A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 322

\"Asuka's heart is an open book, everybody knows it!\" Chloe said with a dramatic swing of her head, \"Give it up! Even Yvan from the neighboring Sea City couldn't win over our goddess, and Adrian has been trying his hardest without any luck. You're just wasting your time.\"\n\n\"You're so narrow-minded,\" Asuka said with a sly smile, then quickly caught up to Matilda. Matilda didn't mind her, but she was having a hard time accepting Asuka's recent attempts to get close.\n\nMaybe I'm just getting old, she mused, no longer fluttered by attractive young people... Guess I'm emotionally ancient, always on guard.\n\nShe went into the bathroom, and Asuka followed. When they both emerged at the sink, something felt off to Matilda.\n\nWait... this is the ladies' room!\n\nShe backed away in shock, looking at Asuka as if she were a creep, her voice trembling, \"Were you just in the ladies' room?\"\n\n\"Yeah,\" Asuka replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.\n\nMatilda pointed at her, \"Can't you have any sense of decency?\"\n\nAsuka was taken aback by her accusation, then smiled mischievously, showing off her canines. How can someone with such a pretty face be up to no good?\n\nThen, she dropped a bombshell, \"Sorry if I scared you, I'm a girl.\"\n\nOh, a girl.\n\nIt took a few seconds for Matilda to process this, then she stepped back in disbelief, \"What did you just say?!\"\n\nA girl?! Asuka is a girl?!\n\nMatilda couldn't believe it, sizing her up and down. The lean legs, slender frame, delicate waist – now that she mentioned it, Asuka did have the silhouette of a young woman.\n\n\"How tall are you?\"\n\nAsuka smiled again, \"Six feet, honest.\"\n\nThat tall!\n\nMatilda backed up to the corner, \"Are you for real... or just kidding?\"\n\nAsuka advanced, leaning casually against the wall, \"Don't believe me? Feel free to check...\"\n\nCheck what?! That's outrageous!\n\nMatilda had been flirted with by men before, always responding with a fake smile while rolling her eyes inside. But being flirted with by such a handsome woman was a first!\n\nBlushing furiously, Matilda pushed her away, \"You're terrifying, I actually thought you were a guy...\"\n\n\"Ah, that doesn't matter. Many people think I'm a guy.\"\n\nAsuka seemed unconcerned, \"Is gender really that important? Not really. Whatever men can do, women can do too.\"\n\nThat's true, there's no such thing as gender superiority.\n\nAsuka chuckled, gently wrapping an arm around Matilda's shoulder, \"Now you know why I've been so friendly, right?\"\n\nBeing both girls, it wasn't a big deal to get a little close or share a seat. Matilda relaxed a bit, though she still couldn't fully adjust to Asuka's appearance.\n\nAsuka had her long hair tied back in a ponytail, a common style among many stylists, so Matilda hadn't thought much of it. But realizing Asuka was a woman, tall and handsome, was still a shock.\n\nWhen they returned, Chloe teased, \"What were you two up to? Spending so much time in the bathroom?\"\n\n\"Sharing secrets,\" Asuka winked.\n\nChloe clutched her heart, \"Oh my, my dear lady, don't charm me. Save that for our goddess!\"\n\nAsuka turned to Matilda, \"I guess I scared my goddess just now, better not push my luck.\"\n\n\"I bet you were playing the guy again, trying to flirt with our goddess,\" Todd chimed in, echoing Chloe's term. \"We all know about your wandering eye!\"