From the upper corridor—
Three shadows remained frozen near the window.
Riven slowly leaned back.
"…Well."
Sylven adjusted his posture, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I told you… it was something else."
Kael was still staring at the empty courtyard below.
"I… cannot believe what I just saw."
Riven smirked.
"So they came all the way there for that, huh?"
Sylven crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"Interesting development."
Kael remained silent.
But suddenly—
Something struck him.
"…Wait."
Riven raised a brow. "What?"
Kael turned toward them.
"If they're in a relationship…"
His voice lowered.
"Then why would Lyra hurt Iren that brutally in the quarterfinals?"
Silence.
That was true.
Sylven hummed.
"…Who knows."
A faint, calculating look appeared in his eyes.
"Maybe to hide their relationship."
Riven's grin widened.
"Ohhh."
Kael slowly nodded.
"That… might be true."
A dangerous glint entered Riven's eyes.
"Whatever happens…"
He cracked his knuckles lightly.
"I am definitely teasing him."
A faint smile appeared on Kael's face.
Sylven added calmly—
"So will we."
Three suspicious smiles formed at the same time.
Kael suddenly straightened.
"We should return before he gets there."
"Good point," Sylven replied.
And with that—
The three of them quietly rushed back through the corridor.
---
Inside the central hall—
They slid into their original positions as if nothing had happened.
Riven leaned casually against a pillar.
Sylven stood near the long table.
Kael crossed his arms calmly.
Door.
Creeeaaak…
Iren stepped inside.
Kael immediately spoke.
"Welcome back, Mr. Popular."
Riven glanced at him dramatically.
"Five minutes already gone, huh?"
Iren blinked.
"…She's quite talkative."
He walked toward them.
"So it went a little long."
Sylven tilted his head.
"So tell us."
His tone was calm.
"What did she say? After all… we are teammates now."
Kael nodded in agreement.
"You said we should understand each other better."
Iren scratched his cheek.
"She just wanted my help. That's all."
Riven raised one finger.
"Then tell us…"
A slow grin spread across his face.
"…why did she hug you?"
—THUD—
It felt like lightning struck Iren.
"W-What?!"
His face froze.
Eyes widened.
"…You were there?!"
The three burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
Riven clutched his stomach.
"You should've seen your face!"
Sylven spoke between chuckles.
"You said we must understand each other better… so we followed you."
Kael coughed lightly, trying not to laugh.
"…We didn't expect to witness something that extraordinary."
Iren's face turned red.
"Y-You guys are unbelievable!"
Kael suddenly asked seriously—
"So… are you and Lyra in a relationship?"
Iren's brain short-circuited.
"N-No! No! Absolutely not! What are you even saying?!"
Riven leaned forward.
"Really?"
Sylven added smoothly—
"Imagine what would happen if everyone finds out."
Riven snapped his fingers.
"Many girls might get jealous of Lyra."
Kael nodded thoughtfully.
"That would create quite the situation."
Sylven continued—
"When we entered the dining hall, you were surrounded mostly by girls."
"Your fan club grew fast," Riven added.
"Now imagine if this spreads…"
"I told you it's not like that!" Iren interrupted instantly.
Kael crossed his arms.
"Then tell us the truth."
His eyes narrowed playfully.
"Or we might accidentally tell the whole academy tomorrow."
Iren stared at them in disbelief.
"Believe me! It wasn't anything like that. She just wanted my help!"
Sylven raised a brow.
"Help in what? Learning how to hug better?"
The three burst into laughter again.
"Trust me!" Iren insisted desperately.
"She asked me to help her train."
Silence.
Riven blinked.
"…Train?"
"In what?" Kael asked.
"She wants to get stronger. To win the runner-up selection and become the fifth member."
The three exchanged glances.
Then—
Riven smirked again.
"So you also want her in the team."
He leaned closer.
"A couple in one squad, huh?"
"You guys are too annoying!" Iren snapped. "I told you the truth!"
For a moment—
Kael exhaled and raised a hand.
"Enough."
Riven and Sylven slowly stopped laughing, wiping tears from their eyes.
Kael looked at Iren seriously.
"So what did you answer?"
"I agreed to help her."
Iren looked away awkwardly.
"And that's probably why she hugged me. In excitement."
Sylven glanced at the large clock on the wall.
Tick…
Tick…
"…It's midnight."
Riven straightened instantly.
"Already?"
"We should sleep," Sylven said calmly. "Unless you want punishment drills tomorrow."
All three immediately nodded.
"Agreed."
They began heading out.
As they passed Iren—
Riven whispered,
"Good night… sensei."
Iren's eye twitched.
"Go to sleep."
---
The hall slowly emptied.
Silence returned.
But from behind one of the large pillars—
A familiar figure stood quietly.
Lyra.
Her face was bright red.
'S-So they saw us…'
She covered her face slightly.
'This is so embarrassing…'
But then—
She lowered her hands.
'Still…'
A small smile appeared.
'He told them the truth.'
Her heart felt lighter.
She took one last glance toward the corridor where Iren had left.
"…Idiot."
Soft.
Not mocking.
Warm.
Then she quietly returned to her room.
Outside—
The moon remained high.
And within the academy walls—
New alliances… and new complications…
Were beginning to form.