The Morning Light Slipped Softly Through The Thin Curtains, Carrying With It The Weight Of A Simple Realization—It Was Their Last Full Day Here.
In The Boys' Dorm, Chaos Had Already Found Its Way. Vicky Was Still Curled Up Under His Blanket, Groaning Every Time Kaito Shook His Shoulder. Mahito, On The Other Hand, Had Decided That If He Ignored The Noise Long Enough, He Might Be Left Alone.
"Get Up, Both Of You!" Kaito's Voice Echoed, Half Serious, Half Exhausted. "Do You Want To Miss Breakfast On The Last Day Too?"
Vicky Pulled The Blanket Tighter. "Five More Minutes."
"No. Now," Kaito Retorted, Tugging At The Sheets.
Through It All, Ren Sat On The Edge Of His Bed, Already Dressed, Quietly Packing Away A Few Things He Wouldn't Need For The Day. His Calmness Was Almost Irritating Against The Backdrop Of His Friends' Laziness.
"You Could Help, You Know," Kaito Shot Him A Look.
Ren Looked Up, Expression Barely Changing. "You Seem To Have It Under Control."
Mahito Snorted From His Bed. "Translation: He Doesn't Care If We Starve."
Despite His Words, Ren Waited Until They Finally Stumbled Out Of Bed Before Standing To Leave With Them.
—
On The Other Side, The Girls' Dorm Was Already A Different Kind Of Lively.
Chika Sat Cross-Legged On Her Bed, Chattering Nonstop About The Day's Possible Activities While Fixing Her Hair. "I Bet They'll Make Us Do Something Big Today! Maybe A Giant Competition. Or Maybe Some Kind Of Scavenger Hunt Across The Grounds—That Would Be Amazing, Don't You Think, Miyu?"
Miyu Folded Her Sleepwear Neatly, Listening With A Soft Smile. "Whatever It Is, I'm Sure It'll Be Fun."
"You're Too Calm About This!" Chika Laughed, Standing Up And Spinning Once In The Mirror. "It's The Last Day, We Have To Go All Out!"
Miyu Nodded Gently, Though Her Thoughts Wandered Elsewhere. The Realization Of "Last Day" Sat Differently In Her Chest, Quieter, But Still Heavy.
—
By The Time Everyone Gathered For Breakfast, The Hall Was Buzzing Louder Than Usual. The Atmosphere Carried A Sharp Kind Of Energy—Laughter, Excitement, A Little Bit Of Restlessness.
Kaito Dropped His Tray Down With A Loud Sigh, Glaring At Vicky And Mahito. "Never Again Am I Waking You Two Up."
Vicky Yawned, Unbothered. "You'd Miss Us If You Didn't."
Chika Leaned Over The Table, Eyes Bright. "Can You Believe It's Already The Last Day? Feels Like We Just Got Here."
"Last Chance To Make Memories," Mahito Added, His Grin Suggesting Mischief More Than Sentiment.
The Table Fell Into Their Usual Rhythm—Noisy, Teasing, Familiar. Somewhere Between The Chaos, Miyu Noticed Ren Sitting Just A Little Quieter Than Usual, Staring At His Breakfast With A Small Thoughtfulness. When Their Eyes Met Briefly, He Looked Away Just As Quickly, As If Nothing Was There.
And Yet, The Quietness Between Them Said Something The Noise Around Them Couldn't.
—
The Morning Sun Had Grown Brighter By The Time Everyone Gathered In The Wide Field, Teachers Scattered Across The Grounds With Clipboards In Hand. A Noticeboard At The Side Listed The Events For The Day—Relay Games, Scavenger Hunts, Small Competitions Spread Out Like Pieces Of A Festival.
Chika Almost Jumped In Place. "I Knew It! A Scavenger Hunt! This Is Perfect!"
Kaito Read Through The List With A Mix Of Amusement And Dread. "Why Does It Feel Like They're Just Testing Our Patience?"
"That's Because You're Already Tired," Vicky Teased, Stretching His Arms Over His Head. "Meanwhile, I'm Ready To Win."
Mahito Leaned Closer With A Smirk. "Win What? Pride? They're Not Even Giving Out Prizes."
"Winning Is Its Own Prize," Vicky Declared Dramatically, Earning Groans From The Group.
