Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 126 - Popcorn Tumbler

Chapter 126 - Popcorn Tumbler

Sometimes, surprisingly good things happen when Fei and Neil take the lead in navigating the neon labyrinth of the cyberpunk metropolis. 

The first time they guided us, we stumbled upon a hidden gem—an eat-all-you-can karaoke bar tucked behind a rusted shutter and a flickering LED sign. The second time? A pulsating dance club buried under a shady overpass... though we knew it doubled as an NTR hideout. That was awkward.

Tonight's dating spot, though, wasn't anything underground or secret. In fact, it was the most ordinary kind of outing you'd expect.

We found ourselves on the topmost floor of Xyraxis Megamall, where glowing advertisements and floating holograms painted the ceilings like a digital sky. Crowds had gathered, buzzing with anticipation, forming a long, winding line toward the movie theater entrance. 

The big attraction? The Chimera Woman—a hyped-up horror flick finally making its debut. Its first week release had people lining up like it was a black-market vaccine.

"Have you seen the trailer for this, Neil?" Fei asked, practically bouncing with excitement, her oversized bubblegum-pink hoodie swaying with every movement.

"Yeah, kinda," Neil replied with a lazy shrug. "Critics said it leans too hard on cheap jumpscares, so I'm not expecting much."

"Oh really? So... is Myrrh scarier than the Chimera Woman?" I asked, smirking with a mischievous tone that was just begging for trouble.

I didn't have to wait long. Myrrh responded with a swift pinch to my waist—a move that caught me off guard, blending pain and laughter in a confusing combo. I yelped.

"Yeowch!" I cried, half-wincing, half-giggling, while Myrrh shot me a glare sharp enough to silence a riot drone.

"Oh, so now I'm scarier than a horror movie, huh?" Myrrh raised a brow, her voice laced with mock offense.

"A-at least a horror movie doesn't physically hurt me—Ow! Owow!" I yelped as her fingers twisted the soft flesh at my side with ruthless precision.

"You're scarier than me," she said, finally releasing her grip with a huff. "You look like some street thug from the lower alleys of Neon District Seven." She crossed her arms in triumph, which unintentionally—or very intentionally—pushed her rather generous chest forward, as if to declare moral and physical dominance.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry!" I chuckled, rubbing my side and forcing a sheepish grin.

While I was locked in this playful skirmish with Myrrh, I hadn't noticed that Fei had already skipped ahead to the snack booth. She returned with a bucket of popcorn so enormous it looked like it could double as a helmet, barely balanced in her arms. Her face beamed with innocent satisfaction, cheeks slightly puffed from the weight of the snacks and her quiet effort.

"I think it's our turn to go in now," Fei said sweetly, her voice light and melodic. She extended two jumbo soda cups toward us—each with two straws sticking out like twin antennas. "Oh, and please grab your drinks. One for each couple. Take your pick."

"Thank you, Fei," Myrrh replied, accepting one of the cups. Her smile faltered for a split second as she glanced down at the dual straws. "Uh... do I really have to share this with Zaft?"

I cringed a little. The mock sass wasn't new, but it always hit the same nerve. It's not like this was our first time sharing drinks. We did it on the cruise spaceship, during that moonlight movie night. And yet here she was again, acting all high-and-mighty with her princess attitude.

"Welp, you could always get your own soda..." I mumbled, puffing out my cheeks in exaggerated pouting like a rejected puppy.

"Just kidding!" Myrrh laughed, her cheeks turning a soft pink. With a sudden shift in tone, she leaned in and wrapped her arm around mine, clinging to it as if nothing had happened—like the warmth between us was inevitable.