The Academy of Knights entrance tests were no joke—these exams were infamous for making even the toughest trainees question all their life choices. Akari, Kuro, and Arnold lined up with two hundred others, each ready to prove their months of training were worth it. Akari went first, and the second she stepped onto the training field, she had this "let's get this over with" energy. She crushed each test, zipping through the obstacles so quickly the judges were left squinting, like, "Did she just teleport?"
When Kuro and Arnold's turns came, they somehow ended up in an unofficial one-on-one showdown, each one determined to outperform the other. Arnold, the "graceful prince," tried to keep it cool, but every time he completed a task, he'd shoot Kuro this sly, competitive look. Meanwhile, Kuro was all "I'm not even trying" but definitely trying, ignoring everyone else and throwing in a little extra flair with every jump, like he was auditioning for an action movie.
Finally, the results were in: Akari nailed first place (like anyone doubted it), and Kuro and Arnold ended up in a dead tie for second. They'd both silently agreed this outcome was unacceptable but tried to play it cool.
Their scores got them into the academy's fancy dorm wing, reserved for the royals, nobles, and top performers. The three of them were assigned neighboring rooms in this exclusive corner of the academy, each room ridiculously spacious with its own bathroom (which Kuro seemed especially relieved about).
When they walked into their new quarters, Akari looked around and muttered, "I feel like they're preparing us for a spa retreat, not knight training."
Arnold grinned, "Well, only the best for royalty."
Kuro snorted, "Keep telling yourself that, your highness. Don't worry, I'll let you borrow my royal bathwater if you ask nicely."
Arnold rolled his eyes. "I'm good, thanks. Try not to trash the place."
Akari sighed, already regretting being stuck with these two in the "VIP" wing, as they'd started calling it.
The academy's schedule was packed—and intense. Every day started at dawn with hours of grueling physical drills. They'd barely have time to catch their breath before diving into specialized classes, like swordsmanship, which alternated between endless drills and full-blown duels.
After sword class, they moved on to Noor understanding—a unique course focused on harnessing and controlling their mystical powers. For Akari, this was practically second nature, while Kuro kept grumbling under his breath about how "Noor didn't come with an instruction manual." Arnold, ever diligent, tried his best to take detailed notes while occasionally giving Kuro "helpful" pointers, much to Kuro's irritation.
Then came archery, where they spent hours perfecting their aim, practicing until their arms felt like jelly. It was a particular favorite for Arnold, who had a knack for hitting his mark. Kuro, determined not to be outdone, threw himself into archery with surprising focus, even if he insisted on showing off by aiming for the tiniest targets. Akari, always focused, quickly mastered the essentials while still keeping an eye on her two "rivals."
Each day ended with more physical conditioning—running, obstacle courses, strength exercises—the academy's way of making sure they'd be fit for any challenge on the battlefield. By the end of the day, they were exhausted, stumbling back to their rooms half-asleep and occasionally throwing sarcastic remarks about the "luxury" of knight life.
Akari smirked, "Welcome to your glamorous life as future knights. How's everyone holding up?"
Kuro groaned, "If 'holding up' means limping back with a sore arm and a bruised ego, then I'm doing just fine."
Arnold, always upbeat, chuckled, "Nothing we can't handle. Though I might need a royal stretcher by tomorrow."
With that, they'd collapse into bed, knowing tomorrow's relentless schedule was just a few hours away.
After several days of grueling training at the academy, Akari finished her work early one specific afternoon. Exhausted and in need of a nap, she mistakenly wandered into Arnold's room instead of her own. She plopped down onto his bed, oblivious to her surroundings, and quickly fell asleep.
A little while later, Arnold burst through the door, still buzzing from the day's practice. With a carefree leap, he jumped onto his bed—only to land squarely on top of Akari.
"Whoa!" he yelped, his eyes widening in surprise as he realized he was on top of her, his hands accidentally pressing into the soft bedding around her shoulders.
Akari jolted awake, her eyes darting around in confusion before landing on Arnold. "What the—?! Get off me!" she exclaimed, her face turning a bright shade of red.
"I'm trying! I didn't mean to—" Arnold stuttered, flailing slightly as he scrambled to regain his balance. He shifted his weight, but it only made the situation more awkward as he found himself leaning even closer to her.