The First Event Was A Simple Relay—Groups Lined Up, Shouts Of Encouragement Echoing As Each Person Took Their Turn. Chika's Energy Pushed Her To Run Twice As Hard, Nearly Colliding With Kaito On The Hand-Off. He Caught Her At The Last Second, Complaining Loudly Even As He Kept The Pace.
"You're Trying To Kill Me, Aren't You?" He Said, Half Out Of Breath.
Chika Only Laughed. "That's Just Teamwork!"
Vicky And Mahito, Paired Together, Decided Their Strategy Was To Run The Relay Side By Side, Ignoring The Rules Entirely Until The Teacher Shouted At Them To Separate. Their Excuse—"We're A Package Deal"—Had Everyone Around Them Laughing.
Through It All, Ren Ran His Leg Of The Relay Quietly, Neither Rushing Nor Dragging. He Finished With The Same Calm Expression He Started With, Returning To His Spot Without Fuss.
"Could You At Least Pretend To Care?" Kaito Asked, Hands On His Knees.
Ren Looked At Him For A Moment. "…No."
Even Miyu Couldn't Hide The Small Smile That Escaped At His Timing.
—
By Noon, The Field Buzzed With Noise. The Scavenger Hunt Had Everyone Sprawling Across The Grounds, Clusters Of Students Searching For Hidden Markers Tucked Under Benches And Trees.
Chika, Naturally, Took The Lead. "We'll Find Them Before Anyone Else. Trust Me!"
"Last Time You Said That, We Got Lost," Kaito Pointed Out.
"And Still Made It Back Alive," She Replied Cheerfully.
Vicky And Mahito Turned It Into A Game Of Their Own, Purposely Distracting Other Groups With Fake Directions. The Teachers Pretended Not To Notice, Though Their Smiles Gave Them Away.
Ren Walked A Few Steps Behind The Chaos, His Hands In His Pockets. Beside Him, Miyu Walked At A Steady Pace, Her Gaze Tracing The Grounds Rather Than The Markers.
"They're… Enthusiastic," She Said Quietly, Watching The Rest Scatter Ahead.
"That's One Word For It," Ren Replied, His Voice Flat But Not Unkind.
For A Moment, It Felt Like The Noise Around Them Pulled Back, Leaving Only The Soft Rustle Of Wind And Their Quiet Steps. Neither Rushed To Catch Up, And Neither Needed To.
—
By The Time The Final Whistle Marked The End Of The Scavenger Hunt, The Grounds Buzzed With A Comfortable Weariness. Students Gathered Around The Benches, Catching Their Breath, Teachers Handing Out Cups Of Water Like They Were The Real Reward.
Chika Dropped Onto The Grass With A Dramatic Groan. "That Was Amazing. I Could Do That All Over Again."
Kaito Sat Beside Her, Wiping Sweat From His Forehead. "Please Don't Suggest That Out Loud."
Vicky Tossed His Empty Cup Toward Mahito, Missing By A Mile. "We Still Won More Than You Two."
Mahito Picked The Cup Off The Ground With A Long Sigh. "It Wasn't A Competition."
"It's Always A Competition," Vicky Corrected.
Their Bickering Blended Into The Wider Noise Around Them—Clusters Of Students Talking, Laughter Carrying Across The Field, The Kind Of Energy That Lingers After Shared Effort.
Soon After, Teachers Announced A Block Of Free Time Before Dinner Preparations And The Evening Campfire. Groups Scattered Naturally—Some Heading Toward The Small Shops Nearby, Others To The Common Lounges.
Chika Stood And Stretched. "I'm Going To The Shops. Who's Coming With Me?"
"I'll Go," Kaito Said, Though His Tone Suggested He'd Already Regretted It.
"Perfect!" She Hooked His Arm Before He Could Escape.
Vicky And Mahito Declared They Were Going To "Scout" The Lounge, Which Likely Meant Stirring Chaos Among Whoever They Found There.
And Just Like That, Ren And Miyu Found Themselves Left Standing By The Path, The Noise Of Their Friends Fading A Few Steps Ahead.
For A Moment, Neither Spoke. The Afternoon Sun Rested Softly Over The Grounds, The Sky Clear And Wide, The Air Carrying A Kind Of Quiet Only Possible After Too Much Noise.
