After a whole day of relentless training, we didn't even have the strength to walk back to the lodging. One by one, Takeshi-sensei drove us down the mountain in the off-road car, like we were war survivors returning from battle. Nobody even had the energy to joke.
Nobody talked. Nobody joked. The moment we reached the lodge, we moved in perfect sync.
We headed straight for the hot spring.
This was supposed to be the rejuvenating moment of the day. A steaming onsen in the mountains? That sounded like heaven. But we were too dead to enjoy it. No small talk. No jokes. Just bodies soaking like corpses marinating in warm water.
And after that?
Sleep. Deep, glorious, coma-tier sleep.
…
7:30 PM.
The wooden clock in the corner of the room ticked softly as Hiroki sat up, blinking.
"Guys… dinner."
His voice was calm, but that one word—dinner—had magical power.
Rei stirred first, groaning. "That training… we're gonna die…"
"But… food…" Taiga croaked.
