After Lunch, The Teachers Called Everyone Back To The Open Courtyard. The Sun Was Lower Now, The Air A Little Cooler, And The Murmurs Of Tired But Restless Students Carried Through The Space.
One Teacher Held Up A Sheet. "For The Final Activity Today, First And Second Years Will Lead The Effort—third Years, Your Role Is To Guide Only. Watch, Advise, And Support. Not Every Problem Is About Doing It Yourself."
Some Groans Echoed Across The Field. A Few First-Years Looked Nervous, Glancing At Their Older Classmates As If To Ask For Help Already.
The Activity Was Simple In Design: Each Team Had To Build A Small Structure From The Limited Supplies On Their Table—ropes, Wooden Sticks, And A Few Cloth Sheets. The Goal Was Not Perfection But Creativity And Cooperation.
Ren's Team Huddled Around Their Materials.
Sora Immediately Grabbed Two Sticks, Holding Them Like Swords. "We Can Make A Castle!"
Kana Groaned. "We Don't Have Enough For A Castle. Let's Be Realistic."
Daichi Sat Cross-Legged, Tugging At The Rope. "How About A Tent? Then We Can Nap Inside."
Miyu Exhaled Softly. "It's Your Task. Think Together First."
The Juniors Looked Between Each Other, Then Back At Their Materials. Riku Slowly Suggested, "Maybe A Small Bridge? It Doesn't Have To Be Big, Just… Strong Enough To Hold Something."
Sora Tilted His Head. "A Bridge?"
Ren, Who Had Been Silent So Far, Finally Spoke. "That Could Work. It's Simple, But If Done Right, It Shows Balance."
Kana's Eyes Lit Up. "Yes. Let's Try That."
Miyu Watched Them Fall Into Motion—tying, balancing, pulling the cloth across sticks to strengthen the frame. The Juniors Worked Awkwardly At First, But Slowly Their Movements Fell Into Rhythm.
Ren Leaned Against The Table, Arms Crossed, Saying Nothing Until Sora Tied A Knot Wrong. "That'll Slip," He Said Calmly. "Loop It Once More."
"Ah—thanks, Senpai!" Sora Fixed It Immediately.
Miyu Found Herself Doing The Same—offering Small Corrections, Not Taking Over, Just Pointing Out Adjustments. And Each Time She Did, The Juniors Looked At Her With A Kind Of Earnest Trust That She Wasn't Used To Receiving.
By The Time The Whistle Blew, Their "Bridge" Was Standing—crooked But Firm, Cloth Pulled Tight Across The Sticks.
The Teachers Walked Around, Nodding At Each Team's Work. Some Had Built Makeshift Shelters, Others Strange Towers That Looked Ready To Collapse.
When The Teachers Moved On, Kana Sat Back With A Tired Laugh. "It's Not Perfect, But… It's Ours."
Daichi Stretched His Arms. "Better Than A Castle We Couldn't Finish."
Sora Dropped Onto The Grass. "Or A Nap Tent."
The Laughter Spread Easily.
Riku Turned To Ren And Miyu. "Senpai… Do You Ever Feel Like You're Still Figuring Out How To Build Things? Not Just Structures… But, Like… School, Life?"
Miyu Stilled. She Saw The Sincerity In His Expression, And Something Inside Her Softened. "Yes," She Said Quietly. "Even Now. The Truth Is, You Never Stop Figuring It Out."
Ren Glanced At The Juniors, Then Added In His Flat, Honest Tone: "People Expect You To Have Answers Just Because You're Older. But… It's Okay To Still Be Searching."
Their Words Hung Between Them, Gentle But Heavy.
Sora Scratched His Head. "So… It's Fine If We Don't Know Everything Yet?"
"Yes," Miyu Said Simply.
Ren Nodded. "That's The Point Of Being Here."
The Juniors Fell Silent For A Moment, Letting It Sink In. Then Kana Smiled. "That's… Kind Of Comforting."
—
The Bridge Stood Crooked But Sturdy, And Everyone Sat Around It, Breathing Out The Warm Afternoon With Bits Of Grass Sticking To Their Pants. The Teachers Had Moved On, Checking Other Teams, Leaving A Pocket Of Quiet Around Them.
Kana Leaned Back On Her Hands. "I'm Honestly Worried About Next Semester. It Feels Like Everyone's Already Racing Ahead, And I'm… Still Stuck At The Starting Line."
Miyu Looked At Her Slowly. She Knew That Feeling Far Too Well—eyes Always Watching, Expecting, Measuring. "It's Not About Where Everyone Else Is," She Said, Her Voice Steadier Than She Felt. "If You Keep Comparing, You'll Only See How Far You Think You Haven't Gone. Look At Your Own Steps Instead."
