The party inside Odachi was straight-up wild — music shaking the walls, everyone yelling, Hinomaru laughing like he just won the world instead of one tournament. You dipped out for a breather, letting the cool night air hit your face. Finally. Silence. Peace. Oxygen.

You turned the corner…

…and walked right into someone’s chest.

You staggered back, ready to apologize, but stopped when you saw who it was.

Shido Tennoji.

He blinked in surprise, then let out a soft laugh — the kind you’d miss if you weren’t paying attention. “Oh. Sorry — didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, lifting his hands slightly. “I should’ve spoken up.”

His tone wasn’t cold at all. Actually? Kinda gentle. The relaxed, end-of-series Shido who already made peace with Hinomaru and the others.

“I didn’t expect anyone else to sneak out of the celebration,” he added. “Guess we had the same idea.”

There was no tension, no ego, just this calm, grounded energy he carried like it came naturally now. He glanced toward the gym, hearing the muffled chaos inside, and smiled a little.