The announcement came during homeroom the next day — each group could choose their own destination for the outdoor retreat, as long as it was safe and within school guidelines.
The room buzzed with excitement.
Suki immediately leapt from his seat. "We're going to Disneyland!"
Ryuzí didn't even look up. "You can't afford the snacks there."
"Details," Suki said, waving his hand. "Dream big."
Kenji grinned. "Beach trip. Bonfire. Music. Miyako with a flower crown. I can see it already."
Miyako blushed. "You're delusional."
Aoi closed her notebook with a soft click. "Actually… I have a better idea."
Everyone turned to her.
"I have a family vacation house by the coast," she said. "It's quiet, clean, and large enough for all of us. If the principal approves, we could stay there instead of the standard resort."
Suki's jaw dropped. "Wait, you have a vacation house?"
Kenji leaned forward. "Aoi, that's the most power move thing you've ever said."
Aoi crossed her arms. "It's just a house."
Ryuzí smirked. "A big one, I'm guessing."
She ignored that. "I'll talk to the principal today. If we get approval, we can finalize everything by this weekend."
Haruto smiled faintly. "That sounds… nice."
"Then it's settled," she said, with that quiet authority no one could argue against. "We'll plan tonight. Suki, we'll use your house for the meeting."
Suki blinked. "Wait—my house? Why always my house?"
"Because you offered last week," Aoi said calmly.
"I did?"
"You did," Ryuzí confirmed, smirking.
Suki groaned, dropping his head onto his desk. "Fine. But you all bring snacks. I'm not funding this chaos alone."
✦ Night at Suki's Place
Suki's house was pure comfort chaos — blankets everywhere, posters on the wall, and the faint scent of cinnamon from his mother's baking earlier that day.
The group arrived one by one: Haruto with his laptop, Aoi with her clipboard, Kenji carrying a mountain of chips, and Miyako balancing sodas.
"Make yourselves at home!" Suki said, flinging open the living room door dramatically. "Ignore the mess — it's my creative aura."
Ryuzí glanced around. "Your aura needs housekeeping."
"Rude."
They gathered on the floor around the coffee table. Aoi spread out maps and printed itineraries.
"So, three nights by the coast," she began. "First day for travel and settling in, second day for group activities, third for free time. Everyone agreed?"
"Agreed," Haruto said quietly.
Kenji raised his hand. "Do free time activities include karaoke?"
"No," Aoi said instantly.
"Yes," Suki said at the same time.
They glared at each other.
Ryuzí leaned back against the couch, arms crossed. "If you two start fighting again, I'm leaving."
Miyako smiled softly. "We could do a campfire. That'd be nice."
Haruto nodded. "Yeah. I can bring my sketchbook."
Kenji pointed. "And I'll bring my guitar."
Suki groaned. "You only know four chords."
"They're emotional chords!"
Aoi sighed but didn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. Campfire, sketching, and whatever… emotional chords means."
Kenji pumped his fist. "Victory!"
They spent hours talking, laughing, and writing lists no one would fully follow. By midnight, the plans were done — or close enough. The exhaustion had softened everyone's edges.
Blankets and pillows filled the floor. Haruto and Aoi fell asleep first — she half-sitting, clipboard still on her lap, him quietly snoring against the couch cushion.
Kenji and Miyako were whispering near the corner, their voices low and close.
Suki turned to find Ryuzí still awake, sitting by the window, watching the moon through the glass.
"You're still up?" Suki murmured.
Ryuzí nodded. "Couldn't sleep."
"Same." Suki yawned. "Too much excitement. Or sugar."
"Probably both."
Suki laughed softly. "You wanna raid the fridge?"
Ryuzí shook his head. "Come outside."
✦ The Walk
The night air was cool, the streets washed silver under the moonlight. Suki wrapped his hoodie tighter around him as they walked side by side, the world unusually quiet.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Ryuzí said, quietly, "You've changed."
Suki blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You're… calmer now. Softer." He paused. "It suits you."
Suki chuckled, rubbing his neck. "Are you saying I was annoying before?"
"You still are."
"Rude."
They both smiled — small, genuine ones that lingered in the silence.
After a moment, Suki said, "You've changed too, you know. You laugh more now. Even if it's mostly at my expense."
Ryuzí glanced at him, eyes warm despite the teasing. "You make it easy."
Suki stopped walking. The streetlight caught on his face, painting gold across his cheeks. "Ryu…"
Ryuzí turned fully toward him. "What?"
Suki hesitated, then stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat between them in the cold night.
"Thanks," he said quietly. "For being here. For staying."
Ryuzí's gaze softened. "Always."
And before Suki could lose his nerve, Ryuzí leaned in and kissed him.
It wasn't hurried. It wasn't shy, either. It was the kind of kiss that said I see you — after all the chaos, after every bruise and laughter and fight.
When they finally pulled apart, Suki laughed breathlessly. "You're so unfair."
"Why?" Ryuzí asked.
"Because now I can't think straight."
Ryuzí smirked. "You never could."
Suki rolled his eyes, but his smile was radiant. "Come on. Let's go back before someone wakes up and catches us."
✦ Back Home
They slipped quietly back into the house. Everyone else was asleep, the only sound the faint hum of the heater and Haruto's soft breathing.
Suki turned toward Ryuzí, his voice low. "You can stay in my room tonight. It's warmer."
Ryuzí hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
Suki smiled — a mix of nervousness and quiet joy. "Good."
They walked down the hall together, the light from the living room fading behind them. The door closed softly, the night wrapping them in quiet comfort.
Outside, the wind rustled the trees. Inside, the world felt still — two heartbeats steadying in the dark.