Chapter Text
“Nagi, when are you going to pick up that towel you just threw around?”
The blue-haired man paced around the room, neatly folding his clothes into his suitcase while pointing at the abandoned towel lying carelessly on the floor.
The owner of the towel, currently sprawled on the bed, merely glanced at him before returning his focus to the rubik’s cube in his hands. His fingers lazily tapped at the cube, expression unreadable beneath his mop of white hair. “Will do it later,” he mumbled, shifting slightly to pop another handful of peanuts into his mouth.
A loud, furious yell tore through the air.
“NAGI, WHY THE HELL IS YOUR SOCK IN MY ROOM?!”
Oh hell no. The monster is coming.
Nagi barely had time to process the impending disaster before he heard the stomping of heavy footsteps, each step echoing with pure, unfiltered rage.
He sighed, already bracing himself. “Thanks, that was mine from… idk—maybe two weeks ago?” he replied, deadpan, not even bothering to look up.
The response was met with immediate retribution. Something soft but unmistakably damp smacked straight into his face. The familiar musty scent confirmed his suspicions, it was, indeed, his sock.
Nagi let it hit him, not even flinching, before dramatically slumping back like he had just suffered a mortal wound. “How cruel,” he muttered, voice thick with mock betrayal.
Barou stood at the doorway, his expression dark with irritation, looking about two seconds away from murdering him. His jaw tensed as he shot a glare in his direction. “Piece of shit,” he grumbled before turning on his heel and stomping off, only after Isagi had managed to shove him out of the room with a tired sigh.
Nagi, still lying flat on his bed, gave a slow, lazy blink, as if he couldn't be bothered to react.
Before he could return to eat his peanuts, another visitor appeared at the doorway.
“Nagi, can you give me back the scarf you borrowed at the beginning of the month? The red and black one, all tattered?”
Chigiri stood there, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold. The dorm room felt even more hectic than usual, filled with the sounds of zippers, rustling clothes, and rushed conversations. People moved in the background, grabbing last-minute items, stuffing them into overfilled suitcases.
"Oh yeah, wait a minute…" he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head as he vaguely tried to recall where he had put it. His hand hovered over his bag for a second before he started digging through it with minimal effort, shifting clothes and other miscellaneous items aside.
"I forgot—oh, there you are," he muttered, fingers curling around the soft fabric. Without much thought, he fished out the scarf, holding it loosely in one hand. Then, with an exaggerated flick of his wrist, he tossed it toward Chigiri, the movement effortless, almost dismissive.
"Thank you so much, princess," he said, voice flat as ever, completely void of any actual gratitude.
Chigiri caught the scarf with ease, rolling his eyes at Nagi’s lack of enthusiasm. He shook it out before wrapping it around his neck, the warmth immediately soothing against the cold air.
"You could at least pretend to have some manners," Chigiri remarked, adjusting the fabric.
Nagi let out a low hum, already flopping back onto the bed. "Too much effort."
Isagi, who had been watching the exchange with mild amusement, sitting on his own bed, relaxed himself for finally finished packing his own suitcase. "So, what’s the plan for the holidays, Chigiri?" Isagi asked, tilting his head.
"Heading to my sister’s," Chigiri said, playing with his hair. "I deserve to be somewhere warm for once."
"Sounds nice," Isagi mused. "Bet you’re just looking forward to getting pampered."
Chigiri smirked. "Obviously. Perks of being the favorite sibling."
"Lucky," Isagi sighed, shaking his head. "I’ll be with my family too. It won’t be anything fancy, just the usual traditions, but I guess that’s what makes it nice."
"At least you’ve got a real family gathering," Barou chimed in, throwing his bag over his shoulder. "I’m spending the break babysitting my sister. Gonna be stuck cooking all day, but at least there’s no training camp for me this time."
"Not everyone’s lucky enough to have family nearby," Chigiri teased.
"True, but it’s better than being stuck in a training camp," Isagi replied with a chuckle.
