The third morning dawned softer than the days before. The air held a calm stillness, and the sunlight scattered through the leaves, painting golden patches across the campsite. Birds sang faintly, and the embers of last night's campfire smoldered, releasing the last traces of smoke into the air.
Reina stood once more at the front of the students, clipboard in hand. But this time, her expression wasn't the severe, commanding one from the first day. Instead, she looked a little tired, a little gentler, and perhaps a little more… human.
"Today is our final day," she announced, her voice steady but calm. "There is nothing left but to clean up. Pack everything, gather your trash, and make sure the fire is completely out. I don't want a single trace left behind."
She paused, letting her gaze sweep over them. The students, for once, didn't look nervous — they looked attentive, almost eager.
"After that," she continued, "stretching exercises. Then we'll wait for the bus to pick us up. That's all."
It was almost anticlimactic. Reina gave no rousing speech, no stern warning. She simply gave a small nod and stepped to the side, tucking her clipboard under her arm.
Arisa, already sipping from her canteen, tilted her head as Reina joined her. "No long-winded lecture today, huh?"
Reina exhaled slowly, sitting down beside her. "They've endured enough. Efficiency is enough for today."
Arisa grinned, nudging her shoulder. "You're going soft."
"Hardly," Reina muttered, though her eyes softened as she watched the students beginning to shuffle about.
Sei Takes Over
"Alright!" Sei's voice boomed, drawing all eyes toward him. He stood with his arms crossed, his expression sharp. "You heard Reina. Now move! Boys, you're with me. Start taking down tents. Girls, help with sorting and packing, unless you want to lift poles — then come join us too. Don't think you're getting off easy."
The boys groaned but obeyed, dragging their feet toward the tents. Sei barked at them again, his voice cracking like a whip.
"Move like men, not children! I don't want excuses, I want results!"
The first-years flinched, scrambling to move faster. Some of them muttered complaints under their breath, but Sei's glare silenced them quickly. His energy was different from Reina's cold precision. Sei radiated a firm, reasonable authority — tough, but undeniably motivating.
"Lift with your legs, not your backs! I said legs, not your arms—do you want to cripple yourself?!"
A few of the boys exchanged annoyed glances but adjusted their stance. Some of the girls giggled at their expense, though a handful rolled up their sleeves and joined in, proving themselves capable.
Sei smirked at that. "Good. That's how you show strength. Remember, survival isn't just brains — it's effort."
Arisa watched with amusement, sipping her water. "You'd make a good drill sergeant."
"Better than you, bug queen," Sei shot back without missing a beat.
Arisa laughed. "True, true."
Reina Walks Away
As the campsite buzzed with energy, Reina sighed softly and stood. She wasn't needed here — Sei had everything under control.
"I'll… take a walk," she murmured.
Arisa noticed but didn't comment, only giving her a small wave. "Don't get lost, Commander."
Reina rolled her eyes faintly and turned, walking down the narrow path that led deeper into the woods. Her steps were quiet, her long white hair swaying like silk in the morning light.
Some of the girls noticed her leaving. Whispers began to spread.
"Is she… going somewhere?"
"Where's she headed?"
"Should we follow?"
Curiosity sparked. One by one, a few of the girls stood and quietly trailed behind her, keeping their distance but unwilling to let the opportunity pass. After all, Reina was practically a celebrity — untouchable, admired, intimidating. To see her outside of the strict leader role was a chance they couldn't resist.
Himari, biting her lip nervously, eventually joined too, jogging softly to catch up.
At the Lake
The trees thinned, and the faint shimmer of water came into view. The lake stretched wide and still, its surface reflecting the sky like polished glass. Reina stopped at the edge, her gaze softening.
Without hesitation, she slipped off her jacket, then her outer clothes, revealing a simple, pale swimsuit beneath. She dipped a foot into the water, then slowly stepped in, letting the cool ripples wash over her.
The students who had followed her froze behind the trees, eyes wide.
"She's… swimming?" one whispered.
"By herself?"
But before they could debate further, Reina's voice called out, low but firm.
"You can come out now."
The girls gasped. Sheepishly, they stepped from their hiding spots, caught red-handed.
One of them, pouting, crossed her arms. "You didn't invite us, Reina-san…"
Reina blinked, caught off guard. "…Invite you?"
"Yes! If you were going to the lake, you should've told us. It's not fair you keep everything to yourself."
Reina stared at them, her lips parting as if to argue. But the pout on their faces, the faint sparkle of excitement in their eyes… it disarmed her.
She sighed, shoulders slumping. "…Fine. Do as you like."
A cheer erupted among the girls. Within minutes, they shed their shoes and outer layers, splashing into the water with unrestrained joy. Himari, more hesitant, dipped in slowly, her cheeks pink.
The scene transformed. The quiet, still lake was suddenly filled with laughter, splashes, and playful shouts. The girls swam, raced each other, dunked one another under the water.
Reina, at first distant, found herself surrounded. A student splashed her, earning a sharp glare, but when they giggled nervously, she sighed and splashed back lightly. That single act broke the wall — soon she was pulled into their games, chased through the water, her icy demeanor melting away.
Himari swam beside her, smiling brightly. "Reina-san… I'm glad you let us join."
Reina looked at her, then at the group around her, all laughing and carefree. Her lips curved ever so slightly. "…So am I."
For that hour, the lake wasn't just a lake. It was a sanctuary.
Return to Camp
By the time they returned, hair damp and clothes clinging to them, the boys had nearly finished packing up the campsite under Sei's command.
"Where were you all—" Sei began, then stopped, narrowing his eyes at Reina, who walked calmly at the front of the group of girls. Her wet hair gleamed like silver, her expression serene.
"…Never mind," he muttered, shaking his head.
Arisa smirked knowingly. "Lake?"
Reina didn't answer, only gave her a cool glance.
The girls, however, couldn't stop chattering. "It was amazing!" "Reina-san swims so gracefully—like a goddess!" "She even splashed us!"
The boys groaned, half-jealous, half-frustrated.
"Unfair… why do the girls get all the special moments?"
"Because you'd drown," Sei retorted flatly, silencing them instantly.
Reina ignored the fuss and went straight to work, clipboard in hand, checking over the packed supplies. Finally, she stood at the front once more, calling names one by one.
"All present," she confirmed after the last reply. "Board the bus. We return."
The Ride Home
The bus rumbled along the winding road back toward the city. Students slumped in their seats, exhausted but happy, their voices buzzing with stories and laughter.
Arisa leaned against the window, humming. "That was fun. I think the kids will remember this camp for the rest of their lives."
Sei crossed his arms, smirking. "They'd better. It's not every year they get babysat by three geniuses."
Reina sat quietly near the back, clipboard closed, her head resting lightly against the glass. She listened to the laughter, the chatter, the carefree noise that filled the bus. For once, it didn't annoy her.
Her chest tightened faintly, but it wasn't unpleasant.
Himari, sitting nearby, peeked at her shyly. "Reina-san… thank you. For everything."
Reina turned, blinking. "…For what?"
"For working so hard. For caring about us, even if you don't say it out loud."
Reina's lips parted, but words didn't come. Instead, she looked away, her cheeks faintly pink.
"…You're mistaken," she said softly. "I only did what was necessary."
But her reflection in the window showed something else — the faintest smile tugging at her lips.
The camp had ended, but something new had begun.