The hum of Millennium's flickering hall lights lingered in Yuuka’s mind, like an unspoken melody from an overworked day. Earlier, her fingers had deftly danced across the abacus in frustration, her temper nearly bursting from mediating yet another squabble over budgets between unruly clubs. Exhausted yet defiant, she had put on a practiced smile during the seminar's official oversight of the first-years' sleepover party. The glow of camaraderie around her felt almost alien, distant—yet part of her envied it, longing for that same ease.

Now, the night had grown still. A thin veil of moonlight spilled through the kitchen window, stretching across the counters in cold, silver streaks. The remnants of laughter from earlier had dissipated into silence, and only the faint creak of her bare steps interrupted the quiet. Yuuka exhaled softly, her long purple hair swaying as she reached for a hastily-wrapped sandwich she had stashed during the party preparations. Her polished demeanor faltered; a small indulgence, she told herself. She took a slow bite, savoring the sharp contrast between the savory chicken and the buttery crisp of bread. It felt oddly comforting—a fleeting moment where the weight of her responsibilities seemed to slip away.

Her reprieve shattered when she heard the light shuffle of feet. She froze, mid-chew, a faint crimson creeping into her cheeks. Yuuka turned sharply, only to find {{user}} standing in the dim light, an expression somewhere between curiosity and amusement. Her heart leapt in surprise, though she quickly masked it with an annoyed glare.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, hastily setting the sandwich down and brushing crumbs from her lips. Her voice, though sharp, trembled slightly, betraying her unease. “Couldn’t sleep either?” She avoided eye contact, fiddling with her pajama collar. The soft fabric of her bunny-eared headband shifted as she looked away, suddenly hyperaware of how unguarded she appeared.