After Dinner, The Hall Emptied In Waves. Chairs Scraped, Voices Carried Over Each Other, And The Sound Of Footsteps Echoed As Groups Formed Near The Doors. Teachers Directed Everyone Toward The Path That Led Outside, Lanterns Already Lit To Guide The Way.
The Night Air Hit Differently—Cooler Than The Dining Hall, Carrying The Smell Of Grass And Faint Smoke From Where The Campfire Was Already Being Prepared. A Low Murmur Of Excitement Spread Through The Students As They Fell Into Lines That Were Loose And Chaotic At Best.
Ren Walked With Vicky And Mahito On Either Side, While Kaito Hovered Close Behind.
Mahito Shoved His Hands Into His Pockets. "Finally Some Real Entertainment. If They Make Us Sit Through Another Lecture About 'Bonding' I'm Throwing Myself Into The Fire."
"You'd Probably Burn Out Before The Wood," Vicky Said Casually, Making Kaito Snort.
"Funny. Keep Talking. Watch Me Push You Into The Fire First."
Ren Only Half-Listened. His Eyes Flicked Ahead To Where Miyu Walked Beside Chika, Both Of Them Talking Quietly. Their Steps Were In Sync, Their Faces Lit By The Soft Glow Of The Lanterns. Miyu's Hair Shifted With The Breeze, Catching The Light In A Way That Made It Hard Not To Notice.
Kaito Followed Ren's Gaze, Then Grinned. "Oi, Don't Zone Out. You'll Trip Over A Rock And Embarrass Yourself."
Ren Looked Away. "…I Wasn't."
"Sure." Kaito's Tone Was Unforgivingly Amused.
Mahito Tilted His Head Toward The Girls. "What Do You Think They're Talking About? Probably How Lucky They Are To Have Us Around."
Vicky Nearly Fell Over Laughing. "Yeah, That's Exactly It. 'Wow, I'm So Glad Mahito Exists. My Life Is Complete.'"
Ren Finally Allowed Himself A Quiet Snort At That, And Mahito Narrowed His Eyes. "You Too? Traitor."
Ahead, Chika's Laugh Carried Back Toward Them, And For A Brief Moment, Miyu's Gaze Slipped Over Her Shoulder. Just Long Enough To Meet Ren's. The World Didn't Stop, But It Did Slow—Her Expression Calm, Yet Something In Her Eyes Held For A Second Too Long Before She Turned Back To Chika.
Vicky Elbowed Ren Again. "There It Is. That Look. You Can't Tell Me I'm Imagining It."
Ren Didn't Answer. He Just Kept Walking, Letting The Cold Air Fill The Silence That Followed.
The Path Opened Up Soon After, Revealing The Wide Circle Where The Fire Had Already Been Stacked High. Teachers Moved Around To Organize Students, Splitting Them Into Loose Rings. The Fire Wasn't Lit Yet, But Even Unburnt, It Seemed To Glow With Anticipation.
Students Settled Onto The Grass, Voices Buzzing With The Kind Of Excitement That Came From Knowing The Night Would Be Different From The Rest.
—
The Students Gathered In A Loose Circle Around The Pile Of Wood. Teachers Stood Nearby, Hands Folded Behind Their Backs, But Their Faces Weren't Stern—More Like They Were Watching With A Kind Of Quiet Fondness, As If Remembering Their Own Days At School.
One Teacher Stepped Forward With A Lantern, Lowering The Flame Into The Pile. The Dry Wood Caught Quickly, Cracking As Sparks Flew Up Into The Dark. A Cheer Rose Instantly—Some Students Clapping, Others Whistling, A Few Already Yelling About How Warm It Felt.
The Firelight Painted Everyone In Shades Of Gold And Orange, Shadows Stretching Long Across The Ground. The Crackling Sound Blended With The Hum Of Voices Until It Felt Like The Whole Night Had Turned Into A Lively Festival.
Kaito Sat Cross-Legged On The Grass, Leaning Back On His Hands. "Now This Feels Like A Trip. About Time."
Chika Hugged Her Knees Close, Smiling At The Flames. "It's Nice, Isn't It? Everyone Looks Different In Firelight. Warmer Somehow."
"Or More Suspicious," Vicky Added, Eyeing Mahito, Who Was Already Trying To Roast A Marshmallow He Somehow Snuck In.
"Don't Look At Me Like That," Mahito Said, Defensively Holding Up His Stick. "This Is What Campfires Are For."
Ren Watched Them Quietly, The Fire's Reflection Dancing In His Eyes. It Was Strange—How The Chaos Felt Both Too Loud And Exactly Right At The Same Time. The Fire Drew People Closer, Closed The Space Between Conversations That Normally Wouldn't Happen In Classrooms Or Hallways.
