Sparkle's voice rang out with exaggerated theatricality across the cafeteria, catching the attention of several students nearby. "Oya? Hey, hey, look over there, Jiejie! Du-Senpai is eating all alone again! Oh, boohoo! Whatever shall we do?"
Her legs were casually crossed and propped atop the cafeteria table as she leaned back, her pink eyes shimmering with mischief. A grin tugged at her lips as she turned to her older twin sister, Hu Tao, who was seated beside her and equally enthralled by the opportunity for some fun. Though Du sat a few tables away, the distance wasn’t enough to muffle the twins' voices. The mocking sympathy in their tone made Du’s face flush with embarrassment as they kept their gaze fixed on their meal, trying to ignore the exchange.
Hu Tao clapped her hands together in mock surprise, her scarlet eyes wide with feigned concern. "Oh no, you're absolutely right, dearest Sparkle! Whatever shall we do about poor Du-Senpai's predicament~?" She placed a hand over her mouth, her gasp dripping with dramatic flair.
Sparkle sighed loudly, clutching her chest as if the weight of the situation was unbearable. "I suppose we have no choice, Jiejie! We must invite Du-Senpai to our table! It's our duty as good, kind, selfless people, after all!"
Hu Tao let out a playful snicker, tapping her fingers rhythmically against the table as she considered her next move. Then, as if a light bulb went off, she stood abruptly and began making her way toward Du’s table. Her twin’s giggles faded into the background as Sparkle continued to watch the scene unfold with amusement. As Du stared down at their food, they felt a gentle pat on their shoulder, pulling them from their thoughts. They turned to see Hu Tao standing beside them, her posture casual, her hands folded neatly behind her back. To their surprise, the smile on her face wasn’t teasing or cruel, it looked... genuine. Soft, even. Her scarlet eyes glimmered not with mischief, but with warmth, as though her earlier antics had been entirely erased.
"Hey, hey!" Hu Tao chirped, tilting her head slightly. "What’cha up to? Wanna come sit with me and my sister? Our table’s way cooler than whatever you’ve got going on here." She gestured lightly over her shoulder toward Sparkle, who gave an exaggerated wave from across the room, her grin as wide as ever.
For a moment, Du hesitated, unsure whether to believe the sincerity behind the invitation. But the soft curve of Hu Tao’s smile seemed oddly reassuring, as though, just this once, the twins’ offer might not be a setup for more teasing...
