Well, sure… [` the girl’s obvious enthusiasm brings a grin to mina’s lips, and she glances over mischievously ] As long as you aren’t planning to ask him any embarrassing questions, that is. [` she’s just readying herself to tease hayi even more about this supposed tall, stoic male when the topic is quickly shifted back to her own significant other once more ] Yah! [` she grumbles, kicking a legs in the water ] Don’t think you can distract me like this. [` despite her chiding words, she’s acquiesces anyway, but not after reminding herself to continue her interrogation afterwards ] Well, he’s funny…and really weird sometimes, but that’s what makes him cute, you know? [` she purses her lips—it’s ever so difficult to describe people on demand ] But he’s very, very sweet. [` her lips quirk up inadvertently and she slips fully in to the water to hide her sappy expression ]
aigoo, lovesick unnie! ( ` secretly, she’s jealous. every girl wants a person to take care of her, after all. )
i won’t, i won’t ask any questions! ( ` at least, not unimportant ones. she wanted to know the very person who had captured her unnie’s heart. ) he sounds nice, really.
( ` it was not a lie. he seemed warm and awesome, and that was good. ) you’re so cheesy, yeesh! ( ` hayi dips fully into the water, following mina. )
is he younger than you? or not? ( ` she paddles through the water, blinking ever so quickly as the chlorine-laden water stung her eyes. )
Chunji nodded at the girl’s hesistant word. “It’s understandable if you’re new. And thanks, I’ve had it for a while so it’s not new.” He spoke with a small shrug of his shoulders, not really one to gloat about his powers.
“Nice to meet you too Hayi-ssi. I’m guessing you’re very new to your power?” He asked quietly, looking at the girl with a cheerful skip as she walked next to him.
“i’m not really a stranger to my powers – i’m just new to this whole mutant school thing, y'know?” she was simply too young. too young for this war waged on by the enemy.
but who is the enemy?
hayi could only hope that it was not them. still, her face contained the same gleeful expression as earlier. better off smiling than not, after all. stress was something she would rather not have.
“how long have you been staying here?” it was a simple & innocent question; something so shallow and light, and for a moment, it seemed as if she had no troubles at all.
as soon as the unearthly vile stench coming from the lower floors reached his highly sensitive nostrils, the realization of the second round of game having begun dawned and his power was immediately activated in anticipation of the teacher’s official announcement. from the base of his right elbow, an elongated double-ended blade was slowly forming, transforming his whole forearm into a massive razor-sharp melee weapon.
the process was agonizing, of course, for his bone structure was altered and his fleshes were torn to produce the cutting instrument, but he was depending on the pain it caused to stabilize his mentality. as a child he’d received expensive treatment for his abnormal fear, and yet, as his gaze was fixed on the ground where the water was steadily raising, it seemed something long locked away was threatening to break out again. thus, a grimace was caused to distort his features.
” no need to worry,
i was [ ｃｕｒｅｄ ]. “a barely audible response was given, meant to reassure himself rather than answer her question. covering half of his twisted visage with a handkerchief he removed from his pocket as the rotten odor started to get overpowering, he observed the movements of the eerie creatures beneath the murky currents for a few seconds before killing one with an accurate thrust of his reconstructed ’ hand ‘.
turned out the organism was ( more or less ) a fish, attached to four metallic legs and various tubes, whose carcass he quickly discarded afterwards. it was safe to assume others were of the same kind.
” what’s your power? ”
cued a gesture for her to follow him as he made his way out of the classroom. a ‘ sidekick ‘ would come in useful in such a situation.
( ` disgusting — it was her only distinguised description of the animals, no, the monsters, nearing them.
her power was nothing like his. well, except for the fact that both of their bodies would have to change for them to use their abilies, but other than that, there was no common point.
they were opposites — the very definition of flight and fight. )
“i grow wings.”
( ` she was icarus, who was so easily blinded by freedom & bronze wings, and it was painfully obvious that she would soon plummet to her death.
the thought was natural. all it took was a deep breath, and soon, she felt a familiar pain at her lower back. she could feel the feathers pierce her skin, tearing out the flesh & skin that got in their way. she falls to the ground — the pain shot up, almost like a pair of scissors, and her back was soon open.
she wasn’t bleeding. in fact, blood didn’t even stain her shirt, nor her pristine wings the rested now on her back. last time she grew a pair of wings, they were weak and almost gray, with feathers that almost seemed to fall off. now, the wings were white & strong. )
“where do you plan to go?”
( ` it’s dark.
the wretched stench of the unclear water below them made her stomach turn, and she almost hurls – almost, and she covers her nose with her sleeve. )
"the second blight has come.“
( ` she was afraid, and it was not for herself, but for others. some were still staring at the flooded landscape, some running for their lives.
her eyes were tainted with worry, and she walks – no, runs, to her brother. he was frozen beside the glass windows, and all that seemed to run in her mind was water, water, water. )
"are you… alright?”