Across The Circle, Miyu Sat Among A Group Of Girls, Her Roommates Around Her. She Smiled Lightly When Chika Whispered Something, The Corners Of Her Eyes Soft. Every So Often, Her Gaze Slid Past The Flames And Landed Near Where Ren Sat. She Never Let It Stay Long, But Even That Brief Flicker Was Enough To Make The Night Feel Different.
A Teacher Raised His Voice Over The Noise. "Alright, Everyone. You're Free To Sing, Share Stories, Or Just Sit Back And Enjoy The Fire. But Keep It Friendly, Understand?"
The Students Answered With A Unified Cheer That Was Anything But Orderly.
And Just Like That, Someone Started A Song. Off-Key At First, But Loud Enough That Others Joined In. The Circle Broke Into Scattered Singing And Clapping, Some People Adding Their Own Rhythms By Tapping Their Legs Or Snapping Their Fingers.
Kaito Sang Horribly On Purpose Until Chika Smacked His Arm. Mahito Tried To Hit A High Note And Failed Miserably, Which Sent Vicky Into Another Fit Of Laughter.
Ren Didn't Sing, But The Noise Around Him Wasn't Annoying—It Was Comfortable In Its Own Way. Beside The Flames, Surrounded By Laughter And Heat, He Let Himself Think For A Moment That This Might Be A Night Everyone Would Remember.
—
The Singing Eventually Faded Into Laughter, Voices Breaking Apart Into Smaller Conversations Around The Fire. The Crackling Wood Filled The Spaces In Between, Throwing Sparks Into The Sky That Disappeared Like Fleeting Stars.
"Okay, Okay," Chika Said Suddenly, Raising Her Hand. Her Face Was Lit By Firelight, Eyes Bright. "If We're Really Doing This Properly, We Need A Game. Something Everyone Can Join In. What About Truth Or Dare?"
The Circle Reacted Instantly—Cheers, Groans, Nervous Laughter.
Mahito Pointed At Her As If She Had Just Solved A Great Mystery. "Finally. A Real Game. None Of This Singing Stuff."
"You Were The Loudest One Singing Five Minutes Ago," Vicky Said Dryly.
"That Was Warming Up My Voice For Dares," Mahito Shot Back.
Kaito Grinned. "I'm In. This Could Be Fun."
The Excitement Spread Like Fire Itself. Students From Different Groups Shuffled A Little Closer Together, The Outer Circle Growing Tighter Around The Flames.
Chika, Already Looking Too Pleased With Herself, Produced An Empty Bottle She Must Have Snatched From Dinner. "Perfect. We'll Spin This."
Groans And Cheers Rose At The Same Time As She Set It On The Ground.
The First Spin Landed On Vicky, Who Smirked Like He'd Been Waiting For This. "Truth."
Chika Leaned Forward. "Okay… Who In This Class Annoys You The Most?"
The Circle Erupted.
"Oh, That's Evil."
"Careful, You Still Have To Survive Tomorrow."
"Say My Name And You're Dead."
Vicky Pretended To Think, Hand On His Chin. "Hmm… Probably Mahito."
The Circle Broke Into Laughter As Mahito Gasped, Clutching His Chest. "Betrayal! After All We've Been Through?"
"You Snore Loud Enough To Shake The Dorms," Vicky Said Simply, Which Made Even The Teachers Chuckle Under Their Breath.
The Bottle Spun Again. This Time, It Landed On Miyu.
The Circle Fell Quiet, A Different Kind Of Anticipation Hanging In The Air. Miyu Tilted Her Head, Calm As Always. "Truth."
Chika's Smile Turned Mischievous. "Do You… Have A Crush On Anyone Right Now?"
The Circle Exploded Again.
"Ahhh, Straight To The Heart!"
"Chika, You're Too Bold!"
"Come On, Miyu, Answer Honestly!"
Miyu's Expression Didn't Break, Though Her Fingers Lightly Touched The Hem Of Her Sleeve. She Looked Toward The Fire Instead Of The Faces Around Her. "…I Think Everyone Has Someone They Admire."
The Response Was Smooth, Careful, But It Made The Circle Buzz Louder Than Any Clear Answer Would Have.
Ren, Sitting Just Across The Flames, Didn't Realize He Was Holding His Breath Until He Let It Out Slowly.
"Boooo, That's Not A Real Answer!" Mahito Yelled, Pointing Dramatically.
But The Game Moved On.
The Bottle Turned, The Fire Kept Cracking, And One By One, Students Were Pulled Into The Mess Of Truths And Dares. Some Were Funny—Like A First Year Made To Sing A Love Song To A Rock. Some Were Chaotic—Like Kaito Having To Do Ten Push-Ups In The Middle Of The Circle.
