On the way to school, I met up with the five girls - Feng Mian, Yu An Xue, Yu An Yan, Qing Yue, and Obsidia. I acted as if nothing was wrong, and engaged in idle chatter with them as usual. However, when we reached a newspaper stand, I stopped and took one. Fortunately, they were free of charge.

"Oh? When did you start reading newspapers, Big Brother Xuan Kai?" Qing Yue asked, trying to get a glimpse of what was written curiously.

"Eh...I just kinda, uh, felt like reading one today," I replied nervously.

I then flipped open the paper, and immediately noticed the huge headline.

Xuan Family Massacred by Unknown Organization Overnight.

I couldn't help but smirk. They thought I was some organization? Hm...I guess it's understandable, nobody would expect two people alone to be able to annihilate one of the Four Great Families of Shenzhen, huh?

"Hm...what's this?" Feng Mian, who had similarly picked up a newspaper, murmured to herself. "Well...this is quite the incident...to think one of the Four Great Families was destroyed overnight, without any prior warning..."

Then, as if on cue, the four girls all glanced at me with skeptical looks, while Obsidia tilted her head in confusion.

"What Great Family?" Obsidia asked in puzzlement.

"Ah...okay, basically, there are Four Great Families in Shenzhen - they are the most powerful and dominant families in this city," I quickly explained.

"And on the same exact day you suddenly decide to read a newspaper, one of those families was annihilated the night before," Yu An Yan remarked with a sly grin.

"Yeah...and it was the Xuan family, who we all know you have a feud with, no less," Feng Mian added.

"Big Brother Xuan Kai..." Qing Yue began, then looked around at our surroundings to make sure no one was close enough to listen. She then dropped her tone and muttered in my ear. "You're responsible for this, aren't you?"

I flinched, and looked away nervously. "Uh...no? Just a coincidence, yeah...I mean, I'm certainly happy that my long time enemies are gone, but I would have liked to kill them myself...if possible. Yeah, if possible."

"C'mon, Xuan Kai...we can all see through your cheap facade," Yu An Yan said with a sigh.

I looked at the other girls, and they were all looking at me with omnipotent gazes that said 'we know everything'.

I took a deep breath, and spoke. "Alright, fine. Yeah, it was me who did it, although I did bring Mei Gui along. And let me guess - now you're going to give me a whole lecture on not telling you guys anything again?"

The girls could do nothing but stare awkwardly at my sudden outburst. I ignored their reactions, and continued.

"I understand...you are all my allies, and I should tell you when I want to do something dangerous. But in this case, if I told you, there's no doubt you would all tag along - something I don't want whatsoever," I said determinedly. "This is my own path of revenge, something no one else can interfere in, no matter who you are. I had Mei Gui tag along, but I told her not to help in the actual fight with Xuan Yang. She was only there to help get rid of the small fry. So - are you happy now? I gave you a full explanation of what happened - now go on, start your damned lecture."

I'm tired. Tired of them being on my case every time I go and do something alone. For God's sake, I work better independently, and they should know that by now. I can understand if it's something that involves all of us, but this time, the matter of the Xuan family concerns only me and me alone. What are they, my mothers? Yeah, to hell with that. I'm not going to sit here and listen to their lectur-

"...We understand," Feng Mian said quietly, snapping me out of my trance.

"...Huh?"

"I said, we understand," she repeated. "I know...we've been nagging and overprotective...and honestly, I'm pretty sure you consider us annoying at this point. But...the reason we wanted you tell us before you go do something dangerous was because we were...concerned. For your safety."

"Yeah...it's understandable that you would think we would instantly tag along if you were to tell us of your plan to destroy the Xuan family, given all that has happened until now," Yu An Yan added with a conflicted expression. "We don't blame you...if anything, we blame ourselves. Sorry, Xuan Kai - we were too selfish. You are a person of your own, and you can do whatever you want."

Qing Yue also had an unusually serious look on her face. "Big Brother Xuan Kai...we're sorry. Really."

Yu An Xue nodded in agreement, then suddenly all four of them bowed down in apology to me as Obsidia and I looked on, dumbfounded.

I blinked to make sure what I was seeing was correct. Wait no, this isn't how it was supposed to go! Shit shit shit, there isn't anyone around right? Okay, thank the heavens.

"H-Hey, what are you doing? Don't just suddenly bow like that...it's nothing that serious," I quickly said, and helped them up.

"You're...not mad at us?" Feng Mian asked, traces of tears in her eyes.

"Well...I admit, I was getting pretty irritated of you guys getting on my case every time I do something independently, but...since you all understand my point of view now, it's no big deal," I replied. "I also have some blame for not telling you anything in the past..."

"Then...can we settle on an agreement?" Yu An Yan suggested, looking at me with pleading eyes.

"Agreement...?"

"Yeah...we are all our own person, but we are also allies," she continued. "Therefore, I think we should come up with a little...deal, I guess?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"Okay, basically...we all promise to each other that we will tell each other whenever we want to do something dangerous, but if the person in question doesn't want anyone to interfere, then none of us can," Yu An Yan proposed. "Of course, we all have our own secrets, and that's perfectly fine...it's just that, next time, if something like this happens again, I hope you, Xuan Kai, can tell us beforehand, but just tell us explicitly that you don't want us to help."

I closed my eyes and considered her idea for a while. Hm...sure, this could work. After all, the main reason I don't tell them anything when I make a move is because I'm afraid they will just tag along, ruining my plan which was originally designed for just one person. Before, there was the whole trust factor too, but now...I think I can trust them like I trust my own family. We've been through quite a lot together, and they already know all my secrets anyway. If they wanted to leak this information, I would've known a long time ago...and they didn't - so I can safely say that they are trustworthy.

That being said...I still can't 100% trust anyone. Brainwashing and mind manipulation are possible via Psychic Magic, so I have to be wary around everyone still. But for now...this agreement is something I can work with.

"Sure," I replied after a long silence, then glanced at the other girls. "I'm down...how about all of you?"

"Wow...I didn't expect you to agree to that, to be honest," Yu An Yan blinked in surprise.

"What? It's a valid proposition, and is beneficial to both parties as well. I have no reason to reject to it," I replied.

"Then...I agree to it as well," Feng Mian said with a smile.

"Yep, so do I," Qing Yue added.

"Mm...me too," Yu An Xue agreed.

Then, all of us collectively turned to Obsidia. "...Why are you all staring at me?" she inquired in confusion.

"Do you accept my proposal as well, Obsidia?" Yu An Yan asked anxiously.

"...I do not mind it, I suppose. However, keep in mind that I am merely staying here with you all until you get strong enough to challenge that cave in the territory of my race. I have no intention to mingle with humans as friends, much less family."

I nodded. "Justifiable. Our relationship is purely one of give and take."

Obsidia gave a decisive snort. "Glad you understand."

The girls looked slightly dejected, as they must've been looking forward to growing closer to Obsidia. But alas, dragons are dragons, and humans are humans. Very rarely do the two races interact, much less share the intimacy of friendship. Although it is possible that Obsidia can remain with us, that possibility is incredibly slim. It's best if things are made clear now, so the girls don't end up feeling betrayed once Obsidia inevitably leaves.

With that, the six of us continued heading casually for the school. Unbeknownst to us, however, as we walk and talk carefreely, a deadly catastrophe prepares its descent upon this peaceful city.