In a forest clearing, dust-coated Loko pinned Shilufei beneath her—hands clamped firmly on Shilufei’s shoulders, legs locked tight around her waist.

As they strained against each other, dust drifted from Loko’s clothes. Some specks flew into Shilufei’s eyes. The sting made her squeeze them shut instantly. She tried to rub them, but her hands were held fast.

With no choice left, Shilufei surrendered.

“Stop, stop, stop! Loko, I lost. This time, I really lost.”

Only then did Loko loosen her grip—but she stayed straddling Shilufei.

She kept still until Shilufei used the cleaner part of her sleeve to wipe her eyes and open them, tears glistening faintly. Loko pouted.

“Shilufei… that move was way too underhanded!”

“But effective, right?” Shilufei retorted with a grin.

“If you truly rely on your senses, Loko, that must’ve thrown you off pretty badly.”

Loko fell silent, then gave a slow nod.

Shilufei was right. The trick had disrupted her judgment—forcing her to open her eyes and lose her edge completely. It was a warning: trusting her senses so absolutely could be fatal outside the academy. Here, it meant a sore spot. Out there? A life.

Seeing Loko calm, Shilufei smiled brightly.

“Hehe~ So I found a flaw for you. You owe me one, okay?”

At that smile, Loko’s breath hitched. It was warm, disarming—melting the last of her tension.

“Oh right, Loko,” Shilufei added softly, “I already surrendered. How long are you gonna keep pinning me?”

Loko froze. Only now did she notice their compromising position—her full weight still pressing down. She tried to rise too quickly. Her stiff limbs wobbled, and she tumbled forward—

—but caught herself with a hand braced beside Shilufei’s head.

Then…

Shilufei’s lively, slightly swollen eyes were right there. Close. Trusting. Silent.

“Loko… you’re… a little too close…”

Warm breath brushed Loko’s cheek. Her face flushed crimson.

Shilufei felt it too. Strands of Loko’s hair, loosened by gravity, tickled her skin with every breeze. Her breathing deepened.

“Your hair… it’s ticklish.”

Without thinking, Loko tucked the stray strands behind her ear—glancing sideways, movements gentle.

Shilufei stared, heart skipping.

“Better now? No more tickling?” Loko asked, sitting up. She turned—and saw Shilufei’s flushed cheeks.

Before she could react, Shilufei pushed herself upright. Their hands met. Hers settled slowly over Loko’s.

A quiet, intimate hush settled between them.

“Loko,” Shilufei murmured, “can you stand up now? You’re still on top of me.”

Loko jolted awake. She shifted her legs, rose carefully—and pulled Shilufei up with her.

Shilufei’s clothes were smudged with dirt from the fall. Training was over. She dusted herself off.

“Loko, check the back of my clothes? If it’s dirty, brush it off for me.”

She turned without hesitation. The dirtiest patch was exactly where she couldn’t reach.

Seeing her ease, the lingering warmth in Loko’s chest softened.

Behind her, Loko began patting gently. Dust puffed into the air; she covered her mouth with one hand.

Shilufei closed her eyes, humming softly with each motion.

Loko’s hands drifted from shoulders… down the back… waist… lower—

“Enough!”

Shilufei’s voice cut through the quiet.

“Thanks for today, Loko. My clothes are a mess—I should go change.”

Without looking back, she walked toward the dorm.

…

“You went to see Loko?”

Inside the student council building, Haya—the former president—sat at her desk handling pending matters. Until the new council formed, she kept things running.

Beside her, Eve lowered her head.

“I’m sorry, Young Miss. I spoke with her without permission.”

“It’s fine.” Haya set down her pen, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. “What did you ask?”

“Whether Francois and Augustine’s defection had Miss Teresa’s backing.”

“And?”

Sunset light streamed through the window, gilding half of Haya’s face.

“She said no. Miss Teresa intends to face us openly and fairly.”

“Just that?” Haya’s lazy tone tightened Eve’s shoulders.

“Just that.”

Haya turned fully to her. “Don’t tip them off. Teresa, Loko, even Shilufei—avoid contact from now on.”

“I accept—even encourage—you pursuing personal matters beyond my orders. But don’t meddle further.”

She signed a club funding document with a smooth stroke.

“You’ve done enough. Pushing further won’t help you.”

“No matter how good your intentions,” Haya added softly, “wrong actions never lead to good outcomes.”