She gave Maki one last smug glance before heading toward the kitchen.
"Perfect," I thought, relieved. One out of the room…
But Maki immediately stepped forward. "I'll go help her with it."
She trailed after Mei Mei, her voice dripping with forced cheer.
I sat upright, blinking, my stomach sinking.
NOOO! The plan was to separate them! Don't throw them in the same room! Shit. Now they're together. Shit shit shit!
The dorm door clicked shut behind them, leaving me sitting alone on the bed, head in my hands.