Morning arrived far sooner than anyone wanted.
Gamma Squad gathered outside their dormitory dressed in their formal Academy uniforms.
The excitement surrounding the tournament still hadn't faded.
Cadets filled the walkways, all heading toward the Academy's Grand Assembly Hall where the Awards Ceremony would officially conclude the year's tournament.
June adjusted his jacket proudly.
"I look distinguished."
Lucian glanced sideways.
"You look like you got dressed in the dark."
"I'll have you know this is natural style."
"It's naturally crooked."
"I hate all of you."
"You say that every day," Mira replied.
"And yet you keep us around."
June sighed dramatically.
"Because I'm a generous person."
David laughed as they started toward the Assembly Hall together.
Hundreds of cadets were already gathering outside the massive entrance.
Faculty members directed students into organized rows while academy drones hovered quietly overhead recording the ceremony.
David looked up at the enormous academy banners hanging from the building.
"...Feels strange."
Nyra glanced over.
"Nervous?"
"A little."
"You'll be fine."
"I hope so."
"You will."
She looked at him for another second.
Then frowned.
"...Seriously?"
David smiled.
"...What now?"
Without another word she stepped in front of him.
Her hands reached up.
She straightened the collar of his dress uniform with practiced ease.
David laughed.
"I checked it before we left."
"Clearly."
"I even used a mirror."
"It lied."
She smoothed the fabric near his shoulders before giving one final satisfied nod.
"There."
"Now you're ready."
David looked down at himself.
"...You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
Behind them...
June slowly folded his arms.
A grin spread across his face.
"I KNEW IT."
Everyone turned.
He pointed triumphantly at David.
"She did it again!"
Nyra blinked.
"...Did what?"
"The collar!"
"You fixed his collar!"
Again!
Nyra looked down at David's uniform as though seeing it for the first time.
"...I..."
"...I guess I did."
June pointed dramatically toward Lucian.
"I told you!"
Lucian shook his head with a sigh.
"I never argued."
"You doubted my investigative abilities."
"I doubted your ability to stop talking."
Mira smiled softly.
"It really has become a habit."
David rubbed the back of his neck.
"...I honestly never notice until she does it."
Nyra smiled.
"I know."
Castiel watched the exchange quietly.
A faint smile appeared for only a heartbeat.
"...It's efficient."
June threw both hands into the air.
"Efficient?"
"That's your contribution?"
Castiel nodded once.
"Yes."
June groaned.
"I am surrounded by emotionally unavailable people."
Lucian looked at David.
"He's not entirely wrong."
David laughed.
"No..."
"...he isn't."
The great doors of the Assembly Hall began to open.
An academy officer stepped forward.
"Cadets."
"The Awards Ceremony will begin in five minutes."
"Please proceed inside."
The conversations around them slowly faded.
David took one slow breath.
Nyra noticed.
She smiled reassuringly.
"You've got this."
David smiled back.
"...Thanks."
Together...
Gamma Squad crossed the threshold into the Grand Assembly Hall.
None of them knew...
That it would be the last ceremony they would ever attend together.