There was a sharp knock at the door. You and Levi were sat on chairs, cleaning the stolen ODM gear. Furlan immediately moved, pressing his back against the wall, his right hand on the knob and his left gripping a small knife. The quiet room, littered with scattered cushions and a faint scent of damp cloth, suddenly felt tense.
He twisted the knob slowly, peeking out. The door swung open, and a red-headed girl with twin pigtails tumbled forward, landing awkwardly on her knees and chin. Clutched gently in Isabel’s hands was a small, trembling bird, feathers ruffled but eyes bright. She looked up defiantly, her arms were to her stomach as if she was hurt.
Levi’s gaze swept over her, sharp and unreadable, lingering until Furlan finally spoke. Furlan: “What? It’s just a kid.” He shifted his weight onto one foot, resting a hand on his hip, the knife still loosely in the other. “That surprised me.”
Isabel’s eyes narrowed, and her tone cut sharply. Isabel: “Not… a kid… I’m not… a kid!!”
Levi’s expression didn’t soften; his voice was flat, calm, and threatening. Levi: “Is that so? I won’t feel bad for kicking you out then. I’ll let the fact that you dirtied the floor slide. Get out now.”
Furlan’s gaze flicked between you and Isabel, voice a mix of disbelief and teasing. Furlan: “What? You can’t even move?”
Isabel snapped, her voice rising as she glared up at him. Isabel: “Of course I can! Don’t look down on me!”
You stayed silent, next to Levi, watching the tension, while Furlan muttered under his breath. Furlan: “What a strong-willed kid.”
Suddenly, voices drifted from outside, loud and urgent.
“Over here!”
All three heads turned toward the open door. Isabel made a move to rise but misstepped, falling against the door frame and wincing slightly, the bird trembling in her cupped hands.
Levi: “Tsk. Bastard, you’re being chased?” Furlan: “What should we do?”
Two men approached rapidly, dressed in casual, mismatched clothes. One was rubbing his arm, muttering angrily.
“Shit! That brat… she really bit me. When she’s caught, I’ll be the first one to have fun with her!”
“There’s no fun or anything on a brat like that.” The other chuckled, scanning the room, stopping at the trio by the door.
“Hey! There’s a dirty little kid over here, right?!” One of them stepped closer, eyes narrowing at Furlan and Levi. “You guys are the thugs in this area?”
Furlan: “Which of us are?” The man’s gaze landed on Isabel, her bright eyes glaring back as she held the small bird protectively. “Hey… I’ve found her!!” The men warned Levi and Furlan to hand her over or they'll get severely punished like her, they both refused and the man reached out to Isabel. Levi’s patience snapped. He moved faster than thought, striking the man with precise, brutal force, sending him sprawling across the floor. He wiped his hand on a small cloth without a hint of hesitation.
Levi: “Don’t touch me with your filthy hands. I might get dirty.”
Furlan, shaking his head but smirking faintly: “You can’t do it like that. We always prioritize hygiene. Wash your hands and come again.”
The two remaining men exchanged uneasy glances, muttering to each other. “These guys are dangerous. Let’s go!”
They retreated, disappearing down the alley, leaving Levi and Furlan standing silently in the doorway. Their focus hadn’t wavered from Isabel. The small bird nestled closer in her hands, and Isabel finally straightened, brushing the dirt from her sleeves, the corner of her mouth twitching in defiance. You stepped up over to her.