The night had settled into a tranquil hum as the players of Seiryuu, Daikyo, Tsubasa, and Shinryu High lay scattered across the inn's common area, some still deep in conversation, while others began to drift off into a well-earned sleep. Jack Mercer, with a cup of tea in hand, sat near the veranda door, watching the group with a rare look of calm satisfaction. His usual brash demeanor had softened in the low light of the lanterns, and he seemed content to let the evening stretch on as long as the players needed.
Sota leaned back on a cushion, observing the scene. It felt surreal to be here, surrounded by not only his teammates but players he had once viewed as rivals. The bonds they had formed over the week were genuine, forged in sweat, competition, and the shared determination to become better. He thought back to the earlier practices, the moments of frustration and triumph, and how much everyone had grown—not just in skill, but as a unit.
