Part 6: Something Begins
The noise of the arena slowly faded as people began leaving their seats. Conversations overlapped, some excited, some bitter, some still trying to process what had just happened.
The stage lights dimmed slightly.
Students moved in groups, some rushing ahead, others lingering behind.
Among them—
Haruto, Ayame, Kaito, and Akari stepped out into the open pathway leading away from the arena.
The evening air was cooler.
Quieter.
A soft contrast to the tension inside.
Kaito stretched his arms as he walked.
"…Man, that took forever."
Akari glanced at him from the side.
"You were talking the whole time. Of course it felt long."
Kaito scoffed.
"Talking is important. It keeps the energy up."
Ayame gave a small, tired smile.
"…You were the only one with energy."
Kaito grinned.
"Exactly."
Haruto walked slightly ahead of them, hands in his pockets, eyes forward.
Silent.
Akari noticed.
"…You didn't say anything after the ceremony."
Haruto didn't turn.
"…Nothing to say."
Kaito immediately reacted.
"Nothing to say? You got second place."
A pause.
"…And?" Haruto replied.
Kaito blinked.
"…And? That's it?"
Ayame looked at Haruto quietly.
"…You're not happy?"
Haruto's steps didn't slow.
"…It's fine."
Not excited.
Not disappointed.
Just… flat.
Kaito frowned slightly.
"…You're weird."
Akari sighed softly.
"…He's just tired."
That ended it—for now.
They continued walking.
Streetlights flickered on one by one as they moved further from the arena. The sounds of the crowd faded completely, replaced by the quiet rhythm of their footsteps.
After a few moments, Kaito leaned slightly toward Ayame.
"…Rank one, huh."
Ayame looked at him.
"…Yeah."
"You don't even look happy."
She blinked once.
"…I am."
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
"…That's your happy face?"
A small pause.
"…Maybe."
He stared at her for a second—
then laughed.
"…You're worse than him."
Ayame didn't deny it.
Akari walked between them now, arms loosely folded.
"…You all did well."
Simple.
But firm.
Kaito smiled slightly.
"…Yeah, we did."
Haruto didn't respond.
But his pace slowed just a little—
enough to walk beside them instead of ahead.
They turned into their street.
Familiar.
Calm.
Lights glowing from nearby houses.
Normal.
After everything that had just happened—
this felt distant.
Like it belonged to another world.
Kaito suddenly spoke again.
"…Next time, I'm not losing."
Ayame glanced at him.
"…Then don't."
He smirked.
"…Oh, I won't."
He looked at Haruto.
"…And you—I'm beating you too."
Haruto didn't even look at him.
"…Try."
Kaito clicked his tongue.
"…That's the attitude I hate."
Akari shook her head slightly, a faint smile on her face.
"…Save it for training."
They reached their house.
The door slid open.
Warm light spilled out.
Comfort.
Safety.
For a moment, none of them rushed in.
They just stood there.
Quiet.
Ayame looked at both of them.
Haruto on one side.
Kaito on the other.
A small breath left her.
"…Let's go."
They stepped inside together.
The door closed behind them.
And just like that—
the noise of the world disappeared.
For now—
everything was calm.
Everything was normal.
And none of them—
had any idea how quickly that would change.