"Ah, it's morning."
I turned onto my side, looking toward Etsuko. She was still asleep. For a moment.
She's not awake yet… so I'll wait. Or should I not?
The thought lingered, circling for something to hold onto—anything that wasn't what came next.
"Ahh—" Etsuko jerked upright, like she had torn herself out of sleep.
"Morning. Are you alright?" I asked, pushing myself off the bed.
"Yeah. I am." She swung her legs down and stood, already reaching for her clothes. "You'll be going with us today. How are you feeling?"
"Yeah… it's been a while." I set my clothes on the bed, smoothing them flat.
I stayed there longer than I needed to. Then followed her.
The bathroom was quiet except for the thin, steady rush of water. Cold. It hit sharp, ran down my back, settled into my skin. Enough to steady my breathing. Enough to stop thinking—for a while.
"Good morning, Vicky."
Min's voice met me as I stepped back into the room. She was sprawled across her sister's bed, one arm thrown over her face. My gaze shifted. Heiwa sat by my desk, fingers working at the strap of her bag.
"Good morning. How are you?"
"Morning. I'm alright." I pulled on my skirt, adjusting the hem.
Fabric. Movement. Routine. Something to hold.
We headed downstairs together. Amihan was already gone—left earlier with Tatsu, according to her roommate.
"I don't know how to feel about this," Min said as we walked.
"About what?" Etsuko's attention drifted upward, toward a cluster of birds perched along a branch.
"Amihan and Tatsu." Min exhaled.
Etsuko glanced at her. "Aren't you just jealous?"
"What—what…" Min faltered. "Why would I be jealous of that fool—" She paused. "…Not Amihan. Tatsu is the fool. Anyone would be lucky to have Amihan." A smug smile slipped into place.
Heiwa let out a quiet chuckle. "So you're jealous that Amihan is with your brother and not you?"
"What? No—wait, what?"
Laughter broke loose between us, light and easy, carrying us the rest of the way.
It didn't follow me inside the cafeteria.
The room held a low hum—utensils tapping, distant voices, chairs scraping lightly against the floor. Conversations bled together into something flat.
Breakfast was simple. Bread. Different spreads, same base. Min and Etsuko chose tea, steam curling between them as they kept talking.
I took coffee. Too much milk, some sugar, a small dab of honey—the same as Heiwa. I wrapped both hands around the ceramic mug, letting the heat seep into my palms.
Routine. A shape to hold onto.
I brought the cup to my lips, but didn't drink.
"Are you going to eat that?" Min asked, gesturing toward my plate with her chin.
I looked down. My fingers had been moving on their own, tearing the crust of the bread into small, uneven pieces. Shredding it.
"Just taking my time," I said.
The words felt hollow.
Beside me, Heiwa's gaze lingered. She didn't speak. She watched my hands, then took a slow sip of her own coffee.
She knew.
The clock at the far end ticked. The low hum of the room pressed in, suddenly too loud. Too crowded. Miss Rho. Reassignment. The words circled, tightening like a snare. The thin shield of the morning wore down to nothing.
By the time we pushed our chairs back, the sun had risen fully. Its light spilled across the courtyard. Harsh. Unblinking.
Time was up.
I sat just outside the office door, where the lead clerk had told me to wait. Amihan and Etsuko were already gone. The warmth didn't reach far into the corridor.
"Come on in."
The door opened. Miss Rho stood to the side.
"Morning," I said, stepping in. I drew in a slow breath. Held it. Let it go.
Inside, a council had already gathered. Seated. Waiting. Two men I didn't recognize sat among them. My eyes moved across the room—and stopped.
Eudora.
She was already looking at me. Red uniform. Precise. Intentional. Not an accident. Not a mistake.
She shifted slightly, then went still.
"Good morning, Miss Victoria."
One of the men spoke. Glasses framed his face; an open folder rested beneath his hands.
The room had settled into something firm. Decided.
This wasn't going the way I thought it would.
Not even close.