Miyu Looked Toward Him First, Her Voice Gentle. "It's Strange… Thinking This Is Our Last Full Day Here."
Ren Nodded Slightly. "…It Went Fast."
Her Smile Was Small, But Real. "Faster Than I Thought."
They Walked Slowly Along The Path, Not Quite Toward Any Destination. Their Words Weren't Loud Or Many, But Each Carried A Weight That Made The Quiet Between Them Feel… Different.
And For A Little While, Neither Of Them Needed Anything More.
—
The Dining Hall Felt Different Tonight.
Usually, It Was Just A Place Where Everyone Ate In A Half-Sleepy Haze, Some Complaining About The Food, Others Trying To Finish Quickly Before Heading Back To Their Rooms. But Tonight, The Air Buzzed With A Strange Kind Of Excitement. Voices Carried Louder, Chairs Scraped Against The Floor As Students Pulled Them Closer Together, And Laughter Seemed To Travel From Table To Table Like Sparks Waiting For The Fire Outside.
Ren Sat With His Tray, Listening To The Mix Of Noises. Mahito Was Already Complaining About The Portion Sizes, Dramatically Lifting His Spoon As If He Were On The Verge Of Starving.
"Seriously? This Is It? They Expect Us To Survive On This?" He Said, Eyebrows Knitted Like The World Was Against Him.
Vicky Nearly Choked On His Rice From Laughing. "You've Been Eating Non-Stop Since We Arrived. How Are You Still Alive To Complain?"
Kaito Leaned Forward From Across The Table, Smirking. "Maybe You Should Take Some Of Mine. I'm Already Full. Unlike You, I Don't Have A Bottomless Pit For A Stomach."
Mahito Placed A Hand Over His Chest. "Finally, Someone Who Understands My Struggles."
The Table Broke Into Laughter, And Even Chika, Sitting Beside Miyu, Shook Her Head. "You're Just Spoiled. Admit It."
Ren Ate Quietly, But His Eyes Drifted—Not On Purpose, But Almost Out Of Habit—Toward Where Miyu Sat. She Was Calm As Always, Smiling Lightly At Chika's Words. But When Their Gazes Accidentally Met Across The Table, She Looked Away First, Pretending To Focus On Her Food.
Vicky Didn't Miss That. He Nudged Ren Under The Table With His Foot. "What's With That Look, Huh? You Staring At The Food? Or Something Else?"
Ren's Spoon Froze Mid-Air. "…Food."
Kaito Grinned. "Food That Smiles Back, Maybe?"
Before Ren Could Respond, Mahito Slammed His Chopsticks Down. "Enough About Food! When Are We Going To That Campfire? I Need Something Exciting To Make Up For This Miserable Dinner."
"You Just Said You Were Dying Of Hunger Two Seconds Ago," Chika Pointed Out.
"That's Different!" Mahito Declared.
The Noise Rolled On Like That—A Mess Of Complaints, Teasing, And Jokes That Didn't Really Go Anywhere But Somehow Made The Hall Feel Lively. Even The Teachers Sitting At The Front Table Seemed More Relaxed Tonight, Watching Their Students With Soft Smiles.
Finally, One Of Them Stood And Cleared His Throat. "Alright, Everyone. After Dinner, We'll Head Out To The Campfire. Remember, This Is A Supervised Event. Stay With Your Groups, Don't Wander Off, And—Most Importantly—Enjoy Yourselves."
A Cheer Went Up Around The Room.
Chika Clapped Her Hands Together. "Finally! I've Been Waiting All Day For This."
Kaito Leaned Back In His Chair. "Careful, Or They'll Make You Sing."
Chika's Eyes Lit Up. "Good. I'll Sing Loud Enough To Embarrass You."
Ren Watched Them, Half-Smiling Without Realizing It. There Was Something About The Way Everyone Was Acting—Restless, Noisy, A Little Chaotic—That Made The Hall Feel Different From School. It Didn't Feel Like Homework Or Exams Or Pressure. Just Friends, Voices, And The Promise Of A Fire Waiting Outside.
And Somehow, In The Middle Of It, He Found Himself Wondering What The Rest Of The Night Would Bring.
To Be Continued....