Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit-Chapter 125 – Wish Negotiation

Chapter 125 - Wish Negotiation

As soon as the four of us gathered at the front gate of the campus, we began walking, our steps echoing with indecision. We still had no concrete idea where to hold our double date, but with the sprawling cyberpunk metropolis just a few blocks away, we figured we could brainstorm as we strolled.

It wasn’t just spontaneity driving us—part of it was practicality. Walking meant saving a few credits, and honestly, wandering the streets with friends felt like its own kind of therapy. Conversations always flowed more naturally when accompanied by the rhythm of footsteps.

Neon lights bathed the night in a kaleidoscope of blues and violets, flickering gently off chrome signboards and glass towers. The hum of distant hovercars and the chatter of students created a symphony of post-exam relief. Most of the passersby seemed to be fellow Orbital Tech students, faces alight with freedom and relief, their tension dissolving into the warm city air.

I glanced over at Neil, who was chatting animatedly with Fei. For someone who had just exhaled blood not long ago, he didn’t look like it. The haunted look in his eyes had softened, and though he was probably just putting on a brave face, he seemed… better. Healthier, at least for now. The crimson root-like scars on his neck had vanished—temporarily, I hoped.

Beside me, Myrrh was in a quiet panic. Her eyes darted from her wallet to her phone, fingers trembling ever so slightly. I leaned in, catching a glimpse of her banking app, and blinked in surprise—she wasn’t exactly broke.

“Haaah. I’m going to blow my savings again,” she whimpered, her voice soft and resigned like a puppy that had just knocked over a flower vase.

“It’ll be fiiine,” I said with a teasing grin, drawing out the word just to get a rise out of her. “You’ve got plenty of money stashed up.”

Myrrh shot me a sharp glare, puffing her cheeks in that familiar pout of hers. “Don’t you dare even think of demanding something luxurious for this date,” she huffed. “I’ve allocated a good portion of those savings for my expenses when I return to Earth.”

There it was again—that lingering thread I kept trying to ignore. Her upcoming trip to Earth. She’s been talking about it a lot lately, but never in detail. It gnawed at me. If she was going back just to see someone like him… I needed to know. Because if that were the case, I might have to start closing the gates to my heart—before it gets torched. If she was planning to meet Ephraim, then damn it, I might just help her spend those savings myself.

“Why are you going back to Earth, anyway?” I asked, trying my best to keep my voice level and my expression unreadable.

“I’m going to meet someone,” she replied, too calmly… with a smile that felt a little too carefree.

My heart skipped. “Who?” I asked, feigning casual interest while bracing for the worst.

“It’s a secret!” Myrrh sang with a giggle, placing a finger in front of her lips. That little playful gesture of hers should’ve charmed me, but instead, it made my chest tighten.

The air felt heavier now. I couldn't take it anymore—I had to go straight for the jugular.

“Are you… are you going to meet up with your ex?” I asked, but my voice cracked halfway through, betraying everything I tried to hide.

“Huuuh!?” Myrrh's expression instantly twisted into outrage. “Of course not! Not a chance! What makes you think I’d ever meet up with that manwhore again!?”

Her reaction was explosive—and genuine. But even with that assurance, my heart still pounded. I wasn’t sure if it was from relief… or something else.

Her sudden outburst made me want to leap with joy and do a backflip off the sidewalk, but I clenched that emotion deep inside, masking it with a shrug and a lazy grin.

“Well,” I said coolly, trying not to sound too relieved, “you did say there’s nothing really waiting for you back on Earth. So I figured… if you were actually heading back there, it must be for something—or someone—big. Naturally, I assumed you were meeting up.”

“Never. As in, NE-VER.” Myrrh groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. “If I ever saw that womanizer again, I’d hop on the first flight back to Xyraxis—no hesitation.”

I forced a smile, the corners of my lips twitching slightly. It had been almost two years, and yet that bitter taste still lingered in her voice. I guess some wounds don’t completely fade, not even with distance or time.

“So… why are you going back to Earth then?” I asked again, this time with a gentler tone.

“To attend Hazel’s birthday party!” Myrrh beamed, her mood instantly flipping like a switch. “She’s one of my closest friends from high school. Wait—wasn’t she your classmate too? Didn’t you get an invite?”

“She might’ve been my classmate, but we were never really close,” I replied with a shrug.

“Aww, that’s a bummer,” Myrrh said, her smile dimming just a bit. “I thought you were invited too.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I waved a hand dismissively. “Not a big deal.”

Honestly, I wasn’t bothered at all. Birthday parties weren’t my thing anyway. But the real reason I felt light again was because of what she didn’t say. She wasn’t going to see Ephraim. That truth alone lifted a quiet burden off my chest, one I didn’t realize I was carrying so tightly. Now that I knew, I could breathe again. I was back in good spirits. And maybe… maybe I’ll be a gentleman and treat her for this date after all.

Yeah. She deserves that much.

