The warm glow of the dining room spilled over the table as Dila and Fran sat down, the rich aroma of freshly cooked food filling the air. Fran's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she wasted no time grabbing a drumstick, her small hands clutching it eagerly. She tore into the meat with joyful abandon, her little bites punctuated by satisfied "nyum nyum" sounds, her tail flicking with delight as she leaned close to Dila.

Dila watched her sister with a mix of amusement and concern, brushing a strand of silver-white hair from her face. "Calm down, Fran," she said gently, her tone almost scolding but soft. "You might get a stomach cramp tonight with all that meat."

But Fran paid no attention. Her mouth was full, eyes sparkling, and she continued to devour her food with pure, innocent enthusiasm. "Nyum nyum nyum!" she exclaimed, barely pausing to breathe, leaning slightly toward Dila as if sharing her excitement.

Across the table, Jade sat with a calm, relaxed posture, one hand loosely resting on the table, fingers intertwined. He observed the two sisters with an amused, gentle smile. "Don't worry, Princess," he said softly, his voice smooth and reassuring. "She's just enjoying herself, am I right?"

Fran's eyes lit up at his attention, and she nodded enthusiastically, her mouth still half-full. "Right!" she said happily, flashing him a bright grin.

Dila, still frowning slightly, couldn't help but point out again. "But the cramps—"

Before she could finish, Jade reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, glowing potion. The liquid shimmered with a soft purple hue as he pushed it gently across the table toward Fran. It glided smoothly, almost as if guided by magic, stopping perfectly upright beside her plate.

Fran's eyes widened in delight as she eagerly grabbed the potion. "Thank you!" she said, placing it beside her meal before resuming her feasting with renewed energy.

Dila's brows furrowed, her hands folding nervously in her lap. "I don't think I should trust you, Jade," she muttered quietly, leaning slightly forward. "That potion's in your pocket… it might as well be poison."

Jade chuckled, his eyes widening in mock offense, but the warmth in his expression never faltered. "Calm down, Princess," he said smoothly, his tone teasing yet reassuring. "I will not do anything that crazy."

He let out a soft laugh, the sound gentle and rich, like a comforting presence across the table. Dila's shoulders relaxed slightly, though her eyes continued to watch him warily, torn between caution and the strange reassurance that Jade seemed to effortlessly radiate.

Fran, oblivious to the tension, continued to eat joyfully, her happiness contagious. Dila glanced at her sister and then at Jade, and for a moment, she felt the quiet warmth of the moment settle around them, mingling concern, trust, and the simple joy of shared company.

The soft lamplight from the ceiling cast warm pools over the table as Dila's voice cut through the gentle clatter of utensils. "So… did you forget why we're here in the first place?" she asked, her tone sharp yet tinged with exasperation.

Jade's laughter came out, smooth and musical, a soft chuckle that carried across the table. "Oh, hahaha… sorry," he said, shaking his head slightly, his dark hair catching the light. "I was too absorbed in your sister's… situation."

He rose slowly from his seat, moving with an elegance that seemed almost effortless, each step measured and deliberate. His eyes never left Dila as he approached, a faint, teasing smile lingering on his lips. When he finally reached her, he lifted his right hand, his fingers gliding lightly to caress her chin, pulling it gently upward.

Dila blinked, her blue eyes wide, her chest tightening with a mixture of puzzlement and irritation. For a moment, she didn't blush—she simply stared, unsure how to respond to his sudden closeness. Then, her composure snapped. "Don't touch me!" she said sharply, slapping his hand away with a flick of her wrist.

Jade chuckled again, the sound low and soft, teasing. "You know," he said, his voice quiet yet warm, "you're… cute. Especially your face… your eyes when you're flustered."

Dila turned away, her expression fierce and her arms crossed over her chest, tapping her feet lightly against the floor. "Let's go, Fran," she muttered, trying to regain some dignity as her sister continued to eat, utterly absorbed in her meal.

Jade froze, then raising his hands slightly in surrender. "Oh! Wo—wo—wo! Wait!" he stammered, a rare crack in his usual calm demeanor. Then, his voice softened, almost sheepish. "I… I'm sorry. Just… forgive my impulse."

He lowered his head in a careful bow, beads of sweat forming on his forehead and cheeks as he held the gesture, a mixture of amusement and embarrassment in his posture.