"Seriously! This is not how I imagined my afternoon!" Akari shot back, her heart racing as she felt the heat of embarrassment flood her cheeks.
Arnold's brain was racing too, his thoughts a chaotic mess as he desperately tried to get off without causing any more of a scene. "I thought my bed was empty! I didn't know you were napping there!"
"Yeah, well, a little warning would have been nice!" she retorted, her sarcasm barely masking her flustered state. "You're not exactly light as a feather, you know!"
Finally managing to roll off her, Arnold plopped down on the floor beside the bed, his face a mix of relief and mortification. "I didn't mean to tackle you! I swear! I'm not usually that reckless!"
Just then, Kuro walked in, having heard the commotion. He froze at the sight: Arnold on the floor looking thoroughly embarrassed and Akari sitting on the bed, her expression a mix of shock and amusement.
"What's going on here?" Kuro demanded, his voice low and tinged with annoyance as he crossed his arms, a scowl forming on his face.
"Uh, nothing!" Arnold replied too quickly, his face still flushed. "Just a little mishap. Right, Akari?"
Kuro narrowed his eyes. "A mishap? It looks like you were just about to tackle her. What were you two doing?"
"C'mon, Kuro, it was just an accident!" Akari jumped in, trying to diffuse the situation. "I was napping, and he—"
"An accident, huh?" Kuro interrupted, his jealousy flaring up. "Looks more like a full-on assault to me. You know, friends usually don't jump on top of each other."
Arnold raised his hands defensively. "Seriously, Kuro! I didn't mean it like that! We're just friends!"
"Yeah, right," Kuro said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just friends who decide to have sleepovers in each other's beds. Sounds totally normal."
"Okay, first of all, I didn't choose to nap here!" Akari said, exasperated. "And second, what's with the jealousy? You think I'm going to run off with him just because he tripped?"
Kuro's scowl deepened. "Well, I wouldn't put it past you. You do have a tendency to attract trouble."
As Kuro turned to Akari with a forced smile, he tried to mask his irritation. "Hey, Akari, aren't you tired? Maybe you should head back to your room and rest up a bit. Arnold and I have this... test thing to go over."
Akari raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I can help if it's about the test," she offered, glancing between the two of them, sensing the awkwardness.
Kuro immediately shook his head. "No, no, we can't always depend on you to handle everything," he insisted, already guiding her gently but firmly towards the door. "You should just go relax or something."
Arnold gave Kuro a knowing side-eye. But Kuro continued, "You should go. Really. We've got this under control."
Akari finally shrugged, giving in. "Alright, alright, no need to shove me out the door!" She glanced back one last time before leaving, still looking suspicious.
As soon as she was out of sight, Kuro turned to Arnold, his face dropping all pretense. He grabbed Arnold by the collar. "What was that, huh?"
Arnold just raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "What was what? I already told you it was a mistake; she fell asleep here, and nothing happened."
"Right, and if I hadn't walked in, you'd probably have kissed her or something!" Kuro retorted.
Arnold kept his calm, crossing his arms even as Kuro held onto his collar. "Honestly, Kuro? I'm not you. I actually have some self-control."
Kuro's grip tightened, his face flushed with both irritation and embarrassment. "Oh, so now I'm the one without self-control? Look, I know what I saw, and you were way too close."
Arnold sighed. "Why are you so bent out of shape about this? Even if I did confess or kiss her, why do you care? Didn't I already tell you—we're rivals now."
Kuro finally released him, stepping back with a stubborn expression. "Fine, we're rivals. But I'm telling you now, she's going to be mine. Mark my words."
Arnold kept his calm, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We'll see about that, Kuro. Good luck."
Kuro shot him a glare before storming out of the room, still muttering under his breath. Arnold watched him leave, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and concern. "This is going to be interesting," he murmured to himself.
Outside the door, unbeknownst to both boys, Akari had overheard every word. Her eyes widened as she pressed herself against the wall, her heart racing. "They're... rivals over me?" She quickly darted away, vanishing down the hall before Kuro could come out and spot her.
In her room, Akari lay on her bed, her mind racing as she tried to process what she'd just heard. With a smirk, she muttered to herself, "Those two really need to get it together."