“Don’t worry about your savings,” I said, scratching the back of my head as I forced the words out. I could feel the warmth creeping up my cheeks. “I’ll cover your expenses tonight.”

Myrrh blinked, then smiled so brightly it nearly made my heart skip. “Really? Thanks, Zaft! You’re surprisingly thoughtful.” Without warning, she looped her arm around mine and leaned in, as if we were an actual couple strolling through the neon-lit streets. Then, with a mischievous hum, she added, “Since you’re such a gentleman tonight… I’ll grant you one wish.”

“One wish?” I echoed, raising a brow.

“Yep! One wish,” she confirmed, wagging a finger playfully. “Whatever you want. As long as it’s not expensive, okay?”

I scoffed. “So you’re just a budget genie?”

She laughed, and I cleared my throat dramatically.

“Ahem. In that case, how about—”

Before I could finish, she cut me off with a sharp, commanding tone. “And no dirty wishes! You’re still a million light years away from touching my body, mister!”

I glanced down at her. “You’re literally touching me right now.”

She froze, then let go of my arm with a tiny gasp, hurrying a few steps ahead of me. Turning around, she pointed an accusing finger at my face, her eyes gleaming with mock defiance. “Fine. The most you can wish for… is to touch one boob.”

I smirked, not missing a beat. “You already let me touch one during the Xyraxis New Year festival. Make it both.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Just one.”

“Touch and squeeze?” I asked with a smug grin.

“Just touch,” Myrrh replied firmly, though the corner of her lips twitched.

“How about dipping my face?” I leaned in slightly, my grin widening.

“Just touch,” she repeated, this time with a squint of suspicion.

“Fine, just touch.”

“Good.”

"Good."

"Good."

“For one hour.” I added.

“No. One second.”

“Thirty minutes. Both boobs.”

“Thirty seconds. One boob.”

“One minute touch, one second squeeze, then thirty seconds dipping my face.”

Myrrh rolled her eyes with a sigh that sounded way too rehearsed. “Just touch. Thirty seconds. Both boobs. Take it or leave it.”

I extended my hand like a seasoned negotiator. “Deal.”

She took my hand without hesitation, and we gave it a single, firm shake—like two businesspeople finalizing an absurd but ironclad contract.

And that, dear universe, is the art of negotiation.

Not that I was actually going to do it, of course. Sure, I’ve admired Myrrh’s body—who wouldn’t?—but beneath all that banter, I genuinely respected her. The whole exchange was a joke, and she knew it too. When our eyes met, something warm and knowing passed between us, and we both burst out laughing.

That’s when we felt it—the weight of judgment.

We turned forward and froze.

Neil and Fei stood a few steps ahead, both bright red. Fei had her hands over her mouth like she just heard something scandalous in church. Neil looked like he wanted to evaporate into the sidewalk.

“Y-you lovebirds are shockingly vulgar in the middle of the city,” Neil muttered, avoiding eye contact.

“Such… indecency,” Fei stammered, her voice tiny and trembling. “I wish I was half as bold as the two of you.”

The silence that followed was broken by our laughter again—this time more nervous than proud. Yeah… maybe we did go a little overboard.

But at least we were happy. And maybe just a little embarrassing to walk with.

<><><>

Our first stop was a cozy little Korean food stall nestled between two glowing billboards, each one flickering with anime mascots advertising the latest bubble tea. The rich aroma of gochujang sauce filled the air, and Fei’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Tteokbokki,” she gasped. “I’ve been craving this all week!”

And so, we each got a small bowl of the spicy rice cakes—light enough to be a snack, but warm and satisfying. Naturally, the bill went straight to my wallet.

Not that I minded. Tteokbokki was cheap enough, and honestly? The joy on their faces made it feel worth every credit. Still, I felt like I should throw in something cold and sweet to balance out the heat.

Right next to the stall was a quaint little ice cream stand glowing with pastel neon, offering a colorful lineup of flavors. The chill mist from its cold storage gave off a refreshing puff every time someone ordered.

“Hey,” I said, waving to catch their attention, “how about some ice cream to balance the spice? My treat.”

Neil turned to me with a mischievous grin, his expression practically screaming freeloader. “Sure. As long as you’re still in your ‘Mr. Generous’ mode. I’ll have cookies and cream, thanks.”

“Um… I’ll take strawberry,” Fei added quietly, her voice small and sweet.

“Got it.” I nodded, then turned toward Myrrh with a raised brow. “And for you, ma’am? What would you like?”

“Choco mint,” she said, pausing just long enough to smirk before adding, “But I like you more.”

I blinked. My brain stuttered. The heat from the tteokbokki had nothing on the heat rushing to my face.

“It… probably would’ve sounded smoother in Japanese,” I mumbled.

“Just kidding~!” Myrrh chimed, giggling as she reached out and gently bopped me on the nose with her fingertip.

That teasing smile of hers lingered, and for a split second, I forgot all about the ice cream.