The Morning Came Softly, Light Sliding Through The Thin Curtains Of The Lodge Windows. The Chill In The Air Was Still Sharp, The Kind That Made It Harder To Leave The Warmth Of The Blanket.
On The Boys' Side, The Scene Was Anything But Graceful.
Kaito Groaned First, Half-Buried Under His Blanket, His Hair Sticking Out Like He Had Been In A Battle. Vicky Sat Up With Sleepy Eyes, Muttering Something About Regretting Staying Up Too Late. Mahito Rolled Over, Covering His Face With A Pillow. Ren Was The Only One Half-Awake, Sitting Quietly On His Bed, Already With His Bag Neatly Tucked Beside Him.
"Ren, You're Not Human," Vicky Mumbled, Pulling His Blanket Back Up.
"Just Woke Up," Ren Said Quietly, Though The Hint Of A Smirk Betrayed Him.
Meanwhile, Kaito Finally Sat Up, Rubbing His Eyes. "What's The Point Of A Trip If We Have To Wake Up Early? Feels Like A Punishment."
From The Other Side Of The Room, Mahito's Voice Came Out Muffled. "Wake Me When Breakfast Is Served To The Bed."
Ren Shook His Head, Watching Them Struggle Like It Was Some Kind Of Morning Comedy Show.
—
On The Girls' Side, Things Were A Little Calmer—Though Not Entirely Peaceful.
Chika Was Already Up, Stretching Loudly And Declaring, "Good Morning To The World!" Her Energy Was Almost Too Much For The Hour.
Miyu Sat By The Window, Brushing Her Hair In Quiet Motions, The Early Light Catching On The Strands. The Two Other Roommates—One Still Bundled Up In A Blanket, The Other Sleepily Fixing Her Hair—Seemed Caught Between Chika's Energy And Miyu's Calm.
"Why Are You This Awake?" One Of The Roommates Asked Chika With A Groan.
"Because It's A New Day!" Chika Announced, Pulling The Blanket Off The Still-Sleepy Roommate, Who Shrieked And Tried To Hide Again.
Miyu Suppressed A Small Laugh, Shaking Her Head.
In The Middle Of The Noise, She Felt That Familiar Warmth Again—The Thought Of Yesterday's Chaos, Of Ren's Unexpected Jokes, Still Lingering.
The Morning Had Just Begun, And Already It Felt Different.
—
The Dining Hall Was Already Filling By The Time They Arrived. Long Wooden Tables Were Lined With Plates Of Toast, Bowls Of Rice, And Trays Of Eggs That Disappeared Faster Than They Were Set Down.
Ren Walked In With Vicky, Mahito, And Kaito Trailing Behind. Kaito Still Looked Half-Asleep, His Hair Refusing To Be Tamed No Matter How Many Times He Ran His Hand Through It. Mahito Walked Straight Toward The Food, Muttering About Survival.
"Breakfast Is Supposed To Be Calm," Vicky Said, Watching The Room. "But This Looks Like A Warzone."
Chika Waved From The Girls' Table, Beckoning Loudly. "Over Here! Hurry, Before Everything's Gone!"
Miyu Sat Beside Her, Composed As Always, Though The Slight Shake Of Her Shoulders Showed She Was Amused By Chika's Dramatic Gestures.
The Boys Squeezed In At The Same Table. Immediately, The Balance Shifted Into Chaos.
Kaito Reached For A Piece Of Toast, Only For Chika To Snatch It First. "You're Too Slow."
"I'm Still Waking Up!" He Protested.
"That's A You Problem."
Vicky Grabbed A Boiled Egg And Held It Up. "This Is Mine. Anyone Tries To Steal It, I'll Write A Will In Egg Yolk."
Mahito Yawned, Already Pouring Rice Into His Bowl. "Just Eat Before Someone Faints."
Ren Sat Quietly, Taking His Time With His Plate, Though He Couldn't Hide The Small Smile At The Ridiculousness Around Him.
Chika Leaned Toward Miyu, Whispering Just Loud Enough For The Table To Hear. "See? This Is Why We Need You Two Calm Ones. Otherwise, Breakfast Turns Into A Battlefield."
Miyu Gave Her A Look, Soft But Pointed. "You're Not Helping."
Ren Looked Up Briefly, Meeting Miyu's Eyes Across The Table. For A Moment, The Noise Faded Just Slightly. Then Kaito Snapped His Fingers In Front Of Ren's Face.
"Don't Zone Out. Pass The Jam."
Ren Passed It Without A Word, Though The Corner Of His Mouth Twitched Like He Was Fighting A Smile.
By The Time Plates Were Empty, The Table Looked Like It Had Been Through A Storm. And Yet, Somehow, Everyone Left Fuller And Louder Than Before.
—
After Breakfast, The Students Were Herded Out Toward The Open Courtyard Beside The Lodge. The Air Was Brisk, Carrying The Faint Smell Of Pines And Something Cooking From The Kitchen Windows.
Teachers Stood At The Front, Clipboards In Hand, Their Voices Rising Above The Steady Hum Of Students Talking.
"Alright, Everyone. Today Will Be A Full Day Of Activities. But To Make It Interesting, We'll Be Forming Mixed-Year Teams—Two Students From Each Year Group. You'll Work Together For Every Challenge."