As Kuro headed to his own room, muttering to himself, "We'll see who's dreaming…" Arnold, meanwhile, sat on his bed, thoughtful but calm, genuinely determined.
Little did they all realize that this rivalry was only just beginning.
Arnold lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his cheeks still flushed. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop replaying the moment he'd practically landed on Akari. He could still feel the warmth of that accidental closeness, the way her eyes had gone wide with surprise—and maybe something else. Every time he thought of it, his heart raced, and a fresh wave of embarrassment washed over him.
"Why do I keep thinking about this?" he muttered to himself, running a hand over his face to try and shake off the blush that kept creeping up. He turned over, then back, punching his pillow in frustration. Stop. Thinking. About. It.
But no matter what he did, it was impossible to calm his thoughts. Every time he closed his eyes, there she was. And despite himself, he kept smiling at the memory. Eventually, he just gave up, staring at the ceiling with a dazed expression.
"Great, now I'm officially losing it," he thought with a sigh. The realization that he wouldn't be getting any sleep that night hit him hard.
Kuro tossed and turned in his bed, feeling a bit ridiculous. Every time he started drifting off, his mind conjured the same nightmare: Arnold and Akari, all dressed up, exchanging vows with that smug prince smiling down at her. Meanwhile, he'd be stuck in the background, like some forgotten extra, holding the ring pillow and watching his friends get married.
"No, no, no—this is insane," he muttered, sitting up and running his hands through his hair. "Arnold?! And Akari?! Not happening."
But the moment he lay down again, his mind was right back at it, imagining a slow-motion scene of Arnold lifting Akari's veil, and Akari gazing up at him with a dreamy smile. It was unbearable.
"Ugh, why is this happening to me?" he groaned, whacking his pillow. He tried everything to shake off the thought—counting, staring at the ceiling, even squeezing his eyes shut and telling himself it was all nonsense. But that only made the dream more vivid, as if his mind was mocking him.
By morning, Kuro was wide-eyed and exhausted, silently swearing he'd never let Arnold near Akari without a very good reason.
As dawn broke, Akari sat by her window, lost in thought, hugging her knees close. The early morning light cast a gentle glow, but inside, she felt weighed down. Her heart ached a little more with each passing thought.
"They're both such idiots," she whispered, shaking her head with a sad smile. "Why'd they have to go and make things so complicated?"
She sighed, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the window glass. The truth she carried—her place here was uncertain, like a shadow that might fade any moment. The thought of leaving someday, of this "dual life" catching up to her, only deepened her sadness. If only she could stop her heart from caring so much, from getting tangled in these bonds she knew she shouldn't form.
"I don't even know how long I'll be here," she murmured to herself. "I can't... I can't bear the thought of breaking their hearts." Her voice was barely a whisper, but even she could hear the pain in it.
Her eyes drifted shut as she resolved to keep her distance, at least a little. Better to shield them now than to risk shattering everything later.
As the three of them gathered at the entrance of their quarters, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension. Each of them wore the telltale signs of a sleepless night—dark circles under their eyes, hair slightly disheveled, and an awkwardness that hung in the air like an invisible cloud.
"Hi," they all said in unison, but the greeting felt more like a formality than genuine warmth.
Akari offered a half-hearted smile before quickly excusing herself. "I... I need to check on something," she said, her voice lacking its usual brightness. Without waiting for a response, she slipped past them, her footsteps echoing softly down the hall.
Arnold watched her go, guilt washing over him. It's my fault, he thought, feeling the weight of her sadness as if it were his own. If I hadn't jumped on her like that... He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
Kuro, on the other hand, was lost in his own thoughts, convinced that he was to blame for her sudden retreat. Maybe if I hadn't been so jealous, he mused, scuffing the toe of his boot against the floor. He looked at Arnold, who had a similar look of bewilderment and concern plastered on his face.
"Do you think she's okay?" Kuro asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, she'll be fine," Arnold replied, but even he sounded uncertain.
Silence fell between them again, thick and uncomfortable. Both boys exchanged glances, each silently debating whether to voice their thoughts.
Finally, Arnold said, "We should talk to her. Maybe she needs us."
Kuro nodded but hesitated. "What if she doesn't want to see us?"
"Then we'll just have to make her want to," Arnold said, determination creeping into his tone.
