The Bottle Spun Again, Circling On The Grass, Firelight Catching Its Edges Until It Slowed—And Landed On A First Year.
The Younger Boy Sat Up Straight, Face Already Red Before The Question Even Came.
"Truth Or Dare?" Someone From His Team Shouted.
"…Truth," He Mumbled.
Kaito Leaned In Like A Shark Smelling Blood. "Do You Have A Crush On Someone In Our Class?"
The Circle Went Wild.
The First Year Looked Like He Wanted The Ground To Swallow Him Whole. His Fingers Pulled At The Hem Of His Shirt Before He Finally Blurted Out, "…Yes."
The Roar That Followed Nearly Drowned Out The Fire's Crackle.
"WHO?"
"TELL US!"
"COME ON, WE WON'T BITE!"
He Shook His Head Rapidly, Refusing To Speak Another Word. But His Friends Pushed Him Around, Pointing At Random Upperclassmen And Teasing Until The Poor Boy Covered His Face.
Miyu, Watching Quietly Beside Chika, Felt The Warmth In His Hesitation. It Wasn't Embarrassment Alone—It Was That The Feeling Itself Was Too Real To Throw Out As A Joke. She Understood That, More Than She'd Admit Out Loud.
The Bottle Spun Again, Breaking The Moment.
This Time, It Pointed At Vicky.
"Dare," He Said Boldly.
Mahito's Smile Spread Dangerously. "I Dare You To… Confess To Someone Right Now. Doesn't Matter If It's Real Or Fake."
The Circle Exploded In Cheers.
Vicky Didn't Even Blink. He Stood Up, Turned To Mahito, And With A Completely Straight Face, Said, "Mahito, You're The Only One For Me."
Mahito Screamed Loud Enough To Startle The Teachers At The Edge. He Shoved Vicky Away, But The Circle Was Already Dying Of Laughter. Some Fell Onto The Grass, Others Banged Their Hands On The Ground As Vicky Calmly Sat Down Again, Smug As Ever.
Ren Actually Smiled At That One, The Firelight Catching The Curve Briefly Before It Faded Back Into His Quiet.
The Bottle Turned Again.
It Landed On Miyu.
The Circle Fell Silent With Anticipation.
She Tilted Her Head. "…Truth."
Everyone Leaned Closer, Too Eager.
This Time, It Was A Second Year Who Asked, Voice Loud And Clear. "If You Had To Choose… Who In This Camp Do You Trust The Most?"
The Circle Gasped And Whispered Among Themselves. It Wasn't A Joke Question. It Wasn't About A Crush Or A Silly Dare.
Miyu's Fingers Rested Lightly Against Her Sleeve Again. She Didn't Look Around—Not At The Faces Watching Her, Not At The Fire. She Spoke Softly Instead. "…Trust Is Something You Don't Say Lightly. But… There Are A Few People I Can Rely On. Even In Silence."
Her Words Were Careful, But They Hung In The Air Longer Than Any Other Answer That Night.
Ren's Hand Tightened Around His Knee, His Eyes On The Flames.
The Circle Murmured Restlessly, Wanting More, But Miyu Didn't Offer Anything Else.
The Bottle Spun Again, Breaking The Stillness.
This Time, It Pointed Back To Ren.
The Circle Howled Instantly.
"YES! HIS TURN AGAIN!"
"NO ESCAPING NOW!"
"DARE! DARE! DARE!"
Ren Lifted His Eyes, The Fire's Glow Sharp In Them. "…Dare."
The Circle Erupted Into Cheers, Even The Teachers Shaking Their Heads At The Noise.
Chika Didn't Waste A Second. "Okay, Ren. I Dare You To… Tell A Joke. Right Here. Right Now."
The Group Exploded Into Shouts, Some Clapping, Some Already Leaning Forward.
Ren Sat Still For A Moment, Then Spoke Quietly. "…Why Did Mahito Bring A Marshmallow To The Fire?"
Mahito Froze. "…Why?"
Ren Looked Straight At Him. "…Because It's The Only Thing That's Sweeter Than Him."
The Circle Fell Apart.
People Screamed, Some Rolled On The Grass, And Mahito Actually Covered His Face, Shouting "STOP!" While Vicky Laughed So Hard He Couldn't Sit Upright.
Even Chika Wiped Tears From Her Eyes, Wheezing. "I Did Not Expect That From You!"
And For A Split Second, Across The Fire, Miyu's Laugh Broke Free—Clear, Warm, Unrestrained. It Faded Quickly Back Into Her Composure, But Ren Heard It, Felt It, Like The Flame Had Burned Brighter Just For Him.
