Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Shop and Save
Phoenix's demeanor towards Mira was frosty, a stark contrast to the warmth of the restaurant he had just left. Mira and Iris could sense the chill in his manner, but their mistaken belief that he was a hidden wealthy heir prevented their umbrage. Instead, they approached with a feigned casualness.
"Wow, Phoenix, did you dine here?" Iris asked with affected nonchalance.
Phoenix's frown deepened; he recognized the guile in her voice. He offered a terse "Uh-huh," pocketed his hands, and pivoted towards the supermarket, his former classmates trailing behind.
"Where to now?" Iris inquired, her voice syrupy sweet.
"The supermarket," Phoenix responded, his tone frosted with impatience.
Mira exchanged a knowing glance with Iris and quickly interjected, "What a coincidence! We're headed that way too."
Phoenix understood their game. The lavish meal had misled them, he realized, prompting their sudden enthusiasm. Disinclined to engage, he strode ahead, their assumptions about his wealth only inflating with his aloofness.
Mira, ever the actress, made coy attempts to brush against him. When he glanced her way, she'd shy away, blushing, feigning innocence. But Phoenix wasn't fooled. He saw through her performance, likening her to an Oscar-worthy 'green tea' actress.
Inside the supermarket, Phoenix's shopping was purposeful. He piled his cart with non-perishables—ham sausages, instant noodles, self-heating pots—ignoring the puzzled whispers of Mira and Iris.
"What's all this for, Phoenix? Planning a camping trip?" Mira's voice was tinged with faux curiosity.
"Uh-huh," he replied, keeping his answers as brief as possible.
Iris' skepticism grew, but Mira, clinging to the image of Phoenix 's opulence, offered help. Phoenix, harboring a vengeful plan, accepted, envisioning the day Mira would realize her error and come begging to him in the dire times ahead.
He instructed the women to push the loaded carts, watching them struggle under the weight of the goods. Mira's complaints were met with Phoenix's sarcastic remark about the end of the world, which she laughed off, too consumed by her delusions of grandeur.
Phoenix agreed to Mira's demand for a future dinner date, cleverly postponing it to the following month. Iris, ever oblivious, chimed in eagerly, envisioning the feast to come.
The checkout saw Phoenix nonchalantly paying a hefty sum for the hoard, his mind calculating the true value of these goods in the times to come. With a borrowed cart, he enlisted Mira and Iris to push his purchases home, dismissing the need for his car in favor of their unwitting labor.
Weary yet motivated by the promised meal, the duo helped Phoenix transport the supplies, drawing curious looks from onlookers as they made their way back.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone