Skylar lets Julian enter the dorm room first. Then, carefully—almost like a thief—she slips in after him. Her footsteps are silent. Her phone is already raised, camera app open, and her eyes gleam with mischief.
She finds the perfect angle—Julian's back, slightly hunched, his hair messy from the day, his entire vibe unguarded. This is it.
Click.
Right before the shutter sound snaps through the air, Julian turns around, his expression groggy and a little annoyed.
"Why are you dragging your feet like that?"
Too late. The camera flashes.
Julian's eyes widen. His jaw drops. "D-Did you just...?"
He lunges.
Skylar dodges instinctively, twisting out of reach with a practiced grace. Julian chases, trying to grab the phone.
He catches both her wrists. With a triumphant smirk, he pins her lightly against the wall, his voice low, amused. "Delete it. Now."
Skylar scoffs and jerks her arms free. Julian, off balance, stumbles backward. She places the phone safely on the desk, then grabs his hand.
"Let's see how strong you really are, Mr. Jiang."
Julian blinks, surprised, but soon understands. A grin tugs at his lips.
"So you want to challenge me?"
"Of course. I need to know how much training I'll need to surpass you."
They lock hands. The battle begins.
Sweat quickly forms on their brows. Neither backs down. Neither gives up. The room fills with the sound of strained breathing and creaking floorboards.
"You're stronger than I thought," Julian admits, "Before this, only Nathan or the fencing coach could go toe-to-toe with me."
"Well, now there's one more," Skylar replies, smirking, "Guess the great Mr. Jiang isn't as invincible as you thinks."
Julian groans, "Do you have to be this annoying all the time?"
"That is my natural state," Skylar says nonchalantly, her voice casual, "Me being quiet would be far more unnatural."
"DON'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!"
"But it's true."
Their struggle carries them closer to the bed.
Thump!
Skylar's eyes widen. Julian pants heavily, his irritation flaring.
"Listen. Stop saying things like you're disposable. You need to take care of yourself. Eat properly. Sleep well—"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it."
"You really don't!"
Skylar snaps. Her eyes turn cold.
"You're not my dad, okay? Stop acting like one. You're not my mom either. Or are you trying to be both?"
Julian freezes. Her words hit harder than intended. Right... Why am I acting like that?
Skylar smirks inwardly. Hook, line, and sinker.
But then Julian narrows his eyes, realization dawning.
"Fine. I'm not your parent. But I am your superior. Your master, even. And a master should care about their subordinate's well-being, right?"
Skylar's face blanks for a moment.
Crap. He figured it out!
One second.
Two seconds.
Three—
"PFFT!" Skylar bursts out laughing.
Julian panics. "A-Are you okay? You didn't hit your head or something, did you?!"
"THE ONLY THING GETTING HIT IS YOUR EGO!"
Creak.
The dorm door opens.
Both freeze. Standing there is Nathan, half-awake, scratching his head. He's wearing bear-print pajamas.
Yes. Bear-print pajamas.
With that model face of his and that outfit, he looks like a child star trapped in a grown man's body.
"It's already 8:30 PM, kids. Time to study. You've got a biology quiz tomorrow."
A pause.
Nathan's instincts kick in.
He narrows one eye. Peeks in.
And instantly regrets it.
His eyes go wide. His mouth opens in silent horror.
What... what are they DOING in that position?!
Julian and Skylar are equally frozen, expressions screaming: This isn't what it looks like!
Nathan squints, trying to rationalize.
Are they... playing? Sparring? WHAT KIND OF SPARRING POSITION IS THAT?
Skylar realizes what's happening. She kicks Julian hard in the side.
"Move! Can't you see Nathan's here?!"
Then, she bows politely. "Sorry, Nathan! We'll start studying right away!"
Julian groans, collapsing to the floor. "Ugh..."
Nathan stares, dumbfounded. His brain screams: This girl has strength... terrifying strength. I better watch myself.
