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Lunch was always the busiest time of the day for the Headquarters' canteen. Everyone always dropped in at the same time, bustling around for a tray or a table.
Zanka had been smart to come in a few minutes early, dragging Riyo and Rudo from training as they grabbed a tray of food and a table. They had just started eating when most people started to arrive, quickly filling up the place. Just like usual.
It was like any other day, Zanka mostly keeping to himself as he ate, only speaking up to argue with Riyo, Riyo shooting question after question to Rudo who tried his best to keep up with her and answer all of it.
Just like usual.
Until they heard a high pitched voice from the table next over speaking loudly.
"Everyone here is so pretty!"
Zanka never thought such a thing could happen, but all three of them quieted down at once. Listening in on the conversation in silent agreement. Zanka glanced over to see Amo was talking to Fu, the ex-raider whom he had spoken a few times. After the latest mission they've had, Zanka had learned that the boy was shockingly strong. And weak-minded.
"Its Amo's first time seeing so many pretty people!"
Fu nodded along to Amo's every word, his mouth filled with food. Zanka suspected it was just a smart strategy to not have to say anything himself.
"Were the bad people Fu was with pretty?"
Fu chokes on his food.
Zanka holds back a laugh, but he hears Riyo snort out loud. The boy in the next table swallows down his food and speaks up stammering.
"Y-Yeah they were pr- uh, good looking. Not as much as the people here though."
Amo nods sagely, as though Fu had given her the correct answer. Fu sags his shoulders in relief and Zanka wonders what exactly their dynamic is.
"Amo thinks Tomme is one the prettiest people here!"
All three of them, and Fu nods at that. Tomme with her long dark hair and kind smile was a hit amongst most men and women in the headquarters.
"So is Riyo!"
Riyo grins at that, pleased. Zanka gives her an exaggerated eyeroll though he secretly agreed with the notion himself. Even with her boisterous nature, Riyo was a graceful that he could only strive to reach. Especially with her hair down, which was a sight that Zanka had seen only a total of two times.
"Rudo is more cool than pretty."
Zanka agreed again, seeing Fu nod as well. Across from him Rudo had turned an interesting shade of pink, trying to hide it in front of Riyo and his teasing smirks.
"Enjin is ugly."
All three of them rolled their eyes at that, knowing full well it was the girl's personal opinion speaking. Fu tried to insist against it but was immediately shot down by a well aimed pout.
She continued her list, speaking a mile a minute as Fu nodded along while shoveling food into his mouth. Riyo gave Zanka a smug smile over the fact that his name wasn't mentioned and received a rather impolite middle finger in return. It's not like he was bothered by the ranking of some random young girl.
Instead, he watched Fu who seemed to be listening carefully, nodding along. Did he actually agree with whatever Amo was saying? Zanka remembered the few times the two had talked, Fu trembling with fear. Zanka had wanted to get closer to the boy, often going out of his way to talk to him but it always ended up with Fu nearly passing out from nerves and Zanka having to leave the boy alone in order to not be the cause for a trip to the infirmary.
Riyo thought his failed attempts were hilarious, finding further hilarity in his desire to befriend the boy in general. It only got worse when Rudo attempted to sympathize with his inability to make friends.
He tuned back in to the conversation as Amo finished talking about how she didn't think Enjin was good looking at all and finally directed a second question towards Fu.
"So, who does Fu think is the prettiest?"
Zanka could almost see the enlarged ears of Riyo and Rudo, his own was probably the same as well.
Fu was looking up at Amo with unusually wide eyes, his cheeks a little pink. He mumbles something that no one listening could hear, making everyone lean in further. Amo goes an extra step to demand him to speak up making Fu flinch. Zanka frowned at the interaction and was about to point out Fu didn't have to answer when the boy himself actually spoke louder.
"Zanka."
...
What?
"Wha-"
"WHAT!?"
Multiple people (including Zanka) jumped in shock from the combined voices of Riyo and Rudo, both of them standing up and now facing Fu. Zanka would have been offended by their looks of utter confusion if he wasn't so confused himself.
Amo looked unfazed by the outburst, looking between the two with a pleasant smile on her face. Next to her though, Fu looked horrified. His face was flushed, most of it hiding in the collar of his hoodie from how far his neck had shrunken in on himself. Zanka could see the boy had grabbed onto his doll and his hands were shaking hard.
He looked back up to see Fu was now looking right at him. His eyes were wide and brimming with tears, causing a shine against the emerald green. It was, almost cute. He could feel his own face heating up.
They continued to stare each other for a few seconds before Fu sprinted off, out of his seat and out of the canteen.
Zanka watched it happen in silent shock, barely processing the ongoing heated discussion in the next table as they discussed Fu's answer.
Did Fu really think Zanka was the prettiest? Him? He felt his face heating up again, a giddiness welling up in his chest.
"Okay simp, let's stop with that ugly pining face." Riyo snapped him out of his internal joy with an undeserved hit on the back of his head.
"Well I'm sure that little lad would've found it pretty." He heard a voice call out from nearby as he struck back against Riyo, the surrounding tables dissolving into fits of laughter. Only then did he realize that the conversation was listened in on by multiple people, making him blush again.
He looked back at the entrance of the canteen and contemplated going after Fu. Maybe this was his chance to befriend the boy after all, at least have a decent conversation.
He looked back at Amo who was now eating her lunch, unaware of the chaos she had sowed with a single conversation. Zanka didn't even bother reprimanding her for such gossip. If he did end up having a conversation with Fu, it'll be her that he will need to thank after all.
"Amo doesn't think Zanka is that pretty."
"Gee thanks Amo."