"Ellen, you absolutely have to join the track club this semester!"
Ellen and Phaga had just arrived at school when someone suddenly blocked their path.
One of the boys was holding a club flyer, while the girl beside him chimed in, "At the last sports meet, you filled in for the relay and broke the school record, right?"
"Eh?!"
Ellen glanced down, completely caught off guard by being pulled into club recruitment the moment she stepped onto campus. She let out an awkward laugh and quickly tried to decline:
"But running's way too hot. Just call me when you're competing—I'll come watch."
"Or maybe..."
Ellen turned her head and instantly spotted Phaga, who had already sensed something was off and was about to slip away. She quickly grabbed his sleeve and dragged him over.
"Look, I've caught someone who runs even faster than me. Have him run the 3000 meters—no one can outlast him."
"Hey, you!"
Phaga shot Ellen a sharp glare, then turned his head back toward the track club, his tone cold. "Sorry. Not interested."
With that, he stepped around them, intent on leaving.
Ellen held onto his sleeve, ready to leave with him. She waved and chuckled as she said goodbye to the track club members.
But before they could get far, the sound of instruments suddenly echoed through the hallway. Petals and cheers poured wildly from classrooms on both sides as students stuck their heads out the windows.
Whoosh!
A crimson curtain dropped down and was dramatically swept aside. From behind it stepped a blond man in a mask, who bowed elegantly and spoke in a soft, androgynous voice.
"Then how about joining the drama club?"
"This year, we're putting on a musical—The Mermaid. There's a role that's absolutely perfect for Ellen."
Mid-sentence, the blond boy noticed Ellen clutching another boy's sleeve. He hurried closer, scrutinizing Phaga's face.
So familiar... like he'd seen him somewhere before.
A flicker of doubt crossed the blond boy's expression. For some reason, Phaga gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
At that moment, another masked boy stepped forward and showed him something on his phone.
Recognition lit up the blond boy's face. In just a few strides, he seized Phaga's hand, his excitement ten times greater than when inviting Ellen!
"So you're Phaga! I've heard so much about you!"
This is... a vampire's hand?! Ancestors, I touched a vampire's hand!
Phaga froze, staring at the blond boy who was shaking his hand with near-manic excitement. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
The blond boy seemed to realize his discomfort and quickly pulled out another club flyer, eagerly pitching:
"Our musical has another role that would suit you perfectly, Phaga. Take a look."
The boy with the phone scratched his head and muttered, "But boss, aren't all the roles filled except Ellen's?"
"Who said that? Shut up!"
The blond boy, cheerful just moments ago, snapped back sharply. Then he turned again with a radiant smile, pointing to a role on the flyer.
"See here, we still have a prince role. Near the end of the musical, you spread your wings and..."
He lifted his head, eyes brimming with expectation, as if to say: Don't you think that would be awesome?!
"Uh... heh."
Phaga gave a strained smile identical to Ellen's, nudging her with his elbow and whispering,
"Hey, he invited you first. Say something."
"What am I supposed to say?"
Ellen elbowed him back, whispering, "He's more excited about you than me. Shouldn't you answer first?"
"I'm not good at dealing with people."
"And I am?"
"You're the Senior!"
"Oh, now you remember that?!"
Every line came with an elbow jab. Their voices were quiet, but their actions loud!
The blond boy, standing so close, could only stare in a daze. He didn't even notice the group of students approaching from the end of the hallway.
The tomboyish leader jabbed him in the waist from behind.
"Hey, move it!"
The blond boy felt a poke in his side and snapped irritably, "Who's there?!"
But when he turned and saw who it was, he immediately wilted.
Taekwondo Club.
"Move!"
The tomboy's cold voice cut like a knife, her glare sharp enough to slice.
The blond boy swallowed hard and quickly stepped aside.
"Hmph!"
Seeing him retreat, she snorted in disdain, then turned toward Ellen and Phaga. Her expression changed instantly as she rushed forward with excitement.
"Ellen! Phaga!"
Phaga's scalp tingled. He exchanged a look with Ellen—perfect understanding—and they thrust their palms forward together. Using the recoil, they leapt back, dodging her lunging hug.
Thud!
She missed and slammed to the floor.
"Who is that?"
Phaga spun toward Ellen. He had no friends at this school, so her social circle was definitely wider.
"The Taekwondo Club president."
Of course, Ellen knew who she was.
"Then she's here for you. Handle it. I'm leaving."
In the end, Phaga had only opened up a little within Victoria Housekeeping. Facing overenthusiastic strangers? His head was already pounding!
"Hey!"
Ellen darted forward, grabbing his arm. "She called your name too! How do you know she isn't here for you? Stay put!"
"Yeah! Both of you stay! Hehe!"
A voice came from behind. They instinctively turned to see the tomboy climbing back to her feet. She didn't seem bothered by the failed hug or the fall—still grinning.
She stepped closer, her face glowing with infatuation.
"You're both heroes who fought through a Hollow to save classmates. With skills like yours, it'd be a waste not to join the Taekwondo Club. Stay!"
Ellen immediately turned to Phaga, eyes firm and unyielding.
You run fast. Take me with you!
Phaga tried to pull away, but Ellen only tightened her grip.
His lips twitched in exasperation as he looked at her determined expression.
Her meaning was clear. Either we both get caught, or you take me with you!
Phaga sighed, scanning the hallway. The Taekwondo Club members were already closing in.
The tomboy smirked. "Don't think you can run. Just join us and—mmmph!!!"
Suddenly, a huge hand clamped over her face, yanking her head back so fast she couldn't even fight back.
"Run!"
With the only threat ahead neutralized, Phaga shouted and dragged Ellen into a sprint.
Their leader down, the Taekwondo Club members panicked. Instead of blocking, they rushed to help her up.
"Boss, are you okay? Don't scare us like that!"
"Shut up! The Boss can't be hurt!"
"But she just got taken down so easily—"
"Shut your mouth!"
With their support, the tomboy staggered to her feet. She glanced at the fleeing figures, then at the group around her. Her face twisted with fury as she roared:
"Don't just stand there! After them!"