Takumi was shown around the dorm by Lyss. She walked him to the front desk in the living room, where they are permitted to use the computer for schoolwork. She also showed him a small garden on the roof where most of the light had been and a kitchen that was open to everyone at any time.
"And your room is right here." She gave him an explanation and led him to the door leading to the other bedrooms on the second floor.
After being shown the room he would be staying in, Takumi opened the door. With one hand in his pocket and the other gripping the door, he stood at the door, holding it.
Takumi remarked, "The room is actually fairly comfortable," as he moved deeper inside and took in everything. "There are large windows and a balcony, and from here you can see practically the entire city." He studied the arrangement as he moved carefully across the room. A laptop was ready to use on a spotless desk, and a well-made bed rested against one wall. There was a private shower area behind a sliding door, and the wardrobe was next to a full-length mirror.
It was far more thorough than he had anticipated, and it was modern and easy. Lyss watched his response, leaning lightly against the wall. She remarked nonchalantly, "Yes, the dorm has one of the better views over Kurahama." To be honest, though, the view is merely an added bonus. What makes it worthwhile is the city itself.
She started to count with her fingers. Seirinkan Park offered a peaceful setting, while Tōrō-dōri offered night markets and food vendors, Minato Avenue offered retail, and Sorakake District catered to those who wanted rooftop cafés. There were also respectable clubs close to Mikazuki Pier, not the cacophonous tourist traps. She gave a small shrug.
"From a distance, Kurahama doesn't appear particularly dazzling, but once you're there, there's always somewhere to go."
After giving her a quick glance, Takumi quietly exhaled and stroked the back of his neck. "Thank you for the suggestions. I'll most likely visit those locations in the future. But I need a vacation right now. Since coming to the Vanguard Institute, I haven't taken a good shower, and I would much rather take one without something ripping through the roof.
Lyss nodded slightly, comprehending without making fun of him. "That's reasonable. Feel free to unwind. Timotheo and I will be downstairs, acting as though we are studying." She looked at him knowingly, faintly. "You shouldn't worry about tests just yet. You have considerable leeway because you transferred in the middle of the year. We don't. She moved in the direction of the door.
"When you're ready, come down, okay?"
Takumi closed the door behind him and took a slow look around the room he would now be living in for the remainder of the academic year at the Vanguard Institute.
He set the issued sports bag down on the freshly made bed and unzipped it, sorting through its contents. "At least they provided the essentials," he muttered, lifting a neatly folded set of uniform clothes. "Still… none of this is actually mine." He exhaled quietly. "I'll manage for now."
After pulling out a change of clothes and a towel, he headed into the shower room and turned the water on. Steam quickly filled the space as warm water ran over him, washing away the lingering salt, dust, and residue from the day.
With everything that had happened since arriving at the Institute, he allowed himself more time than usual. He stood beneath the stream longer than necessary, methodical and deliberate, as if scrubbing away more than just physical strain. For the first time since the chaos began, he let himself slow down—if only for a little while.
Takumi changed into his sleepwear—a simple white t-shirt and patterned lounge pants—before heading downstairs to find Lyss and Timotheo seated at the dining table with books spread between them.
"I still can't believe I had to quit mid-match because of Cinder," Timotheo grumbled, resting his cheek in his palm while staring at a problem set. "I was winning, too."
Lyss didn't look up from her notes. "You really thought she wouldn't notice? You basically announced it to the entire dorm." She turned a page quickly. "I was planning to study in my room with music tonight, but you just had to provoke her."
Her eyes skimmed the page with surprising speed before she noticed Takumi approaching.
"Oh, you're done showering," she said, a bit more relaxed now. "Want to sit with us?"
He nodded and took a seat at the edge of the table where he could see both of them.
Timotheo adjusted his glasses, wiping the lenses with a tissue before sliding them back into place. "I'm actually surprised," he said, glancing at Takumi. "Not many people choose to live out here in Kurahama. Most students stick to campus housing—or they don't enroll at all."
Takumi met his gaze, expression composed as ever. "Are they really that hesitant to live outside the Institute?"
Timotheo nodded without hesitation. "Most of them are. Campus is safer. High-ranking Vanguards and most professors live near the Institute. More security, more oversight." He shrugged. "But here, you don't get that same safety net."
"That still doesn't sit right with me," Takumi said, voice calm but edged with disbelief. "You've got students with stronger resonance than ordinary people, and they spend their time hiding behind desks and teachers like the world can't reach them. What kind of life is that supposed to be?"
Timotheo's face brightened like Takumi had just spoken his exact thoughts. "See? That's what I'm saying," he replied, flipping a page with a sharp little flick. "And yeah, I'll admit it, I'm not some perfect control freak either. My resonance acts up. But hiding behind staff every time something gets ugly?" He shook his head. "Nah. That kind of living makes me feel gross. Like you're just… waiting. It gets old fast."
He glanced up at Takumi, more serious now. "So what about you? You didn't enroll here for fun. What's your reason?"
Takumi didn't dodge it. "I want to understand what we're dealing with," he said. "But more than that, I'm trying to find anything I can about my father. He disappeared, and the story I was given never felt complete."
Lyss and Timotheo exchanged a quick look after that, the weight of it landing between them.
"That's definitely a reason," Lyss said carefully. Then she studied Takumi's face, like she was trying to gauge how far he'd actually go. "But… are you sure this place can give you what you're looking for?"
Takumi gave a small shrug, like the uncertainty didn't bother him as much as it probably should have. "If I'm being honest, I don't know," he said. "But I do know I'm not backing off now. Once I set my mind on something, that's it. I don't just drop it because it gets complicated."
Lyss pushed back from her chair and stood, the movement sharp enough to pull both of their attention. "I get it, Takumi. We literally just met," she said, then softened her tone a little. "But I'm still willing to help. The more time we spend around each other, the more we'll figure out about this place and about ourselves."
Takumi leaned back slightly, watching her with cautious eyes. "I'm not really the type to lean on other people," he admitted.
Lyss shot him a look, mildly annoyed. "Good, because nobody said you have to," she replied. "That doesn't mean we can't have your back when things get messy."
Timotheo let out a long sigh, rubbing his forehead like he'd already seen this argument coming. "Lyss, tone it down," he said, throwing her a tired side-eye. "You're gonna scare the new guy off with the bite-first attitude. We're not trying to turn his first night here into a disaster."
"It's fine," Takumi said with a small nod as he stood up as well. "Nice meeting you both, but I'm calling it a night. I haven't slept properly in a while, and I need to get some energy back. Good night."
He headed for the stairs with his hands in his pockets, then lifted a casual wave over his shoulder, a faint smile tugging at his mouth as he disappeared upstairs.
"Yeah, that's probably smart," Lyss called after him. "We'll talk tomorrow. Same start time for all of us."
Once he was out of sight, she dropped back into her seat across from Timotheo and let out a long yawn, rubbing at her neck like the fatigue had finally caught up.
"Man… studying this late is brutal," she muttered. "My back's about to file a complaint."
To be continued...