The hallway outside their dorm room buzzed with activity, luggage being dragged around, doors opening and closing, excited voices talking about train schedules and flight times. The whole school was emptying out for the winter break.
"Man, this place is gonna be dead," Isagi muttered, glancing at the commotion outside. Then, as if remembering something, he turned back to Nagi, who was still sprawled on his bed, lazily eating his snack.
"Oh right, Nagi, are you staying back this break?"
"Mm," Nagi hummed, eyes glued to his rubik cube. "Yeah."
From the doorway, Kunigami, who had just appeared behind Chigiri, raised an eyebrow. “You seriously couldn’t be bothered to go home?”
“Too much effort,” Nagi replied, his voice slow and indifferent. The cube clicked softly between his fingers.
“Liar,” Barou scoffed from the side of the door, where he was zipping up his duffel bag.
Nagi finally looked up, unimpressed. “Rude.”
That earned a chuckle from Chigiri, who leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed. “He’s right, though. If you wanted to go home, you would.”
“Maybe I just like the peace and quiet,” Nagi retorted, tossing the Rubik’s cube onto his pillow before stretching with a yawn.
Isagi shook his head with a grin. The easy banter between them all felt comfortable, a lingering moment before the dorms emptied out completely. He straightened up, glancing at the clock.
“Alright, guys. We should probably wrap this up and head over to the chapel for the ceremony. Don’t want to be late.”
Nagi sighed, reluctant as always, before rolling onto his side and pushing himself upright. “Right, I’m coming.”
As they gathered their things and made their way out of the dorm, the usual noise and bustle filled the hallways. Students rushed to finish packing, eager to get going. They were all headed to the chapel for the final ceremony before the holiday break officially began.
Once they arrived, the chapel was filled with the soft murmur of students finding their seats, the air thick with the scent of incense. the quiet murmur of students filling the space as they gathered for the holiday ceremony. Isagi and the others sat in one of the back rows, their faces a mix of exhaustion and relief, their thoughts already halfway to their family homes. A few students stood at the front, preparing for the final speech before the holiday break officially began.
The ceremony was brief but meaningful, the headmaster giving a final speech about gratitude, family, and the importance of rest during the break. Nagi sat quietly, only half-listening, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.
⟢
After the brief ceremony concluded, the students began filing out, some rushing to catch their trains, others chatting excitedly about their plans for the break. Isagi, Chigiri, and the rest of the group made their way toward the exit, all heading in different directions, save for Nagi, who stood off to the side.
Chigiri clapped Nagi on the shoulder as he passed by, giving him a half-smile. "Guess we'll see you in a couple of weeks."
"Yeah, have fun with your sister," Isagi added with a grin. "Don’t freeze to death." pointing at Nagi, who’s just yawning.
Nagi’s response was nonchalant, though his tone held a trace of sarcasm. "Sure, have a great time with your family, you guys. I’ll be here... surviving."
Kunigami waved him off. "Don’t do anything stupid, alright?"
"Yeah, don’t freeze yourself to death," Barou added, still smirking. "I’ll be back before you know it, so don’t get too comfortable."
"Thanks for the encouragement," Nagi muttered, watching as they all made their way toward the door. He gave a half-hearted wave, but his mind was already drifting back to his room, where the next chapter of his break awaited him.
When the last of them had left, Nagi turned and headed back to the dorm, the familiar quiet of the hallways greeting him. He was halfway to his room when he ran into Chris in the hallway.
Chris, clipboard in hand, glanced up and gave him a nod. "Ah, Nagi. I was expecting you."
"Mm," Nagi hummed in response, barely slowing his pace.
Chris finally glanced at him, one brow raised "We’re getting things set up for those of you staying here over the break," Chris explained, his voice calm but firm. "Don’t forget, you’re meeting me later with the others who are staying. Try not to be late."
Nagi sighed dramatically. "Sounds like a pain."
"Too bad," Chris smirked. "See you soon."
