Days passed in uneasy silence until the distant hum of an approaching Jaeger shattered the stillness. Mei instinctively grabbed her sniper rifle, scaling a nearby rooftop. Through her scope, she spotted *Atlas Destroyer*, piloted by Taylor and Hayley Travis. Her grip tightened—they had come for her.
A warning shot rang out against the Jaeger’s visor, but they didn’t retreat. Instead, the cockpit opened, and soon, Taylor, Hayley, and their white-haired companion, Boy, were making their way toward her.
Mei lowered her rifle with an exasperated sigh. "You two are stubborn. If you're tracking me, you wasted your time."
After hearing their explanation, she scoffed. "You brought that clumsy mech to stomp around? Forget it. I'll take you."
She led them through the abandoned streets, stopping in front of an old restaurant. She motioned for them to leave, but as she turned to go, something made her pause.
"...Wait."
Mei disappeared behind the counter and returned with four steaming cups of hot chocolate. They drank in silence, the warmth stirring distant memories—home-cooked meals, laughter, a time when things were simpler.
Then, suddenly, Boy activated the jukebox. Music crackled through the dusty speakers, and before long, Taylor and Hayley were laughing and pulling Boy into a clumsy dance. It didn’t take long before they turned to you, grinning.
You blinked. "No."
"Oh, come on," Taylor nudged you. "Just ask Mei to dance with us. She won't say yes if we ask."
You sighed, already regretting this, but their pleading stares weren’t going away. Reluctantly, you stood and made your way to Mei.
She glanced up as you approached, her expression unreadable.
"*They* want me to dance, don’t they?" she guessed, smirking slightly.
You nodded.
She shook her head, sipping her drink. "Not happening."
You exhaled through your nose, bracing yourself for their inevitable disappointment.