I walked quickly at first, eager to reach my room.
Then I heard Victoria's door close down the hall.
I slowed.
The corridor stretched longer than before.
Room C-2-10.
I stood before it, reading the number again as if it might reconsider.
At the far end of the hall sat a corner room — slightly offset. Strategic.
I knocked and entered.
"Good evening," I greeted.
The room mirrored Victoria's. Two desks. Two wardrobes. Order enforced through symmetry.
"Good evening," the occupant replied without turning. A book lay open before her. "You are the newest hire."
"It seems I am. Heiwa."
She closed the book. Stood. Offered her hand.
"Min."
Her grip was firm.
Too firm.
Testing.
"I'm from Zhōngchéng Zhōu," she added lightly.
Not light at all.
Silence settled between us — not empty, just expectant.
"Shénlóng Zhōu," I answered.
Her eyes flickered. There it was.
"East of here," she said.
I arranged my belongings slowly. Deliberately. Every fold measured.
"How is the capital?" she asked.
Thud.
"My mother is from Húmāo Zhōu."
The lockbox snapped shut.
Topic closed.
Her tail brushed the floor once.
"A dragon in security isn't common," she mused.
A beat.
"Apologies."
Her smile did not apologize.
I filed that away.
"What time is it?" I asked instead.
She checked her watch.
"Supper."
She smoothed her yukata and rose.
"Coming?"
"I need something first."
She followed me out.
"So," she began, tone casual, "any weapon proficiency?"
"A bō staff."
She repeated it slowly.
"A bō staff."
Calculation.
"Then spar with me sometime."
I stopped.
Turned.
She stopped too. Still smiling.
"I'll think about it."
That pleased her.
When we reached Victoria's door, Min lingered behind me.
"You want something?" I asked.
"My sister."
Her voice shifted.
Softer.
Sharper.
I knocked.
Inside, the transformation was instant. Steel under silk.
"So your friend is my little sister's roommate," Min said warmly.
"Etsuko," her sister introduced quickly.
"Heiwa."
Victoria drifted closer to me without realizing.
We moved toward the B-wing together.
The kitchen was alive.
Steam. Metal. Low conversation. The choreography of communal living.
"What do we have?" Victoria asked, already scanning shelves.
Flour. Cured meat. Tea leaves. Preserved apples. Berries.
"I saw cheese and butter," Etsuko added, hopeful.
"Beef?" Victoria suggested.
She glanced at Min.
Testing.
Min smiled.
"It's fine," I said.
"Beef and omelette?" Etsuko offered.
"I'll handle the beef."
Knife in hand.
Four slices.
"Five," Min corrected smoothly.
Without looking up.
I cut one more.
At the stove, I worked without speaking.
Toast the tea leaves.
Release the aroma.
Lay the meat over smoke.
Let scent and heat marry.
Across from me, Victoria and Etsuko cracked eggs. Shell slipped. Laughter followed.
"You didn't look like someone who could cook," Min commented lightly.
"And you look like someone who can't distinguish white pepper from black," I replied.
Etsuko choked on a laugh.
Min's smile thinned.
Point to Heiwa.
"Done!" Victoria and Etsuko announced.
Egg sandwiches layered with butter and enthusiasm.
We cleaned thoroughly.
No one could accuse us of mess.
In the refectory, a voice called—
"Oh? Dinner."
A young man took two plates from Etsuko without ceremony.
"Huh. New faces. Welcome."
"Elder brother," Min said. "Tetsu."
He adjusted his glasses.
"Clerk and security," he guessed, glancing between us.
"Yes," Victoria answered.
Etsuko giggled.
"Min sees you as a rival," Tetsu added casually.
Min stilled for half a breath.
There it is.
Interesting.
"Delicious," he said after a bite. "Thank you all — except you."
He pointed at Min.
"For the meal."
Victoria laughed outright.
"She can't boil water," he clarified.
Min made a soft offended sound.
Said nothing.
Across the table, Victoria nudged my plate.
"Are you eating that?"
I slid her the extra bread.
She buttered it generously. Built another sandwich like fortification.
Around us, glances flickered.
Who cooks. Who leads. Who jokes. Who bites back. Who yields.
The first supper was not about food.
It was reconnaissance.
Min measured.
Tetsu observed.
Etsuko hovered between pride and nerves.
Victoria ate like defiance.
And I—
I memorized exits.
Postures.
Fault lines.
The taste of tea smoke lingered under salt and butter.
Rivalry disguised as hospitality.
Assessment disguised as welcome.
And beneath it all—
The faint, dangerous possibility of belonging.