Nagi only waved a lazy hand over his shoulder, continuing down the hallway. He knew Chris wasn’t the type to let things slide, but that was a problem for later. Right now, he just wanted to get back to his room before his brain had to process any more human interaction.
When he pushed open the door, the room was emptier than before. Most of the bags were gone, the usual mess of his roommates reduced to a few stray belongings left behind. Isagi’s bed was neatly made, a sharp contrast to the one across from it—his .
With a long exhale, Nagi flopped onto his bed, one arm thrown over his eyes. The quiet was… weird. Not bad, but definitely different.
He lay there for a few minutes, letting the stillness settle, before finally dragging himself up. As much as he wanted to ignore it, he did have to meet Chris eventually. And judging by how persistent that guy could be, skipping wasn’t an option.
With another sigh, he pushed himself up and headed out the door, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
Nagi walked into the room after a while, He opened the door, and there were three other students sitting on the couch, while Chris stood leaning against the table behind them.
The room was dimly lit, the glow from a single overhead lamp casting long shadows against the walls. The heater hummed faintly, barely keeping up with the winter chill that clung to the air. Three other students were already inside, gathered on the couch.
One of them sat with his arms crossed, dark teal eyes locked on the floor, posture stiff like he’d rather be anywhere else. His straight black hair framed his sharp features. Beside him was a boy with pale dark pink hair with a single braid hanging on the left side of his face. He was hunched forward, fingers tapping idly against his knee, gaze flickering toward Nagi as he entered. The last had short black hair and a friendly face, his expression open and easygoing. He sat more casually than the others, one leg tucked beneath him, twirling a pen between his fingers. Hair half yellow and his eyes smiling, looks like a bee who got trapped in the middle of these freeze sessions.
"Oh, there you are, Mr. Sloth. Go sit over there," Chris said, his tone a little too amused. Nagi lazily complied, plopping down on the nearest seat.
“So,” Chris clapped his hands together, pushing off the table. "Before we get into anything, let’s do this properly. My name’s Chris Prince, and I’ll be supervising you guys during the holiday." His tone was light, but there was no mistaking the authority in it.
He barely got through his sentence before the door suddenly swung open again. A gust of cold air rushed in, along with a figure stepping inside, a mess of purple hair dusted with snowflakes, his nose red from the cold, breath visible in the freezing air. He was carrying a suitcase in one hand, looking slightly disheveled.
The room fell quiet at the sudden entrance. Chris, ever the professional, was the first to break the silence.
"Sir Mikage?" His brows furrowed. "What are you doing here?"
The newcomer smiled sheepishly, looking a bit embarrassed. "Oh… uh," The guy rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit sheepish. "Sorry for intruding, but I canceled my holiday plans. Thought I’d stick around instead."
He gave a small, lopsided grin, but Nagi could tell from the way his grip tightened on his suitcase that there was more to it than that. Not that he cared enough to ask. He doesn’t care enough to ask.
Chris exhaled through his nose, then shrugged. "Alright. Guess that makes five of you."
After that statement, The purple hair face turned warm and continuously said thank you, bowing as much as he could and he couldn't stop smiling.
Chris allowed him to take a seat, then clasped his hands together, signaling the start of the conversation.
"Alright, I’m gonna introduce myself again," he began, his voice carrying a lighthearted tone. "Hello, my name is Chris Prince. You can call me Chris, no need for honorifics. I want you guys to be comfortable."
He glanced around at the five of them, his expression open and inviting. "As you can see, I’ll be the supervisor this year for those of you who decided or were forced to stay in this freezing dorm. I hope we can spend the rest of the holiday having a good time together." He spread his arms dramatically, flashing them a bright smile.
The short yellow-black hair grinned widely, clearly entertained. Pale red braid offered a small nod, polite as ever. The other one slouched in his chair, looked half-asleep, his eyes barely open. Teal eyes arm crossed and letting a small huffed like he was already bored out of his mind. Meanwhile, Reo sat relaxed, lounged against the armrest of the couch, arms resting comfortably, his expression neutral as he listened.