The Bottle Was Already Spinning Again.
—
The Bottle Kept Spinning, Each Turn Pulling The Circle Into Louder, Wilder Laughter. The Fire Popped And Crackled Like It Was Keeping Rhythm.
After Ren's "marshmallow" joke, The Energy Was Impossible To Calm. Even The Teachers Watching From A Distance Seemed To Accept That This Game Would Burn Itself Out On Its Own.
The Bottle Slowed, Pointing At Chika.
"DARE! DARE! DARE!" Everyone Chanted.
Chika Grinned Fearlessly. "Fine. Dare."
A Second Year Grinned Wickedly. "I Dare You To… Sing A Love Song Loud Enough For Everyone To Hear."
The Circle Howled. Someone Even Whistled.
Without Hesitation, Chika Shot To Her Feet And Belted Out A Ridiculous, Overly Dramatic Serenade—Complete With Hand Gestures Toward Kaito, Who Nearly Choked On His Own Breath.
"Kaito—My Eternal Moonlight!" She Sang At Him, Eyes Shining Like A Performer On Stage.
The Circle Collapsed Into Absolute Chaos. Kaito Tried To Hide Behind Ren, But That Only Made Chika Louder. Even The Teachers Were Laughing By Now.
The Bottle Was Spun Again, And This Time, It Pointed At Mahito.
His Face Dropped. "No. I Refuse. Whatever You're Thinking—No."
"Truth Or Dare?" The Crowd Shouted.
"…Truth."
"Coward!" Vicky Shouted Instantly.
The Question Came Fast: "Is It True You Once Got Rejected In The First Year For Writing A Poem?"
Mahito's Eyes Went Wide. "WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!"
The Circle Exploded. Mahito Covered His Face, Groaning Into His Hands While Vicky Nearly Died Laughing Beside Him.
Ren Smiled Again, Quietly, Just For Himself.
The Bottle Spun And Landed On Miyu.
The Circle Immediately Leaned In, Hungry For Another Round.
"…Dare," She Said This Time, Voice Even.
The Circle Roared.
Someone From The First Year Group Shouted, "I Dare You To—Say Something You've Never Said Out Loud Before."
The Circle Fell Quiet At That.
Miyu's Eyes Flickered To The Fire, Its Glow Dancing Over Her Composed Expression. She Waited, As If Sorting Through Words She'd Rather Keep Hidden. Then She Said, Calmly:
"…Sometimes, Being Perfect Is Tiring."
Her Voice Was Low But Clear. The Circle Grew Quiet For A Beat Too Long—Long Enough That Even The Crackle Of The Fire Felt Louder.
Then Someone Broke It With A Cheer, And The Laughter Returned, Sweeping The Weight Away.
Ren's Eyes Stayed On The Flames. His Fingers Curled Tight Against His Knee.
The Bottle Spun Again.
This Time, It Landed On Kaito.
"Dare!" He Shouted Before Anyone Could Ask.
Chika's Voice Rang Out, Full Of Mischief. "I Dare You To Run Around The Entire Campfire Shouting That You're Afraid Of The Dark!"
Kaito Stared At Her In Horror. "…No."
But The Circle Was Already Screaming His Name. With No Escape, He Finally Shot Up And Did Exactly That—Sprinting In Wild Circles, Yelling At The Top Of His Lungs, "I'M TERRIFIED OF THE DARK!"
Everyone Collapsed Again. Even Miyu Let Her Hand Cover Her Smile.
When Kaito Flopped Back Onto The Grass, Out Of Breath And Red-Faced, The Bottle Was Spun Again.
And It Landed Back On Ren.
The Circle Roared. "HIS TURN AGAIN!"
"Truth Or Dare?"
Ren Looked At The Fire, Then Said Softly. "…Dare."
The Class Erupted, Voices Overlapping, Before One Brave Soul From The Second Year Group Shouted Above Them All: "I Dare You… To Whisper Something Only To The Person Sitting Closest To You!"
The Circle Screamed, Anticipating Some Juicy Gossip.
Ren's Gaze Shifted Slightly. The Closest Person Sitting Beside Him Was Kaito—Still Wheezing From His Sprint.
The Crowd Leaned Forward.
Ren Leaned Toward Kaito And Whispered Something Low Enough That No One Else Could Catch.
Kaito Froze For Half A Second, Then Burst Out Laughing So Hard He Fell Onto The Grass Again.
"WHAT DID HE SAY?!"
"TELL US!"
