The clubroom lights flickered on one by one.
A low electric hum settled into the walls, blending with the quiet tapping of keys and the faint whir of cooling fans. Outside, the late afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting long, slanted shadows across the floor.
It was the same room.
The same setup.
The same people.
But something had changed.
Ruko noticed it immediately.
Hikari didn't speak.
No complaints.
No sarcastic remarks.
No bored sighs.
She logged in.
Adjusted her headset.
And stared at the screen like it owed her something.
"…Start."
Kana raised an eyebrow. "Someone woke up serious today."
"…Play," Hikari replied flatly.
Risa's fingers hovered over her keyboard for a moment longer than usual.
"…Her tempo increased."
Kazuha nodded slightly, watching Hikari from the corner of her eye.
"…She's more focused."
Ruko leaned against the wall near the back, arms crossed, gaze steady.
"…Of course she is."
Because yesterday—
He saw it.
Not the "queen."
Not the model everyone admired.
But the girl who stayed behind.
Who played.
Who tried.
"…You hate losing that much, huh…"
The match loaded.
Character selection.
Hikari hovered over her usual picks—
Then stopped.
A brief pause.
Then clicked.
Mage.
"…Safe choice," Kana muttered.
"…Efficient," Risa added.
Ruko said nothing.
He just watched.
The match began.
At first—
Everything looked normal.
Minions clashed.
Lanes formed.
But then—
Hikari didn't move.
She stayed mid.
"…She's not rotating," Kana noted.
"…Yet," Risa corrected.
Hikari held position.
Careful.
Controlled.
She cleared waves cleanly.
Maintained distance.
Didn't overextend.
An enemy tried to pressure mid.
Hikari stepped forward—
Timed her skill.
Perfect hit.
Follow-up.
The enemy retreated immediately.
"…Whoa," Kana blinked.
"…Her spacing improved," Risa said quietly.
Kazuha smiled faintly.
"…She's adapting."
Ruko pushed himself off the wall slightly.
"…Now rotate."
Hikari moved instantly.
No hesitation.
She reached the side lane just as a fight began.
Skills fired.
Clean.
Precise.
The enemy team collapsed under the pressure.
"Nice!" Kana grinned.
"…Focus," Hikari replied.
But—
There was no irritation in her tone.
Just… intent.
The match continued.
Cleaner.
More coordinated.
Hikari didn't chase unnecessary fights.
Didn't abandon her lane.
She controlled it.
Then moved.
Exactly when she needed to.
Victory.
The word flashed across the screen.
"…Again," Hikari said immediately.
Ruko let out a quiet breath.
"…Now you're learning."
The next few matches blurred together.
Win.
Loss.
Win.
But the difference was clear.
Hikari wasn't playing alone anymore.
She was playing with them.
Adapting.
Adjusting.
Improving.
By the time the sun dipped lower, painting the room in warm orange light—
The session slowed.
Kana stood up first, stretching her arms high above her head.
"…I've got practice. Don't lose without me."
"…We'll try," Risa replied dryly.
Kana smirked, grabbing her bag.
"…Later."
She left.
Risa followed soon after, shutting down her station with precise, efficient movements.
"…I have other matters."
"…As always," Kazuha said with a small smile.
Risa paused for a moment.
"…Don't stagnate," she added before leaving.
The door closed softly behind her.
Silence crept back in.
Kazuha gathered her things next, but she lingered.
Just slightly.
"…Don't push yourselves too hard," she said gently.
"…We won't," Hikari replied.
Ruko said nothing.
Kazuha's eyes lingered on him for a moment—
Then she left.
Now—
Only two remained.
Hikari.
And Ruko.
The room felt different.
Quieter.
More honest.
"…One more," Hikari said.
Ruko raised an eyebrow. "…You're not tired?"
"…No."
"…Liar."
"…Play."
He smirked faintly.
"…Fine."
They queued.
The loading screen flickered to life.
Hikari leaned forward slightly, her posture sharper now.
Focused.
The match began.
This time—
There were no distractions.
No teammates talking.
No outside voices.
Just them.
And the game.
"You're still rushing your second skill," Ruko said.
"…I know."
"Then fix it."
"…I am."
Her fingers moved.
Faster.
More precise.
A small misstep—
"…Too early," Ruko said.
"…I saw it."
"Then why didn't you stop?"
A pause.
"…Because I thought I could win."
Ruko blinked.
Then—
"…Good."
Hikari glanced at him briefly.
"…What?"
"That's confidence."
A beat.
"…Don't lose it."
She looked back at the screen.
"…You're annoying."
"…I know."
The match reached its climax.
A final clash.
Hikari moved first.
Clean.
Decisive.
Victory.
The screen dimmed.
Silence followed.
Hikari leaned back slightly, exhaling.
"…That was better."
"…Yeah."
A pause.
Then—
"…Thanks."
It was quiet.
So quiet—
Ruko almost thought he imagined it.
"…What?"
Hikari stood up immediately, grabbing her bag.
"…Don't make me repeat it."
She walked toward the door—
Then stopped.
"…I'm not going to fall behind."
Her voice was firm.
Determined.
Then—
She left.
The door clicked shut.
Ruko stared at it for a moment.
"…You never were."
Night had settled by the time he stepped out.
The school was quieter now.
Almost empty.
The hallway lights buzzed faintly as he walked toward the exit.
Then—
"…Ruko."
He stopped.
Kazuha stood near the stairs.
Waiting.
"…You're still here?" he asked.
"…I had something to finish."
"…Student council?"
"…Something like that."
A small pause.
"…Walk with me?"
Ruko shrugged.
"…Sure."
They walked side by side.
Their footsteps echoed softly against the stairs as they descended.
The air was cool.
Comfortable.
"…You've changed," Kazuha said.
"…Have I?"
"…Yes."
She looked at him.
"…You're trying again."
Ruko scoffed lightly.
"…Don't misunderstand."
"…Then explain it."
Silence.
"…I just have a reason."
Kazuha smiled faintly.
"…A selfish one?"
Ruko glanced at her.
"…Yeah."
They reached the landing.
The space was empty.
Quiet.
Ruko stopped walking.
"…Kazuha."
She turned.
"…What is it?"
For a moment—
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Then—
He stepped forward—
And grabbed her wrist.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Ruko?"
His grip was firm.
Not rough.
Serious.
"…I need to ask you something."
The air shifted.
"…What is it?" she asked softly.
Ruko's gaze locked onto hers.
Sharp.
Searching.
Every detail.
Every reaction.
"…Are you Mitsuru?"