"Easier said than done, Your Highness," Kuro replied with a hint of sarcasm, but deep down, he knew they had to try.
As they stood there, two boys grappling with their own feelings, Akari's absence hung over them like a storm cloud, making the already awkward morning feel even heavier.
Not having Akari around was like hell for the boys. The air felt stale, the light dimmer, and even the breakfast in the dining hall lacked its usual flair. Gone were the days of playful banter, witty comebacks, and her infectious laughter. Instead, they were left in a dull silence, their mornings devoid of the vibrant energy she brought.
"Ugh, this is so boring!" Kuro groaned, pushing his scrambled eggs around his plate as if they were the source of all his woes. "Where's the fun in this?"
Arnold, too, was struggling to keep his spirits up. "I didn't realize how much I'd miss her... sarcastic remarks," he admitted, staring longingly at the empty seat across from him. "It's like eating without salt."
"Right? Who knew Akari was the salt of our lives?" Kuro replied, dramatically clutching his chest as if the absence of Akari was a physical pain. "We need to get her back. I can't go on like this!"
"Maybe we should stage an intervention," Arnold suggested, raising an eyebrow. "You know, show her how miserable we are without her."
"Good idea! Let's make a sign that says, 'Help! We're suffering in silence!'" Kuro said, his enthusiasm returning a bit as he envisioned the absurdity of it all. "Maybe we could even hire a bard to serenade her about our plight."
Arnold chuckled, imagining a hapless bard strumming away while they dramatically gestured their misery. "You're really going overboard with this, aren't you?"
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Kuro replied, rolling his eyes. "I mean, look at us! We're practically shells of our former selves!"
Just then, a passing student shot them a strange look as they overheard their conversation, raising an eyebrow at the two boys lamenting over their missing friend.
"Just wait till Akari returns," Arnold said, a smirk breaking through. "She won't let us live this down."
"True," Kuro admitted, grinning at the thought. "But until then, we need to come up with a plan to win her back."
With newfound determination, they started brainstorming ideas, turning their collective misery into a mission. And as they plotted, the laughter slowly returned, proving that even in the dullest of times, the bond they shared would bring back the fun—just as soon as they could get Akari to join them again.
Akari was practicing with her sword, her muscles aching from the workout. Sweat glistened on her skin as she moved through the forms, but there was a heaviness in her heart. The training was good, but the loneliness was starting to get to her. After all, the boys brought a certain lightness to her life that she couldn't ignore any longer. So, with a newfound resolve, she sheathed her sword, wiped her brow, and decided to stop the silent treatment.
As dinner time approached, she made her way to their quarters, the scent of food wafting through the air and making her stomach grumble. When she knocked on the door, she was met with surprised and delighted expressions from both boys.
"Hey, look who decided to grace us with her presence!" Kuro said, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Yeah, it's like a miracle," Arnold added, unable to hide his smile. "We thought we were going to starve to death in your absence!"
Akari rolled her eyes, the teasing tone returning as she stepped into the room. "Sorry, guys! I was ignoring you because I thought I'd check how you'd manage without me. Turns out, I'm tired of your miserable selves!"
The boys exchanged glances, trying to stifle their laughter.
"Wait, you actually thought we could survive without you?" Kuro said, dramatically placing a hand on his heart as if he'd just received devastating news. "How could you? We're like two lost puppies without our leader!"
"Right?" Arnold chimed in, nodding earnestly. "We were practically dying from lack of your sarcasm and wit!"
Akari feigned a gasp, putting her hand to her chest. "Oh no! I didn't mean to leave you both on the brink of starvation and sorrow! What will the kingdom do without its finest warriors?"
As they settled around the table, the mood lightened further. They filled their plates, and Akari took a moment to relish the familiar banter.
"Seriously, though," she said, a softer tone creeping in, "I missed you guys. It's just... things were feeling a little overwhelming, you know?"
Arnold nodded, his expression growing more serious. "We missed you, too. It's just not the same without you around to keep us in check."
Kuro smirked, waving a hand dismissively. "Or to make fun of our cooking skills. Let's be honest, this meal wouldn't survive a royal critique without you!"
They shared a laugh, the tension of the past few days evaporating like steam from their dinner plates. Akari felt warmth bloom in her chest, the bond they shared stronger than ever. As they ate, the teasing resumed, and for the first time in days, the table was filled with laughter and chatter once again. It felt like home.
