4th August

It was a scorching late afternoon, the sun still hanging heavy in the sky, casting long, unforgiving shadows on the Academy grounds. The day had been exhausting, with classes ending just hours before, and students making their way back to their dorms. As gusty winds swept through the city complex, they provided much-needed relief to the students, cooling their sweat-soaked skin from the sun’s relentless heat. Despite the occasional breeze, Dorm C, Room 416, where Yuki had just moved in, offered little comfort from the blistering warmth that clung to the air.

Yuki wiped the sweat from his forehead with a sigh, glancing around at the small pile of belongings still waiting to be unpacked. He had spent the better part of the day wandering the city complex market with Naomi, picking out essentials and a few personal items to make his dorm feel more like home. Naomi had been a helpful companion, guiding him through the overwhelming maze of shops and stalls. After helping him haul everything back, she had left for her own dorm, leaving Yuki to sort out his new room by himself.

The weight of the day’s events, combined with the effort of moving and organising, left Yuki feeling both physically and mentally drained. The constant barrage of new sights, sounds, and responsibilities that came with settling into the Academy was starting to catch up with him. As he began placing his belongings around the room, his thoughts drifted. He had already started to miss the simplicity of his old life, where things weren’t quite so chaotic, and he didn’t feel so out of place.

He looked around, eyeing the space he would be calling home for the foreseeable future. His side of the room was still a mess—boxes half-open, clothes draped over the edge of the bed, a few books spilling out of his bag onto the floor. Across the room, however, things were very different.

The other side was immaculate. Shoes were neatly lined under the bed, arranged by colour and style. The desk was spotless, with pens aligned in perfect rows and books stacked according to height. Even the bed was made with military precision, the corners tucked so tightly that Yuki doubted they had moved an inch since the morning.

He stared at it for a moment, feeling both relieved and slightly unnerved by the contrast. The organisation wasn’t just neat—it was deliberate, purposeful, as if his roommate had a system for everything. Yuki, on the other hand, preferred things clean but didn’t care so much for the why of it. He liked order because disorder made him uneasy, an itch in the back of his mind that he couldn’t scratch until everything was at least where it was supposed to be.

But this…this was something different. His roommate's side wasn’t just tidy out of necessity—it was like a piece of art, a testament to someone who found satisfaction in precision itself. Yuki chuckled under his breath, feeling a sense of relief. At least he wouldn’t be dealing with someone who left things lying around. That would’ve driven him crazy.

With renewed energy, Yuki began to unpack. His movements were purposeful but not meticulous. He tossed his clothes into the drawers, pausing only long enough to fold them roughly. Books were stacked onto his shelf in no particular order, though they weren’t entirely haphazard. His aim was simple: to make sure everything had its place, even if it wasn’t perfect. He glanced over at his roommate’s side again, the contrast growing starker with every item he placed.

He finished unpacking the last of his things—an old photo of his family, which he placed carefully on the nightstand next to his bed. Yuki stepped back and surveyed his side of the room. It was still a far cry from feeling like home, but at least the essentials were in place. The clothes were hung up, his books stacked on a small shelf, and his personal items scattered across the desk and dresser in a slightly chaotic, but comfortable, manner.

Despite his fatigue, Yuki’s mind wouldn’t rest. As he lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, a strange quiet settled over the room. The space felt unfamiliar yet oddly welcoming, as though it was waiting for him to make it his own. The neatness on the other side, though initially daunting, somehow comforted him. It spoke of someone who respected their environment, who took care in maintaining their space.

Maybe this won’t be so bad, he thought, shifting on the stiff mattress. Though the Academy still felt overwhelming in many ways, there was a small sense of reassurance in knowing he’d be sharing the room with someone who valued cleanliness and order—even if their reasons for it differed.

With a yawn, Yuki stretched his arms and closed his eyes, allowing his tired muscles to relax. The day had been long, and the exhaustion that had been creeping up on him finally demanded his full attention. I’ll figure it all out later, he thought sleepily, his thoughts already fading as he drifted toward sleep.

But just as Yuki was on the verge of unconsciousness, he heard a knock on the door, three firm, rhythmic taps that jolted him back to awareness. “I thought I left the door unlocked.” Yuki muttered to himself groggily. Reluctantly, he dragged himself out of bed, his body heavy with fatigue as he trudged toward the door.

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When he opened it, his sight was immediately met with an almost blinding presenceーa boy standing in the doorway, sunlight streaming behind him, casting a halo-like glow around his figure. Yuki blinked a few times, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he took in the boy’s appearance. His sharp, diamond-blue eyes sparkled under the late evening sun, and his wavy, black hair fluttered gently in the wind like silk strands. A pair of black-rimmed, curved rectangular glasses sat perched on his nose, framing his round face. Despite the heat of the day, he looked immaculate, dressed in the standard first-year uniform—a crisp white shirt beneath a light brown waistcoat. But what immediately caught Yuki's eye were the two squared, golden shoulder buttons glinting on his uniform. They weren’t standard issues.

