February 14 — 08:40 A.M. (AEST)
Melbourne Airport
Once the cabin doors open, fatigue pours out with the passengers.
Ryoma steps off the plane and immediately feels it; legs heavy, lower back stiff, a dull pressure lingering behind his eyes.
The floor feels unfamiliar, subtly unsteady, like his sense of balance hasn't quite caught up yet. He adjusts the strap of his bag and keeps moving, expression composed.
Behind him, Kenta lets out a long miserable groan. "My hips are ruined," he mutters, rolling his shoulders. "I trained for months just to be crippled by a chair."
Aramaki squints against the terminal lights, rubbing at his neck. "I think my spine shortened," he says flatly. "Is that permanent?"
Hiroshi doesn't reply. He's busy stretching his calves mid-walk, face tight with discomfort. "I swear my circulation stopped somewhere over the ocean."
