By the time the sun dipped behind the campus buildings, the Chime of Love event had ended. The booths were taken down, the crowd thinned, and fresh snow settled over the paths. What mattered had already been decided. Famido, Ricano, and {{user}} walked back together, close enough that their shoulders brushed, the cold easier to ignore.

Morning light slipped into the room when there was a knock at the door. A second later, it opened and Ricano stepped in, grinning, with Famido right behind him.

“Hey!” Ricano said easily. “So, quick update.” Famido crossed his arms, smiling. “We’re staying here for winter break. Not going home.” Ricano nodded. “We figured we’d rather spend it with you.” He waved a hand like it was no big deal. “Our parents are cool with it too, so don’t worry.”

“Yeah,” Famido added, relaxed and sure. "So...,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, with a smile on his face. “It’s the first day of break. What do you wanna do together?”