The Creatures that We Are

At three in the afternoon, Gao Yang and Wang Zikai rode two fancy motorcycles and headed to the most boisterous Feiyang District. Riding behind Gao Yang, Fresh Snow had an arm around him as she waved at the back with her other hand.

“Quickly, Gao Yang! Stupid Kai is going to catch up with us!”

"You! It's Brother Kai when you need something, and Idiot Kai when you don't. Is that it?!" Wang Zikai's indignant voice carried from behind. "I'm gonna total you!"

"Hahaha! Hurry, Gao Yang!"

Fresh Snow had refused a helmet, letting her silver hair stream in the wind as she shouted with unrestrained joy, her voice fluctuating amusingly like she was talking to a fan.

Under his helmet, Gao Yang smiled, though his feelings were complicated.

The last time the three of them went on an outing together, Gao Yang was still with the Qilin Guild. He had bought hair dye and colored contact lenses for Fresh Snow, putting her in disguise. Now, though, Gao Yang, Wang Zikai, and Fresh Snow were all prime enemies of the Ocean River Union, yet they went outside openly with no disguise.

With the system’s warning and Absolute Defense, Gao Yang would have an even odd should Qilin come after him. Even if he couldn’t defeat the man, he would be able to run away.

Actually, it would be a good thing if he managed to draw Qilin out.

Fresh Snow looked over the screenings on Gao Yang’s phone for a long time. Then finally, she picked a re-released animated film, Ponyo and Sosuke.

Fresh Snow was immediately drawn to the fairytale-style poster.

Gao Yang had seen it in elementary school, though the details were fuzzy now. He remembered it being warm and beautiful, and something about protecting the environment. He would happily revisit the film.

Wang Zikai would much prefer an action film with lots of fighting and killing, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to watch a different kind of movie…and have a nap once in a while.

The three of them got popcorn and juice, entering the screening room as it opened.

Since it was a rerelease, there were no other viewers. The three of them got a private screening.

Fresh Snow settled between them as the lights dimmed. Gao Yang had expected her usual barrage of curious questions, but she fell into immediate, enchanted silence.

Wang Zikai lasted five minutes before his snores filled the air, his barely-touched popcorn bucket tilting dangerously with each breath, kernels occasionally escaping to the floor.

Gao Yang maintained his composure while his enhanced senses swept the theater. He activated his replicated Sensory to scan the entire mall and surrounding blocks, searching for any hint of threat. Only when he was certain of their safety did he allow himself to relax slightly.

Beside him, Fresh Snow remained lost in the story, her eyes reflecting the screen's changing lights as the fairytale wound its way to its inevitable happy ending.

On screen, Ponyo, the goldfish girl, finally united with Sosuke after weathering countless storms. She soared from the ocean, suspended in a magical bubble before descending toward him.

Then the bubble popped, and the goldfish gave Sosuke a peck, transforming into a girl suddenly.

Fresh Snow stared at the screen, lost in the moment. A bubble of emotion she hadn't known was there popped, and feelings of inspiration and longing struggled free like a butterfly breaking from its chrysalis.

She understood Ponyo completely. Or rather, in the girl descending from the sky, Fresh Snow saw herself.

The girl would be with the boy she loved, or nothing at all; she'd rather dissolve into sea foam and return to the depths than live without him.

Fresh Snow's mind went perfectly still.

Something drew her gaze to Gao Yang beside her. He had fallen into a deep sleep—the first real rest he'd had in ages.

Without thought or hesitation, Fresh Snow rose on the chair's arms and leaned toward him, pressing a kiss to his right cheek that was both gentle and profound. Ŗ₳ɴՕꞖĚş

As she pulled back, Gao Yang stirred. His eyes opened slowly, registering the soft strands of her hair falling across his face. Through his clearing vision, Fresh Snow's features came into focus. Their eyes met, breaths mingling in the dark.

Time seemed to stop then.

Neither spoke. They simply held each other's gaze, each seeing themselves reflected in the other's eyes.

There was no panic, no embarrassment, no nervous flinching. Just stillness, like the world in the moments after heavy snow.

Time stretched.

Then the newborn butterfly in Fresh Snow's chest beat its wings.

She whirled away, deliberately stepping on Wang Zikai's stomach as she snatched his popcorn.

"Gah..."

Wang Zikai jolted awake. "What the hell, Fresh Snow?!"

"Hahaha! Stupid Kai!" Fresh Snow bounded across empty seats, flinging popcorn like confetti.

Wang Zikai grabbed Gao Yang's abandoned popcorn and gave chase. "Hah! You think I'm some weak cat just because I haven't shown you my true nature!"

"Eat this! Mighty Dragon!"

"Tsunami Slap!"

"Stop right there!"

"You can't catch me, Stupid Kai! Blep!"

Like a cat and a dog fighting, they leaped through the empty theater until they reached the screen, their faces glowing in the projector's light. Popcorn flew between them like they were having a snowball fight.

“Gao Yang! Join us, Gao Yang!” Fresh Snow waved at Gao Yang happily, smiling like blooming flowers.

Gao Yang laughed, rising to join their play.

Houseau3's Thoughts

Hmmm I wonder who's gonna be end game with Gao Yang.

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