Banter, Bloodkin, and a Suspended Experiment

“Stop laughing, you shameless little rascal, making a scene in public like this!”

Villy, utterly exasperated, slapped the grey-haired girl’s back, convinced that if word of that moment got out, she would seriously doubt her courage to ever return to school.

“Heh heh… you started it, you know. This is just a taste of your own medicine.”

Liu Yu said with an air of nonchalance.

“Who would do such a thing to a fool like you?!”

“Oh, just last night, you pinned me down just like that, and then… did this and that to me! Hmph, I remember it all perfectly clear. You can’t deny it.”

“I… I…”

‘Please stop talking,’ Villy silently pleaded.

Villy’s ears flushed a deep crimson, as Liu Yu’s words conjured the ambiguous scene from last night back into her mind, leaving her parched and filled with regret for a missed opportunity.

“Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough…”

“Is your throat bothering you?”

Wu Liyun’s violent coughing fit drew Liu Yu’s attention, prompting her to ask with feigned concern, “I recall you Bloodkin have exceptional regenerative abilities. Shall I just slice your throat off so it can grow back properly?”

“Fi—…”

Liu Yu’s malevolent gaze startled Wu Liyun, causing him to quickly swallow the words that had almost escaped his lips. He composed his features, striving to appear more dignified as he stated:

“As your teacher, I am not against students pursuing romantic relationships, but rather…”

“Who’s in a relationship?!”

The girl’s shriek startled several resting birds and drew the curious gazes of passing students, who scrutinized the trio with probing eyes.

“Are you all…?”

‘Two girls and one guy, vying for affection…’ the student seemed to be imagining.

Upon seeing the student lost in their own conjecture, Villy immediately pulled Liu Yu behind her, hastily explaining, “Apologies, apologies, we didn’t mean to disturb you all. We… we’re just rehearsing a skit, and this is our teacher.”

“Exactly, exactly,” Liu Yu nodded frantically, waving her pink fists in a clear hint for Wu Liyun to play along quickly.

“That’s right.”

Wu Liyun turned to face them, his teacher’s ID badge hanging on his chest seemingly elevating his presence.

“I am their instructor.”

“Oh~”

With the teacher’s assurance, the student appeared to be placated, nodding before departing. After seeing the outsider leave, it was time for Liu Yu to face the punishment of cheek-pinching.

“I think that foul mouth of yours truly needs a good lesson!”

“Uwah, uwah, uwah…”

Liu Yu pinched back, retorting, “You’re scolding me again? Go to hell, Flat-chested Girl!”

Villy, whose sore spots were relentlessly prodded daily, predictably boiled over. “You try calling me that again, I dare you! I’ve had enough of you, vocational school brat!”

“…I’ll curse if I want to.”

With no common ground for conversation, the two immediately launched into a brawl, oblivious to their surroundings.

Wu Liyun, observing the scene as an outsider, was left speechless. Just as he considered finding an excuse to leave, his pocket suddenly vibrated.

‘Who is it?’

He pulled out his phone, unlocked the screen, and checked.

The caller ID displayed–[Yao Jing].

“Hello, Yao-ge, is something the matter?”

“Are you at school? If so, there’s something I need you to relay to Liu Yu, and also to Junior Sister Villy…”

“They’re both right beside me.”

Despite his curiosity as to why Yao Jing didn’t call Liu Yu directly, Wu Liyun carefully noted down every word.

“I see…”

After listening, Wu Liyun’s expression grew considerably more solemn.

The message from Yao Jing was straightforward: The Supervisory Bureau was finally preparing to take action against the Bloodkin.

However, much to everyone’s surprise,

The capture of The Doctor and Irina seemed not to have intimidated Titan. Instead, he had gathered the remaining Bloodkin in one place, apparently intent on resisting to the very end.

Wu Liyun found himself unable to comprehend the “leader’s” intentions.