Kana Met Her Eyes And Smiled, A Small, Honest Smile. "That… Actually Helps."
Riku Hugged His Knees, Speaking In A Careful Tone. "I Keep Failing Tests. My Parents Think I'm Not Trying, But I Really Am."
Ren Shifted Beside Him, His Voice Low But Clear. "Trying Doesn't Always Look The Same. Sometimes It's Quiet. Sometimes No One Sees It. Doesn't Mean It's Worthless."
Riku Looked Up At Him, Startled. Then His Shoulders Dropped, Like A Knot Untied. "...Thanks, Senpai."
Sora, Ever Restless, Tossed A Stick In The Air. "What About You Two?" He Jerked His Chin At Ren And Miyu. "You Guys Always Look Like You've Got Everything Figured Out. No Worries. Perfect Grades, Perfect Calm."
Miyu's Chopsticks Froze Against Her Lunch Box. For A Second, She Almost Gave The Expected Smile—polite, Clean, Untouchable. But Instead She Said, Quietly, "It's Not True. I Just Don't Show It. But That Doesn't Mean It's Not There."
The Juniors Fell Silent. Even Sora.
Ren Broke It After A Moment, His Tone Dry But Honest. "And Me? I Don't Have It Figured Out Either. I Just… Hide Easier Than Most."
Daichi Laughed Lightly, Trying To Break The Weight. "So Even The 'Cool' Third Years Don't Know What They're Doing."
Ren Gave Him A Side Look. "No One Does."
It Made The Group Laugh, But Beneath It, The Message Settled In.
For A While, They Just Sat There, Letting The Afternoon Breeze Pull Through The Trees. The Bridge They Built Cast A Small Shadow Across The Grass—fragile, Crooked, But Still Standing Because Everyone Had Put A Piece Of Themselves Into It.
Miyu Looked Around At Their Faces—nervous, Bright, Frustrated, Hopeful. And She Realized Something Quiet: Guiding Didn't Mean Having All The Answers. It Meant Sitting With Them In Their Uncertainty, Offering A Hand When Needed.
Ren Seemed To Think The Same, Because When She Glanced At Him, He Was Watching The Juniors Too, His Expression Almost Soft.
—
The Activity Ended, And The Teachers Gathered Everyone To Congratulate Them Before Dismissing For Free Time Until Dinner.
As They Walked Back Toward The Lodge, The Noise Rose Again—Sora Still Talking About How Their Bridge Was Basically "Engineering Genius," Kana Trying To Shut Him Up, Daichi Pretending To Sleep While Walking.
Ren And Miyu Fell Into Step Behind Them, Just A Little Apart From The Noise. For A Moment, Neither Spoke. The Air Was Easier That Way, Carried By The Buzz Of Voices Ahead.
Then Miyu Said Softly, "You Were… Good With Them."
Ren Looked At Her. "I Just Said What Made Sense."
"Not Everyone Can."
He Didn't Reply Immediately. But When She Tilted Her Head At Him, His Mouth Twitched Like He Was Fighting A Smile. "…You Were Good Too."
The Words Were Plain, Yet They Settled Warmly Between Them.
Ahead, The Group's Chaos Continued—voices Rising, Arguments Over Whose Knot Was Best. Ren And Miyu Let The Noise Pull Them Forward, Quietly Sharing The Space Between.
—
By The Time They Reached The Lodge, The Sun Was Low Enough To Paint Everything In A Soft Gold. Students Crowded Around The Entrance, Some Still Buzzing From The Activities, Others Dragging Their Feet As Though The Day Had Drained Every Bit Of Energy From Them.
Sora Darted Ahead, Still Loud. "I Swear, Our Bridge Was The Best One There! You Guys Saw How Balanced It Was, Right?"
Kana Gave Him A Tired Look. "It Broke Twice Before It Stood, Don't Exaggerate."
"That's Just… Testing Durability!"
Daichi Stretched, Hands Behind His Head. "Testing Durability Doesn't Mean You're Supposed To Fall Into It Yourself."
The Group Burst Into Laughter. Even Miyu Found Herself Smiling, Her Hand Lifting Faintly To Cover Her Mouth. Ren Didn't Laugh Out Loud, But There Was A Quiet Glint In His Eyes That Didn't Go Unnoticed.
They Joined The Flow Of Students Moving Toward The Dining Hall. The Smell Of Curry Drifted Out, Warm And Comforting, Pulling Everyone Faster Inside.
Kaito And Chika Appeared From Another Team, Waving Exaggeratedly. "Third-Year Reunion!" Chika Called Out.
Vicky And Mahito Weren't Far Behind, Already Teasing Each Other About Who Had "Carried Their Team."
