When Dio's motorcycle stopped right in front of the dorm gate, Arya immediately told him to drop him off there. His voice was tired but firm; he even insisted that Dio go straight home without escorting him inside. Dio, of course, didn't immediately comply. Instead, he let out a small, mischievous laugh, glancing briefly at Arya—his face pale, shoulders slumped as if all his energy had been drained.
Dio knew exactly what had happened. The faint warmth of Nagini's aura still clung to Arya, not a burning heat, but a heavy pressure that made his body feel empty and his head light. Yet Dio also understood that the aura was now tame. Harmless. Only a lingering trace, like footprints left after a storm passed. So after a second or two of laughter—call it Dio's warped sense of empathy—he finally nodded and followed Arya's request.
Dio left, leaving Arya alone in front of the now-quiet dorm.
As he climbed the stairs, Arya's steps weren't entirely steady. His body felt both light and heavy at the same time, a contradiction only understandable to those who had too often brushed against a world they shouldn't see. He staggered slightly but forced himself upright. His face was as calm as he could make it, his movements slow and deliberate to appear normal. Not out of shame—but out of fear.
Fear that Rika might see him like this.
When he reached his room, Arya immediately opened the door and stepped inside. His gaze swept across the space reflexively, scanning the bed, desk, and corners—but there was no one there. Empty. Too empty for a room that usually contained one nagging ghost.
"Where did that annoying ghost go?" he murmured softly, exhaling a long breath."I just punished her, too, so she wasn't supposed to go anywhere."
No answer. Of course, none.
With no strength left to think further, Arya collapsed onto the bed. His back pressed against the mattress as he stared at the dull ceiling, letting his eyes go blank. His whole body felt shattered—not wounded, but exhausted, the kind that seeps into the bones. For several minutes he lay motionless, one wrist covering his eyes as if to shut out the world and quiet his thoughts.
Whether he was thinking or simply overwhelmed, he wasn't sure.
Slowly, Arya lowered his hand.
And that's when he saw Rika's face.
Too close.
They were only inches apart, Rika's wide, curious eyes fixed on him without blinking, wearing that expression she always had whenever she discovered something interesting.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Arya finally asked, his voice soft but clear, still slightly breathless from the shock.
Rika tilted her head slightly, squinting in investigation. "Why are you like that?" she countered, her tone light yet brimming with curiosity.
Arya took a breath and slowly sat up on the bed. His eyes now leveled with Rika, who was already perched casually on the edge, legs dangling as if the room had always been hers. He stared at her for a moment before speaking, his gaze serious, almost like a lecturer scolding a mischievous student.
"Where have you been?" he asked."Wasn't I supposed to punish you for not going anywhere?"
Rika didn't look guilty. She propped her cheek with her finger and replied casually, as if the question barely mattered."I haven't gone anywhere. I've been in the dorm the whole time."
She paused briefly, then added,"I just sat on the rooftop fan earlier. From there, I could see you being brought home by Dio."
Arya's eyebrows immediately furrowed. "Rooftop fan?""On the roof?" she repeated, clearly confused.
"Yes," Rika said quickly, then began explaining seriously."The big box-shaped thing that makes a lot of noise when it spins. I don't understand why humans nowadays buy expensive fans just to put them on the roof."
She exhaled softly, clearly thinking hard."Has the fan changed function in this era?"
Arya fell silent. For several seconds he just looked at her, his mind struggling to piece together her absurd words. Slowly, as if solving an unwanted riddle, his lips moved."Air-con condenser fan," he murmured, more to himself than to Rika.
"Huh? Co…ndensor?" Rika repeated, mispronouncing it entirely, her brow furrowed, eyes utterly blank. She clearly didn't understand—and had no intention of pretending to.
In the next moment, Arya laughed softly. Rika's innocent explanation, combined with her honest confusion, pierced through the exhaustion that had been building in him.
"Ugh, annoying," Rika huffed, her lips pursed in irritation at Arya's laughter.
She leaned slightly forward, fixing him with a sharp gaze."Then why do you look so miserable after going with Dio?"
Her tone shifted. Still light, but tinged with concern.
Arya's laughter subsided. He exhaled long, letting his shoulders drop, finally acknowledging how tired his body was. Then, without much drama, he began recounting everything—what happened with Dio, what he had experienced, and why he had come back in this state.
"WHAT?""YOU MADE MOTHER NAGINI ANGRY?!"
Rika's voice shot up, almost bouncing off the narrow walls. Her eyes went wide, her face instantly pale, despite being just a ghost. Panic radiated in the way her body stiffened and how she reflexively stood, as if to make sure she hadn't misheard.
Arya said nothing. He just nodded slightly, averting his gaze to the wall. His jaw tightened, breath catching, as if he still regretted what had happened. The guilt wasn't just from being scolded—it was because he fully realized it had all started with his uncontrolled emotions.
A few seconds of silence hung.
Then, without warning, Rika laughed. Hard. Loud. She threw her head back, shoulders shaking as she cackled.
"HAH!""I thought you were reckless," she said through her laughter, full of mockery."Turns out… just foolish."
Rika stared at Arya while laughing, clearly savoring the moment. There was no pity in her expression, only satisfaction at having new ammo to tease him.
Arya sank deeper into embarrassment. His ears burned. He knew Rika wasn't entirely at fault, and that only made him angrier at himself. He'd let his emotions flare too easily and now had to bear the consequence in the form of merciless teasing.
He exhaled, shoulders sagging, resigned.
The night went on as usual. The dorm room returned to its quiet, cramped, familiar rhythm. No shouting, no heavy aura, no strange occurrences—just two beings accustomed to sharing the space, spending the night as they always had.