Jian Ci blinked, surprised. "Huh...?"
"He sounds perfect for Cindy," Alarna added smoothly.
Cindy flushed, her ears turning red as she exclaimed, "Alarna...!"
"Does he have a girlfriend or... boyfriend?" Alarna pressed.
Jian Ci hesitated. "No," he said, but his voice was distant. He realized he had never asked Yu Xi what kind of partner he was drawn to. The thought lingered.
Meanwhile, Yu Xi stood alone in the male espers’ bathroom, palms braced against the sink. He splashed water on his face, droplets trailing down his jaw. He stared into the mirror with a distant look in her eyes.
Then the door opened. A man entered, tall, composed, with eyes that locked onto Yu Xi’s like a challenge.
Yu Xi splashed water on his face one more time, the cold droplets grounding him, anchoring the storm of emotion that still churned beneath his skin. He exhaled slowly, reaching for a paper towel only to find one already extended toward him.
He paused, eyes flicking from the towel to the man holding it. "I can get one myself," he said flatly.
Brushing past, he grabbed his own and dabbed his face dry. The man chuckled softly, discarding the unused towel.
"You are an Esper?" he said, voice low but certain.
Yu Xi didn’t respond. He tossed the damp towel into the bin and turned to leave, but the man stepped into his path.
"I don’t mean anything by it," the man said quickly. "It’s just... there’s something about you that drew my attention."
Yu Xi’s eyes narrowed. "Is it some kind of hobby of yours? Stopping Espers in bathrooms for hookups?"
"No, I—" The man faltered, clearly flustered.
"Then get out of my way."
The man stepped aside, murmuring, "I am sorry."
Yu Xi walked out, his steps sharp with restraint. Outside, Jian Ci leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.
Yu Xi stopped in front of him. "How long have you been eavesdropping?"
Jian Ci draped his arm around Yu Xi’s shoulders, his touch light but grounding. "I wasn’t eavesdropping," he said with a grin. "I was looking out for you."
Yu Xi chuckled, the tension in his chest loosening just a little. But Jian Ci’s expression shifted as he glanced back. His eyes locked onto the man who had just exited the bathroom, and in that instant, his gaze sharpened into something lethal.
The man froze, every nerve in his body stiffening. It was like being stared down by a viper coiled, precise and ready to strike.
"Stay clear of such espers," Jian Ci muttered.
Yu Xi raised an eyebrow. "Are you discriminating against espers who like espers?"
Jian Ci shook his head. "No... I just despise the ones who force themselves on others."
Yu Xi nodded, understanding. "I will stay clear of them."
Jian Ci smiled, satisfied, and pulled him a little closer. "Let’s go drink. I could use a night of fun."
Yu Xi sighed. "Are you bringing those two?"
"Yeah," Jian Ci said. "Cindy has access to one of the hottest nightclubs in the city. She invited us."
Yu Xi groaned. "Can’t we just go home?"
Jian Ci paused, then gave him a pleading look. "No, come on, pleaseeeee. I need someone to take me home afterwards. Little Xi, I only have one life."
Yu Xi stared at that pleading face, the exaggerated pout, the glint of mischief in his eyes. He sighed, already regretting the decision forming on his tongue. "Fine," he said. "But don’t drink too much."
Jian Ci lit up like a firework. "Yes! You are the best, little Xi."
"Don’t call me that," Yu Xi muttered, already walking away.
Half an hour later, they stepped into the nightclub and it was like entering another dimension. The place pulsed like the heart of a neon galaxy, walls alive with shifting geometric light and bass that throbbed through the soles of every guest’s boots.
Crowds moved like liquid, dancing beneath a kaleidoscope of pink, purple, and electric blue. Above them, the DJ booth floated midair, a command center of sound and rhythm.
Holograms shimmered across the ceiling. There were alien constellations and surreal dreamscapes, flickering in time with the beat. Android bartenders spun bottles with mechanical grace, pouring cocktails that glowed like plasma cores into crystal glasses.
The waiter led Jian Ci, Yu Xi, Alarna, and Cindy to their reserved lounge. The platform rose, translucent and smooth, lifting them above the chaos. Inside the VIP lounge, the air was cooler, the lighting softer.
Plush seating, ambient music, and a panoramic view of the dance floor below gave the space a sense of indulgent calm— luxurious, but still pulsing with the club’s electric soul.
Drinks arrived swiftly, and soon the atmosphere was buzzing. Alarna had latched onto Jian Ci with practiced ease, her laughter loud, her gestures theatrical. She monopolized his attention, and for the first time, Yu Xi wished he could speak more freely, maybe then Jian Ci would look his way.
He glanced over. Jian Ci was singing with Alarna, their voices tangled in a duet. Alarna’s voice sounded like a strangled cat, but her expression radiated confidence, as if she were delivering a performance worthy of the stars. Jian Ci’s voice wasn’t much better. It was off-key and breathy, but to Yu Xi, it was the sweet sound of an angel.
His rose-tinted glasses weren’t just on, they were welded to his soul when it came to Jian Ci.
Jian Ci finished his off-key serenade with a dramatic flourish, arms wide and eyes sparkling. "Eh, Little Xi, how was my singing? Got any requests?"
Yu Xi raised a thumb, his expression unreadable but his voice steady. "How about you pick a song you would like to sing for me."
Jian Ci’s smile deepened, the haze in his eyes unmistakable. He was tipsy, his cheeks flushed, his posture loose, his gaze lingering on Yu Xi with a warmth that made the air feel heavier. That smile, dazzling and unguarded, made Yu Xi’s heart stutter.
Alarna, not drunk but clearly emboldened, leaned in and grasped Jian Ci’s arm possessively. "How about you sing for me too?"
Jian Ci gently pulled away, his tone light but firm. "No, I want to sing for Little Xi."
He turned to the floating screen, fingers dancing across the interface as he searched for a song.
Alarna’s eyes narrowed. She shot a glare at Cindy, who sat awkwardly beside Yu Xi, trying to make conversation. But Yu Xi was a fortress. His replies were clipped, casual: "Mm." "Yeah." "En."
Cindy fidgeted, confused. She had never met an Esper so indifferent to a guide before. Most were drawn to her like moths to flame.