"Let Me Guess," Mahito Said, Smirking At Ren The Moment He Spotted Him. "You Just Stood There And Looked Cool While Everyone Else Worked?"
Ren Gave Him A Flat Look. "Standing Is Important."
Kaito Clapped His Back, Laughing. "See? That's Leadership Right There!"
The Juniors Glanced At Each Other, Whispering Something About How Strange—But Kind Of Cool—The Third Years Seemed Together.
At The Table, The Noise Blended—First Years Complaining About Sore Legs, Second Years Bragging About Their "Genius Designs," Third Years Trading Jabs Across Seats.
Amid It All, Miyu Sat A Little Straighter Than Usual, But Her Smile Was Softer, Less Practiced. Ren Sat Beside Her, Eating Quietly, Yet Whenever Someone Pulled Him Into The Conversation, His Answers Carried More Warmth Than Before.
The Lodge Filled With That Restless Kind Of Happiness Unique To Trips—The Kind Born From Exhaustion And Laughter Tangled Together.
For A Moment, Miyu Thought, Maybe This Is What It Means To Be In The Middle Of Everything Without Losing Yourself.
And When She Glanced Sideways, Ren Was Already Looking Out The Window, The Golden Light Tracing His Profile, As If He Too Was Somewhere Between Silence And Belonging.
—
Dinner Ended The Way All Trip Dinners Did—Plates Piled High, Conversations Tangled Across Tables, And The Occasional Burst Of Laughter So Loud The Teachers Pretended Not To Hear. By The Time Everyone Was Herded Back Toward The Lodge's Lounge Hall, The Energy Shifted From Tired To Restless.
The Hall Was Wide And Bright, With Sofas, Cushions, And Low Tables Scattered Around. A Fireplace Glowed At One End, Though It Wasn't Cold Enough To Need It—Just Enough To Add A Cozy Feeling. Teachers Had Announced Earlier That Students Could Spend Some Time Here Before Heading Off To Their Assigned Dormitories For The Night.
It Didn't Take Long For Chaos To Begin. Someone Pulled Out A Deck Of Cards. Another Started A Game Involving Balancing Empty Cups. Voices Rose, Challenging, Teasing, Daring.
Sora Tried To Teach Kana A Game She Clearly Had No Interest In, While Daichi Kept Pretending To Fall Asleep Midway Through The Rules. Kaito And Chika Had Somehow Declared Themselves Referees, Shouting Over Everyone Else.
Mahito Tossed A Cushion At Vicky When He Lost A Round. "You Cheated."
"I Call It Strategy."
The Cushion War Escalated Until A Teacher Cleared His Throat Loudly From The Back Of The Hall, Freezing The Entire Room. Then, As Soon As The Teacher's Steps Faded Away, Everyone Exploded Into Laughter Again.
Miyu Sat On The Edge Of A Sofa, Watching The Chaos With A Smile That Felt Different From The Ones She Usually Wore. Not Polite. Not Controlled. Just… Real.
Ren Was Leaning Against The Wall Near A Window, Hands In His Pockets, His Expression Half-Amused, Half-Detached. When Their Eyes Met Across The Noise, Miyu Saw The Same Quiet Thought Flicker In His Gaze: This Isn't So Bad.
Eventually, The Games Lost Their Steam One By One. Some Students Drifted Back To Their Rooms Early, While Others Lay Sprawled On The Floor In Defeat From Too Much Laughter. The Energy Shifted Again—From Wild To Heavy-Limbed, The Kind Of Tired That Comes Only After A Full Day.
Ren Wandered Closer, Picking Up A Few Stray Cards That Had Been Left On The Table. Miyu Bent Down To Gather Others. Their Hands Brushed Briefly, Neither Pulling Away Too Quickly.
The Lounge Was Quieter Now—Only A Lamp On In The Corner, Casting A Warm Circle Of Light.
Miyu Straightened, Holding The Cards. "They'll Probably Remember Tonight More Than The Activity Itself."
Ren Gave A Low Hum. "Chaos Leaves A Stronger Impression."
She Looked At Him, Eyes Searching For Something Behind His Flat Tone. "You Don't Mind It?"
He Paused, Then Shook His Head. "Not When It's Like This."
The Noise Of Laughter Still Echoed Faintly From Another Corner Of The Lounge, But Around Them It Felt Gentle, Like A Curtain Had Been Drawn Over The Day.
For A Moment, It Was Just Them—Two Third Years Standing At The Edge Of A Fading Crowd, Realizing That Belonging Didn't Always Mean Speaking The Loudest. Sometimes, It Meant Simply Standing Beside Someone Who Understood.
To Be Continued....