Without another word, he closes the door slowly.
"Alright then. But if either of you flunks that quiz, I won't be covering for you. Mr. and Mrs. Jiang will want answers. And I won't lie for you."
"Yes, sir!" Skylar chirps.
But something clicks in her brain.
Mr. and Mrs. Jiang? Wait a second...
"Hold on! Nathan, did you say they already know?!"
Nathan pauses, casually answers. "Of course. They're thrilled. They want to adopt you, actually."
Skylar feels like she's been struck by lightning. "A-Adopt me?! They KNOW?!"
Nathan nods. "They're not the type to force things, you know. They'll ask you first. Everything's up to you."
Julian lets out a dry laugh from the floor.
"Ha. Everything's up to her, huh? So I guess I'm the exception to that rule? Should I feel honored?"
The air thickens. His voice is bitter, mocking.
Skylar frowns. Did that hit a nerve? She walks over and says teasingly.
"Jealous that I get adopted and become your big sis?"
Julian jolts up, glaring. "Why the hell would I be jealous of you? What part of that makes sense?!"
Skylar shrugs and turns to Nathan. "See? I cheered him up. Praise me!"
Nathan chuckles awkwardly. "Great job, Little Sky."
Inside, he's confused. She doesn't look excited... but the energy pouring off her says otherwise.
Julian, now ignored, slams his hands on the desk. "COUGH! COUGH! Are you just going to ignore me?!"
Skylar barely reacts. "Yup."
Julian's glare could burn holes in the wall.
Nathan yawns. "Alright, kids. Back to studying. I'm off."
"Night..." Skylar waves.
Julian just nods silently.
She walks over, pats his back.
"Hey. I've got a question. It might upset you. And it might make me upset too, depending on your answer. Still want to hear it?"
Julian sighs, leans back on the bed. "Ask it. I doubt anything can upset me now."
"You sure?"
"Yes! Just say it already."
Skylar locks eyes with him.
"Did you ever get punished... for speaking disrespectfully?"
Julian pauses. That memory...
"Yes."
Skylar blinks. "Really? Then why don't you speak politely to Nathan?"
"You didn't either."
"That's because I was shocked. What's your excuse?"
Julian frowns. "He's my bodyguard. Which means I'm his master. Why should I use honorifics with someone who works for me?"
Skylar stiffens. Her tone turns firm.
"I'm not in a position to lecture you. But—"
"Say it. If you get mad, just be madder than me."
She squints at him. "Wow. You're the only rich kid I've heard say that."
"Just get to the point!"
"Fine. Nathan's older than us. Using polite language isn't optional—it's basic respect. Especially in front of others. You don't want to come off as arrogant, do you?"
Julian's eye twitches. He's losing it.
Skylar smiles to herself. One more push...
"Seriously, it's just common courtesy. Anyone watching you would think you're disrespectful."
BANG!
Julian smacks his head on the top bunk as he shoots up.
"OW!"
He grits his teeth. "I tried to be patient. But I've had enough!"
He exhales sharply.
"...But I'm too lazy to argue with you."
Skylar pouts. "Fine! I'm too lazy to waste breath on you too!"
She stomps over, grabs the broom and dustpan.
"Get on the bed. I'll clean the room."
Julian snarls. "You think I'll just obey you? Don't be ridiculous. I'm the master. You're the servant, SKYLAR TRINH!"
Her eyes blaze. She throws the broom down.
"You know what? I'm DONE! You don't want to move? Fine. Don't. Go live in Nathan's room if you can't stand how dirty this place is! I'm not your maid!"
She storms into the bathroom.
SLAM!
Even Nathan flinches in the room next door.
Julian sits there, stunned.
He presses a hand to his mouth.
"...Maybe I went too far. I should do something."
He turns slowly to the pile of dirty dishes.
His eyes tremble.
"Y-You guys are the real enemies here..."
Then he rolls up his sleeves.
And begins his battle... against the crusty army of doom.