Ningshun backed out of Meilin's room, his breath unsteady, his heart racing as if he had just run a marathon. He leaned against the wall, running a hand through his straight hair, which fell to his lower neck. "What was that?"

The adrenaline from their sudden closeness had not worn off. The heat between them lingered in his awareness, his body demanding him to calm down, but the throbbing in his heart clouded his mind. The way his hands had pinned her against the wall, her wide eyes full of surprise—he could not shake the vivid memory.

With a deep breath, he pushed himself off the wall and strode down the hallway, his pace quickening as if he could outrun the mental turmoil. Despite his efforts to clear his head, his mind kept spiraling back to Meilin—the way her cheeks flushed when he got too close.

Hooman stood in the hallway, scrolling through his phone. Upon spotting Ningshun, he lifted his gaze with a curious expression. "Hey, did you just come from Meilin's room? Did you two—"

Ningshun froze, his heart hammering in his chest. "NO!" The word shot out like a dart. "No, I mean, yes, we were just talking." He forced a grin, but it remained uncomfortable.

Hooman arched an eyebrow and quipped, "Why are you answering like I'm holding a gun to your head? I just wanted to ask if you two spoke about what kind of pizza she wanted." He spoke in a slow pace, as if to someone who did not quite get it. "We're ordering tonight, remember?"

Ningshun blinked, scrambling for an explanation. "Oh, yeah, right... we did." His eyes shifted to the side. 'And more...' he reminisced, forgetting Hooman's presence for a moment.

"Uh... Ningshun?" Hooman repeated.

Snapping to reality, Ningshun's voice rushed out, "She wants a slice of everything..." He nodded with excessive enthusiasm, the walls closing in on him. 'Ah, I need... to take a shower...' He took a deep breath. "So, uh, let's order everything. I'll pay for it."

Hooman's mouth fell open in shock. "A slice of everything? Fair enough. After all, we're celebrating her joining the team."

Ningshun's cheeks warmed as he recalled how Meilin held his arms and yanked him closer with a rough grip. "She's... adventurous like that."

Hooman blinked at him, dumbfounded. "She sure is!" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I guess I'll just... order a pizza buffet, then... since you're paying."

"Good," Ningshun's voice came out thin. 'Get a grip,' he told himself in his thoughts, but he scoffed as his body refused to obey. He needed to get out of there. "Okay, I'm going to... go shower now." He backed away, stumbling as if he had tripped over his feet.

"But you already took a shower an hour ago," Hooman pointed out, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"Another one won't kill me!" Ningshun snapped, then regretted his outburst. He needed to escape, evade the embarrassment of Hooman discovering what troubled him, and exit with some dignity.

Hooman shook his head. The leader had rarely shown such fluster before. "What's going on with you?" he called, but Ningshun had already crossed halfway down the hall, refusing to turn around.

"I'm fine!" Ningshun waved his hand without turning. "Just a little tired today." He rounded the corner, bumping into a plant and almost toppling it over.

Hooman stifled his laughter. "This guy... 'We were just talking' he says... Yeah right, you can't fool me," he muttered as his flustered friend stumbled off.

~*~

In the heart of a grand palace, Lord Muchen sat on his throne in a white hall adorned with silk-woven cloths and towering white pillars. His ebony hair flowed as a man approached, his steps hesitant.

Yize, the general with long silver hair, flowed down his back like a silken waterfall. His white robe swirled around him, his posture mirroring Muchen's intensity as he stood beside him. "Is Feng Deming truly that big of a threat, my lord? I mean, our realm is far more powerful."

Muchen's eyes shifted towards him as he leaned forward with grace. "He is too strong now... Yize, there is a lot you do not know for your own good."

"My lord, if it's a concern that you have, please do share. Don't keep me in the dark," Yize urged, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

A deep sigh escaped Muchen's lips, tightening his grip on the armrest of his throne, causing the wood to creak. "There is a prophecy about our downfall... the end of all, the end of the Faerie Realm as it is."