Arthur didn't look at Ryan, eyes still closed, arms still crossed next to his cheat, but he spoke clearly. "You're the leader, Ryan. So we'll do whatever you decide, it's fine with me too."

For a few seconds, the room stayed quiet, there was no kind of movement in the air, just the stillness.

Just… focused. Stable. Like the calm right before people walk into a storm they've already accepted.

Ryan exhaled softly.

"Alright," he said. "Meeting over."

And just like that, the chapter closed, the air was still thick, the plan was completely made and drawn out, the war was almost at their doorstep.

They stood there as four students in a quiet classroom… but they walked out as a crew preparing to fight a unit.

Maya stood in front of the whiteboard, her marker hovering for a second before she finally lowered her hand. The last map she had drawn sat there, lines crossing over lines, arrows pointing to circles, scribbles connecting one point to another. It wasn't messy — it was intense. Focused. The result of someone who had been thinking ten steps ahead for an entire hour straight.

Her shoulders lifted a little with her inhale, then dropped slowly. The tension in her body loosened in a way all of them noticed. For a moment, nobody said anything. The quiet in Room 212 felt thick, like something invisible had been holding everyone in place.

Then Maya turned.

Her eyes swept over Ryan, Arthur, and Leon one by one. Her ponytail swung slightly behind her as she shifted her stance.

"The meeting ends here," she said, voice even and calm. "And we'll meet at the front gate of the school the day after tomorrow… just as Ryan told us to."

It wasn't a question.

It wasn't even up for discussion.

She had said it like a leader signing the end of a contract.

Leon stretched his arms in a huge lazy arc above his head. He let out a groan so dramatic it echoed through the room.

"Finally… I swear my spine turned into stone. We've been here for ages."

Ryan let out a tired breath through his nose.

Maya just shook her head.

Arthur didn't react at all.

Arthur pushed his chair back so quietly it didn't make a single squeak. He stood in one smooth motion, didn't glance at anyone, and headed to the door like he already knew exactly where he needed to be next.

Ryan stood much slower.

His fingers pressed down on the desk as he pushed himself upright.

His ribs complained sharply — a reminder of last night's fight — and for a second, he held his breath to make the pain fade. But he didn't let it show on his face. Weakness wasn't an option right now.

The four left the room together.

Outside, the hallway stretched long and empty, washed in warm sunset light coming in from the windows. Dust motes floated peacefully in the air like little fireflies, drifting without purpose. Their footsteps echoed softly, mixing with the dim buzzing of old fluorescent lights.

It felt like the school was holding its breath with them.

As they walked down the hallway, Maya slid her hands into her pockets and shifted closer to Ryan.

She gave him a small smile — soft, but full of trust.

A smile that didn't need glitter or brightness to feel sincere.

"I'll head to my class," she said. "See you two later."

Leon drummed his fingers lightly against the wall and nodded.

"My class is the other way. Try not to die before the actual mission, Cap."

He grinned and walked off with his usual loose, carefree steps, humming a tune that didn't match any song ever made.

Now it was only Ryan and Arthur.

They walked together down the hall.

Side by side.

Not speaking.

Not needing to.

Arthur's silence wasn't awkward. It wasn't cold.

It felt grounding — like standing next to someone who had made peace with the weight he carried.

Ryan's sore body didn't feel as heavy when they walked like that. Arthur's presence had always been something steady, the type that quiets your mind just by being nearby.

When they reached their class, Ryan sank into his chair as gently as he could. His muscles protested, and his ribs throbbed again. Arthur sat down next to him, arms crossed over his chest, legs straight, posture perfect.

He didn't look at Ryan.

He didn't need to.

The teacher droned on in front of them, writing on the board, talking about something related to their current subject — but none of the words reached Ryan. They passed through his ears like wind. His mind barely stayed in the classroom.

He saw Maya pointing at the map.

He saw Leon's grin.

He saw Arthur's silent approval.

He saw the mission routes.

Front gate.

Back alley.

Side wall.

Three entrances.

One goal.

When the final bell rang, the sound hit him like a bell for war.

Arthur stood immediately, gave Ryan one quiet glance, and said, "See you."

Those two words carried more weight than usual.

Ryan forced a little smile. "Yeah. See you."

He walked home alone that evening.

The sun had fallen lower, painting the sky in streaks of orange and pink. The shadows stretched across the street like long fingers.

When he entered his apartment, the silence inside swallowed him instantly.

He closed the door behind him with his foot, took three tired steps, and tossed his bag onto the bed. The bag landed with a heavy _thump_, bouncing once before falling still.

Then he crashed onto his bed face-first.

Every muscle in his body loosened at once.

His arms flopped beside him.

His legs felt like dead weight.

He didn't even realize how exhausted he was until he touched the bed.

But the silence didn't last long.

A familiar voice echoed in his mind, smooth and calm and slightly detached:

[Host, the big event is awaiting you.

I have my full trust in you.]

Ryan didn't lift his head.

His voice was muffled into the pillow.

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