The cafeteria's din gradually faded as the night deepened. That hour of dinner, filled with fleeting happiness, eventually came to an end.
The girls' cheerful chatter had reached its stopping point.
"See you tomorrow!"
"Good luck, everyone!"
Amid their mutual farewells and words of encouragement, the crowd began making its way toward the exit.
Just as Ichinose Honami waved goodbye to her friends with a smile and turned to leave.
"Ichinose."
Ichinose Honami stopped and looked back.
Kazehara Tetsu stood a few steps away, half his body hidden in the shadow of a cafeteria pillar.
"We have a few minutes."
"If you don't mind, could we talk alone?"
Ichinose Honami paused in surprise.
"Of course."
She quickly recovered her signature radiant smile, then turned to Kanzaki Ryuji and the curious girls who were still waiting nearby.
"Sorry, I'd like to check a few things with Kazehara-kun. You guys go on ahead. I'll be back at the Dormitory soon."
She watched her friends' departing figures until they disappeared into the depths of the night. Only then did Ichinose Honami turn around and walk lightly over to Kazehara Tetsu.
"Well... shall we go somewhere else?"
Ichinose instinctively hunched her shoulders. She was wearing her Sports Uniform, but the cold mountain wind still seemed capable of piercing the fabric.
They didn't go far, just to a sheltered spot beneath the eaves beside the cafeteria.
It was quiet around them, with only the rustle of wind through the withered branches.
"So, what is it, Kazehara-kun?"
Ichinose Honami clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, trying to break the somewhat oppressive silence with a light, playful tone.
"Going out of your way to avoid everyone... Don't tell me Kazehara-kun is planning some kind of 'super plan'? Like how to wipe out the