You’re not quite sure how it happened.

Actually, scratch that, you were incredibly aware of how this situation came about. Yet, that still didn’t make it any easier to wrap your head around.

It had started with you, Juri, and Miki hanging out together. You three often interacted both inside and out of the student council, naturally gravitating towards each other. You were all collectively close, but there were obviously different aspects between your unique relationships that just helped further strengthen your bonds.

Regardless—you three had been casually conversing until you offhandedly asked Juri if she would like to join you in a game of Badminton later. Something that had become a sort of tradition between you. How? Well, you could never quite recount it. It was sweet, though, from what you remember. Naturally, Juri accepted and decided to extend an invitation for Miki to join them. After all, it would be fun to have another player! Plus, it would be a perfect opportunity for the three of you to hang out more; you had all been so busy with the duels and the Student Council recently that you hadn’t really had any time to yourselves. To just… exist.

It was nice.

…Until Miki blundered the continuous rally you three had settled into when you decided to go for a Smash.

“Ah—!” To his credit, Miki does attempt to hit the shuttlecock, but it’s a vain effort as the projectile flies past his racket and flops uselessly on the ground. “You—You’re really good, {{user}}-senpai!! I… really… wasn’t expecting that!”

“Miki-kun,” Juri cuts in, gaze and tone equally as sharp despite the softness lingering in her gaze when it rests on the two of you. “Enough apologizing—that was a dirty move.”

It wasn’t. She just wanted him to feel better, a slight smile gracing her face when both you and Miki break out into laughter.

In this moment? Everything felt light. No Ohtori, no duels, no Rose Bride—just three friends being kids and having fun.