The Creatures that We Are

Splash. The toilet on the first floor flushed. Zhong He emerged from the restroom moments later.

His tall, slim frame was cladded in a casual gray suit, hands stuffed in his pockets—the picture of arrogance and indifference. In reality, anxiety had kept him running back to the toilet all evening.

This had been Zhong He's pattern since childhood. Despite his intimidating height, he'd always been a scaredy-cat. One horror movie as a kid had him sleeping with the lights on for a month.

Throughout school, his combination of height, looks, good grades, and basketball skills had made him the popular one in his class. That aura had protected him from exclusion.

When bullies targeted weaker classmates, he never found the courage to intervene. He hated the bullies but feared more that standing up would make him their next target. So he affected indifference, and over time, that mask became his armor.

Then came his awakening—Keen Hearing, a bottom-tier Talent that landed him among the weak. Yet even then, facing those with real power, he clung to his fa?ade of careless bravado, desperately protecting what little dignity remained.

Yellow Lotus had seen through it all. She knew him for what he was: a coward who feared death.

Surviving the Crimson Tide had granted him Phantom. Initially, the power went to his head—finally, he thought, he could hold his head high. But witnessing true strength had crushed that delusion, leaving him to realize he was still all looks and no substance, unable to stand against the bullies.

Sometimes Zhong He wished he'd chosen to remain unaffiliated, safely on the sidelines of the coming conflict. Instead, for the first time in his life, he'd led his "weak classmates" to join the side of justice. Now that choice forced him to face terrible "bullies" tonight.

Will I live?

Even if the answer is no, will I get to die with dignity?

These questions haunted him as he realized, with a bitter smile, that he hadn't changed at all. Still a coward, still running to the toilet at the first hint of danger.

He drew several deep breaths, steadying himself to join the others at the barbecue. But as he passed a room, quiet sobs reached his ears—like a heartbroken spirit's whispers.

The door stood open. The room was empty.

"Who is it?!" Zhong He's body tensed as Phantom armor materialized from head to toe.

"Don't kill me... it's... it's me..." Hong Xiaoxiao's voice wavered in the air, panicked and small.

Two seconds later, she materialized on the bed, shoeless with her legs tucked in. Her eyes were red and swollen, tears streaking her face as she clutched a small red item.

Zhong He dismissed his armor, embarrassment replacing fear.

After a moment's hesitation, he stepped into the room and closed the door quietly. "What are you doing here, Hong Xiaoxiao?"

Flustered, Hong Xiaoxiao shifted to the bed's edge, slipping her shoes back on. "I... I was talking to Can."

A complicated expression crossed Zhong He's face as concern for her mental state grew. "You know that Can's no longer around, right, Hong Xiaoxiao?"

"I know." Hong Xiaoxiao nodded, sniffling. "I'm not out of my mind. It's just that, it's just that..."

"I get it." Zhong He's sigh held relief as he sat on the bed, maintaining a respectful distance. "When my mom was still alive, she often talked to my dad with a photo album in her hand, too."

Hong Xiaoxiao bowed her head, fingers tightening around the red hairpin.

She had always encouraged Can to grow out her hair, and when Can started using hairpins to tame her unruly fringe, Hong Xiaoxiao gave Can her favorite hairpin.

Can had forgotten it when she left for the Ni Nation mission. Hong Xiaoxiao claimed it while collecting Can's belongings, keeping it as a memento.

These past few days, she'd found herself talking to the hairpin whenever she missed Can, as if she was chatting with her friend. She turned invisible during these moments, believing Can to exist in another world, only living in a different form, and that Invisibility somehow serve as a medium to let them sense each other across that divide.

Knowing how close they'd been, Zhong He struggled to find the right words. "Don't worry. Can will be watching over you. You'll survive tonight."

Hong Xiaoxiao shook her head. "I've always wondered if it would be better if I died. Then my Talent could pass to someone who'd use it better. I'm only a dead weight now..."

"Hong Xiaoxiao!" Zhong He's voice cracked like a whip. "What counts as useful?"

"Huh?" Hong Xiaoxiao's head snapped up.

"I'm asking you! What makes a person useful? What makes a person useless?" His words carried an unexpected intensity.

"I'm sorry. I, I..." Hong Xiaoxiao recoiled. She didn’t know what she had said wrong.

Zhong He softened his tone. "When I only had Keen Hearing, I never thought I was useless. Now that I have Phantom, I still don't think I'm useful."

Hong Xiaoxiao fell silent, head bowed.

"I believe everyone's unique. There's no merit in labeling someone as useful or useless," Zhong He continued, voice earnest. "Hong Xiaoxiao, what do you think Can would feel if she could hear you say all that?"

Hong Xiaoxiao's eyes welled up fresh with tears.

"I heard about Can." Zhong He held her gaze steadily. "I know you must think Can shouldn't have died like that."

Hong Xiaoxiao's fists clenched tight.

"But it was Can's choice. She chose to give the hairpin to Ke Yo and sweep Gao Yang away with her wind. While she wasn't powerful, she had always been the one to decide her own fate. She was her own person."

Zhong He rubbed his nose nervously. "I'm never good at talking, so I may not be explaining myself well. Just remember, you're your own person, too. You own yourself."

"Can must have given you Invisibility because she wanted to tell you that. Do right by her. And do right by yourself."

Fresh tears traced down Hong Xiaoxiao's cheeks as she finally met his eyes. "Thank you, I feel... better now," she managed through a tight throat.

"Don't mention it," Zhong He smirked. "I'll consider us even."

"Huh?" Hong Xiaoxiao blinked in confusion.

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