The clouds gathered slowly over New Fornia.
Thick, gray, and sleepy.
Inside the dorm common room, Shunya pressed his forehead against the cold glass window.
"Rain," he whispered. "Perfect weather for doing nothing."
Outside, the garden trees swayed gently. Raindrops danced on the stone paths. The whole world felt like it had slowed down.
Shunya smiled to himself.
For once… things weren't chaotic.
"Do you… not like the rain?" a quiet voice asked.
He turned to see Vikoria, holding a warm towel and a small pot of tea on a tray.
"I like it," Shunya said. "I just didn't expect New Fornia to have rainy days. Aren't cultivation cities always hot and dramatic?"
She gave a soft laugh. "Even cultivators need cloudy days."
They both sat on the floor by the window. The sound of rain tapping the glass made the silence feel warm instead of awkward.
Vikoria handed him a cup and poured one for herself. She wore a simple sky-blue robe today— no weapons, no armor, just soft fabric and bare feet.
"It's kind of peaceful," Shunya said. "Do you sit here often?"
She nodded. "When it rains, people usually stay in their rooms. So I come here."
"Don't you get lonely?"
Vikoria hesitated. Then she smiled, a little sadly. "Not when it's raining."
Shunya took a sip of the tea.
It was a little bitter. Like something that wanted to be sweet, but gave up halfway.
"…Tastes like feelings," he said with a grin.
Vikoria blinked. Then she laughed again. It was small but real.
"You're strange."
"You're the second girl to say that this week."
"Is that good?"
"I have not decided yet."
They talked for a while. Nothing serious. Just little things.
How she used to grow herbs back home. How she thought Shunya's sword grip looked like someone holding a chicken wing.
How she once mistook a mutated squirrel for a spirit beast and bowed to it.
"Wait, what did the squirrel do?" Shunya asked, nearly choking on tea.
"It bit me," she said calmly.
"Of course it did."
They both laughed.
For a moment, it didn't feel like they were stuck in a weird game-world or fighting to survive.
It just felt like two people, hiding from the world, sharing tea and laughter in the rain.
✦✦✦
Then the door slid open.
"…Well, isn't this cozy?"
Naomi stood in the doorway with a dripping umbrella in one hand and a plastic food container in the other.
Her eyes scanned the scene— Vikoria's soft smile, Shunya's relaxed posture, two teacups on the tray.
Vikoria blinked. "Naomi. Would you like some tea?"
"No thanks," Naomi said, walking over and setting the container down a little harder than necessary. "I brought dumplings."
"Oh, nice!" Shunya perked up. "You made these?"
"No. I bought them. Because some people think tea counts as lunch."
Vikoria looked down.
Naomi opened the box and handed Shunya a skewer. "Eat. You'll need strength for tomorrow's test."
Shunya chewed nervously. The room suddenly felt… less cozy.
"Thanks?" he said with a full mouth.
Naomi sat down. Not beside Shunya, but across from him, so she could stare directly at both him and Vikoria.
Vikoria picked up her cup again and sipped quietly.
The rain kept falling.
The silence changed. It wasn't awkward. It was heavy.
Something unsaid filled the air between the three of them.
Shunya swallowed loudly.
[Triangle Tension +1: "The Rain Has Eyes."]
[Affection levels updated: Vikoria (60%), Naomi (53%).]
[New flag set: "Emotional Clash Incoming."]
"…My system's acting dramatic again," Shunya muttered.
Naomi raised an eyebrow. "It fits you."
Vikoria smiled. "I think it's cute."
Shunya blinked. "Cute?"
Both girls stared at him.
He felt a drop of sweat run down his neck.
And it had nothing to do with the tea.