The next morning, the academy grounds had a strange quiet. Perhaps it was the aftereffect of the cruise ship test, or maybe everyone was simply exhausted from the heat of summer.
I walked slowly with Airi Sakura at my side. She had her camera slung around her neck, humming softly to herself.
"Where should we go, Soshi-kun?" she asked, her voice a little more cheerful than usual.
"Anywhere that isn't full of people," I replied. "After all those tests, I need a place that doesn't scream 'strategy meeting.'"
That's when we spotted them.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji stood near the corner of the campus mall, hands in his pockets, with Ibuki Mio beside him. Their expressions couldn't have been more different. Kiyotaka looked calm, detached as ever, while Ibuki's brows were furrowed as though she were questioning why she was even here.
Our eyes met, and for once, Kiyotaka actually looked faintly surprised.
"…Miyamoto. Sakura."
I raised a hand casually. "What a coincidence. You two on a date?"
Ibuki instantly flared up. "D-Date?! Don't joke around! It's just—"
Kiyotaka cut her off smoothly, as if ignoring her outburst. "Not a date. Just coincidence. We were talking about fortune-telling."
"Fortune-telling?" Airi's eyes sparkled with interest. "Ah, I've always wanted to try that. They say fortunes can be scarily accurate sometimes…"
I smirked. "You believe in that stuff, Airi?"
She pouted slightly. "I think it's romantic. Don't you think so too, Soshi-kun?"
Before I could answer, Kiyotaka interjected. "Then, why don't we try it together? A pair session."
Ibuki blinked at him. "Pair? You mean… with you?"
"Yes," Kiyotaka replied bluntly.
She crossed her arms, grumbling. "Hmph… Well, I guess I've got nothing better to do."
The fortune-teller's stall was popular. A small line stretched in front of the entrance, the aroma of incense wafting out like a lure. Inside, colorful fabrics, hanging charms, and flickering candles created a strange atmosphere.
The four of us waited together, time stretching endlessly. Airi made quiet small talk, while Ibuki fidgeted impatiently, tapping her foot.
Finally, Kiyotaka and Ibuki were called in.
The fortune-teller, an older woman with sharp eyes behind layers of beads, motioned them to sit. She took their names, birthdays, and then silently examined them.
"Your paths are different," she murmured. "Yet you cross here… in this place, at this moment."
Ibuki looked unimpressed. "That's the most fortune-teller thing you could've said."
The woman ignored her. She turned her gaze to Kiyotaka.
"You… a childhood filled with misfortunes. A cage that bound you, a path you could not choose. But here, in this school, the cage is cracking. Soon, you must decide. Will you live as you always have, or will you choose something more?"
For a moment, the atmosphere thickened. Ibuki glanced at him, curious despite herself.
Kiyotaka remained expressionless. "...I see."
When the reading ended, the woman gave a final warning. "When you leave here, go straight home. No detours. That is the fortune's demand."
Ibuki scoffed. "What kind of warning is that?"
We regrouped outside. Airi waved cheerfully. "So, how was it?"
"Generic," Ibuki muttered.
Kiyotaka glanced at her. "Do you want to test it? See how accurate it is?"
Ibuki smirked. "Of course. Let's take a detour."
I raised an eyebrow. "You're ignoring the fortune-teller's advice already?"
"Obviously."
Kiyotaka didn't object. Instead, the two of them decided to head for a different elevator — one less crowded than the main one.
"Guess this is where we split," I said.
"Yeah." Kiyotaka gave me a short nod.
I turned with Airi, heading the opposite way.
Inside the elevator, silence reigned at first. Ibuki leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So? What now?"
Before Kiyotaka could respond, the elevator jolted violently. Then, with a loud clunk, it ground to a halt.
The two looked up at the flickering light.
"…Great," Ibuki muttered. "Seriously?"
Kiyotaka pressed the emergency button. Nothing. No sound, no response. He tried the intercom — only to find it painted over. Whoever maintained this place had either been sloppy or… deliberate.
Ibuki's temper flared. "Unbelievable. Are we stuck? Just my luck."
Kiyotaka calmly pulled out his phone. Battery at 5%. He scrolled through his contacts quickly. Just before the screen dimmed, he made a call.
"...Miyamoto."
Minutes passed. The air conditioner shut down. The elevator grew hotter and hotter.
Ibuki wiped sweat from her forehead, her breathing growing shallow. "Damn it… It's so hot in here."
Kiyotaka leaned against the wall, conserving energy. His shirt clung to him with sweat, his own face pale.
Thirty minutes in, both were on the verge of heatstroke.
Ibuki banged against the hatch above them. "If I can just—"
Kiyotaka grabbed her wrist, firm but calm. "Don't. You'll waste your strength."
"Tch…" She pulled away, but didn't try again.
He scanned the buttons on the panel, his mind ticking. "There must be a combination."
They pressed sequences slowly, deliberately. For a long while, nothing. Then suddenly, the elevator lurched.
It began to descend.
The doors finally opened. Blinding light flooded in. Two adults in maintenance uniforms rushed up.
"Are you two okay?!"
Before Kiyotaka could answer, a familiar voice cut through the commotion.
"Miyamoto-kun!"
I stepped forward, Airi close behind me, her eyes wide with worry.
Kiyotaka's eyes met mine — calm, steady, but for once, tinged with faint relief.
"…Thanks," he said simply.
I crossed my arms, feigning nonchalance. "You owe me one. Next time, don't ignore a fortune-teller's warning, yeah?"
Ibuki groaned, fanning herself. "Don't start with that…"
But even she couldn't hide the exhaustion in her voice.