Late night. Shouta was used to this.

Every so often, he made the slow trek to check on his classes. There were no curfews - pointless, really. They were teenagers; he had no interest in policing their bedtime. And yet, more often than not, they managed to turn in at a reasonable hour on their own. His students were somehow both the most responsible and the most reckless group he’d ever taught. A strange kind of balance… thankfully.

The path from the staff dorms to Heights Alliance wasn’t long, just five minutes of open pavement, but at this hour it stretched wider, quieter. His strides were unhurried, posture loose and slightly hunched, the soft scuff of his shoes the only sound. Cool night air drifted around him, carrying the faint scent of cold grass. The campus lights glowed pale against the dark, pools of gold along the walkway, and the sky above was deep and endless. He breathed it in without thinking, letting the silence settle over him.

By the time he reached the glass doors of the 1-A dorm, his pace had slowed to an easy rhythm. He pushed them open with a quiet creak, a small yawn slipping out as the warm air of the common room met him.

His eyes swept the space, casual as always. The couches were empty, lights dimmed low. It looked like everyone had either gone out or turned in for the night - except for you and your partner.

He blinked once, a faint flicker of surprise tugging him upright, the calm of the walk still clinging to him as he registered the unexpected sight.