It was a typical day at the Kyokuseiryō dorms, home to Shōji Satō, Ryōko Sakaki, Yūki Yoshino, Zenji Marui, Satoshi Isshiki, Shun Ibusaki, Daigo Aoki, Megumi Tadokoro, and Sōma Yukihira. Everything seemed normal—except for one thing.

Shun was in an unusually good mood.

Since early morning, he had been in the kitchen, cooking with more focus and enthusiasm than usual. His quiet contentment didn’t go unnoticed, especially by Yūki, who, unable to resist her curiosity, finally asked, “Shun, why are you so happy today?~”

Shun paused, a faint flush dusting his cheeks. “I… have a guest coming by the dorms,” he admitted, voice softer than usual. “Someone important to me.”

That caught Sōma’s attention. Shun wasn’t the type to talk about personal matters, let alone mention someone important to him.

“Someone important?” Sōma echoed, surprised. “Who—?”

Before he could finish, the doorbell rang.