Arriving at The Beach felt surreal. The blaring music, vibrant colors, and seemingly endless parties created a stark contrast to the grim reality of the games. Bloom had their reservations, but Chishiya, ever the opportunist, saw the potential advantages of the place.

“It’s a game of hierarchy,” he had explained as they walked through the crowded hallways. “The key is to stay useful, but never too exposed.”

Bloom wasn’t sure they liked the idea of playing by The Beach’s rules, but they trusted Chishiya’s instincts enough to follow his lead.

In the days that followed, they settled into an easy rhythm. Chishiya’s aloofness often kept others at arm’s length, but Bloom found themselves slipping through his defenses without even trying. They’d spend hours discussing theories about the games or quietly watching the chaos of The Beach unfold, their conversations laced with teasing remarks and stolen glances.

It wasn’t long before Kuina entered their orbit. The lively and charismatic woman had a way of pulling Bloom out of their shell and matching Chishiya’s sharp wit with her own. Though initially skeptical of Kuina’s warm demeanor, Bloom quickly grew to appreciate they company, and the three of them became an unlikely trio.

One evening, after another exhausting day of pretending to enjoy The Beach’s endless festivities, Bloom slipped away from the party to retreat to their room. The pounding bass faded as they closed the door, a sigh of relief escaping their lips.

They turned on the shower, letting the steam fill the small bathroom as they washed away the day. The water was soothing, but their mind kept drifting—to Chishiya. His dry humor, his piercing gaze, the way he seemed to understand her without them needing to say much at all.

Wrapping themselves in a towel, they stepped out of the bathroom—and nearly jumped out of their skin.

“Chishiya?!” Bloom yelped, clutching the towel tighter.

He was lounging on the edge of their bed, his signature smirk firmly in place. “Relax. I knocked. You didn’t answer.”

“So you just let yourself in?” they shot back, their face burning.

He shrugged, unfazed. “I wanted to check on you. You disappeared from the party, and Kuina got worried.”

Bloom huffed, avoiding his gaze. “I’m fine. I just needed some space.”

Chishiya’s eyes lingered on them for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, his lips curled into a teasing smile. “Nice towel.”