Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 78 - I'll Kill You

Chapter 78 - I'll Kill You

"Are you sad?" Fei's voice was gentle, her golden eyes scanning my face for any sign of emotion.

"No. I don't want to talk about it," I muttered, turning my gaze away. The truth sat like a weight in my chest, but I refused to let it spill out.

Fei hesitated for a moment before forcing a small smile. "Are you perhaps... expecting an X-chocolate?"

"I—I'm not," I stammered, the lie slipping between my breath like a ghost. My fingers instinctively curled into my palm. "What are X-chocolates anyway?"

"Oh, I forgot that you're from Earth." Fei let out a soft laugh and knocked her head lightly with her knuckles in an endearing, almost childlike gesture. "X-chocolates are a symbol of a woman's appreciation for a man. Though, for some same-sex couples, it can be exchanged between partners as well. Our school is even holding an event for the tradition."

"So, it's basically like Japanese Valentine's Day," I murmured under my breath. "Any other difference?"

Fei tilted her head, her long black curls swaying slightly as she pondered the question. "I'm not well-versed in Japanese Valentine's traditions since I'm Chinese, but... hmmm..." She tapped a finger against her chin. "I think the main difference is that X-chocolates are made using genetically engineered cacao beans grown here in Xyraxis. Oh, and they're not as sweet as Earth chocolates."

Now my curiosity was piqued. "Genetic engineering, huh? I wonder what they taste like," I whispered.

"Oh!" Fei suddenly clapped her hands together, her eyes lighting up. "If you want, I can give you some X-chocolates!"

"No, no, no!" I jumped up, waving my hands frantically. Heat crept up my neck, and I struggled to keep my voice steady. "I think it's better if you give your X-choco to someone you actually love—like Neil, for example."

"But we're not in that kind of romantic relationship anymore," Fei said, her voice quiet yet firm.

"Yeah, but giving me one will just make things worse with Neil!" I cried, throwing my hands up in frustration. "You know he already hates me, right?"

Fei's smile wavered, the warmth in her expression fading into something hollow. "Oh... okay." Her tone was light, but there was an unmistakable weight behind it, like a flower wilting under an unseen pressure. "I was just going to give you an obligatory one, but if you don't want it, then fine."

My chest tightened. Guilt crashed over me like a tidal wave. I gritted my teeth, my mind spiraling with regret. Damn it. Did I just make the kindest girl I've ever met feel unwanted? I didn't want to reject her chocolates! If anything, I wanted to taste them, to know what made X-chocolates so different.

But this whole love triangle situation was already a mess. If Fei gave me X-chocolates, Neil's death glare would probably turn into something capable of actual murder.

Before I could say anything, the door slid open with a sharp clack, and Professor Chen strode into the classroom. Just like that, the first period began, cutting off my conversation with Fei before I could make things right.

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The lunch bell rang, its sharp chime cutting through the classroom chatter. Finally—freedom. Since all my subjects were scheduled for the morning session today, my afternoon was completely free, an open expanse of time with nothing to weigh it down.

Fei and I decided to stop by the locker room before heading to the cafeteria—she had forgotten her purse. For some reason, a certain short-statured nuisance had decided to tag along.