The Sentinel pats Rong Yizhan’s shoulder.
"I’ll be going now." He waves and walks off.
Rong Yizhan tugs at his hoodie. It’s torn almost everywhere, small cuts stained with patches of red.
He shoves the hand wrap into his pockets, pulls the hood over his head and walks towards the entrance.
By now, the iron bars have returned to their positions and blend in with the floors. The barrier is gone. The C-Rank Sentinel had fixed the mess before leaving so as not to cause any harm or Injury to anyone, but someone from the Research & Technology Department will check it later.
"Yaras?!" Xin Linhua walks to him.
Rong Yizhan doesn’t even stop to acknowledge him, he walks around him.
"That’s cold, you know." Xin Linhua moves to block him "I rushed over here to check on you and even cheered you on."
Rong Yizhan finally stops. He looks exasperated. Like dealing with Xin Linhua for just one minute is draining almost a year from his life span.
"He’s harassing Phantom again." Someone whispers from somewhere.
"His skin is thicker than the institute’s metallic walls."
"Seriously, he’s probably one of the few people who can look at Phantom and drop lines like that off the bat."
"Few? He’s the only one."
Xin Linhua snaps his head towards the group of Sentinels.
"The hell you mean by harassing?" He glares "He’s my Sentinel. If you’re feeling bitter, go find your own guides."
"Yeah, yeah. We’re the bitter ones." Someone snickers.
"Yaras?, i–"
Xin Linhua ignores the Sentinels and turns to Rong Yizhan, only to find out that the man had ditched him and left.
"Pfft-" someone laughs "He doesn’t even care about you."
"It’s like you said, my skin is thicker than the great wall of China."
Xin Linhua flicks them off and goes after Rong Yizhan instead.
"Yaras?." He catches up quickly "Why’d you leave without me?"
No response again, just that cold and distant attitude.
Having received yet another cold silence, Xin Linhua finally moves. He walks in front of Rong Yizhan, restricting his movement.
Rong Yizhan stops walking. He finally raises his head to stare at Xin Linhua who looks offended.
"Yaras?, why are you so cold towards me?"
"Move."
"I’m not very good with orders."
Rong Yizhan tries to walk around him, but Xin Linhua blocks him again.
The people walking to and from their respective destinations quickly hasten their steps after seeing this. The hallway becomes empty in seconds.
"Yaras?–"
"Don’t call me that."
"Mm?" Xin Linhua tilts his head "You don’t like the name? What should we do now– I can’t stop calling you Yaras?. It’s a beautiful name and it fits you."
Xin Linhua is not mistaken, the mood changes. Like Rong Yizhan wants to strangle him on the spot.
This just makes him more excited. He walks closer, leaning down a bit with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"For someone so small, you give off a scary vibe." He chuckles "You act like you want to kill me, but so far, I’m the only guide you haven’t killed in a span of hours."
Rong Yizhan clenches his fist. It’s been a few days since the selection trials. He’s been living and coexisting with Xin Linhua too. Even if it’s the institute agreement, killing Xin Linhua shouldn’t be a problem.
"Now I’m curious...am I special? Or is that you can’t bear to kill someone again?"
"Don’t flatter yourself." Rong Yizhan raises his head "If you want to die so badly, I’ll help you."
Rong Yizhan raises his hand. He grabs his blindfold in a tight grip, sliding it down.
He opens his eyes, staring directly at Xin Linhua who...has his eyes shut.
"I am curious about your eyes, but not curious enough to make a kid commit murder." Xin Linhua clicks his tongue.
Rong Yizhan blinks.
"Xin Linhua." Rong Yizhan drags out every syllable "Is this fun for you? It isn’t for me. Sooner or later, your curiosity will win over. Your desire to guide me will twist your mind and when that happens, death is all that awaits you."
"Really...?" Xin Linhua strokes his chin "I should let you know, patience is one of my virtues. Self control too, but lately, you’ve been messing with that. Yes, it is fun for me. I’m curious too. Why do you think you’re nothing but a cold blooded killer? All I see is a kid who wants to forcefully walk down a path of self destruction.
Xin Linhua closes the distance, standing directly in front of him. He raises his hand, setting it down on Rong Yizhan’s hair with laser sharp accuracy.
"You’re just a kid." He pats his hair "You should act more like your age and less like what the institute wants– a killer that they can control."
"Let’s go. I’ll walk you back to the dorm. You can keep up the bratty act, it’s cute."
"Xin. Lin. Hua." Rong Yizhan grits out in between clenched teeth.
The perpetrator just laughs it off with a carefree attitude.
"C’mon, put the blindfold back. You don’t want someone to see you like that, do you?"
A pause. Then a ruffle of fabric. Xin Linhua turns around after a moment.
"Yeah...you look cuter this way."
Rong Yizhan ignores him and starts walking towards their shared dorm.
"Really, come with me, please?" Xin Linhua falls into rhythm beside him "I have to meet the director today and who knows if you’ll ever see me again. They’ll probably dissect me and hook me to machines or some shit. Seriously, this institution–"
Xin Linhua stops. He turns to find Rong Yizhan lagging a few feet behind.
"Dissect?" His cold voice echoes.
"Yeah." Xin Linhua groans softly "Remember last night, when I told you about the whole guiding by mistake thing? I got the ra?ar from the director. He wants me to report in today and give an account on what happened at college. I just think he’s curious as to how my wavelength matches that of so many other Sentinels except you."
"Dissect?"
"Oh, that part. Well, who knows what the institute is thinking. Personally, I hate labs or hospitals. Anything with cold machines and beeping noises. I’m probably imagining the worst case scenario, it might not be like that."
Rong Yizhan stays quiet for a few seconds. He resumes walking, heading straight for their dorm without stopping.
Xin Linhua follows behind. He didn’t get an answer, but at least he had a conversation with Rong Yizhan. And the youth didn’t kill him, double win!
Xin Linhua walks to his room to change into his institute uniform. Black combat outfit with the institute’s sigil. He fiddles with the ra?ar for a bit.
"Well, I’m sure it’ll be fine."
He walks out and almost bumps into someone.
"Yaras?? Why are you standing in front of my room?"
"I know where Director Chen’s office is located."
"You’re coming with me?" Xin Linhua lights up like a Christmas tree.
Rong Yizhan ignores him and walks out the door.
"Hey! Wait for me!"