Two years could change many things.

  The corridors of Fiester Academy’s academic building were quieter than Kaoru remembered—orderly, disciplined, almost unnervingly calm. Students moved with purpose now, uniforms neat, conversations hushed the moment teachers passed by. It wasn’t the chaotic academy she had entered as a first year.

  Kaoru adjusted the student council armband on her sleeve as she walked.

  Class 3-C… Vice President…

  The words still felt strange in her head.

  Her long steps echoed softly against the polished floor as she passed classroom doors. A few underclassmen stopped mid-conversation when they noticed her, bowing slightly. Others straightened their posture without realizing why.

  She wasn’t intimidating by nature—but the title carried weight.

  So this is what two years does, she thought.

  At the end of the hall stood the Student Council Room, its wooden door carved with the academy emblem. Kaoru knocked once before pushing it open.

  Inside, sunlight streamed through tall windows.

  Seated at the center desk was Miyazuki Ashen.

  She was everything Kaoru expected of a student council president—long amber hair tied neatly behind her, posture straight, sharp crimson eyes scanning a stack of documents. Her presence alone commanded the room.

  Two other council members sat nearby, both seniors—one male, one female—quietly reviewing reports.

  “You’re early,” Miyazuki said without looking up.

  Kaoru smiled faintly. “Habit.”

  Miyazuki finally raised her gaze. “Good habit.”

  Kaoru stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “You called for me?”

  “Yes.” Miyazuki placed the papers down and leaned back slightly. “I wanted to confirm something with you.”

  The two other members exchanged glances but remained silent.

  “When are you going on the survival camp?”

  Kaoru blinked.

  “…The what?”

  Miyazuki’s eyebrow twitched—just slightly.

  “You weren’t told?”

  “No,” Kaoru replied honestly. “Is it… some kind of extracurricular?”

  The room fell quiet.

  Then Miyazuki sighed, rubbing her temple. “Of course they didn’t tell you.”

  Kaoru tilted her head. “President?”

  Miyazuki straightened. “The survival camp is a mandatory evaluation trip. It’s for students who train in swordsmanship, combat arts, or physical disciplines.”

  Kaoru stiffened. “Mandatory?”

  “Yes. Boys and girls together. No instructors. No supervision.”

  “…That sounds illegal.”

  Miyazuki let out a small laugh. “It’s Fiester Academy.”

  She continued calmly, “You’re transported to a designated location and abandoned. Supplies are minimal. The goal is survival, cooperation, and adaptability.”

  Kaoru frowned. “The teachers never mentioned anything like that.”

  “Because they won’t,” Miyazuki said flatly. “They’ll pretend it’s a ‘camping trip’ until the last moment. The abandonment itself is part of the test—how students react when authority disappears.”

  Kaoru slowly exhaled.

  “That’s… insane.”

  “Effective,” Miyazuki corrected.

  She leaned forward. “Don’t tell anyone about this.”

  Kaoru met her gaze. “…Alright.”

  One of the senior council members shifted uncomfortably.

  Kaoru hesitated, then asked, “Did you go on it?”

  Miyazuki nodded. “Two years ago. My class handled it well.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Well?” Kaoru echoed.

  Miyazuki smiled faintly. “No fatalities.”

  Kaoru didn’t find that comforting.

  Miyazuki glanced at the clock. “Do you have evening classes?”

  “Yes,” Kaoru said. “They start in a few minutes.”

  “Then why are you still standing there?” Miyazuki waved her off. “Go. Before you’re late.”

  Kaoru bowed lightly. “Understood.”

  As she left the council room, the hallway noise returned—students laughing, footsteps echoing, the academy alive again.

  But her mind stayed elsewhere.

  Survival camp… so that’s what this is.

  Class 3-C buzzed with conversation when Kaoru arrived.

  Students leaned across desks, talking animatedly about weekend plans, recent sparring matches, and rumors spreading across campus. Kaoru slipped quietly into her assigned seat at the back, placing her bag down carefully.

  No one immediately noticed her.

  That was fine.

  Moments later, the door slid open.

  “Sit down.”

  The voice alone silenced the room.

  Rena Kisaragi stepped inside, her presence sharp and commanding. She placed her materials on the desk, eyes sweeping across the class.

  “Attendance.”

  Chairs scraped as everyone straightened.

  Once the room settled, Rena folded her arms.

  “There will be a camping trip,” she announced calmly. “For everyone.”

  A wave of murmurs followed.

  “A camp?”

  “Like… recreation?”

  “Seriously?”

  Kaoru’s fingers tightened slightly on her desk.

  Rena continued, “It will take place in the grasslands. The location is far from Fiester Academy.”

  She tapped the board. “You will be traveling on foot.”

  Groans erupted.

  “This is not optional,” Rena added coolly. “Consider it a learning experience.”

  Kaoru lowered her gaze.

  So it really is the survival camp…

  Rena’s eyes flicked toward her—just briefly.

  Almost knowingly.

  That evening, after classes ended, the academy grounds glowed under lantern light.

  Kaoru exited through the front gates and headed toward a small café nestled just off campus. It was quiet, warm, and smelled faintly of roasted beans.

  She ordered a simple black coffee and sat near the window.

  The world slowed.

  Moments later, a shadow fell across her table.

  “Mind if I sit?”

  Kaoru looked up.

  A boy in Fiester’s uniform held a cup of milk coffee, smiling casually.

  “…You’re from Class 3-A,” she said.

  “Guilty,” he replied, pulling out the chair anyway. “Name’s Itsuki Raien.”

  Kaoru studied him. “Rival class, aren’t you?”

  “Technically.” He shrugged. “But I’m off duty.”

  She hesitated, then nodded. “Kaoru.”

  They sat in silence for a moment.

  Then Itsuki spoke, “You like quiet places.”

  “…What?”

  “You chose the corner table,” he said. “And black coffee.”

  Kaoru snorted softly. “You’re observant.”

  They talked—not about rankings, not about sparring, not about council politics.

  Music. Books. Places they wanted to see.

  Eventually, Itsuki leaned back. “Our class is heading to the rainforest.”

  Kaoru raised an eyebrow. “That far?”

  “Yeah.” He smiled. “Guess we’ll see who survives better.”

  She met his gaze.

  “Don’t get lost.”

  Itsuki chuckled. “You neither, Vice President.”

  Far away, under the academy lights, shadows moved.