Every Time, Laughter Rose, Spilling Into The Night Until Even The Teachers At The Edge Shook Their Heads But Didn't Interfere.
And All The While, The Flames Kept Glowing, Drawing Everyone A Little Closer Together.
—
The Bottle Wobbled On The Ground, The Firelight Catching Its Surface As Everyone Leaned In To See Where It Would Land Next.
It Stopped On Kaito.
"Truth Or Dare?" Chika Asked Immediately, Grinning Wide.
"Dare," Kaito Said Without Hesitation.
The Circle Howled At His Confidence.
Chika Thought For A Second, Then Pointed At The Fire. "Alright, Stand Up And… Shout The Name Of Your First Crush To Everyone Here."
The Reaction Was Instant—Cheers, Claps, Gasps.
Kaito Sat Back, Face Frozen. "…That's Illegal."
"Too Late. You Said Dare," Mahito Teased, Elbowing Him.
Groaning Loudly, Kaito Finally Stood. His Face Was Bright Red, But He Cupped His Hands Around His Mouth And Yelled, "AIKO FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL!"
The Circle Collapsed In Laughter, Some Students Falling Over Onto The Grass.
"WHO'S AIKO?"
"IS SHE REAL?"
"ARE YOU STILL IN LOVE?"
"Shut Up!" Kaito Yelled, Dropping Back Onto The Ground. His Face Stayed Buried In His Hands For A Full Minute While Chika Laughed So Hard She Could Barely Breathe.
The Bottle Spun Again.
This Time It Stopped On Mahito.
"Truth," He Said Quickly, Already Nervous.
"Okay…" Vicky Leaned Forward, His Voice Too Calm To Be Safe. "If You Had To Be Trapped On A Deserted Island With Just One Of Us Here, Who Would You Pick?"
Mahito Groaned, Falling Back Dramatically Onto The Grass. "Why Do You Hate Me?"
"Answer!" Everyone Chanted.
After Way Too Long, He Pointed Reluctantly At Ren. "…Fine. Ren. Because At Least He Won't Annoy Me To Death Before We Find Coconuts."
The Group Exploded Again.
Ren Blinked Slowly, Not Expecting To Be Dragged Into It. "…I Didn't Sign Up For That."
"See?" Mahito Sat Up, Looking Triumphant. "That's Exactly Why."
The Bottle Turned Again, Spinning Wildly Before Slowing To A Stop—Pointing At Ren.
The Circle Immediately Roared, Voices Overlapping:
"Truth Or Dare, Ren?!"
"Don't Be A Coward!"
"Pick Dare!"
"No, Pick Truth! We'll Find Out Something Juicy!"
Ren Sat Still, The Fire's Crackle Filling The Few Seconds He Took Before Answering. "…Truth."
The Circle Booed, But Everyone Leaned In Closer.
Chika Was The Fastest. "Do You… Have Someone You Like Right Now?"
The Circle Burst Into Shouts Again, Some People Beating The Grass With Their Hands, Others Already Chanting "Answer! Answer!"
Ren Looked At The Flames, Letting The Noise Wash Over Him. His Expression Didn't Change, But His Fingers Loosened Around His Knee As He Spoke Quietly. "…I Think Feelings Like That Are… Complicated."
It Wasn't A No. It Wasn't A Yes Either. But It Was Enough To Make The Circle Scream Louder Than Before.
Kaito Fell Over Laughing. "You're Worse Than Miyu! That's Not An Answer!"
Ren Didn't Reply, Only Let The Noise Cover Him Like A Shield. But Across The Fire, For Just A Breath, Miyu's Eyes Met His Again—Steady This Time, Not Slipping Away.
The Bottle Kept Spinning.
This Time, It Landed On Chika.
She Smirked, Clearly Unbothered. "Dare."
Mahito Grinned Wickedly. "Okay… I Dare You To Tell Us The Name Of The Person You Think Is The Most Attractive Here."
The Circle Roared Even Louder Than Before, Some Students Actually Standing Up To Clap.
Chika Rested Her Chin On Her Hand, Pretending To Think. "Hmm… Easy. Miyu."
Miyu Nearly Choked, While The Circle Howled.
"CONFESSION!"
"OH MY GOD!"
"BEST FRIENDS TO SOMETHING MORE?"
Chika Just Laughed, Throwing An Arm Around Miyu's Shoulders. "What? She's Gorgeous. All Of You Were Too Afraid To Say It."
The Circle's Energy Kept Building, The Fire Burning Higher As The Game Rolled On, Each Round Pulling More Laughter, More Teasing, More Chaos.
To Be Continued....