Kaito Just Shook His Head, Still Laughing, Refusing To Reveal It. The Mystery Made Everyone Even Wilder.
And For The First Time, Ren's Expression Softened Into A Real Smile, Small But Clear Against The Firelight.
The Bottle Was Spun Again.
—
The Firelight Flickered Against Their Faces As The Bottle Slowed To A Stop In Front Of Ren.
Kaito Had Already Been Grinning, Ready To Throw Something At Him, When The Dare Was Called: "Whisper Something To The Person Beside You."
Ren Leaned Over. His Expression Didn't Change, His Voice Just Low Enough For Kaito To Catch.
"…If You Don't Shut Up Soon, I'll Dare You To Confess Your Love To A Tree."
For A Second, Kaito Froze. Then His Stomach Knotted Up With Laughter So Bad He Nearly Fell Over Into The Dirt. He Had To Clamp Both Hands Over His Mouth To Keep The Words From Escaping. Just Thinking Of Himself Hugging A Tree In Front Of Everyone—All Because Of Ren's Cold, Straight-Faced Threat—Was Enough To Break Him.
'This Guy—' Kaito Thought, Eyes Watering As He Tried To Breathe. 'He's Too Dangerous When He Actually Talks.'
—
The Game Slowly Wound Down After That. Dares And Laughter Faded Into Exhausted Giggles. The Students Sat Back, Some Leaning Against The Grass, Others Wiping Tears From Their Eyes. The Fire Crackled Softly, Casting A Warm Glow Over Everyone.
Finally, The Teacher Stepped Forward, Smiling And Clapping Her Hands To Gather Attention. "Alright, That's Enough For Tonight. Everyone Should Get Some Rest—We Have A Full Day Tomorrow. It's The Last Day Of The Trip, And We'll Be Leaving Early To Return Home, So Make Sure You're Packed And Ready By Breakfast."
A Murmur Ran Through The Group. Some Students Groaned, Knowing The Last Morning Would Be Rushed. Others Sat Quietly, Absorbing The Soft Glow Of The Fire, Reluctant To Leave The Comfort Of The Night And The Warmth Of Their Friends' Laughter.
"Remember," The Teacher Continued, "Check Your Rooms For Belongings, And Make Sure You Leave Nothing Behind. Breakfast Will Be Served A Little Earlier Than Usual, And The Buses Will Leave Promptly."
Chika Groaned Dramatically, Throwing Herself Back Against The Grass. "Already? Can't We Just Stay Here Forever?"
Vicky Snorted, Kicking At A Small Stone. "Yeah, Forever Sounds Nice Until You Realize We Have To Carry All Our Bags Back."
Kaito Shook His Head, Still Laughing. "I Don't Even Want To Think About Who's Going To Trip Over Their Own Socks First."
Mahito Let Out A Soft, Mock-Serious Sigh. "We've Already Survived This Week. Surely, We Can Survive One Last Morning."
Ren Sat Quietly, Watching Everyone. The Firelight Flickered Across Their Faces, Warm And Soft. He Could See The Relief And Fatigue Mixed With Quiet Happiness—The Kind That Comes From Shared Moments, Laughter, And A Week That Somehow Felt Both Long And Too Short.
Miyu Sat Nearby, Pulling Her Jacket Slightly Tighter Around Her. She Exhaled Softly, Smiling Faintly To Herself. "Tomorrow Will Be Early," She Murmured, Half-To Herself, Half-To Ren.
Ren Glanced At Her, And Though They Didn't Speak Loudly, Their Shared Smile Said Everything: That This Week, These Moments, Would Stay With Them. That They'd Survive Tomorrow Together Too—Just In Their Own Quiet Way.
The Students Slowly Got To Their Feet, Stretching And Gathering Their Belongings. The Fire Crackled One Last Time, Sending A Few Sparks Into The Night Sky, Like Tiny Stars Fading Into Darkness.
The Teacher Took A Step Back, Nodding. "Good Night, Everyone. Let's Make Sure Tomorrow Morning Goes Smoothly. Get Some Rest."
With That, The Group Began To Head Toward Their Dorms, Talking Softly, Joking Quietly, The Chaos Of Earlier Now Softened Into Warm, Exhausted Camaraderie.
And As They Walked, Ren And Miyu Traveled Side By Side, Just A Step Apart, Sharing Quiet Words And Smiles—Moments That Didn't Need To Be Loud To Be Important.
The Night Held Them In Its Calm, Promising That Tomorrow, Even With The Early Departure, Would Be Another Layer Added To Their Week Of Memories.
— × —
To Be Continued....