CHAPTER 26: SO WE’RE USING HONORIFICS NOW?

The training session wrapped up with a final explosive display, but Natalia barely noticed her own performance. Her thoughts tumbled like the ice fragments scattering across the training room floor.

"We should celebrate your new power-up!" Emi clapped her hands together, bouncing on her toes. "How about boba tea? There’s this amazing place right around the corner that uses real fruit, not those gross syrups."

Natalia opened her mouth to refuse. She wanted to go home, to process whatever these churning emotions were in private. The last thing she needed was to watch Emi fawn over Satori for another hour.

"I should probably—" she began.

"Sounds great," Satori cut in. "Unless the princess is too tired from her training?"

"Of course not," Natalia said, her jaw tightening. "Boba sounds perfect."

She couldn’t refuse now without looking petty and weak. The last thing she needed was for Satori to think his presence affected her in any way.

The walk to the boba shop was mercifully short. Emi filled the silence with excited chatter about Natalia’s new ring and its applications, speculating about how it would help during the entrance exams. Natalia nodded in all the right places, but her attention kept drifting to Satori, who walked slightly behind them, hands in his pockets, watching everything with those unnervingly attentive eyes.

The shop was small but trendy, the air thick with the sweet scent of brewing tea and caramelized sugar. Minimalist decor and large windows let in the afternoon sunlight. A line of students from nearby schools chatted while waiting to order. Natalia’s stomach knotted as she noticed several girls giving Satori appreciative glances.

Had he always been this... noticeable? Or was it just the contrast with his former self that made the change so stark?

"I’m thinking mango with lychee jelly," Emi mused, studying the menu. "What about you guys?"

"Jasmine milk tea, standard pearls," Natalia replied automatically. It was what she always ordered.

"Bold choice, princess," Satori drawled. "Really stepping outside your comfort zone there."

Heat rushed to Natalia’s cheeks. "It’s a classic for a reason."

"I think I’ll try the taro with crystal boba," Satori said, ignoring her irritation. "Never had it before."

Emi gasped dramatically. "You’ve never had taro boba? Oh my god, you’ve been missing out! It’s like, sweet potato but in the best possible way."

"Sweet potato drink?" Satori raised an eyebrow. "You’re not selling it very well."

Emi’s laugh was a bright, bubbly cascade. "Trust me! If you don’t like it, I’ll buy you something else."

"Deal," Satori replied, his smile easy and genuine in a way Natalia had never seen before.

Had he ever smiled like that at home? Natalia couldn’t remember. The Satori she knew scowled or leered or smirked, but this relaxed, charming version was entirely new.

They found a table by the window after ordering. Natalia sat stiffly, stirring her drink as the two of them launched into a conversation that didn’t include her.

"So how long have you been training your healing Aspect?" Satori asked Emi, leaning forward with apparent interest.

"Since I was five," Emi replied, her eyes lighting up at the chance to talk about her specialty. "My mom says I manifested it when our cat got hurt. I just put my hands on her and this green light appeared."

"That’s impressive. Early manifestation usually indicates high potential."

"That’s what my instructors say! But healing is tough to rank properly since it’s not offensive." Emi sighed. "The GAR system really favors combat-oriented Aspects."

"It’s shortsighted," Satori agreed. "A good healer can turn the tide of a Gate run more effectively than a mid-tier attacker."

Emi blinked, surprise crossing her face before melting into a wide smile. "Exactly! That’s what I always say! A team without healing support is just asking for trouble."

"You ever watch Safeguard Six? The A-Rank team from Eastern Alliance?"

"Are you kidding? I love them! Their healer, Mercy, is my absolute idol."

"Their formation strategy is brilliant," Satori continued. "The way they position their healer in a mobile pocket between their tanks and DPS."

"The Triangle Defense! Yes!" Emi clapped excitedly.

Natalia stirred her drink with her straw, watching ice cubes bump against each other. She’d never heard Satori talk about Hunter teams with such knowledge, let alone show interest in healing formations. The old Satori’s idea of Hunter knowledge was knowing which female A-Ranks had done swimsuit spreads in monthly magazines.

The server brought their drinks. Emi took a long sip of her mango boba and sighed happily.

"Try yours!" she urged Satori.

He took a cautious sip of the purple drink, his eyebrows rising in surprise. "That’s... actually really good."

"Right?" Emi beamed. "Taro is so underrated."

"I concede to your superior boba knowledge," Satori said with a mock bow.

Emi giggled, punching his arm playfully. "You should trust me more often. I have excellent taste."

Natalia gripped her cup tighter, the plastic crinkling under her fingers. Why was Emi acting like this? She’d never been so giggly and touchy with boys before.

"Nat, how’s your drink?" Emi asked, seeming to finally remember her friend’s presence.

"Fine," Natalia replied, taking a sip to prove it. The sweet tea tasted like nothing at all. "It’s fine."

An awkward silence fell over the table.

