Zack had been cleaning his room relentlessly all afternoon, and by early evening, he finally dropped the rag with a sigh. "…Almost done."
His voice stirred something beneath the covers. A soft groan followed, and a tousled head of silver-pink hair popped up from the bed.
"Ugh, you're being noisy again!" Ico pouted, her cheeks puffed in annoyance as she rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep.
She sat up, her silken nightgown sliding down her shoulders to reveal a generous glimpse of her bare skin underneath. The thin fabric clung to her curves, barely managing to cover her chest, as she stretched sensually like a lazy cat.
Zack turned his head quickly, trying to stay focused.
"Like it or not, today's party is for both of us," he said, picking up a stack of books. "And there's going to be plenty of food. You don't want to miss that, right?"
At the mention of food, Ico's emerald eyes lit up with sudden clarity.
"Eh? Really?" she blinked, now fully awake and suddenly very interested.
Just then, a gentle knock came at the door, followed by a familiar, confident voice. "Zack, it's me."
He rushed to open it, and there stood Roderika Randall, stunning as ever. Her crimson hair fell in elegant waves down her back, and tonight she wore a form-fitting dress that shimmered under the hallway lights.
"Hey, Zack. Finished cleaning?" she asked, placing a hand on her hip.
"H-How did you know!?" he stammered, slightly flustered.
Roderika grinned. "Just a guess. Besides, I brought a special guest with me."
Peeking from behind her was none other than Silva Steinert. But unlike her usual stern appearance in a Dragsuit, tonight she wore a sapphire-blue evening dress with a high slit and a low-cut neckline that revealed more than Zack had ever imagined.
"P-Princess Silva?!"
"I didn't want to come, but the president dragged me into this nonsense. Don't get the wrong idea!" Silva barked, already defensive, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.
Behind her, Shanon chuckled. "She spent three hours picking that dress, you know. You should've seen how many times she changed."
"Sh-Shut up!" Silva hissed, her face now as red as her hair.
Zack could barely think straight. His tiny dorm room was now overflowing with beauty. Roderika, ever radiant and teasing. Silva, elegant yet flustered. Shanon, calm and composed. And Ico, who had just wandered to his side in her clingy nightgown, still yawning adorably.
It was almost too much.
"Hey! Don't forget about us!" a loud voice snapped him back to reality. Rayleigh barged in, dragging Matt along. "We're not letting you hog the spotlight alone, Zack!"
Matt adjusted his glasses. "As the treasurer, I'm here to supervise the event. Strictly professional, of course."
Zack rolled his eyes. "Right. Professional."
Both of them were carrying large bags filled with drinks and snacks.
The party was about to begin.
.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.༄
The soft glow of Bright Dragon Crystals bathed the room in a warm, golden light, casting delicate shadows over the walls and giving the modest space an almost ethereal atmosphere.
The table at the center groaned under the weight of a lavish feast—crispy roast chicken seasoned with rare herbs, honeyed root vegetables, buttered rolls, spiced fruit tarts, and an assortment of sparkling drinks. It was enough to make anyone believe they had stumbled into a royal banquet.
Ico sat at the edge of the table, legs swinging playfully as she devoured everything within reach with starry-eyed delight. A glistening trail of gravy traced down the side of her lips, and she didn't even seem to notice.
"Gulp…" she groaned suddenly, clutching her stomach as her eyes glazed over dramatically.
"Don't tell me you're having heartburn already?" Zack chuckled, watching her with a helpless grin. "You shouldn't overload on the fatty stuff."
"I couldn't help it!" Ico pouted, puffing out her cheeks. "That chicken was sinful. It seduced me."
"Don't go blaming the chicken for your gluttony," he teased.
"Well, we've got plenty more," Roderika said, smiling as she poured herself a drink. "And anyway, today's party is all about you and Ico. Let her eat her fill."
"Huh?" Zack blinked. "Wait—shouldn't I be the main character here?"
Roderika tapped her chin in mock thought. "Oh right, that was the plan… but I forgot the moment I saw Ico demolish a whole bird like a goddess of gluttony."
"She's right," Rayleigh added with a smirk, leaning back against the wall with a cup in hand. "Cuteness is absolute justice, my friend. And you, my dear Zack, are just the background."
"You're awful," Zack muttered, only half-offended.
"Cleanliness is next to dragonliness…" Matt sighed, dutifully collecting Ico's emptied plates as quickly as she piled them up again. "This place was spotless five minutes ago."
"The dragon is the sacred symbol of our kingdom," Silva declared, sipping from a glass of sparkling grapes. She was seated with a composed elegance, but her dress hugged her body so tightly that even her most graceful movements felt charged with sensuality. "Therefore, Ico is the true guest of honor."
"Hmph…" Zack grumbled, though a smile tugged at his lips as he glanced at Ico—who had now leaned back in her chair, cheeks puffed out adorably, her nightgown slightly slipping from her shoulders with every satisfied breath.
Shanon, calm and composed as ever, appeared beside them with a tray of new drinks. "You're all being loud," she said with a gentle smile. "But it's good to see everyone happy for once."
As laughter echoed through the room, Zack couldn't help but feel a strange warmth settle in his chest. Surrounded by friends and food, the night was only just beginning.