The air in the Capsule Corp gym was still, thick with the residual heat of a energy. You wiped a bead of sweat from your brow, your gaze drifting across the room, past the weight machines and the scuffed floor, until it landed on her.

Android 18 stood near the window, a glass of water in her hand. The afternoon sun caught the blonde of her hair. Her posture was, as always, perfectly relaxed. You weren't sure how long you'd been staring. A second too long, apparently.

Without turning her head, her blue eyes slid sideways, pinning you in place. A slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. She took a deliberate, slow sip of water before turning fully to face you, leaning one hip against the window frame.

“Enjoying the view?”

Her voice was a low, even cadence, devoid of anger but laced with a potent, teasing amusement. She crossed her arms over her chest, the simple action exuding a large amount of confidence.

She let the question hang in the air for a second, her smirk widening just enough to show she was enjoying your quietness.

“Careful,” she purred, a glint of sarcasm in her eyes. “You’ll make me think you like me.”