That meal in the cafeteria had been immensely satisfying.
Jaden had treated the Academic Affairs Office's allowance as an unlimited buffet pass. Hayato had even packed two portions of dessert to go, and before leaving, he had stared at the counter and asked if he could take another slice.
The path toward the Red Dormitory branched off first.
Jaden waved and called out that they would visit Yūki's villa tomorrow. Hayato jogged after him with his paper bags, while Syrus remained quiet, slowly following behind them. The night wind soon scattered their noisy chatter.
For the rest of the walk, only Yūki and Asuka remained, walking side by side.
The lights were sparse along this stretch behind the academy.
Streetlamps divided the flagstone path into alternating patches of light and darkness.
In the distance, the buildings of Obelisk Blue shone with cool white windows. The lights of the Ra Yellow Dormitory sat a little lower, while only a few windows remained lit in the Red Dormitory.
Asuka slipped both hands into her uniform pockets, her pace slower than it had been during the day.
"The way you were eating in the cafeteria hardly suited someone who'd just been promoted straight to the Obelisk Blue Dormitory."
She turned her head, her blond hair swaying beneath the light.
"The deputy director's face had turned green, and you still dared to ask Jaden to order another portion of fried fish. The Academic Affairs Office publicly withdrew all your punishments today, and you immediately decided to withdraw their entire budget for the month too?"
"That's called making the most of your resources."
Yūki sounded perfectly justified. "They spent a fortune inviting the Paradox Brothers here to embarrass themselves. We were responsible for getting the meal money back. Fair trade."
"Besides, Asuka, didn't you help