My old friend—reminiscing the past

"I know I've only been gone for two weeks, but how have you been?" Zoan asked as Qian handed her some oranges, humming a tune she didn't recognize.

"I'm fine, if that's what you're asking. No one comes to the dojo anymore except you, and now that you're gone, this poor old man is lonely again," Qian sighed dramatically, though he secretly relished the peace.

Zoan grinned. "Sure you are, you big fat liar! Not only are you old, but you're also a liar!" She yelped when Qian tugged a strand of her hair.

"Aish! What did you say to me?!" he exclaimed, pulling her hair again as Zoan grabbed his wrist, trying to pry his hand away. "I was just kidding!" she protested, letting out another yelp.

Qian released her, scoffing and giving her a sidelong look. "Tsk, you've completely lost your manners! How dare you? I should throw you on the mat again for good measure!" He slammed his fist on the table.

Zoan only grinned wider, flashing him a cheeky smile before popping an orange into her mouth, savoring the flavor.

"How's Mei? I haven't heard from her in two weeks," she asked, noticing Qian hum thoughtfully.

"She's always out partying with her friends. Honestly, I don't know what to do with that girl. I wish she were more like her cousin; I heard she's in some prestigious school," he groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

Zoan watched him shake his head, disappointment etched on his face. "I think Mei is doing great—minus the partying. I haven't seen her in a while, and I'm worried she might get in trouble," Zoan said, scratching her head bashfully.

"Aish!" Qian exclaimed. "Mei was the reason your father started telling you off, wasn't she? You got caught at the bar because you insisted on joining her, worried someone might take advantage of her." He pointed an accusing finger at her, and Zoan let out a nervous laugh.

"Hey, you caught me! But I don't regret it. There were a lot of guys hitting on her, and I had to keep an eye on things!" Zoan made a mock "I'm watching you" gesture, prompting Qian to bark out a laugh.

"Where is she right now?" Zoan asked, glancing at the stairs beside the front desk. Both Qian and Mei lived in the dojo, with the first floor serving as the store and the second as their living area.

Qian waved a hand dismissively. "Probably in her room, nursing a hangover. Come on." He stood up and strode toward the stairs, Zoan following closely. "I bought some medicine for her, which is why I was outside," he added, motioning to the plastic bag in his hand.

They approached a battered pink door. Qian knocked while Zoan leaned against the wall, waiting.

"Who is it?" a familiar voice called.

"It's your uncle, you idiot. Who else would be here?" Qian grumbled, twisting the knob and swinging the door open without waiting for Mei's approval.

"Uncle! I didn't say you could come in!" Mei shrieked, still sprawled on her bed. Bottles of beer littered her room like some misguided décor. Her hair was in a messy bun, and she wore a loose red shirt paired with Hello Kitty pajamas.

Zoan couldn't help but smile, noting how Mei looked like she had just rolled out of bed.

"Mei Lee, stop drinking, you fool!" Qian exclaimed, clicking his tongue in annoyance as he tossed the plastic bag at her. "You've got a visitor." He stepped aside, allowing Zoan to enter with a grin.

Mei's face lit up. Her eyes cleared as she sprang to her feet, lunging at Zoan with a hug that could rival a sumo wrestler. "Zoan!" she yelled, excitement radiating from her.

Zoan laughed, wincing slightly at the strength of the embrace. "I missed you so much!" Mei whined, pulling back and grabbing Zoan by the cheeks, squeezing them playfully.

"It was only two weeks," Zoan protested, her words muffled by Mei's grip.

Releasing her hands, Zoan grinned at the brunette. "You're still a drunkard, and you're only 16!" she teased. Mei pouted, casting a glance at Qian, who nodded in agreement.

"I'd much rather have your cousin here than you," he quipped, earning a kicked-puppy look from Mei.

Qian scoffs, leaving the room and stomping down the stairs, his footsteps loud enough to echo. Zoan laughs, shaking her head.

"Stop making Mentor Qian angry with you! He's about to blow a fuse… I mean, look at this mess!" She glances around, almost knocking over a half-filled beer bottle.

Mei flushes, shooting Zoan a guilty smile. "Beer is good," she defends.

Zoan rolls her eyes. "Don't drink anymore! You're making me worry, tsk."

Mei grabs Zoan's sleeve and pulls her onto the bed. They collapse onto their backs, laughter bubbling up. "I'm so glad you're here, Zoan," Mei murmurs, turning to face her friend, who stares up at the ceiling.

"You look well and healthy—this is good, right? Looks like you're starting fresh at Golden High," Mei says, trailing her fingers through Zoan's hair before smiling at her.

"Not really… Mei, I— I'm getting bullied," Zoan whispers, finally turning to her side. Her expression drops as she studies a loose thread on Mei's blanket, too ashamed to meet her eyes.

"What!?" Mei sits up, her anger palpable. Zoan winces at the intensity. "But it's not that bad, not like before… Besides, my dad won't let me fight back. He says he's working on it," she adds.

Mei bites her lip. "Why are you such a trouble magnet?" Zoan can't help but grin at that. "Don't worry too much about me. What happened in middle school? Let's just forget it… We're high schoolers now; our past is behind us," she says, leaning back on the bed, exhausted.

Mei hums, lying back down as well. "Still—I'm worried. What if it happens again? I heard Golden High has a lot of students with connections… I'm afraid your dad won't be enough," she says, concern etched on her face.

"Are you telling me to keep my head down or leave Golden High?" Zoan raises an eyebrow, skeptically.

"Both," Mei murmurs. "Come to school with me at Rainbow Heights—I miss you," she whines, pulling Zoan closer into a half-hearted hug.

Zoan wraps her arm around Mei, sighing as the brunette lays her head on her shoulder.

She smells like beer, but Zoan has gotten used to it. She really should tell Mei to switch to soda when she's celebrating—can't she just drink something else?

"Stop drinking," Zoan says again, as Mei groans, her face buried in Zoan's jacket. Zoan should feel flustered by their closeness, but being friends with Mei means she's accustomed to the other's clinginess.

Hugging people was Mei's love language, a way for her to show she cares. "Noooo," she murmurs, pouting at Zoan, who can't help but laugh.

"And please, take a bath too. You smell like death warmed over—times ten!" Zoan playfully pushes her away, and Mei lets out a loud whine.