Six months had passed since Akari first joined the Knight Academy, and life had settled into a routine filled with training, study, and the inevitable antics of Kuro and Arnold. The trio had grown even closer, their bond strengthened through shared struggles and triumphs. However, amidst the sword fights and late-night study sessions, Akari had resolutely ignored any signs of affection from the boys. Whether it was Kuro's exaggerated flirting or Arnold's shy glances, she pretended not to notice, focusing instead on her training and responsibilities.
Now, as the time for their final exams approached, the atmosphere in the academy buzzed with excitement and anxiety. Students were busy reviewing their notes, practicing spells, and sharpening their swords. Akari, however, remained blissfully unaware—or perhaps just expertly evasive—of the boys' attempts to take their relationships to a more romantic level.
Akari was pushing herself hard in training since everyone else at the academy had the advantage of wings. Without them, she had to rely entirely on her agility, strength, and quick thinking to keep up. Knowing that the sword exam forbade using magical powers, she started focusing on mastering swift footwork and honing her strategic skills to outmaneuver her opponents. Every day, she'd practice new moves and ways to counter flying tactics, determined to keep up with—and even surpass—the other students despite her disadvantage.
Akari was deep in training mode, completely absorbed in her own routine, when suddenly Arnold and Kuro rushed up to her looking guilty, like two puppies caught tearing up a sofa.
"Akari," Kuro started, attempting a grin that only made him look more suspicious. "We... may have run into a little, uh, obstacle."
"An obstacle?" Akari crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "Did the 'obstacle' happen to explode? Because I can practically smell the arena rubble on you two."
Arnold winced. "So... yeah, about that. There was a tiny incident."
"Define 'tiny,'" Akari said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Tiny like forgetting to water a plant or tiny like, I don't know, demolishing half of the academy grounds?"
Kuro scratched his head, looking away. "Listen, it was just supposed to be a fake Noor trap to surprise you. Something fun, you know?"
Arnold nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! We were just testing out some light-dark effects, just a simple trick—until it sort of... um... took on a life of its own?"
Akari glared at them, eyes blazing. "So let me get this straight. You two thought, 'Hey, let's set a trap for Akari,' with zero clue of how to control it, and now you're here hoping I'll magically fix it because you don't have an ounce of common sense between you?"
Kuro opened his mouth, but Akari cut him off. "You two clowns better hope the head instructor doesn't walk in and find a smoking crater where the arena used to be, because if he does? I'm letting you both take the blame."
Arnold held up his hands defensively. "Akari, come on. You're the only one who can get us out of this. You know, with your genius and all that."
"Please," Kuro chimed in. "Think of it as... character development?"
Akari shot them both a death glare, then sighed. "Fine. I'll help. But if anyone asks, I was an innocent bystander to the genius plans of two absolute nitwits."
Arnold and Kuro grinned, all gratitude and relief. "Thanks, Akari," they said in unison, clearly trying to mask their fear.
"Don't thank me," Akari smirked, crossing her arms. "Thank your lucky stars I'm around to save your necks."
Akari, still thoroughly unimpressed, dragged Kuro and Arnold over to the academy's training grounds and sought out her friend Lina, an earth power user who happened to have a knack for fixing, well, "clumsy disasters."
"Lina," Akari said, crossing her arms with an exasperated sigh, "I need a favor. A big one."
Lina glanced at Kuro and Arnold, who were both trying (and failing) to look innocent. "Let me guess," she said, raising an eyebrow. "These two finally blew something up?"
"Bingo," Akari said dryly. "And they managed to turn the arena into a miniature war zone. Any chance you can help me undo their mess before we all get busted?"
Lina laughed, then cracked her knuckles. "Alright, let's get to work. You two owe me."
Combining Lina's earth manipulation and Akari's control over darkness and Noor, they carefully reshaped and restored the arena's walls, floor, and fixtures to look like nothing had happened. Akari used her powers to darken any scorch marks, while Lina expertly moved the soil, stones, and debris back into place.
As the final touches came together, Akari turned to the boys, looking smug. "There. Now it's like your embarrassing 'experiment' never happened. But if you ever try another one of your brilliant traps, I'm letting Lina bury you both in the rubble next time."
