Soundscape:

[Soft jazz from a rooftop bar speaker. The faint wind brushing past glass railings. Distant city traffic deep below.]

🌙 

Rooftop Bar — Midnight

The academy’s instructor terrace sat high above the campus — a quiet rooftop lounge reserved for faculty.

Dim lights.

A panoramic view of the Tokyo skyline.

The moon hung low, catching on the glass railing as if listening in.

Ryo Kanzaki leaned back against one of the polished tables, arms crossed, a toothpick in his mouth.

Muscles relaxed, expression sharp.

Saya Kurogane sat across from him, gently stirring a cup of jasmine tea. Her dark hair reflected the moon, calm but unreadable.

Ryo: “So. First day’s over. Class Zero survived without blowing up the training room.

I’d call that a win.”

Saya exhaled softly into her tea.

Saya: “Survival and proficiency aren’t the same. But they all showed heart.

Especially Team C — Vivian nearly collapsed after overusing her illusions.”

Ryo smirked.

Ryo: “Still better than Kaito trying to backflip off the railing during lunch.”

Saya: sighs “The youth are… energetic.”

🚬 

Akira Arrives

Footsteps echoed behind them.

Akira strolled in, sunglasses still on despite the midnight hour, coat fluttering lightly in the night breeze.

Akira:

“You two gossiping without me? Man that hurts.”

Ryo scoffed.

Ryo: “We were hoping you tripped on your way up.”

Akira grinned.

He dropped into the chair beside Saya, stealing a sip of her tea without asking.

Saya: gently annoyed “Akira.”

Akira: “Relax, it’s good for my soul.”

Ryo rolled his eyes.

Ryo: “You even have one?”

Akira: “Debatable.”

🧩 

Instructor Debriefing

Saya crossed one leg over the other, her posture perfect.

Saya: “We were discussing the students.

Kanzaki thinks they’ll last. I think they’ll struggle before they bloom.”

Akira leaned back, stretching lazily.

Akira: “They’re kids. Struggle builds muscle.”

Ryo chuckled.

Ryo: “Says the guy who trained alone in the mountains for half a year.”

Akira flicked a hand dismissively.

Akira: “Half a year is generous.”

Saya gave him a long, calm stare.

Saya: “You disappeared without notice. The board nearly suspended you.”

Akira: “And now they asked me back. Funny how power fixes paperwork.”

Ryo cracked a grin.

Saya hid hers behind her teacup.

🔍 

Kasane Without Naming Her

Ryo tapped the railing thoughtfully.

Ryo: “So… Team A. The Storm Blades. Thoughts?”

Akira shrugged, expression still playful — but his tone deepened.

Akira:

“They’re rough.

Unpolished.

Too much individual instinct, not enough unity.”

He paused, tapping his sunglasses lightly.

Akira:

“…But one of them has something the others don’t.”

Saya lifted her gaze.

Saya: “Which?”

Akira didn’t answer immediately.

He turned his head slightly — toward the direction of the rooftop training grounds, though the others didn’t notice the subtlety.

He smiled faintly.

Akira: “You’ll see.

Someone in that squad is built different.”

Ryo raised an eyebrow.

Ryo: “You’re talking in riddles again.”

Akira: “It’s a hobby.”

Saya studied him closely — sensing more beneath his playful demeanor, as always.

Saya: “Just don’t push them too hard, Akira.

Especially the quiet ones.”

Akira hummed, neither agreeing nor denying.

🌌 

Closing Moments

The night breeze grew cooler.

Lights flickered across the city like restless stars.

Ryo stretched his arms.

Ryo: “We should call it a night. Friday is the real test.”

Saya stood gracefully.

Saya: “Get rest, both of you. Our students will need clear minds.”

She exited quietly.

Ryo clapped Akira on the shoulder.

Ryo: “Whatever game you’re playing with your squad… keep it clean.”

Akira: “No promises.”

Ryo shook his head and walked off, muttering.

Akira stayed behind.

Alone.

He leaned against the railing, finally removing his sunglasses.

His eyes were sharp, thoughtful, unreadable.

He looked—

not toward the city,

but toward the rooftop training grounds where Kasane had trained earlier.

A faint smile curved the corner of his mouth.

Akira (quiet, almost to himself):

“Arisato…

You’re going to be interesting.”

The wind carried his words away as the camera pulled back —

Akira silhouetted against the glowing city,

the night just beginning.

— End of Chapter 7 –