Even if he could, by some miracle, single-handedly defeat The Supervisory Bureau, or even conquer the entire East River region, such an act would inevitably lead to a joint siege from external forces.

No one would simply stand by and watch a group of Black-blooded individuals seize control of a city.

Even The Association would directly intervene.

“I will relay the message,” Wu Liyun affirmed.

He glanced at the two girls, who were now bickering so intensely they were practically inseparable, then ended the call and called out:

“Liu Yu.”

“What do you want, uwah? Your skin itching for a beating again, is it?”

Her words were an unsparing threat. Anyone unfamiliar with her would certainly deem her a short-tempered individual, yet those who knew her understood it was merely a case of being ‘bold with intimates, timid with strangers.’

“I have something important to tell you. Could you both… perhaps pause for a moment?”

“Ptooey, ptooey.”

Pushing away the ‘dog paw’ reaching for her chest, Liu Yu spat at the black-haired girl’s face, then, amidst Villy’s indignant expression, darted behind Wu Liyun, declaring righteously:

“I am discussing serious matters now, so please don’t disturb me!”

Villy gnashed her teeth in anger, yet refrained from immediate outburst, instead subjecting Liu Yu to a thousand silent ‘this and thats’ with her eyes.

Seeing that the two had finally settled down, Wu Liyun began, “Yao-ge has sent a message.”

“What is it?”

“The Supervisory Bureau’s operation to purge the Bloodkin has entered its preparatory phase. Yao-ge means… for you to come with me tomorrow.”

“Hmm…”

Liu Yu fell into thought. While the Bloodkin themselves weren’t formidable foes for her, the Gem in Titan’s possession could still pose a considerable threat. To be safe, it was best to prepare thoroughly before engaging in battle.

Thus, she cast her gaze toward Old Wu, the unspoken meaning clear.

Wu Liyun understood the girl’s implication. “I will bring The Gem and accompany you.”

“Mm.”

Liu Yu nodded, satisfied. With the powers of The Gem effectively neutralized, ordinary Bloodkin would be no match for her. Now, the nightmare that had long plagued her was finally on the verge of vanishing.

It felt as though long-accumulated sediment in her heart had been washed away, leaving her spirits considerably lighter.

“Tomorrow, then?”

“Yes.”

Having received confirmation from Wu Liyun, Liu Yu pondered for a moment. To ensure she had ample energy for the battle ahead, she abruptly declared:

“Then I’ll go back and play ga… ah, no, I’ll go back and rest up. Bye-bye!”

Leaving only her voice behind, the grey-haired girl vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

“Teacher Wu… Wu Liyun, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

After Liu Yu’s departure, Villy, feeling she had nothing further to do, also bid farewell to Wu Liyun.

Although Wu Liyun was, by a stretch, a rival, he was still her nominal teacher. To avoid any future repercussions, Villy decided to show him due respect.

“Student Villy, please wait a moment, I also have something to tell you.”

‘He’s not going to offer me money to leave someone, is he?’

Villy indulged in a small joke to herself.

It wasn’t difficult to discern Wu Liyun’s affection for Miss Liu Yu. For an ardent fan of Vanguard like him, encountering a girl who looked exactly like Vanguard without developing some feelings would raise suspicions about his physical health.

At least until yesterday, Villy had considered Wu Liyun a rival. Unfortunately, that unstarted competition had quietly concluded the moment Liu Yu decided she was more akin to a male.

At the very least, she no longer had to worry about this infuriatingly stubborn girl being swept away by some random man.

With that thought, Villy let out a long sigh of relief, then turned to Wu Liyun with a serene smile. “Please speak, Teacher Wu.”

“Yao-ge was supposed to tell you this, but since I happened to run into you, I’ll inform you now.”

Wu Liyun stated, “Due to the highly unsatisfactory experimental process, coupled with the imminent operation, the ‘Bloodkin Transformation’ progress has been suspended.”