The Crazy Four

Chapter 11: Yunjin's Hotpot

The night air was cool and crisp as Sakura, Eunchae, Jennifer, and Winter walked towards the subway station. The adrenaline of the match had faded, leaving a pleasant ache in Sakura's muscles and a warm glow of satisfaction in her chest. She'd lost, sure, but she'd played her heart out. And she'd earned the respect of some of the best Streetblitzers in the city.

"That was a good game, Maru," Jennifer said, "You've got potential. Just need a little more experience."

"Thanks, Kirin," Sakura replied, still feeling a little awkward using Jennifer's Pandemonium alias.

"Your last trick was impressive, Angora," Winter said, her voice soft but sincere. "Promise to teach me."

Eunchae just shrugged, her cheeks turning a faint pink. "Sure, anytime," she mumbled, her gaze fixed on the pavement.

Jennifer had promised to treat them all to hotpot at her favorite late-night diner, a cozy little place tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. As they waited on the platform, Sakura couldn't help but feel a sense of surreal disbelief. She was hanging out with three of the most legendary Streetblitz players in the city.

Their train arrived first, and Winter, who had an early curfew, waved goodbye.

"See you guys around," she said, her lollipop stick bobbing with the movement. "And good luck with the Metro Cup, Angora."

"Thanks, Winter," Eunchae replied, her voice a little softer than usual.

As the train pulled away, Sakura watched Winter disappear into the crowd, her platinum blonde hair a beacon in the dim light of the station. She still couldn't believe she'd actually played against the Cold Queen. And survived.

"She's something else, isn't she?" Jennifer said, her eyes following Winter's retreating figure.

"Yeah," Eunchae agreed, her voice quiet. "She's... special."

The diner was warm and inviting, the air filled with the comforting aroma of spices and simmering broth. They settled into a booth near the back, Jennifer taking charge of the ordering with an ease that suggested she was a regular.

"So... Sakura, right?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes, Jen-Kirin," Sakura stammered, still struggling to adjust to the whole dual-identity thing.

Jennifer laughed, her smile warm and genuine. "It's okay, we're outside Pandemonium now. You can call me Jennifer. Or Yunjin, if you prefer."

Sakura relaxed a little, relieved that she didn't have to maintain the pretense of anonymity. "Yes, Yunjin-sunbaenim," she said, bowing her head slightly. "I'm Miyawaki Sakura."

Yunjin raised an eyebrow. "You don't have to call me 'sunbaenim,' Sakura," she said, her voice gentle. "We're practically friends now, after that epic battle on the Streetblitz court. Though..." Her eyes narrowed slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Now that you mention it, I do remember Zuha mentioning something about a girl named Sakura. Something about her little... spat with Eunchae. You wouldn't happen to be involved in that, would you?" She glanced at Eunchae, who was busy arranging plates and bowls on the table, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

"I don't know what her problem is with the first years," Eunchae muttered, her voice laced with annoyance. "Afraid someone else is going to kick her runway-model ass again? PTSD much?"

Yunjin burst out laughing, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hey, hey, don't you two think you're being a little too... heated?" she teased, her voice light but firm. "Now that we're still teammates for the Metro Cup, shouldn't we let bygones be bygones? It's not exactly setting a good example for the first years, you know." She glanced at Sakura, her smile softening.