Dila's eyes narrowed as she tapped her feet harder, her lips pressing together in a pout, her small frame radiating a quiet, fiery frustration. Meanwhile, Jade's expression softened into a genuine smile, his hands raised in mock surrender once more, eyes closed, shoulders slightly trembling as if holding back a laugh. The tension between them crackled in the air, playful, heated, and yet strangely intimate, as the quiet warmth of the Dorm wrapped around their small, electric moment.

Then Jade tilted his head toward Fran, who was still happily chewing through her meal, humming softly under her breath. He smiled lightly and said, "Fran... mind if I borrow your sister for a moment?"

Fran blinked once, glanced up with her cheeks puffed full of food, and said muffled, "Oky," before returning straight back to eating like nothing happened.

Dila's eyes widened a little. "What do you mean borrow me?" she asked, a faint crease forming between her brows.

"It's something like that," Jade replied with a casual shrug. He raised his hands, smiling with that calm, confident tone. "There's just something I need you to know. Let's talk on the balcony."

She turned her head away again, crossing her arms. "No." Her pout was firm, her tone cold but soft.

"Come on, cutie-pie," he smirked.

Dila's ears twitched slightly, her expression sharpening. "Don't call me that."

He chuckled and began to move closer, each step slow and teasing, his shadow stretching across Dila. Dila stayed seated, her posture stiffening as he neared.

And then, without warning, Jade leaned down and wrapped his arms gently around her. "Come on, cuty," he said with a grin, his voice light and playful.

Dila froze for a second.... and then her voice rose sharply, "Nooo!"

Her hand darted out faster than he expected. She grabbed the nearest spoon and fork from the table, spun her wrist, and flung them both in a blur of motion.

Jade let go barely dodged the fork as it zipped past his cheek with a whistle, his upper body bending backward in a dramatic sway. "Whoa!—hey!—hold on—!"

The spoon came next, spinning through the air like a silver comet. He ducked again, losing balance and nearly tripping over the chair leg behind him, his cape fluttering as he stumbled sideways.

"Your throwing reflexes are sharp, Princess!" he said between nervous laughter.

"Because you're getting bolder every time we meet!" Dila snapped, standing up, her face stern with an edge of pink near her cheeks.

Jade raised both his hands in surrender, bowing his head a little. "Sorry, High Princess," he said quickly, still smiling nervously.

Fran looked up at last, blinking with a bit of sauce on her cheek. "What did I miss?"

Jade pointed weakly at the spoon lying on the floor, still catching its last spin. "Uh.... self-defense training, I guess?"

Fran tilted her head. "While eating?" she mumbled, confused, then went right back to finishing her food as if nothing had happened.

Then.

Jade let out a soft chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "You know what... I'm sorry," he said, his tone sincere yet slightly playful, as if trying to lighten the air between them.

But Dila didn't smile back. Her arms were crossed tightly, her brows drawn together. "You keep apologizing... then you suddenly do it again. Bad mistake," she said sharply, her voice raised enough to echo faintly across the quiet dorm hall.

Jade's eyes widened instantly. "Hey, hey—shhh!" he whispered, waving his hands quickly and glancing left and right. His movements were half-panicked, half-comical as he ducked slightly, leaning closer to her. "Not so loud, Princess! I don't want the other students in the dorm to hear us."

His tone carried an uneasy laugh, but Dila wasn't swayed. Her foot tapped the floor impatiently, and her eyes narrowed.

Then Fran, who had been quietly wiping her hands with a napkin, lifted her head, blinking between them both. "Are you fighting for real?" she asked, her ears twitching.

Jade pointed at Dila quickly. "No," he said at the same time Dila crossed her arms and said, "Yes."

The two voices clashed in perfect unison, freezing the air for a second.

Fran blinked again. "Uhh..."

Dila turned her head away with a pout. "Hmph. Liar."

Jade sighed softly, his smile small and nervous, unsure whether to laugh or stay quiet.

Fran then stood up, pressing a tissue lightly against her mouth. "I think... I'm going to excuse myself for a moment," she said, her tone carrying that innocent politeness that barely masked her irritation. "I just need to go to the restroom."

She turned, giving Jade a faint, tired look before saying, "You can borrow my sister now what are you waiting for."

As she walked away, her tail flicked behind her in small, twitchy movements that betrayed her mood. Dila turned her eyes toward Fran's back, watching quietly as her steps faded toward the small corridor.

Fran didn't show it, but her small sigh and slightly hurried walk said enough—she was a little bothered by their squabble... even if she'd rather not admit it.

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