Chris kept his smile steady. “Yeah, I get it—this isn’t exactly a dream vacation for some of you. But hey, we’re stuck together, so we might as well try to get along, right?” He clapped his hands lightly, trying to keep the energy up.
"Can’t we just do what we want without bothering each other?" The one with sharp teal eyes muttered, propping his chin on his hand.
From where he was sprawled on the couch, the energetic one gasped dramatically, clutching his chest like he’d been personally attacked. “That’s so cold! We’re supposed to be bonding!”
"Pass," the teal-eyed boy replied flatly.
On the far end of the couch, the sleepy one barely lifted his head, mumbling, "Too early for this."
Chris sighed, shaking his head. “Well, that’s exactly why I’m here—to make sure you guys don’t end up tearing each other apart before the break is over.”
The one with purple hair hummed in amusement, arms folded as he leaned back slightly. “That bad, huh?”
Chris smirked. “Oh, I’ve handled worse. But I’d rather not add you guys to that list.”
The lively one leaned forward eagerly, eyes practically sparkling. “Ooooh, so does that mean we’re gonna have fun dorm activities? Like, team-building stuff?”
"No." The response from the teal eye was immediate, flat, and uninterested.
Chris clapped his hands, signaling for their attention. "Alright, since you’re staying over the break, here’s the deal."
He leaned against the table, listing things off like it was routine. "Meals are still served at the usual times, but if you miss them, you’re on your own. Most common areas, including the gym, are closed for the break, so don’t bother trying to use them. The main office is also shut down, so if you need something, well… tough luck."
He paused, then added, "Oh, and heating is being shut off in the dorms and faculty housing. The only place with working heaters is the first-floor lounge, so unless you want to freeze, that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time."
That got a reaction.
"You’re joking," Teal-eyed muttered.
Chris shrugged. "Take it up with the administration."
A collective groan spread through the group.
"The lounge is tiny," Pale red hair complained.
"Not my problem," Chris said, unfazed. "Oh, and there’s a mandatory study session in the library every morning. No skipping, no excuses."
More groans.
Chris ignored them. "Anyway, let’s sort out the dorm situation. There are two rooms—one with three beds, one with two. You guys can decide how to split, but once it’s set, no switching."
A brief pause. Some exchanged glances, others barely reacted.
Then, Nagi sighed. "Can we just go to the dorms now?"
Chris chuckled, stretching his arms. "Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Set your place and take a rest, I’ll call you guys again later.”
With that, he waved them off, letting them leave on their own.
⟢
The others followed suit, stepping out into the cold. The walk to the dorms was quiet at first, the only sounds being the crunch of snow under their boots and the distant howling of the wind. Without Chris leading them, the group moved at their own pace, some fast, some slow, none particularly eager to start a conversation. The walk to the dorms was quiet at first, just the crunch of snow under their shoes and the distant hum of the wind. Their bags weren’t too heavy, but the weight of the situation, to spending the break with complete strangers—hung in the air.
"So…" One of them finally broke the silence, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. "Are we really just gonna spend the whole break not knowing each other?"
A hum of amusement came from the guy walking beside him. "Maybe we’re just not that interested."
The first one gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "That’s so cold! What if I end up being your best friend?"
"Pass."
He pouted but didn’t give up. "Fine, I’ll start then! My name’s—" he paused for effect, spinning around to walk backward as he grinned at them. "—Bachira Meguru. I like painting, and I think this break will be fun. Your turn!"
The guy who had dismissed him earlier scoffed but played along. "Rin. That’s all you’re getting."
Bachira sighed loudly. "Boooring." He turned to the next person expectantly. “And you? Sir Mikage?”
"Hi, the name is Reo," the other boy said casually. "I rather you guys call me by my first name."
"Allright, Reo-cchi," Bachira decided, then turned to the next.
"Kurona Ranze," he said simply. "I have a hedgehog."
Bachira gasped. "See? Now that’s interesting! What’s their name?"
Kurona hesitated, then muttered, "Pocari."
"That’s adorable."
