ACADEMY OF SURVIVAL

Night had fallen, and Tohira and Micheal were in their shared room, settling in for the evening.

"Tohira, I've been meaning to ask you something," Micheal began, sitting on his bed and watching as Tohira climbed to the upper bunk.

"What is it?" Tohira replied, leaning over the edge to look down at Micheal.

"Why did you save me back then?" Micheal asked, his voice steady but curious.

"Because I felt like we're alike!" Tohira said cheerfully, suddenly hopping down onto Micheal's bed.

"Alike?!" Micheal repeated, slightly raising an eyebrow.

"How are we alike?" Micheal thought skeptically, studying Tohira.

"We're polar opposites," Micheal said aloud, staring at Tohira, who was smiling brightly beside him.

"Really? I think we're alike," Tohira responded playfully.

"Is he messing with me?" Micheal wondered, watching as Tohira swayed back and forth in a carefree manner.

"Just kidding!" Tohira said with a grin. "You looked way too serious. Anyway, I guess I saved you because I wanted to. I guess, I don't know."

Tohira leaned back, his smile unchanging.

"He isn't even sure," Micheal thought, realizing Tohira might not have a concrete reason. Despite himself, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Tohira's actions than he let on.

"I guess that's a valid reason."

Micheal murmured.

"Anyway, I'm heading to the bathroom," Micheal said as he walked toward the door.

"I guess I'm just overthinking," Micheal thought, but just then, he felt Tohira latch onto his neck playfully.

"Come on, Mister Red Pupils," Tohira said with a teasing tone, clinging to Micheal like a playful child.

"Hey, quit it. I'm heading to the—" Micheal's sentence was abruptly cut short as he felt Tohira's demeanor shift. His tone turned serious.

"Do you really believe I saved you just because I wanted to?"

Micheal's eyes widened.

"I knew it," he thought, turning to meet Tohira's piercing golden gaze. Their eyes locked, and a faint tension filled the air.

"If that's not the reason, then why did he save me?" Micheal wondered silently, studying Tohira's face.

Before Micheal could speak, Tohira suddenly broke into a cheerful grin, hopping off Micheal's neck with his usual carefree energy.

"Gotcha! You're the kind of person who's always skeptical about everything, aren't you?" Tohira said, laughing playfully.

Micheal sighed, feeling caught off guard by Tohira's unpredictable nature. "You know what? Bye," he said flatly, walking into the bathroom.

"Wait, come on!" Tohira called out, but Micheal shut the door in his face.

"Yeah, he definitely got me," Micheal muttered to himself with a faint smile as he locked the door.

Moments passed as Micheal returned from the bathroom, towel in hand, wiping his damp hair. He noticed Tohira already lying down.

"Already asleep?" Micheal muttered to himself, eyeing Tohira skeptically.

"Then again, he might just be faking it," Micheal thought as he climbed into his own bed.

Hours later, Micheal woke up abruptly, his body still and his senses heightened. As he lay there, he noticed a shadowy silhouette at their window.

"Who is that?" Micheal thought, his heart pounding in fear. Someone was standing outside, watching them.

Terrified, Micheal froze, unwilling to move or make a sound that might alert the mysterious figure. His breath quickened, but he forced himself to stay calm.

A creak broke the silence. Micheal glanced toward Tohira, who had stirred and was climbing down from the top bunk.

"Sorry, Mister Red Pupils," Tohira whispered, stepping lightly onto Micheal's bed as he reached for a bottle of water.

Micheal's gaze shifted between Tohira and the window. The silhouette was still there, unmoving.

"Doesn't he notice that person?" Micheal thought, panic gripping him.

Tohira took a drink of water, seemingly oblivious to the ominous presence outside. As he climbed back up to his bunk, Micheal noticed the figure suddenly duck out of sight.

"This is seriously creepy," Micheal thought, his fear intensifying. He stayed silent, unwilling to risk making a sound.

Whoever was out there, their intent was unclear

The night felt endless as Micheal lay awake, unable to shake the eerie events.

*********

The next morning, Micheal sat in the cafeteria, staring blankly at the table. His mind churned with unanswered questions.

"It has to be someone from our team."

Micheal thought, his gaze darting subtly around the room. 

"But who?" 

Team A was the only group sharing this space, despite being divided into smaller factions.

"Didn't sleep well last night, did you?" Tohira teased, snapping Micheal out of his thoughts.

"Damn him!" Micheal muttered inwardly, irritated. He didn't want anyone to suspect his sleepless night—or why.

"The individual probably knows I noticed him," Micheal thought, avoiding the rest of his teammates' eyes. He didn't want to risk drawing attention to himself, especially from whoever was watching him.

"We only got five hours of sleep last night, and now we're here," Micheal said aloud, feigning nonchalance as he tried to mask his unease.

But a nagging suspicion crept into Micheal's mind. "Why do I feel like he is just pretending he doesn't know about last night?"

Micheal glanced at Tohira, who seemed as carefree as ever. "Then again, he's always been... sketchy," Micheal thought, narrowing his eyes.

Suddenly, Tohira leaned in close, his smile fading as his voice dropped to a whisper.

"Don't tell me last night got you all scared already."

Micheal froze, his heart pounding as Tohira's words sank in.

"so he knew?!" Micheal thought, shocked and confused.

Before Micheal could respond, an announcement blared over the speakers.

"few minutes to start!"

The tension hung heavy in the air as Micheal glanced at Tohira, who had already shifted back to his usual playful demeanor.

"He definitely knows something I don't," Micheal thought, watching Tohira leave to prepare for the House of Crows trial. Suspicion gnawed at him, and the tension surrounding everything felt heavier than ever.

As Team A got ready, Micheal moved closer to Tohira, his curiosity outweighing his unease. He needed answers.

"Since you're aware of what happened last night, then I'm sure you realize it's definitely someone from our team, right?" Micheal whispered into Tohira's ear.

"Of course," Tohira whispered back. "After all, Team A is the only group sharing these quarters."

"And I'm certain the individual is after one of us. No—maybe even both of us," Tohira added with a sly grin.

Hearing this, Micheal felt his unease intensify. "If that's the case—and it likely is he could strike unexpectedly," he said firmly.

"Naturally," Tohira replied, his tone calm yet unsettling. "But remember, that individual will also be more cautious of us now."

Micheal frowned, puzzled. Why would the individual suddenly become more cautious of both of them?

"That's because I asked you that question earlier on purpose," Tohira explained, his smile widening.

The realization hit Micheal like a jolt. Tohira's earlier actions had likely signaled to the lurking individual that they were aware of his presence at the window last night.

Micheal let out a faint smile, impressed by Tohira's shrewdness. As he was about to question him further, an announcement blared:

"Time out!"

"Guess that'll have to wait," Micheal thought.

With that, Team A began heading out.

Micheal, however, discreetly observed his teammates, searching for any sign of who might have been watching them last night.