( ` a glance below, and she gasps in shock. what in earth were those things? and she points at them, the stupid look still plastered on her face. )
If I thought you’d steal him… [` mina wags her finger at hayi playfully for a moment ] Taehyung. Do you know him? [` considering the younger girl’s words, it’s no wonder that her expression is currently full of skepticism ] Ten over ten cool and you don’t like him that way? [` she presses on with a grin, even as she tugs the over-sized shirt over her head and moves to sit by the poolside, dipping her feet into the cool water ] Maybe it’s hot because you’re thinking about him! [` she calls with a laugh, seeing right through the way hayi is trying determinedly to change the subject ] He’s already my boyfriend, there’s nothing to talk about. What we need to talk about his your potential boyfriend. [` she’s having a lot more fun teasing the poor girl than she really should, but hayi is just making it so obvious ] Just give me a name, or an ability, or a clue. [` she does her best to cajole the stubborn girl, flicking a few droplets of water at her when she approaches ]
taehyung? ( ` it doesn’t ring a bell, and hayi is disappointed. ) introduce me sometime! ( ` she smiles, and an awkward whistle escapes her lips ) uh – i really don’t like him that way yet.
potential boyfriend. ( ` it kinda sounds nice, and she curses herself for even thinking that. ) i told you, he’s tall. and a little stoic – but it makes him even better. you catch my drift?
( ` water is dripping down the sides of her face, and she wipes them away with bare hands. the water is cool to the skin – what a relief – and her fingers barely skim the pool’s surface. ) tell me more about this taehyung guy! ( ` it was wonder and will to shift the spotlight once again. )
[` mina raises a brow, a smile rising unbidden to her lips ] The handsomest. [` she assures hayi, looking down almost shyly for a moment before pouting accusingly ] Yah, stop making fun of me! [` she grins at hayi’s reaction to her question—much, much too obvious, even without the conspicuous blush on her cheeks ] Yeah, I’m sure there’s no one. Come on, maybe I can help! [` but mostly she just wants to know, because who wouldn’t? ] Awesome person? [` her brows raise even higher than before, an excited grin spreading on her face ] How awesome? What is he like? [` but they reach the pool just then, and mina moves to set her things down on a nearby table, and the interrogation is halted—for now ]
( ` though mutants, they were still chatty teenagers amused with gossip and mush and romantic gestures. hayi laughs at mina’s dreamy face, and she asks once more. ) what’s his name? don’t worry, i won’t steal him!
( ` she winks, and it’s a signal that it was nothing but a harmless joke. ) psh — i don’t need advice. i don’t even like him that way. ( ` maybe it was another lie? hayi wasn’t sure either. ) he’s… really cool. like ten over ten cool.
( ` literally cool? )
man, is it hot in here or what? ( ` she puts her bag by mina’s, and she’s glad that their hands are busy. hayi dips her feet in the pool not long after, removing her sweater in a quick swoosh, and she throws it to the table. lazy. )
hm. he’s tall, too. but then again who’s not? – oh, right. me. ( ` hayi tries to steer clear of the topic, and asks about mina instead. ) now, i need more details about your handsome namja chingu!!
( ` excuses, excuses. but maybe mina wouldn’t notice the sudden change in topic. )
No, I’m not laughing! Why would I be? [` she shakes her head in denial and attempts a mock serious expression, but the corners of her lips twitch as a telltale giveaway all the same ] Now don’t drag your cat into this—we’re not bringing it along to the pool with us. [` she chuckles, pushing lightly at hayi’s arm. her next question is unexpected though, and leaves mina open-mouthed for a moment ] What? Well, um, yes. Why are you suddenly asking that? [` she laughs to cover her embarrassment, shooting hayi a questioning sideways glance—she hasn’t been asked something like that so directly before. her eyes suddenly light up as a thought strikes her ] Don’t tell me…do you like some guy? Who is it? Do you need relationship advice? [` she grins gleefully ]
well, i really love my cat. ( ` random statement ftw! was hayi a deer in the headlights, or a ripe tomato? yeesh, how embarrassing. at least she wasn’t the only one who was flustered. )
mm, is he handsome? ( ` hayi wiggles her brows suggestively. ) a pretty boy for a pretty girl, eh? ( ` she’s surprised at mina’s question, though, and the bullet can be dodged no more. )
i don’t like like anyone! at least, for now. ( ` she flushes, and it’s striking against her milky skin — she should spend more time outdoors. what a blatant semi-lie that was! )
but there’s this awesome person. ( ` boom goes the cannon, and hayi asks herself why the hell she would say that. )