Hanako watched the three of them snuggled together from the air. She sighed. It was their choice, and she had to respect it. If it were anyone else two-timing like this, she would have terrified them until they never wanted to date again. But Fei-yu was... special.
She rubbed her flat stomach. Lunch was over, and she considered going back to her classroom. But the thought of that cold, empty room filled her with a strange resistance.
Am I lonely? she wondered. She looked at her hands, but her gaze passed right through them. She was a transparent ghost.
Is it because of them? Over the last few days, she had gotten used to their presence. Even though they couldn't see her unless she manifested, Minato and Fei-yu acknowledged her. It made her feel... included. And Fei-yu actually took her food requests seriously.
Hmph! I'm only staying to digest my food! It's not because I like them! Hanako floated down and hugged Fei-yu's back. Since he was lying on his side, she chose to latch onto him from behind.
So warm... so soft... so comfortable...
Through their shared senses, she felt the warmth of Minato's body. She let out a blissful expression like a cat being petted.
Fei-yu shivered. A chill ran down his spine. If Minato's body weren't so warm, he would have woken up. If he knew Hanako was using his body to feel up his girlfriend while calling him a bastard, he'd probably explode with rage.
The afternoon passed without incident. When the final bell rang on Friday, the classroom erupted in cheers. Students began heading out to arcades, karaoke bars, and maid cafes.
Fei-yu chuckled. He had never actually been to those places, despite seeing them in anime for years. But with Minato by his side, why would he want to go anywhere else?
"Fei-yu, let's go!" Yui-shin stood up, brushing off her skirt.
"All packed?"
"Mmh!"
"Saki, see you next week!" Yui-shin waved to Saki Yoshida.
"Mmh, see you next week, Yui-shin. And Fei-yu..." Saki looked up, her stylishly made-up face showing a hint of a smile. "Have a great weekend."
Fei-yu and Yui-shin left the room. Saki watched them go, her expression unreadable. "Time for work," she whispered to herself.
On the way down the stairs, Yui-shin was practically skipping.
"Why so happy?" Fei-yu asked.
"Hehe! Because it's the weekend!"
They met up with Minato at the bottom of the stairs. As they walked, Fei-yu held Minato's hand, and Minato linked arms with Yui-shin. It was a harmonious sight. Fei-yu occasionally tickled Minato's palm, earning him a playful glare.
"Since it's a holiday tomorrow, why don't we all go to Minato-'s house for a bit?" Yui-shin suddenly suggested.
Fei-yu and Minato both turned to look at her.
"What? Is that not okay?" Yui-shin blushed.
"Of course it is! You haven't been to my place yet," Minato agreed happily.
Fei-yu wasn't about to say no. He decided he would make this "first party" unforgettable for them. He'd cook them a feast they'd never forget. He was a master of Chinese cuisine, after all.
Hot pot? Dongpo pork? Sauerkraut fish? He was determined to feed them until they couldn't move, making them forever addicted to his cooking.