"I'm just joking! I'm just joking! But can't you at least help me out on the account that we're friends?"

'Since when did she have such a troublesome friend like him?

Sighing, she turned to face the boy with missing slipper before pointing the slipper directly at him.

"Want this back?"

"Eh... yeah?"

Inhaling a deep breath, she reeled her arm back and... threw it at full force! The slipper hit the boy squared in the face and anybody could hear how much force was put into it by the outstandingly loud "SMACK."

Taking advantage of the moment, Xi Rin grabbed Qiu Zhi and ran for it while the boys were still distracted. While stupified Qiu Zhi was stumbling and tripping, his poor brain unable to keep up with the situation.

"What are you still staring for?!" Xi Rin yelled, tugging on his hand, trying to pull him up to speed.

"You... what kind of move was that ah?"

"Slippers swatting the fly." She answered casually. So casually that Qiu Zhi's jaw dropped.

Slippers swatting what fly? That's clearly a lie!

Behind them, the bullies finally recovered from their stupor to find the culprit running away at lightning speed.

"Cowards!" They yelled, speeding after them.

Hearing that, Qiu Zhi pouted. "Running away isn't manly at all!"

"Then why don't you stand still and wait for them to beat you up, hm?

"..... On second thought, running is actually, really manly."

——————

After a while, they finally managed to shake off the bullies as they both collapsed from exhaustion.

Panting uncontrollably, she tried to get as much oxygen into her lungs as possible as her throat scream for water. Beside to her, Qiu Zhi lied like a starfish, dead tired and his breathing was just as rushed.

"Next time, I'll just wait to fetch your corpse." Xi Rin said, panting between words.

"Hehe. How about... I'll share this stolen chicken with you instead.!" Qiu Zhi smiled brightly. Then like a magician, he pulled something out of his robe and held it out with a proud, smug look on his face.

"Cluck?" The brown chicken stared at her with curious, black eyes.

Xi Rin: "..."

Qiu Zhi: "..."

Xi Rin: "Do you believe I'll beat you up instead?" ヽ(#ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ┌┛Σ(ノ´Д)ノ