Breakfast passed in a surprisingly peaceful manner, the table full of chatter and laughter as everyone dug into the meal Mei and Kouga had prepared. Even Bronya, quiet as ever, seemed a little more at ease while sipping her soup.
Just as the mood settled into comfort, the doorbell rang. Himeko stood with a sigh and wandered off. A moment later she returned, holding a sizeable box under one arm and wearing a sly smile.
"Special delivery, kids. Looks like you've all officially made the Valkyrie roster." She plopped the box onto the table and cracked it open, revealing neatly folded battle suits inside.
The girls lit up immediately. Kiana practically dove forward to pull hers out, Mei retrieved hers with a calm but eager smile, and Bronya collected hers in a disciplined, matter-of-fact manner. Himeko waved them off. "Go on, try them out. Kouga, you too. Let's see if they fit."
Kiana, Mei, and Bronya disappeared into one room together with their new gear, their voices already echoing with excitement. Kouga carried his own suit back to his room with a flat look.
"…Yeah, no." He muttered after wrestling his way into it. The material clung far too tightly, outlining his build in ways that felt far from practical. "This thing's basically painted on. There's no way I'm walking out like this."
With a grunt, he stripped the suit off and tossed it back onto the bed. "Why do I even need one? I'm basically a walking combat army already."
Just as he was adjusting his jacket again, Kiana's voice rang through the hallway. "Hey, Kouga-senpai! Are you done? Come here for a bit!"
Kouga sighed, resigned, and stepped out to follow her voice.
When Kouga slid the door open, he froze.
All three girls stood in front of him in their Valkyrie battle suits, each one strikingly different but equally dazzling.
"Look at this!" Kiana spun in place, striking a pose. "Do I look good?"
Her suit was as tight-fitting as Kouga's had been, hugging every curve of her body. Mostly white with orange-and-black highlights tracing her arms and legs, the suit left very little to the imagination. A hairband with little star symbols completed the look, giving her a mischievous edge.
Kouga averted his gaze quickly before his eyes could linger too long. "It… looks good," he muttered, trying to sound casual.
"'Looks good?' That's all?" Kiana pressed, puffing out her chest before leaning closer. "Well, what about Mei-senpai, huh? You can't say she doesn't look hot as hell!"
Kouga hesitated and then glanced over—only to snap his head away just as quickly.
Unlike Kiana's skin-tight uniform, Mei's battle suit looked far more daring. Black leggings, gloves, and upper-body fabric served as the base, but pinkish-red armor pieces clipped across her sides, navel, and arms, leaving far too much skin exposed for comfort.
"K-Kiana-chan! Don't let him see me like this!" Mei stammered, twisting away from Kouga's line of sight while using her arms to shield herself.
Kiana just grinned. "Ah, don't worry about it, Mei-senpai. The three of us will be married sooner or later anyway!"
"W-what are you saying?!" Mei's face turned crimson.
Kouga sighed and finally turned to Bronya—who, to his relief, looked far less provocative.
Her suit was more practical: an indigo-and-red ensemble with mechanical prosthesis legs, a belt of ammunition across her waist, and indigo ribbons tying back her hair. A dress-like extension gave her a touch of elegance while maintaining functionality. Compared to the others, her appearance was more composed—and far less flustering.
Then Kiana's eyes flicked back to Kouga, and a thought struck her. "Wait a second—where's your suit?"
"I tried it on," Kouga said flatly. "It's not really useful for me. Do you honestly think I need one?"
Kiana pouted, crossing her arms. "Aw, come on! I was looking forward to seeing your muscles in a skin-tight outfit!"
That earned her a sharp look from Kouga, while Mei let out a squeak, her blush somehow growing redder than before.
Just then, Himeko's voice called out from the hall. "Hey, girls, how's it going with the suits?"
The door slid fully open, and Himeko stepped inside with her usual half-grin and a bottle of beer dangling from her free hand.
Kiana immediately struck another exaggerated pose. "Ta-da! Pretty awesome, right?"
"You look like you're ready to run a catwalk instead of a battlefield," Himeko teased, smirking.
Kiana only laughed. "That just means I'll win in style!"
Mei fidgeted nervously in the corner. "I-It's too revealing…" she mumbled, trying once again to shield herself.
"Oh, please," Himeko said, waving her hand. "You've got the figure to pull it off. Own it, Mei."
Mei blushed harder, clearly unconvinced.
Bronya adjusted one of her ribbons and spoke in her calm monotone. "Efficiency level: acceptable. Range of movement is unhindered. Bronya approves."
"See? That's how you give feedback." Himeko gave her a playful pat on the shoulder before her eyes finally drifted toward Kouga—standing there conspicuously suitless.
"And what about you?" she asked with a raised brow. "Why aren't you wearing yours?"
Kouga shrugged, holding the folded battlesuit out toward her. "Tried it. Not my style. If I wanted a suit, I'd rather build one myself."
Himeko blinked, then let out a chuckle. "Figures. With what you can already do, I guess I can make an exception." She took the suit from him with one hand, shaking her head. "Still, you'd look damn good in it."
Kiana giggled. "See, even Himeko agrees with me!"
"Don't drag me into your fantasies, Kiana," Himeko shot back, though her grin said otherwise.
"By the way," Himeko added casually as she tucked Kouga's unused battlesuit under her arm, "don't forget—you all have a test in a few days."
"Wha—TEST?!" Kiana shrieked, nearly tripping over her own boots as she spun toward Himeko.
Himeko just smirked and took a sip from her beer. "Don't act so surprised. You thought training was all fun and games? Better hit the books."
Over the next few days, the dorm fell into a routine that tested everyone's patience. Kouga and Mei practically tag-teamed as Kiana's personal tutors. Mei drilled her on theory and combat history, keeping her tone stern but patient. Kouga, on the other hand, balanced it out by simplifying explanations, offering encouragement, and occasionally turning the material into mock battles or quick quizzes to keep Kiana engaged.
Kiana, of course, whined through nearly every study session. "This is torture!" she'd cry, flopping over the desk dramatically.
By the time test day arrived, Kiana had bags under her eyes—but she was far more prepared than she'd ever admit out loud.