Chapter 5: The Challenge
The crumpled contract felt like sandpaper against Willow’s palm as she snatched it from Hana’s outstretched hand, the cheap paper rasping loudly in the corridor’s sudden silence. "Sakura's wee pink joke wisnae enough for ye, then?" Willow hissed, her Scottish brogue thick with fury, the memory of that neon humiliation burning fresh. Hana flinched, her usual bubbly energy replaced by a brittle defiance that didn't quite reach her eyes, her knuckles white where she gripped her skirt. "She... she deserves payback," Hana stammered, her voice cracking slightly, betraying the conflict twisting inside her. Willow leaned in, the tartan trim of her gear brushing Hana's frilly skirt, her gaze icy blue fire. "Fine. But ye best be ready, hen, 'cause Ah'm nae gonna be the one leavin' this ring embarrassed again."