A New Kind of Tension

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the dormitory grounds. Isagi and May walked side by side, the soft crunch of gravel under their feet the only sound between them. There was an air of quiet between them — not uncomfortable, but charged with an unspoken understanding.

As they approached the dorm, May suddenly stopped, turning toward Isagi with a curious expression. "Hey… you've been really helpful lately. More than I expected, honestly. You even… you even know so much about me. How?"

Isagi smiled, scratching the back of his head. He'd been preparing for this question, knowing it would eventually come. "Well… I just pay attention. You're kind of hard not to notice, you know?" he said, his voice light but genuine. "The way you talk about things, the little habits you have — I guess I just… picked up on them."

May's face flushed, and she looked away, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Y-You're weird, you know that?" she mumbled.

Before Isagi could respond, the sound of laughter reached them. Akari and Kaito were already at the dorm entrance, waving them over.

"Finally! You two are so slow. What were you doing? Having a romantic walk?" Kaito teased, grinning mischievously.

May's face turned crimson. "W-We were just talking!" she snapped.

Akari giggled, nudging Kaito playfully. "Sure, sure. Let's get inside before you two combust from embarrassment."

Once inside, they settled in the common room. The dorm had finally started feeling like home, but the tension from Rin's challenge still lingered in the back of Isagi's mind.

Later that evening, as they prepared for dinner, May insisted on helping again — despite her lack of cooking skills. Isagi, careful not to hurt her pride, guided her subtly, making sure nothing burned or turned into a disaster.

"You're getting better," he said encouragingly.

May huffed, a little smile tugging at her lips. "Don't patronize me. I know I'm terrible."

"Then we'll just keep practicing until you're not," Isagi replied easily. "I don't mind helping."

As they sat down to eat, the warmth between them felt different — more comfortable, more familiar. But as the night wound down and everyone headed to their rooms, a knock on Isagi's door startled him.

Opening it, he found May standing there, looking hesitant. "Isagi… about Rin's challenge…" she began.

His heart raced. "Yeah?"

"I just… be careful, okay?"

The softness in her voice, the concern in her eyes — it was more than he'd expected. And it made him all the more determined.

"I will," he promised.

But in his mind, he knew the real battle was just beginning.