The commander stood in front of a charming but dusty old house tucked in the heart of a glowing forest.
> "This is your base now. Final trial prep will begin here. Until then—make it livable."
Everyone stared at the ivy-covered walls, broken fences, and spider webs.
Kevin whispered, "Is this a gift or a curse?"
Lara: "This looks haunted."
Teaha: "There's literally mushrooms growing on the window."
The commander ignored them and smiled faintly.
> "Left side—boys. Right side—girls. Kitchen and common area in the middle."
Nisa crossed her arms. "Can't we get separate houses?"
Commander: "Nope."
Mira: "What if we refuse?"
Commander: "Then sleep in the trees."
Lara: "...Noted."
And with that, the commander vanished.
Cleaning Chaos Begins
Inside, it smelled like old paper and dragon sweat.
Nisa sighed, tying her hair up. "Let's do this."
Lara held a mop upside down. "How do you use this thing?"
Mira screamed from the kitchen. "SOMETHING JUST MOVED."
Kevin was using a broom like a sword. "HIYAH—"
Nisa: "That's not how sweeping works."
Bihoo silently scrubbed the floor while peeking at Nisa every few seconds.
Teaha was surprisingly good at folding blankets.
Mira accidentally cooked soap instead of food.
Lara broke the mop. Again.
Hours later...
The house glowed.
Fresh beds.
Clean tables.
A gentle breeze through the windows.
They sat in the common room, sweaty, tired, and proud.
Kevin collapsed on a bean bag. "We did it."
Nisa brought snacks and warm tea.
Lara smirked. "Now let's do something fun."
Truth or Dare: Unit 9 Style
Mira brought out the game board.
> "Rules: You pick truth or dare. If you skip, you eat spicy slime candy."
Bihoo: "...That's illegal."
First turn: Teaha
Kevin: "Truth or dare?"
Teaha: "Truth."
Kevin: "Who in this group do you trust most?"
Teaha: without hesitation "Lara."
Lara turned red. "Tch. As you should."
Next turn: Kevin
Mira: "Dare."
Mira smiled sweetly. "Let Nisa punch you again."
Kevin: 😐 "WHY IS THIS ALWAYS ME—"
WHAM.
Next turn: Nisa
Bihoo asked, quiet and smirking,
> "Truth or dare?"
Nisa looked him straight in the eyes. "Truth."
Bihoo leaned in.
> "Have you ever… liked someone from this team?"
Everyone leaned closer.
Nisa paused… then said softly:
> "Yes."
The room exploded.
Kevin: "WHO?!"
Lara: "TELL US!"
Nisa threw popcorn at them. "My turn's over!!"
Final turn: Bihoo
Kevin: "Truth or dare?"
Bihoo: "…Truth."
Kevin grinned. "Do YOU like anyone from the team?"
Bihoo looked right at Nisa.
> "Yes."
Nisa nearly choked on her tea.
Everyone gasped.
Teaha: "He didn't even blink."
Lara screamed into a pillow.
Mira kicked her feet.
Kevin: "You're both cowards! Confess already!"
The night ended with laughter, popcorn fights, and flushed cheeks.
Outside the window, the stars twinkled like they were watching a show.
To be continued…