Chapter 12: After Lights Out

The few minutes before sleep—

are when you see people most clearly.

⸻

At exactly 10 p.m., the lights dimmed.

The corridor dropped into a soft glow—

sensor-lit, just enough to see outlines through the haze.

The lounge clock chimed ten times.

Saki stood at the end of the hall, his voice as flat as ever:

"Time's up. Back to your rooms."

All four stood almost in sync.

No one dawdled.

But they no longer moved like strangers.

**

As they split off, Meng Zhiheng turned back and muttered:

"Whoever hogs the bathroom tomorrow gets a warm blast from the hot water gun."

Meng Yuanxiao yawned without looking back.

"Didn't you say you can't wake up in time?"

Gao Mo glanced sideways.

"One room. Two mouths."

Elric didn't say a word.

Just let a smile flicker.

Then turned and closed his door.

**

Click.

The sound of the lock.

And just like that—

the world shrank to one room.

It wasn't large.

But it was quiet.

Very quiet.

The wall clock ticked like a breath.

Sheets folded.

Desk spotless.

Every corner looked like it came straight out of a handbook.

He hung up his towel.

Took out the pocket watch.

Popped it open.

Still ticking. Steady, as always.

He wasn't afraid of this place.

But he knew this silence wouldn't last forever.

**

He sat at the edge of the bed, back against the wall.

Beyond it, faint sounds passed through—

someone shifting under blankets,

a sip of water,

a quiet yawn.

No one scrolled their screens.

No one said good night.

Everyone here seemed used to leaving emotion outside the door.

**

He closed his eyes.

But in his mind, the pool came back.

Steam. Splashes. Glances.

His new roommates—

Meng Yuanxiao: sharp like bamboo, fast hands, faster temper, but underneath? Disciplined.

Meng Zhiheng: looser, louder, but not reckless.

Probably easy to get along with.

Gao Mo: quiet.

Eyes like a camera that never blinked.

Didn't waste words.

Probably the kind who noticed everything—but said nothing until he had to.

Elric didn't label them.

But instinctively, he made a mental mark.

He had his own concept:

Trust is earned in silence.

Distance is calculated the same way.

**

A nearby light clicked off before his did.

Elric stared at the ceiling one last time.

Then laid down.

He didn't know if this place would be easy to sleep in.

But he did know one thing:

The real challenge had already started.

Not math.

Not sports.

But this—

figuring out how to live among others,

without losing himself.

—

[Chapter Prologue]

You can follow the rules.

You can stay quiet.

But the real test is remembering why you came—

without forgetting who you are.