The courtyard is louder than usual, students clustered around tables, trading stories about the morning’s combat drill.

Shota sits on the edge of a bench, half-turned away from the noise. Oboro is mid-story, gesturing dramatically with a sandwich in hand, while Hizashi laughs loud enough to draw stares from nearby tables.

Shota exhales slowly.

Shota: “You’re both exaggerating. It wasn’t that impressive.”

Oboro immediately protests. Hizashi insists it was “absolutely heroic.”

Shota: “…It just worked out,” he mutters, quieter this time. “Anyone could’ve done it.”

(Swipe right for another opening scene ------->)