Chapter 113: Method Acting a Scumbag

I dropped my pencil on the desk and leaned back in my chair, the small camera on my laptop capturing what I hoped was a sympathetic expression. "Look, it’s not about memorizing the classification system. The whole Vance-Ishiguro Model is just a way of quantifying how much reality you can bend before it snaps back."

Emi’s face filled my screen, her blue hair piled into a messy bun with two chopsticks stuck through it. Little wisps fell around her face as she frowned at her textbook. "But there are so many categories! Primary Manifestation Types, Secondary Effects, Limitation Factors..."

"Forget the categories," I said, waving my hand dismissively. "Think of it like cooking."

Her eyes lit up immediately. This girl was so transparent it was almost painful.

"Your Aspect is like your main ingredient. Mine’s fire, yours is healing. Then the rest is just... seasonings and cooking methods." I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Like, my Thermal Incision isn’t just generic fire. It’s fire that’s been focused and controlled to cut instead of burn. That’s why it rates differently on the scale."

Behind me, I heard the subtle sound of Natalia turning a page in her textbook. She hadn’t spoken to me in three hours. Not since Kimiko "accidentally" assigned us to the same study space for the evening. Another test in her ongoing surveillance operation.

"You explain it so much better than the textbooks!" Emi’s voice pulled me back to the screen. Her smile was wide, grateful, radiating pure sunshine. "Are you sure you don’t want to be a teacher instead of a Hunter?"

I laughed, adding just the right amount of self-deprecation. "Pretty sure. I’d be terrible with kids."

"I don’t know about that," she said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "You’re really patient with me."

I glanced up from my screen for a split second. Natalia was staring daggers at the back of my head. I could practically feel them piercing my skull.

"That’s different," I said, returning my attention to Emi. "You’re special."

The blush that spread across Emi’s cheeks was immediate and gratifying. So easy. The girl practically melted every time I paid her the slightest compliment. It would be sad if it wasn’t so useful.

"Oh! Before I forget," Emi said, suddenly fumbling with her tablet. "I’ve been working on some designs. For, um, for Hunter gear? I know it’s silly, but—"

"It’s not silly," I interrupted, injecting warmth into my voice. "Show me."

She hesitated for a moment before holding up her tablet to the camera. The sketch was surprisingly good—a sleek combat suit with integrated medical pouches and a reinforced barrier system.

"It’s for someone with a healing Aspect," she explained, her voice going quiet with self-consciousness. "The idea is that they could stay protected while still reaching teammates who need help. See the extensible barriers here? They create a safe corridor to reach injured Hunters without exposing the healer to direct fire."

I leaned closer to my screen, genuinely impressed. "Emi, this is actually brilliant."

Her eyes widened. "Really? You think so?"

"Yeah, I do. This kind of thinking could save lives." I wasn’t even lying. The design showed real insight into battlefield dynamics.

"That’s what I was hoping! Nat—" She caught herself, glancing away from the camera for a moment. "I mean, I was thinking about how often support classes get targeted first in Gates."

At the mention of Natalia’s name, the atmosphere in my room grew even chillier. I could hear the scratch of Natalia’s pencil becoming more aggressive.

"You should show these to Natalia," I said carefully. "She’d probably have good feedback too."

"Maybe," Emi said, fidgeting. "She’s been kind of distant lately. Is everything okay with her? She canceled our coffee meetup this weekend."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "She’s going through some stuff right now. Family stuff. I’m trying to give her space."

Natalia shifted on her cushion. I didn’t need to look to know she was scowling.

"Oh no," Emi’s face fell. "Should I be worried?"

"No, no. She’ll be fine. Just... maybe check in on her? She could use a friend right now." I was laying it on thick, but it served our purposes. Emi becoming Natalia’s supportive shoulder kept her close, kept her involved, kept the lines of our web intact.

"Of course! I’ll text her right after we finish." Emi’s immediate concern for her friend was touching. Almost made me feel bad for what we were planning.

Almost.

My phone vibrated on the desk. I glanced down to see a message from Natalia:

You’re enjoying this WAY too much.

I suppressed a smile and turned slightly in my chair, just enough to catch her eye. She was leaning against my bedroom wall, one knee drawn up to her chest, textbook balanced on it.

Her purple hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail, and she was wearing her reading glasses—the ones that made her look like a sexy librarian from a bad porno.

Despite our theatrical "breakup," she was still spending most evenings in my room. We were just more careful now.

I raised an eyebrow at her before turning back to my laptop.

"Sorry about that," I told Emi. "Just checking the time. I should probably wrap this up soon. Early training tomorrow."

"Oh! Of course." Emi’s disappointment was obvious. "Same time Wednesday for our next study session?"

"Wouldn’t miss it," I promised with a smile that made her blush again. "Hey, you should wear that green blouse I got you. Brings out your eyes."

Emi touched her cheek, practically glowing. "Okay. I will."

We said our goodbyes and I closed the laptop. The moment the screen went dark, I swiveled in my chair to face Natalia.

"Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?" she asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Says the girl who spent an hour sobbing in Kimiko’s arms yesterday." I stood and stretched, feeling my back pop. "Besides, it’s working. Emi’s completely hooked."

"Yeah, well." Natalia tossed her textbook aside. "It’s not exactly brain surgery. She’s been half in love with you since you smiled at her that first time."

I crossed the room and sat beside her on the floor, careful to keep my movements silent. We had gotten good at this—keeping up appearances while stealing moments together. The whole condo had become a stage for our performance.

"Jealous?" I asked, letting my fingers brush against hers where they rested on the carpet.

"Of course I’m jealous," she admitted, but there was a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "But it’s also... kind of hot? Watching you work. Knowing what’s behind the mask."

I leaned closer, my mouth near her ear. "Five more minutes, then you need to storm out of here looking angry. Kimiko’s been hovering in the kitchen for the past hour."

Natalia nodded, her fingers intertwining with mine for just a moment before pulling away. "The things I do for you."

"For us," I corrected her. "For the kingdom we’re building."

She rolled her eyes, but I could see the flush on her cheeks. My queen loved when I talked about our future. About conquering the world together.

"By the way," I added, "did you pick up your dress for the Gala yet?"

Natalia’s expression darkened. "Yeah. Mom took me yesterday. Said it would ’cheer me up after my heartbreak.’ It’s purple. Matches my hair."

"You’ll look stunning. Can’t wait to ignore you completely all night," I said with a grin.

She punched my arm, harder than necessary. "You’re an asshole."

"Part of my charm."

Natalia glanced at her watch. "Time’s up, Romeo. Ready for the show?"

I nodded, and just like that, her expression transformed. The warmth vanished, replaced by cold fury. She gathered her books with sharp, angry movements, slamming them into her bag.

"I told you I’m not helping you with the application essay," she snapped, voice raised just enough to carry. "Figure it out yourself. You’re so smart, right? Mr. Late Bloomer with his fancy fire tricks."

I leaned back against the bed, assuming a posture of casual arrogance. "Whatever, Princess. I didn’t ask for your help anyway."

She stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder with dramatic force. "God, I can’t believe I ever thought—" She cut herself off, as if choking on emotion. "Just stay away from me until the Gala. I can’t even look at you right now."

With that, she stormed out of my room, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the frame. I waited a beat, then two, before I heard Kimiko’s gentle voice in the hallway.

"Natalia? Honey, are you okay?"

"I’m fine," Natalia snapped, her voice breaking perfectly. "I just want to be alone."

Their footsteps faded down the hall. I waited until I heard Natalia’s door close before allowing myself a small smile. Another flawless performance.