For a moment, Yuki blinked, still slightly disoriented, his tiredness momentarily forgotten by the sheer presence of the boy standing before him. There was something about him, something that made him stand out. Dressed like any other student, yet the air around him screamed that he was... special.

“Ah, scusi,” the boy said, his voice carrying a smooth, lilting accent. “You must be Tachibana Yuki, sì?”

Yuki blinked again, coming back to himself. “Yes, I am. Why do you ask?”

The boy smiled, a slow, easy grin that made Yuki feel immediately at ease. “That means you'll be my roommate from now on. I 'ope we get along, sì?”

“Oh, so you're my new roommate?” Yuki replied, suddenly aware of how messy his side of the room must look compared to the pristine figure in front of him. “I'm Tachibana Yuki. Nice to meet you.”

“Altrettanto,” the boy replied with a small bow, a formal politeness in his movements. “My name is Antonio Giò Prada, but, eh... people, they call me by other names too.” He shrugged playfully, as if the names didn’t really matter to him.

Yuki smiled at that. “So, which class are you in?”

Antonio straightened up, his blue eyes sparkling with pride. “I'm in 1-3. Same class as you!” His accent curled around the words like warm caramel, making even the simple declaration feel musical.

Yuki's eyes widened in surprise. “Oh! Is that so? I’ve yet to meet all of my classmates. I only just joined today.”

“Ah, do not worry. You will get to know them all soon enough.” Antonio flashed another easy smile, his demeanour effortlessly friendly.

There was a brief pause as Yuki realised he should be heading out soon. “Well, I’ll have to leave now.”

Antonio tilted his head, curious. “ Are you going to meet someone, eh?”

“Yeah, why?”

The boy's smile widened into something mischievous, his voice taking on a teasing tone. “Ah, maybe I thought I could treat you, sì? You are my new roommate after all. And per’aps your friend could come along too, no?”

Yuki blinked, pleasantly surprised. “Oh, that’s a great idea. I’ll introduce you to her then.”

“Perfetto!” Antonio exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. “I will be waiting in the Black Moon Café.”

"Sounds good. I’ll see you soon!””

With that, the two parted ways, Antonio heading toward the canteen while Yuki hurried off to find Naomi. As he made his way down the hall, Yuki felt a sense of relief and excitement wash over him. Making a friend so quickly had been a nice surprise, and Antonio’s infectious charm made him feel like everything would work out just fine. There was something about his new roommate that radiated warmth and sincerity, and for the first time that day, Yuki felt genuinely good about the changes ahead.

As for Antonio, he strolled toward the café with a confident swagger, his smile growing wider as the sun dipped lower in the sky. There was something about Yuki that intrigued him—something he couldn’t quite place. He'll be interesting, Antonio muttered to himself, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement.

✳ ✳ ✳

Outside Room 602 of Dorm C, Yuki stood with his black hair swaying gently in the evening breeze. He leaned casually against the doorframe, chatting with Naomi. Naomi had the door cracked open just enough to stretch the chain lock, allowing only her face to peek through. She looked comfortable in her loose tank top and pyjamas, clearly not expecting visitors.

“So Yuki-kun's got an actual friend now, huh?” Naomi teased, her voice playful and exaggerated. She was in her pyjamas—a loose tank top and shorts—the typical outfit you'd wear when lounging around, trying to escape the day’s relentless heat.

Yuki sighed, rolling his eyes. “Why are you saying it like that? It’s not like I struggle to make friends or anything.” His voice carried a hint of exasperation. “Anyway, Antonio's treating us at the canteen. You should come along.”

Naomi raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, that sounds fun, but I’ve gotta tidy up a few things in my room first and get changed. You can go on ahead—” She paused, thinking for a moment. “Actually, wait. I need to drop by Block A. There's something I have to deal with for one of the teachers. You should probably head over to the canteen without me.”

“Nah, I’ll tag along with you,” Yuki replied, shrugging. “I don’t think Antonio will mind if we’re a little late.”

“Fine,” she said with a sigh, pulling the door closed slightly. “You can wait outside while I get ready.”

Yuki leaned back and smirked. “Why do you girls always have to put on makeup every time you step out?” he teased, his voice dripping with mock impatience.

Naomi’s eyes narrowed, her tone sharp as she snapped, “I’M IN MY SLEEPING CLOTHES, YOU IDIOT! NOW GET LOST!”

She slammed the door shut with an extra loud bang, leaving Yuki chuckling to himself as he backed away. He knew better than to push his luck further.

<16 - FriendsーEpisode 1 - Fin>