Arnold gave her a thumbs-up, grinning sheepishly. "Noted."
Kuro sighed in relief. "Thanks, Akari, Lina. Really. And hey, we learned something from this."
"Yeah," Akari said, smirking. "That you're both hopeless."
Lina crossed her arms, grinning mischievously. "Oh, please! You two owe me after that arena fiasco. Akari's coming with us. She needs to experience a proper girls' night, away from all this testosterone."
Akari tried to keep a straight face, but inside, she was screaming. "Me? A girls' night? I barely even know how to 'girl'…" She glanced at Kuro and Arnold, eyes pleading. Do something!
Arnold immediately jumped in, "Uh, hey, Lina, hands off! We need her. Akari's… uh… our… personal training advisor. Yeah, she's critical to our exam prep!"
Kuro nodded fervently. "Exactly! She keeps us, uh, balanced. You know, so we don't accidentally… blow up any more arenas." He shot Lina a hopeful grin, which quickly deflated under her withering look.
Lina gave a dry laugh. "Nice try, boys. But Akari's a girl. She deserves some time away from your chaos." She put her hands on Akari's shoulders, steering her away. "Come on, Akari. You'll love it. Facials, gossip, the works."
Akari mouthed, Save me, at the guys as she was pulled along.
Kuro called out desperately, "Akari! Don't let them… paint your nails or anything! You'll never be the same!"
Arnold sighed, defeated. "We'll miss you… If you survive, come back as soon as possible. Don't let the glitter get to you."
Lina just smirked as she whisked Akari away. "See you boys later. Maybe if you're lucky, we'll bring her back… and not totally 'girled up.'"
Akari had been living as a girl after the explosion in the cave, as her life as Lior lasted only four years. For her, she had spent just four years as a boy and the rest as a girl. Even in her own world nowadays, she remains a girl and has not turned back into a boy even once. Slowly, she is forgetting all about her previous life as Jack too. So now, she is more comfortable as a girl, but she still feels a strange sensation being around so many girls because, normally, it's only boys and her.
Akari stood in the middle of the girls' dormitory, surrounded by a whirlwind of giggles and chatter. It was her first time being engulfed by so many girls, and she felt like a bewildered deer caught in headlights. "What have I gotten myself into?" she thought, trying to suppress a nervous laugh. The girls had all changed into their pajamas, which ranged from cute to comically mismatched, while she was sporting a nightdress with tulips that made her feel like she was about to host a tea party with a garden gnome.
As they flopped onto their beds, one girl dramatically declared, "Let's have a makeover session!" Akari's eyes widened. "Makeover? I just survived a sword exam; I'm not ready for a hair disaster!" She shot a pleading look towards the door, silently wishing the boys would burst in and rescue her from this pink frilly nightmare. But instead, all she heard was the sound of hair dryers and the distant echo of laughter, and she resigned herself to her fate. "Well, at least I can pretend to be a queen for a night," she muttered, rolling her eyes while secretly hoping her tulip nightdress wouldn't become the next fashion disaster.
The girls surrounded Akari like she was the star of a bizarre reality show titled "Extreme Makeover: Hair Edition." One girl reached out, running her fingers through Akari's long, white hair with wide eyes. "What do you use for your hair? It's so soft!" she gushed, as if Akari's hair was spun from clouds and moonlight.
Akari beamed, reveling in the attention. "Oh, you know, just my long and rigorous hygiene routine," she replied with a playful smirk. "I spend hours perfecting my hair—at least when I'm not dodging sword practice and trying to remember I'm not a walking mop!"
Another girl chimed in, "You should totally share your secrets! I need my hair to be as fabulous as yours!"
"Fabulous?" Akari chuckled, flipping her hair over her shoulder dramatically. "I'll have you know, it's a full-time job! Daily shampooing, the occasional existential crisis, and a sprinkle of magic dust from my 'secret' stash—oh, and don't forget a few cat naps to keep the shine!"
The girls erupted into laughter, and Akari couldn't help but enjoy every moment. Who knew that all she had to do to become the center of attention was show up with soft hair and a good sense of humor? In that moment, surrounded by laughter and camaraderie, she felt more like herself than ever.
"Maybe this girls' night thing isn't so bad after all," she thought, embracing the fun and warmth of the moment.