The last one had been trailing behind the group, clearly unbothered by the conversation. Bachira turned to him with a knowing grin. "And you? Lemme guess…you love sleeping."
The sleepy-looking one yawned before answering, "Nagi Seishirou." A pause. "And yeah."
Bachira groaned. "You guys suck at this."
"Then stop asking," Rin shot back.
"Never." Giggled Bachira with a tiny tongue out. Playfully walking.
As the group made their way to the dorm, conversation started to pick up naturally. Bachira, as expected, was the first to break the ice, throwing playful remarks at whoever would take the bait. Rin, of course, responded with his usual sharp-edged retorts, while Kurona occasionally chimed in with dry humor. The back-and-forth between them had an almost effortless flow, like they had been doing this for years instead of just meeting today.
Nagi wasn’t really paying attention to the words. His gaze, as if drawn by habit, kept drifting toward Reo.
Reo, walking slightly ahead, chuckled at something Bachira said or something that made Rin scoff in irritation. His laugh was light, effortless, like this whole thing wasn’t completely unfamiliar to him. There was an ease in the way he carried himself, like he was used to slipping into conversations, navigating social situations without missing a beat.
Nagi watched as Reo ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in amusement when Bachira dramatically clutched his chest at Rin’s cold reply. There was something about the way he laughed is so genuine, easygoing. Something steady.
Nagi exhaled through his nose and looked away. He didn’t know why he kept noticing things like that. He hated feeling like that. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, letting the chatter continue around him.
By the time they reached the dorm, a light layer of snow had settled on their coats and hair. The inside was noticeably warmer, though the emptiness of the space made it feel almost eerie.
Without much thought, they quickly decided on the room arrangements. Nagi, Kurona, and Bachira shared one room, while Reo and Rin took the other.
Once inside their respective rooms, they spent time settling in and unpacking their luggage, Nagi slung his bag off his shoulder, letting it drop onto the bed with minimal effort. He didn’t bother unzipping it yet he could unpack later, or never. Instead, he adjusted the strap absently, fingers grazing over the fabric as his gaze drifted elsewhere.
Through the open doorway, across the hall, he caught a glimpse of movement.
Reo.
He was standing near his bed, methodically sorting through his things, folding clothes with practiced ease. The way he moved was effortless, each action purposeful, like he wasn’t just unpacking but arranging everything just right. He reached for something in his bag, straightened up, and—
Nagi blinked, suddenly realizing he’d been watching too long. He tore his gaze away, turning back to his own room.
Bachira was already sprawled out on his bed, arms stretched above his head, while Kurona was at the desk, setting up his things with quiet focus. The contrast between them and the room across the hall was oddly sharp.
Nagi exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck. He figured he should at least pretend to settle in, but instead, he stood there for a moment longer, tapping his fingers against the strap of his bag.
With a sigh, Nagi dropped onto his bed, the room was quiet, just the sound of shuffling bags and footsteps filling the space.
Outside, the wind pressed against the windows, snow piling up little by little. The dorm still felt empty, like no one had really settled in yet.
Across the hall, Reo said something, but Nagi couldn’t hear what.
Not that it mattered.
With that, Nagi closed his eyes, letting himself drift into the silence.
⟢
“Wake up, Nagi! It’s time for dinner!” Bachira’s voice rang through the room, full of energy as he bounced on his heels beside Nagi’s bed. He shook Nagi’s arm, but the lump under the covers barely stirred.
Nagi groaned, voice muffled against the pillow. “Mmm… five more minutes…” He shifted slightly, turning his back on Bachira, seeking warmth in his cocoon of blankets.
Bachira clicked his tongue, unimpressed. “Lazy boy. Hey, Kurona, help me get this sloth up.”
Kurona, who had been quietly adjusting his jacket near the door, gave a small sigh before walking over. Without hesitation, he jabbed his finger into Nagi’s side.
Nagi flinched, a half-hearted whine leaving his lips. “Ouch. That’s not a very polite way to wake someone up.” His voice was sluggish, his eyes barely open as he rubbed at his stomach, lips curling into a small pout.
