Amon_Arcana

Chapter 52: Playing it safe



I leaned against the side of the restaurant, glancing at my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. I wasn't sure why I was waiting. It's not like I cared if Ying Yue showed up or not. 

Ah actually i cared pretty much cause i had already flexed on every sect member that i was going on a date with Ying Yue. I think I should have stayed quite. It's just whatever. She was probably just caught up in something, right?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and I looked up to find Ying Yue strolling toward me. Her usual cold, indifferent expression was there, like always. I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly she carried herself, like she was above everything around her.

I raised an eyebrow as she approached. "You're late," I said, though I wasn't really angry. Just... mildly amused.

Her eyes flickered toward me, and for a second, there was the smallest twitch in her brow. "It's none of your business," she said, her voice sharp as usual.

I chuckled. "Sure, but I figured you'd want to at least try to be on time, you know? Or is punctuality too much of a challenge for the Mrs. Tsundere?"

She didn't respond right away, just giving me an icy stare that clearly meant shut up. But then, she sighed dramatically, almost like she was doing it for my benefit. "Don't make me regret this."

I grinned. "I'll try my best. You're not exactly the easiest person to deal with."

Without another word, she pushed open the door and walked in, and I followed, trying to act casual. In this situatuion I remembered a quote from authors world "Give me 10 minutes and i'll bed the queen of France" thinking how did people get that kind of confidence.

We were seated quickly, and the silence that followed was... well, it was uncomfortable, but not in the way I expected. She didn't act like she was annoyed with me. No, she was just cold as if I wasn't even worth responding to. That's the thing with her. It's like she's playing a game, and I'm not even in the running.

I leaned back in my chair, casually observing her. " Don't you ever get tired this gloomy act."

Her eyes flicked up to meet mine for a second, and I caught the faintest hint of irritation. "I'm not gloomy" she muttered, almost like it was an afterthought.

I smirked. "Sure, whatever you say."

She glared at me, but the look in her eyes was what? Frustration? She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again, as if reconsidering. The silence stretched out, and I couldn't help but enjoy the tension.

"How's your side?" she asked, suddenly looking a little more... concerned? But she quickly masked it, raising an eyebrow as if daring me to make something of it.

I shrugged. "I'm fine. Thanks for the concern, though. I didn't know you cared."

"Don't get the wrong idea," she snapped, her tone defensive. "I'm just making sure you don't embarrass yourself too much."

I raised my hands in mock surrender. "Sure, sure. I wouldn't want to disappoint you, after all."

She rolled her eyes, clearly not knowing what to do with me. I wasn't sure what I was doing either, but whatever it was, I was enjoying it.

"Is this how you are with everyone?" she asked, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. "Just teasing people until they get annoyed?"

"Only the interesting ones," I replied, giving her a teasing grin. "You qualify, I guess."

Her lips twitched slightly, as if she was fighting a smile. But then she scoffed, looking away. "You're really annoying"

"Thanks, I try," I said, leaning forward again. "So, about that fight"

She cut me off immediately. "Don't talk about that," she said, her tone suddenly sharp again, as though the mere mention of the fight brought back some unwanted memories.

I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my seat again. "What, afraid I'll remind you that I almost had you there?"

"Shut up," she muttered, her voice soft but her eyes cold. "I said don't bring it up."

I smirked, leaning in again, enjoying how flustered she was getting. "You're no fun, you know that?"

She didn't reply. Instead, she picked up her drink and took a sip, clearly trying to ignore me. But I could see the way her grip tightened on the glass, her fingers going white at the knuckles.

After a few moments of silence, I noticed the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You're insufferable, Amon."

I grinned, leaning back in my chair with a sense of accomplishment. "I'm glad you noticed."

The rest of the meal went by in an easy, teasing rhythm. We didn't talk much, but the air between us felt less tense. Maybe she wasn't as much of an enigma as she thought. Maybe she was just like everyone else, too proud to admit she didn't mind the attention.

When the meal was over, Ying Yue stood, her usual cold demeanor back in place. "Thanks for the lunch," she said, her voice flat but not quite as dismissive as before.

I raised my eyebrows. "You're welcome. See you in the finals."

Her eyes flickered with something, but she didn't say anything. She just turned and walked away, her form melting into the crowd like a shadow.

Yeah, we'd see each other again. And for some reason, I didn't mind that at all.


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