73 Fort Erobern, Part XI (1/2)

Rayna: ”Steven? I didn't expect you so soon.”

At her dorm, she greeted us happily but a little confused. I quickly explained myself about Joan's wishes and she eventually decides to let me in. I sat down on Rayna's bed and realized Young Mi wasn't here.

Steven: ”Where's Young Mi?”

Her eyes light up for a moment and proceed to knock on the door to the bathroom. It slowly cracks open and lots of steam comes drifting out as I could barely see the light reflect off Young Mi's body.

Rayna: ”Steven is here, you should cover up.”

Young Mi: ”Oh, I don't mind if he sees me.”

Rayna: ”Have some shame! He's here with the little girl I told you about.”

The door slams shut.

Rayna comes out forcing herself to smile but her eyebrows were upset. Young Mi knows how to tilt someone but to do it towards a group member is something new. Have they been not getting along as well as I was led on or are they just playing around?

Steven: ”Are you alright?”

Rayna: ”Young Mi knows how to push my buttons. She knows I don't mind you living with the Kanna girl. So she teases me asking ”if it's alright adding more people to the list.”

Steven: ”The fu—What did you do to her? You should get even with her.”

Rayna: ”I don't know how. I teased her once and she wouldn't stop doing it back since.”

I never figured that older people would play around like this. I never even took Young Mi to be playful.

Steven: ”If you were as observant as you say you are then you'd know she's bashful.”

We waited and talked about Joan until Young Mi was out of the shower. She was moderately clothed and only came out momentarily to greet us and retrieve her hairbrush. By the time she was finished, she came out and motioned for her to come to sit by me.

She did without knowing any better.

Steven: ”Hey, Young Mi…”

I knew I was going to get in trouble for this, so I didn't hold back and complimented her and simultaneously showed a suffocating amount of gratitude for everything she's done.

Young Mi: ”Oh? Oh dear… I never thought I could be that important.”

Steven: ”Hey, Rayna… don't you agree that she's beautiful even without makeup?”

Rayna: ”Yeah, she's very humble for not using it to her advantage. I wish I could be more like her.”

Steven: ”What do you think, Joan? Is she pretty enough to have her portrait taken?”

Young Mi: ”Oh… I get it… now I get it… I won't tease Rayna. It was a fun little game but if she really doesn't like it then I'll stop.”

Good!

Young Mi knows we'll push back if she wants to play with us. However, I'm not sure if I got her as well as I wanted to. She's still as hard to read as she only smiled while looking down at the floor.

Steven: ”Why would you talk to Rayna like that?”

Rayna: ”Like?”

Young Mi: ”I'm not romantically interested but I care about him in my own way.”

Rayna: ”Then you saying ”I don't mind if he sees me” was a lie?”

Young Mi: ”Yes. Romance is something I haven't done in nearly 650 years. So, if I offended you, I'm sorry.”

Rayna: ”I…”

She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something but stops herself.

Rayna: ”I forgive you.”

Young Mi: ”Besides, what are you doing here, Steven? Weren't you going to stay in your dorm?”

Steven: ”Joan was tired and wanted to sleep with us.”

Young Mi: ”I would assume with the both of you, she never met me before now.”

She looks to Joan and gracefully waves at her.

Young Mi: ”Hello, my name is Young Mi, what's yours?”

Joan lifted up her notebook.

Joan (Notebook): ”Joan of Lira.”

Young Mi: ”What a wonderful name! Do you know her circumstances, Steven?”

It was basically all written in the notebook. I asked about the notebook and Joan showed everyone what wrote with me giving context. They asked questions of their own and she'd answer them honestly.

Young Mi: ”I'm sorry you had to go through such, sweetheart. You're safe with us if you really want to stay.”

Joan (Notebook): ”Can I really stay?”