A Wave Of Murmurs Swept Through The Courtyard. Some Looked Excited, Others Groaned. Kaito Stretched His Arms Over His Head, Yawning. "Mixed Years, Huh? Guess I'll Have To Babysit Freshmen."
Chika Immediately Poked Him In The Side. "Or Maybe They'll Have To Babysit You."
"Excuse Me?"
Ren Listened Quietly As The Teachers Began Reading Names. His Shoulders Felt A Little Stiff—He Wasn't The Type Who Looked Forward To This Sort Of Division. But At The Same Time, There Was A Quiet Curiosity Building In Him.
When The Names Were Called, It Turned Out The Rule Of Two-By-Two-By-Two Split Their Group Across Three Different Teams.
Ren Found Himself Paired With Miyu And A Pair Of First-Years—Bright, Talkative Kids Who Looked Like They'd Never Run Out Of Energy. The Two Second-Years In Their Group Introduced Themselves With Easy Grins, Adding More Warmth To The Circle.
Chika Ended Up On A Different Team, Already Raising The Energy Wherever She Went, While Kaito Was Heard Groaning Loudly Across The Courtyard At His Assignment. Vicky And Mahito Were Split Too, Each On Separate Teams, Their Voices Carrying Over As They Teased Whoever Was Nearest.
"Three Teams," Chika Called Across The Courtyard, Grinning Toward Ren And Miyu. "Guess We'll Compete Properly Now."
Kaito Crossed His Arms, Narrowing His Eyes Dramatically. "Prepare To Lose."
Ren Simply Tilted His Head, Calm As Ever. "We'll See."
Miyu Stood Beside Him, Her Expression Quiet But Just A Shade Brighter Than Usual. Somehow, The Morning Air Felt A Little Lighter Than Before.
—
The Courtyard Slowly Scattered As Students Gathered Into Their Assigned Groups. The Teachers Moved On To The Next Phase, Leaving Everyone To Break The Awkward Silence That Always Came With First Meetings.
Ren's Group Formed A Loose Circle Beneath The Shade Of A Tall Tree. The Two First-Years, Energetic From The Start, Spoke Up First.
"I'm Sora," The Shorter One Said, His Voice Bright Enough To Catch A Few Nearby Heads. "And This Is My Classmate, Riku." He Nudged The Taller Boy Beside Him, Who Looked More Reserved But Still Smiled. "We're In The First Year."
"Second-Year Here," A Girl Stepped Forward, Her Ponytail Swaying As She Bowed Slightly. "I'm Kana. And That Guy—" She Jerked Her Thumb Toward The Boy Next To Her, Who Was Balancing On One Foot For No Apparent Reason, "—Is Daichi. Don't Mind Him Too Much."
Daichi Almost Lost His Balance But Recovered, Grinning. "I'm Great At Games. Just Saying."
Finally, Miyu Spoke, Her Voice Even And Clear. "I'm Miyu. Third Year." She Glanced Briefly Toward Ren.
Ren Felt The Small Weight Of Everyone's Eyes On Him. "Ren," He Said Simply, His Tone Flat But Not Unkind. "Third Year."
"That's All?" Daichi Raised An Eyebrow, Half-Teasing.
Ren Only Nodded.
Kana Laughed Lightly. "Okay, Short And Mysterious. Got It."
Miyu's Lips Quirked Almost Unnoticeably, Though She Smoothed It Away Before Anyone Could Point It Out.
—
A Loud Whistle From The Teachers Drew Everyone's Attention. "Teams, Line Up! We'll Start With A Relay Challenge."
Groans And Cheers Mixed Across The Courtyard. Wooden Poles Had Been Set Up To Mark A Long Track Looping Around The Field.
"First Event Is Simple," A Teacher Announced. "One Lap Each. The Team That Finishes Fastest Wins. Remember, It's Not Just About Speed—Encourage Each Other. We'll Be Watching."
Kaito's Voice Floated From A Nearby Group. "This Is Too Early For Running!"
Chika, From Her Own Team, Shouted Back, "Excuses Already?"
Their Banter Rippled Into Laughter From Other Students.
Ren's Team Huddled Briefly. Daichi Immediately Threw His Hand Up. "I'll Go First. I'm Fast."
Kana Nodded. "Then Riku, Me, Sora, Miyu, And Finally Ren?"
All Eyes Landed On Ren. He Blinked Once. "Fine."
The First Runners Took Their Positions. The Whistle Blew.
Daichi Shot Off Like A Bolt, Dust Flying Behind Him. Their Group Cheered, Even Miyu Clapping Once Or Twice. Sora Jumped Beside Ren, Already Yelling Encouragements. "Go, Go, Go! Don't Fall, Don't Trip!"
Ren Stayed Quiet, Hands In His Pockets, But His Eyes Followed Daichi Closely. The Sun Was Climbing Higher, Warmth Spreading Across The Field, And For A Moment He Let Himself Simply Watch—Not The Crowd, Not The Noise, Just The Motion And The Laughter Threaded Through It All.
And When His Turn Came, He Stepped Onto The Track, Feeling The Weight Of His Team's Eyes, And Ran.
To Be Continued....