—Dear students, you may head back to your rooms now! And to all fighters still in the tournament: train hard and rest well, because in two days comes the final round before the semifinals! Good night!
The coliseum slowly emptied.
Naeris sat up, stretched her arms, and let out a satisfied hum.
—Finally, this round's over.
Arien jumped to his feet.
—Yeah, and it ended so fast! I wanted to see some real action, but instead Terrmomix just looked even scarier than he already did.
Naeris started walking toward the exit.
—But he seems like such a nice person too. We should invite him to get mangoes with us later.
Arien followed, along with Kaien, Varek, and Haruki.
—Great idea. Sweet mangoes always bring peace.
The five stepped into the dining hall, already fairly crowded with students.
—Let's find a table. I'm starving after sitting through all those matches —Varek said, scanning for an empty spot.
Haruki spotted one far off and raised a finger to point it out, but before he could say anything, a group took it. He lowered his hand and kept walking.
A little further on, they found another free table. Arien and Naeris sat down. Varek was just about to take his seat when he paused.
—We were about to sit down and didn't even order dinner —he straightened up—. I'll get ours. Kaien, come with me.
—Sure thing —Kaien followed him to the counter.
Naeris and Arien turned to Haruki.
—C'mon, Harukito, sit —Naeris patted the empty spot beside her.
Haruki sat down quietly. Naeris looked at him, eyes half-lidded, grinning like she had something to say.
Haruki noticed and turned to her.
—Something up, Naeris?
—Weeeell… you promised you'd give me Rika's number.
Haruki smiled softly as he remembered.
—That's right, sorry I forgot. I'll get it for you right now —he pulled out his phone.
—Ahhh! —Naeris hugged him tight—. Thank you, my Harukito! You're my hero! And you're just as squishy as always!
Arien's eyes went wide as he watched.
—Oh! Brilliant idea, Naeris! That way we can ask Rika how Kenzo's doing and stay updated!
Haruki blinked, confused.
—Arien, you're part of the crew too. Shouldn't you already have Rika's number?
—Oh, I do have it. I really do. It's just… she blocked me.
Naeris burst out laughing and let go of Haruki.
—Hahaha! Why ever would she?!
—No clue. Probably 'cause I sent her like twelve hundred memes a day.
Haruki finished sending the number over. Naeris held her phone up triumphantly.
—Yes! Got it!
—Yay! Kenzo and Rika forever!
Terrmomix and Floch walked in too, heading down the aisles.
—Phew… out of everyone in this round, you're the only one who didn't get hurt at all —Floch said, hands behind his head—. In-cred-i-ble.
Terrmomix didn't answer, just kept walking, eyes straight ahead.
Floch glanced over at him.
—I'm actually starting to think you could make it all the way to the finals.
Floch wasn't looking where he was going and bumped right into someone's back.
—Ouch! —he stepped back—. Sorry, wasn't paying attention —he looked up and froze—. It's the First Rank… —he breathed, voice barely there.
Kael turned and looked at Floch for a long moment.
Floch held up both hands in a peace sign.
—What's up, dude.
Then his gaze shifted to Terrmomix.
—You again.
—You're alone —Terrmomix said, perfectly flat and even.
—Well yeah, 'cause your friends are all theeeere —Floch pointed toward the ceiling— way over there —he dropped his hand toward the floor—. Y'know?
He held both hands up quickly.
—No, nothing. Uh… you wanna sit with us?
—No. I'm fine —Kael looked at Terrmomix once more, then turned and walked away.
—Can't tell which of you two scares me more.
From their table, Arien watched the whole thing with a frown.
—I can be that serious too.
—Oh really? —Naeris asked, amused.
—Yeah, watch —he turned toward them, trying to copy Kael's cold, stoic look—. I am so seriousss.
—You look like an angry owl, Arien.
—Naerisss!
—What?
In the infirmary:
Rika finished eating and set her tray down on the nightstand beside her bed.
Kenzo ate slowly, glancing at her now and then; being alone in the room with her still made him nervous.
—Your match was amazing, by the way —Rika said, turning to him.
—Huh? —Kenzo looked up—. Oh— Th-thank you. Yours was incredible too.
Rika shook her head, smiling gently.
—Thanks, but not as amazing as yours —she opened her eyes again—. I still can't believe you withstood so many attacks from a Ranked fighter.
—Well… I didn't really feel the pain, just… felt myself getting cut. My legs moved on their own. I was barely hanging on as it was.
—But you did it. That still counts. And you won too.
—Yeah, but… now everyone left is terrifying. Including you. And I… I don't think I can—
Rika tossed a pillow straight at his face.
—Hey —she said firmly.
—Wh—? —Kenzo caught it, wide-eyed.
—Why are you always so hard on yourself? Have more faith. Like Matteo said: "You didn't get here by chance. You got here because you earned it."
Kenzo narrowed his eyes.
—That's three times someone's told me that now.
—Three times and it still hasn't sunk in?!
—It's just… thinking about facing people as strong as all of you… it gives me chills —he shivered.
—They're tough, that's true… but not unbeatable. You thought the same thing before fighting Matteo, remember? And you won —she glanced at the TV—. Besides… what if you lose? —she turned back to him—. You're already one of the ten strongest. You've already proven what you can do.
—Rika… —Kenzo looked down, her words sticking with him.
—So! —she pointed right at him—. If you doubt yourself one more time… I won't forgive you! Understood?!
Kenzo's eyes went wide. Then he nodded firmly.
—Yes! I promise I won't say things like that again! I'll give everything I have in my next match!
Rika smiled softly and lowered her hand.
—That's better —she lay back, facing away but still smiling—. Sleep now. Rest up so you heal faster.
Kenzo sat quietly for a moment, then lay down too.
—You're right…
—Good night, Rika.
—Good night, Kenzo.
—Sleep time! —Naeris flopped onto her bed and was fast asleep within seconds.
Everyone else headed back too. The academy lights dimmed, leaving everything quiet and dark.
All except one room: the faculty meeting room. Professor Elion, Professor Mari, Director Lion, and four other teachers sat around the table.
—It's time to decide the matchups for the fourth round —the Director said.