Thankfully, the vegetable soup was saved just in time.
It was all thanks to Soyo's attention to detail—she had remembered to lower the heat beforehand.
Otherwise, she and Kyo might've had to order takeout for dinner. And since this was Kyo's first time visiting Soyo's house as a guest, that would've made this "first-time" memory feel a little… underwhelming.
Lifelessly, Soyo fetched a pair of heat-resistant gloves and carried the steaming pot of vegetable soup to the dining table.
Kyo watched as Soyo shuffled over, her steps slow and dragging. She found herself more worried about Soyo's mental state than the fate of the soup.
She had anticipated that Soyo might sink into a low mood—but she hadn't expected such an intense reaction.
It was rare for Kyo to be affected by someone else's emotions.
The reason she had lashed out in the first place was that Soyo had managed to step on not just one, but both of her biggest landmines.
First was Soyo's obsession with the past—it had tripped Kyo's "keep moving forward" alarm. Second was how Soyo had tried to use Kyo's attempts at filling her void of familial love to lure her back into the band. That was trampling on the only kind of love Kyo truly understood and valued.
And yet… it was precisely because of that second point that Kyo, despite having considered abandoning Soyo entirely, couldn't help but want to help her.
As she watched Soyo place the soup pot onto a heat-resistant pad and then turn to get the rice, Kyo stepped forward.
"Soyo, let me help too."
Soyo stopped in her tracks. A flicker of hope lit up her dull, lifeless eyes.
"Kyo… you don't hate me?"
Honestly, I kind of still do.
Kyo muttered this inwardly but knew she couldn't say it out loud. Otherwise, she'd have to start worrying about whether Soyo might do something drastic.
"Everyone has their flaws and good points. While I don't like some of the things you've done, that doesn't mean I'll deny the parts of you that I do like."
Kyo had always been good at separating things into clear-cut distinctions—right from wrong, like from dislike. She rarely let those lines blur.
And when she did decide to cut ties with someone, she truly meant never seeing them again.
Soyo looked at Kyo.
She had always been confident in her ability to communicate with others, yet at this moment, it felt completely useless. Hesitantly, she asked:
"Then, Kyo… what do you like about me?"
"Soyo, you're kind. And you're great at taking care of people."
Kyo answered without hesitation.
But that response made Soyo's eyes dim again.
Because she knew her so-called kindness was nothing more than a facade—a tool to make herself feel needed.
Just like Kyo had accused her before… Maybe she really was selfish. Even her desire to be good to others was ultimately just a way to satisfy her own self-interest.
But Kyo wasn't finished speaking.
In two quick steps, she closed the distance between them. Before Soyo could react, Kyo placed both hands on her cheeks with a firm smack and gave them a good rub.
"Hehe, even if that kindness is just an act…"
Kyo grinned mischievously as she continued kneading Soyo's face.
"I still like it anyway."
Kyo… had already seen through me?
For what felt like the hundredth time, Soyo found herself frozen in place, unsure how to react to Kyo's words or actions.
She stared at the girl in front of her, who was now giggling mischievously.
Not long ago, this same Kyo had been like a little demon—mercilessly dissecting her thoughts, exposing every dark and selfish impulse she had buried deep inside. Without hesitation, Kyo had dragged them all into the light.
And yet now, she was smiling so warmly, so effortlessly, telling Soyo, "I like you."
Even though she had already seen through the act.
Even though she knew it was all a façade.
At this moment, in Soyo's eyes, Kyo looked even more like a little demon.
What kind of frustrating creature is this?
One second, she was like an unstoppable force, tearing Soyo down both physically and emotionally—stripping her of all defenses.
And the next, she was like a gentle stream, carefully tending to the wounds she had just exposed, soothing them with warmth and care.
Kyo, this is too unfair. Wasn't she even more unpredictable than Soyo herself?
And yet, Soyo couldn't bring herself to hate her for it.
Because unlike her own pretense, Kyo's contradictions—her sharp cruelty and her disarming kindness—were both genuinely her.
But Soyo wasn't about to give in so easily.
She wasn't going to let herself be won over by just a few sweet words—otherwise, wouldn't that make her seem too easy?
"Kyo, you're lying. No one would say they liked someone after realizing they were fake. You're just trying to placate me, aren't you?"
"A wise person judges actions, not intent. If we judged intent, no one in this world would be innocent."
Kyo let go of Soyo's face, finally releasing her from her playful grasp.
Seeing the red marks left on Soyo's cheeks, Kyo couldn't hold back a laugh.
Soyo, on the other hand, puffed up her cheeks and shot her a rare, almost pouty glare.
"Even if your kindness is just an act to satisfy your own desires, that doesn't change the fact that in CRYCHIC, you played a key role in keeping the atmosphere balanced."
"And just now, when you helped dry my hair…"
Kyo's voice softened slightly.
"Whether it's the way you brought harmony to the band, or the way I just got to experience firsthand how meticulous and thoughtful you are—aren't those both real parts of you?"
Soyo's carefully maintained expression began to waver.
Kyo blinked at her, then decided to take things a step further.
She took one of Soyo's hands and placed it on her own waist, before leaning forward, pressing herself lightly into Soyo's arms.
A playful, knowing smile spread across Kyo's face.
"And besides… didn't you say earlier that you liked me?"
Soyo's mind blanked.
Her arms instinctively twitched, as if about to wrap around Kyo—but before she could fully react, Kyo nimbly hopped back, dodging her embrace.
"You've had more than enough hugs for today."
Kyo grinned, but then her tone grew a little more serious.
"Also, just to be clear—while judging actions instead of intent is important, that doesn't mean you were right to try and force the band back together without considering how everyone else felt."
"The fact that your fake kindness can sometimes lead to good things… and the fact that your selfishness ended up hurting others—those are two completely different matters. So don't go thinking your actions were justified."
Soyo stared at Kyo, her mind reeling.
Was she… being PUA'd right now?
Otherwise, why did she feel like she was becoming even more dependent on Kyo?
---
T/N: lmaoo in this context btw PUA mean manipulated
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