Kira and Milly had been training for hours before eventually dragging themselves into the dining hall for a late lunch. By now, Commander Isak's earlier warning about staying sharp felt more like background noise, something pushed aside with exhaustion. The long benches were filled with soldiers slurping ramen or scarfing rice bowls, the usual chorus of chatter bouncing off the high ceilings. By the time the girls sat down, it was already past 5 PM.
"You think they caught the culprit?" Milly asked between slow, lazy bites of her ramen.
Kira's chopsticks paused halfway, her eyes sinking into the broth before she finally scooped some up.
"Not sure. Honestly, it makes me wish I'd just gone to college instead." Her tone was flat as always, but the edge of annoyance bled through.
"Heyy, what about our girly time?" Milly pouted, puffing her cheeks out in mock offence.
That earned a tiny smile from Kira.
