Break

After an intense first and second day of the House Selection Event, the students were finally given some time to rest and recover before the second round of challenges. As the evening settled in, Kazuki and his friends found themselves in Daiki's dorm room, a familiar setting for their usual gaming sessions.

Daiki's room, much like his personality, was relaxed and slightly messy but still comfortable. His desk was cluttered with game cases and a half-empty bag of chips, while his bed was barely made. The small television screen flickered with the menu of their favorite multiplayer fighting game.

"Alright, who's getting destroyed first?" Daiki smirked, grabbing his controller.

Reo scoffed. "Not me. I'm here to win."

Naoto adjusted his glasses and sighed. "You say that every time, and yet…"

Kyouya cracked his fingers. "Less talking, more playing."

Kazuki sat back, controller in hand but mind still drifting to the day's events. The academic and logic challenges had been more intense than he had expected. He had done well, but there had been moments of real competition. Naoto had easily dominated the written sections, while Kyouya's quick thinking had given him an edge in puzzles. Miyuki had impressed him as well—graceful and calm, she had moved through each task with quiet confidence.

"Oi, Kazuki, you good?" Daiki nudged him.

"Huh? Yeah," Kazuki snapped out of his thoughts. "Just thinking about the event."

"Same here." Naoto leaned back. "I wonder what they'll throw at us next."

"Whatever it is, we just have to keep pushing forward," Kyouya said.

They spent the next hour immersed in their game, the room filled with competitive banter and laughter. It was a much-needed distraction, but eventually, Kazuki excused himself, saying he needed some air.

In truth, his mind wasn't on fresh air—it was on Miyuki. After spending enough time around her today, he had noticed a small habit of hers. Whenever she was deep in thought, she would quietly step outside for a bit, tucking her hair behind her ear as she lost herself in her thoughts.

And right now, he had a feeling she might be doing just that.

His instincts were correct. As he stepped outside into the cool night air, he spotted her standing near the dormitory's small courtyard, her back turned to him. The gentle breeze played with her hair as she quietly looked up at the sky.

For a moment, Kazuki hesitated. He had come all this way, but now that he was here, he wasn't sure what to say. Eventually, he decided to approach casually.

"Couldn't sleep either?" he asked.

Miyuki turned slightly, surprised at first, but then she smiled softly. "Not really. Just thinking about today."

Kazuki nodded, stepping beside her. "Yeah, it was tougher than I expected."

Miyuki tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You did well. Our team worked smoothly together."

"You weren't so bad yourself," Kazuki said, glancing at her. "You looked completely in control."

She let out a light laugh. "I wouldn't say that. Some parts were really challenging."

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the distant sounds of the dorms fading into the background. Kazuki wasn't sure what it was, but there was something peaceful about this moment.

"…Are you nervous about tomorrow?" he asked.

Miyuki thought for a second before nodding. "A little. But I think everyone is. What about you?"

Kazuki exhaled. "Yeah. But I guess we just take it one step at a time."

Miyuki looked at him and smiled. "That's a good way to see it."

He found himself staring a little longer than he intended, but before she could notice, he looked away, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… I should probably head back before Daiki accuses me of being an insomniac."

Miyuki laughed. "Good night, Kazuki."

"…Night."

As he walked back to his room, he couldn't help but feel like this conversation, short as it was, had brought them a little closer.

And that thought lingered in his mind far longer than he expected.