The morning air was crisp and cool, brushing against Leo's face as he stepped out of the tent.
Birds chirped from the nearby trees, and the sun filtered through the leaves, painting golden flecks across the campground. Dew clung to the grass, and faint trails of smoke still rose from last night's fire pit.
Kai appeared beside him holding two cups of instant coffee.
"Morning, lover boy."
Leo blinked. "What?"
Kai handed him a cup. "I saw you and Rin. Midnight bench talk. Very dramatic."
"We didn't—"
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Didn't what? Kiss? Confess? Set the forest ablaze with emotional tension?"
Leo sighed. "We just talked."
Kai sipped. "Which is almost worse. Words mean more."
---
Mid-morning: Hiking Time
"Team-building hike," the teacher announced. "Everyone, grab a buddy. Let's move!"
"Leo~!" Yuki appeared beside him in a flash. "Buddy?"
Before he could answer, Rin had already stepped back. Hana gave a small smile and nodded toward Aira, who quietly took her side.
Yuki linked her arm through Leo's. "Good choice."
The trail led them into the woods, over hills and narrow paths bordered by ferns. As they walked, Yuki hummed anime openings while Leo tried not to trip over rocks.
"Nice day," she said. "Perfect for escaping real-life drama."
"You say that like you're not part of it."
"I am the drama." She grinned. "But I'm also the comic relief. That's a valuable archetype."
Leo smiled despite himself.
Then Yuki suddenly stopped. "Hey, Leo."
"Hm?"
"If you had to choose someone from our group… you know, romantically… who would it be?"
He froze. "That's—"
"Relax. I won't make you answer. Yet."
"...Thanks for the 'yet.'"
"Just think about it."
She walked ahead, her voice floating behind. "Maybe tonight we'll play a game and find out."
Leo had a bad feeling about that.
---
Evening: Campfire – Part Two
Another fire. Another circle. Only this time, the atmosphere was tenser.
"Truth or dare," Yuki declared, holding up a bottle. "We're doing this right."
Everyone exchanged glances.
Kai smirked. "Dangerous."
"I like it," Hana said simply.
Rin crossed her arms. "As long as it doesn't get dumb."
Aira looked nervous, but nodded.
The bottle spun.
It landed on Hana.
"Truth or dare?" Yuki asked.
"Truth."
"Who do you think is the most emotionally mature person here?"
Hana looked around. "...Aira."
Aira blinked. "Me?"
"You don't fight for attention. You observe. That's rare."
The bottle spun again. Kai. "Dare," he said immediately.
"Sing the chorus of your favorite idol song."
Kai stood and belted out a horribly off-key rendition of a pop single while dancing with a stick. Laughter broke out. Even Rin laughed quietly behind her hand.
Then it was Leo's turn.
"Truth or dare?" Yuki asked, eyes gleaming.
Leo hesitated. "Truth."
She leaned forward. "Do you like anyone here?"
Silence.
Rin looked down. Hana raised an eyebrow. Aira bit her lip. Kai blinked in interest.
Yuki… just waited.
Leo looked into the fire.
"I don't know," he admitted. "Sometimes… I think I do. But it's complicated."
Yuki didn't push.
Instead, she smiled. "That's fair. But someday, you'll have to stop running from it."
---
Later That Night
Leo found himself staring at the stars. Alone this time.
Footsteps approached.
It was Aira.
She sat down beside him. "Hey."
"Hey."
A pause.
"I'm glad we came here," she said. "I think… I needed this. Time with everyone. Time with you."
Leo nodded slowly.
"You've changed," she said softly. "In a good way. But also… you've become harder to reach."
He looked at her. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head. "Don't be. I think I missed my chance. But I'm okay with that. I just want to keep being part of your story. Even if it's not the chapter I used to imagine."
Leo's chest tightened.
Aira smiled gently. "Good night, Leo."
She walked away, her footsteps quiet.
Leo stayed, eyes on the stars.
He didn't know who he'd end up with.
But he knew he was no longer lost.