"So," Emi ventured, "are you guys ready for the entrance exam? It’s coming up so fast."

"As ready as I’ll be," Satori replied. "Still catching up on years of wasted time."

"Your Aspect seems really strong though," Emi said. "Fire manipulation has tons of combat applications."

"And he can apparently use ice too," Natalia interjected, unable to help herself. "Convenient, having two elements when most people struggle to master one."

Satori’s eyes flicked to her, narrowing slightly. "Just trying to make up for lost time, princess."

"It’s just unusual, that’s all," Natalia continued, stirring her drink. "Most people manifest early. Almost no one develops an Aspect at eighteen. And certainly not with multiple elements."

"You sound jealous," Satori remarked.

"Of what?" Natalia snapped. "Your barely controlled parlor tricks?"

Emi’s eyes widened. "Nat—"

"You saw what I can do with my telekinesis," Natalia continued, anger rising in her chest. "I don’t need fire or ice or whatever else you’re pretending to have mastered overnight."

"You guys," Emi said nervously, "let’s not argue. We’re supposed to be celebrating Nat’s new ring."

"You’re right," Satori conceded, his expression softening as he turned to Emi. "I apologize for the tension."

Emi rewarded him with a bright smile. "No problem! Family stuff can be complicated."

"We’re not family," Natalia muttered.

"Step-family," Emi corrected. "But you know what I mean."

An awkward silence descended over the table again. Natalia stabbed at a tapioca pearl with her straw, wishing she’d gone straight home.

"Tell me more about the entrance exam format," Satori said to Emi, clearly attempting to change the subject. "I’ve heard rumors about a team formation component."

"Oh, yes!" Emi lit up again. "They divide applicants into temporary squads for the practical portion. Four-person teams, usually balanced for different combat roles."

"Balanced how?" Satori asked.

"They try to pair offensive Aspects with support, and ranged with close combat," Emi explained. "The idea is to test your ability to work with different power types."

"So someone like you, with healing, would likely be grouped with heavy hitters," Satori mused.

"Exactly! I’m hoping to get paired with Nat, honestly. Her telekinesis would provide amazing crowd control while I keep everyone patched up."

"The teams are randomly assigned," Natalia pointed out, her voice flat. "They don’t let friends choose to work together."

"I know, but I can dream!" Emi laughed, then turned back to Satori. "What role would you fit into with fire manipulation?"

"Mid-range DPS, I guess," Satori shrugged.

They launched into another discussion. Natalia sipped her drink, feeling increasingly invisible. Every sentence, every shared laugh between them tightened the knot in her stomach. When Emi threw her head back, laughing at something Satori said, the sound scraped across Natalia’s nerves.

"I should get the check," Emi said eventually, reaching for her purse.

"Already taken care of," Satori replied, producing a receipt from his pocket.

Natalia blinked. "You paid?"

"My treat," he said. "A reward for the successful field test."

"That’s so sweet!" Emi exclaimed, giving Satori another playful punch on the arm. "You’re actually a really great guy, Satori-kun!"

Satori-kun? Since when did Emi use honorifics with him? They barely knew each other.

"It’s no problem," he replied. "You both helped me with training insights. Consider it payment for the consultation."

"Such a gentleman," Emi giggled, gathering her things. "I need to use the restroom before we go. Be right back!"

As soon as Emi was out of earshot, Natalia turned to Satori, her voice low and tight. "What exactly are you doing?"

"Having boba with my step-sister and her friend," Satori replied mildly. "Is that a problem?"

"You know what I mean. This whole..." she gestured vaguely at him, "...act."

"It’s not an act, Natalia."

"So flirting with my best friend is part of the real you?"

Something flickered in Satori’s eyes—surprise, then understanding, then something darker and more satisfied.

"I wasn’t flirting," he said. "I was having a conversation. If you see something more than that, maybe you should ask yourself why it bothers you."

Natalia took a vicious sip of her boba, the tapioca pearls feeling like gravel in her mouth. "It doesn’t bother me."

"No?" Satori leaned forward slightly. "Then why are you crushing your cup?"

Natalia looked down to see her fingers had indeed dented the plastic, nearly piercing it. She forced her grip to relax.

"I just don’t want to see Emi get hurt," she managed. "She’s too trusting."

"Is that really what this is about?" Satori asked, his eyes never leaving hers.

Before Natalia could answer, Emi returned.

"Ready to go, guys?"

"Absolutely," Satori replied, standing and offering Emi a hand with her jacket.

Natalia watched them, a cold, possessive knot tightening in her stomach. This feeling... she didn’t understand it, but she hated it. She hated watching her best friend flirt with her stepbrother.

Wait.

Her stepbrother? Since when did she think of Satori as hers in any capacity?

The realization left her frozen, straw halfway to her lips.

"Nat? You coming?" Emi called from the door.

"Yeah," Natalia mumbled, gathering her things. "Right behind you."