Rumination

"...You're insulting me!"

"Then you'd better accept the insult," Yu Xuekun said calmly. "Your report clearly records how you two came to blows at the slightest disagreement. If you weren't flirting, then you were using violence against an ordinary person from the Habitable Zone."

Hesta gave a cold laugh. "What do you mean? If I'm dating him, I'm allowed to hit people?"

"As long as you don't hit him too hard, considering the recent trend of the District 14 government encouraging Quicksilver Needles to start families..." Yu Xuekun did not continue. Her lips dipped slightly as she gave a small shrug. "Mm-hmm."

"Encouraging Quicksilver Needles to start families?"

"Yeah. The people upstairs figure that once you turn twenty-five, you can retire and have children. After all, there's still no definite conclusion that Quicksilver Needle abilities definitely can't be inherited." Yu Xuekun smiled. "If you started dating the moment you arrived in District 14, you'd probably be invited next month to share your advanced experience. After all, too few Quicksilver Needles are willing to enter family life right now."

"...What if I accidentally beat him to death?"

"Then you could only marry him." Yu Xuekun smiled. "Otherwise, I can't think of another way to get you out of it—same goes for Chiba. Take it easy."

Hesta looked away. "...Anyway, Ding Jiali and I have nothing to do with each other."

"Fine." Yu Xuekun began writing on the paper, reading aloud as she wrote. "'During an ambiguous stage... unable to... enter a formal relationship.'"

A chill ran through Hesta.

"I can't keep living in that house. Once there's progress with Madam Kaja's matter, I'll move out immediately," Hesta said softly. "I can't do anything there. Every day when I walk in, my head starts buzzing... Midterms are in a few weeks, and