Awakened by the first ray of morning light.

Eyes going from shallow to deep.

Packing my bags, getting ready to leave.

Gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

"And so, our journey begins."

...

I rubbed my eyes, sat up in bed, silently watching Vakaka standing at the door, her back facing me, reciting inexplicable lines.

She flicked her long black hair and turned to look at me, giving a wicked smile, with a huge black flame ignited in her hand.

"So, my comrades, let's go! For the profound darkness ahead and the great freedom!"

"..."

If it weren't for the heavy black circles around her eyes, it might have been a pretty cool scene.

I pulled the curtain to block out the sunlight, stretched my body, and pointed at Vakaka's dark circles.

"Hmph, what's up with that? Do you think this is proof of my depravity because I couldn't sleep all night due to excitement?!"

Well, isn't it?

Vakaka jumped onto my bed, hands pressing near my waist, staring at me with wide eyes.

"You're wrong, Molly Ann-chan. This is the side effect brought by my chaotic and turbulent black flames, not some helpless and sorrowful thing!"

I leaned back, pressing Vakaka's forehead.

"I think the word in the middle should be 'scattered'... but it doesn't matter. Hurry up and get off me."

"...Sorry..."

Helplessly, I got dressed and tidied up the bed, retrieving the crystal ball that the headmaster had given us as a student handbook.

"It's only 6:30 now... I remember our competition starts at 9."

"..."

Vakaka, who had always appeared strong-willed, suddenly bowed her head and threw herself onto my bed.

"Hey... I just tidied it up..."

"I didn't want this to happen either! In my heart, I kept telling myself that this was just a small competition, and there would be plenty of chances to see the headmaster, but I fantasized about winning the competition and reaching the pinnacle of life! I couldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried, no matter how many times I told myself I couldn't get good results if I didn't sleep, my consciousness only became clearer, and in the end, I stayed up all night."

I looked speechlessly at Vakaka who jumped onto my bed, making it messy and crying like a child. I didn't know what to say, so I simply patted her shoulder.

"Vakaka, even though you couldn't sleep all night due to excitement, our other companion who hasn't woken up since last night because of your noise, right?"

"What!? Even I'm so excited, and she dares to sleep so soundly. Just you wait..."

Vakaka had a gritted teeth expression, climbed onto Aiyana's bed, and pinched her cheeks.

"Ah, wait... stop it, I can't eat anymore... I'm already..."

"Don't eat anymore, wake up for me."

Aiyana, in a drowsy state, was pulled up by Vakaka, her eyes opening.

"Oh, Vakaka, good morning. Are you hungry too?"

"Look at the time."

Aiyana looked at the dim sky outside the window.

"I see... it's night."

Then she lay back down.

"Wake up for me!!"

...

Vakaka and Aiyana have such a good relationship.

Anyway, after making a big fuss for a while, the three of us finally set off.

--------------

"By the way, where did Irene senior go?"

I looked up at the empty upper bunk.

"Hmm? I don't know."

"But you said you couldn't sleep all night..."

"Irene senior is Irene senior after all. One minute she was lying on the bed just fine, and the next, when I raised my head, she was gone."

"..."

Who will Irene senior team up with, I wonder?