Kurona remained expressionless. “Punishment for being lazy.”
Bachira cackled. “Yup! Lazy guys get no mercy.”
“Punish, punish,” Kurona echoed, his voice flat but playful.
Nagi let out a long, suffering sigh before finally pushing himself up. His hair was a mess, sticking out at odd angles, and his movements were sluggish as he reached for a sweater. He pulled it over his head, moving as if every second of being awake physically pained him.
Just as he was adjusting the collar, the door swung open.
“Hey, are you guys ready? Let’s go to the dining hall together,” Reo said, stepping in without much thought—only to pause when he found himself face-to-face with Nagi.
Nagi was still tugging his sweater down, his hair slightly tousled from the motion.There’s a paused between them, looking at each other eyes.
“Sorry, I’ll wait for you guys in the front with Rin.” Reo smiled politely and closed the door.
Nagi just let out a small grunt of acknowledgment, too tired to react further.
With that, the five of them left the room, their footsteps echoing lightly in the dimly lit hallway.
By the time they reached the dining hall, the air had cooled considerably, a reminder of the lack of heating in the building. The room was mostly empty, its usual liveliness reduced to just them.
At the center of the long table, Chris was already seated, a book open in front of him. The soft scratch of pages turning was the only sound filling the quiet space.
Noticing their arrival, Chris glanced up, a grin forming on his face. “Ah, finally. I was starting to think you all froze to death in your rooms.” He set the book aside, leaning back in his chair. “Hope you’re ready for another thrilling meal of cafeteria leftovers.”
Bachira plopped down onto a chair, stretching his arms over his head. “As long as it’s food, I’m happy!”
Kurona took his seat beside him, eyeing the table with mild disinterest. “Could be worse.”
Reo sat across from them, smoothing out his sleeves before resting his chin on his hand. “Honestly, with the heating situation, I expected worse.”
Chris chuckled. “Speaking of which, don’t forget—this is the only heated area in the dorm, so unless you want to freeze in your rooms, I suggest making yourselves comfortable here.”
Rin, who had been silent up until now, exhaled sharply. “Great. So we’re all stuck in the same place.”
Bachira nudged him with his elbow. “Aww, don’t be so grumpy, Rin-chan! Think of it as a bonding experience!”
Rin shot him a flat look. “Pass.”
Nagi, who had sluggishly taken his seat next to Rin, let his head rest on the table. “Too much talking…”
Chris smirked. “You’ll survive.”
The sound of trays being set down signaled the arrival of their dinner. Simple, warm, and uninspiring but enough to fill their stomachs.
"Thank you, Agi. You’re such a great help to us. Would you like to join?" Chris asked, his tone polite.
Agi shook his head. “No, thank you. You all enjoy your meal. I have other tasks to take care of.”
With that, he turned and left the room. Chris only shrugged and picked up his utensils. "Alright then. Eat up, kids."
The table fell into a quiet rhythm, muffled sounds of chewing, utensils scraping against plates, the occasional sip of water. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t lively either.
Nagi, sluggish from sleep, propped his chin on his palm as he lazily picked at his food. His gaze drifted, landing on Reo across the table. He wasn’t sure why, but he kept looking.
Reo was talking to Kurona, something about the theater club, nothing particularly interesting. But then Bachira interrupted with a ridiculous comment, and Reo—Reo laughed.
It wasn’t anything big. Just a short chuckle, paired with a shake of his head. Still, Nagi found himself watching, lingering on the way Reo’s lips curled into an easy grin before he went back to eating.
He blinked and looked away, stuffing a bite of food into his mouth to distract himself. Weird.
Outside, the wind picked up, rattling against the windows. Snow piled higher, covering the campus in a thick, untouched blanket of white. Inside, the dim light and lingering warmth of the dining hall became their temporary refuge, the only place where they weren’t just trying to endure the cold.
Then, the very first day of their winter break ended with warmth in the dining hall.