The night came soon enough, allowing the students to take refuge in the earthly paradise that was their dormitories. The brunet found himself with the last bed available, AKA the one at the bottom at the far right corner of the room. He was sitting cross-legged on it, his school stuff by his side, reading the mail Janice had given to him.

It was his little sister who had written him a letter. Her handwriting was shaky and there were a few mistakes here and there, but it warmed the boy's heart. A soft smile could be read on his face as he wrote his answer to the little girl.

- Kellyn? Are you feeling any better?

The redhead's voice surprised the younger one, who looked up from his activity. The crimson-eyed boy was half-crouched against the bed, keeping a slight distance to anticipate any movement from the brunet. He smiled at him before nodding his head.

- /...Don't worry...I'm fine./

Although he still had a lot of trouble "talking" to him, the older one didn't take it into account and grinned.

- That's good to hear! Oh? Are you the type to write letters? To who?

- <....Little....Sister...>

- Oh~ Lucky you. I'm an only child and my parents ask me for a full report every time! By Arceus, I feel like I'm in the military sometimes!

Kellyn giggled, somewhat amused by this image. This resulted in a tongue being stuck out on Keith's part.

- Yeah, yeah, make fun of me!....Eh, are you sleepy?

The teenager shook his head, he was certainly tired, but he knew he wasn't going to sleep for quite a while. (NDA: Why do I feel like I've described my relationship with my sleep?)

-...Okay, then follow me!

The oldest straightened up and headed toward the exit of the dormitory, the brunet on his heels. They found in the dining hall 4 other students, including Rhythmi, who were waiting for them impatiently.

The redhead took his new comrade by the wrist and made him sit in the middle of the group, before taking a few steps back. Kellyn instinctively bit his lip and immediately the anxiety began to settle deep inside his innards. He felt uncomfortable, even though he knew he was safe...He WAS safe, right...?

- / Dear Arceus, don't tell me I'm going to be a sacrifice to summon Giratina or something! Help, I'm going to die! No, pull yourself together Kellyn! Ahhh!/

- Ah, there you are! I thought you would never bring him, Keith!

- Eh, do I have to remind you that he didn't feel well a while ago?

The bickering of the two comrades further confused the teenager who did not know what to do. The blonde then cleared her throat, a slight blush on her cheeks.

- Humhum...! Since you have just arrived at our school, we are going to have you participate in our famous test of courage!

- /....Your WHAT?!!!!/

Sensing that the brunet was beginning to panic, the crimson-eyed one decided to intervene.

- You just have to find the 4 Stylers they scattered through the building before putting them in front of the basement's door and coming back here. That's all, don't worry!

Kellyn contorted himself a little to see the face of the redhead who was smiling in a friendly manner. Understanding that he wasn't making fun of him, the younger one relaxed.

- This is a very good summary, little tomato!

Said the voice of the student Operator who royally ignored her friend's outraged complaint before adding:

- We also have a rule to increase safety and avoid unfortunate accidents such as fainting. Your desk neighbor must take the test alongside you.

All eyes fell on Keith who paled slightly.

-...Are you serious? I have to do it again?

The young girl's predatory smile made him moan aloud. So he sighed in defeat before stretching out.

- Ok, ok....Welp Kellyn, shall we go?

The brunet who had been miraculously forgotten during the conversation got up hastily then joined his "neighbor". He was worried, but also more at ease now that night had fallen.

The two thus joined the 1st floor, which was of course plunged into darkness. The darkness made the teenager relax and he smiled relieved.

- / Good evening Lady Night, your squatter is back./

A crack made the redhead who was by his side scream while the brunet engaged his Styler in order to capture the source of the noise. It was simply a Bidoof who was walking in the hallways.

- Oh...It was just a Bidoof. Phew...

The one with teal eyes chuckled at the behavior of the oldest, who flushed with shame.

- H-Hey! Don't tell me you're not scared!

- < Hehe...! I'm...Used to...The night...!>

The redhead took notice of the perfectly understandable "sentence" of the younger one, although interspersed with several pauses.

-...You're a nocturnal bird, huh? Anyway, you seem a lot more confident when it's dark outside, that's for sure.

It was Kellyn's turn to blush in embarrassment. He then took the creature in his arms and hid his face in it's fur. He really looked like a shy middle schooler like that!

Keith smiled at this scene, and gently rubbed his comrade's back to make up for it.

- How about we go get those cursed Stylers? Don't want to pull an all-nighter!

The youngest's shoulders trembled because of the laughter that he was struggling to contain, while he raised his face, relaxed. They then began to search the building.

A search, a few broken crates and a fright or two later, the 4 Stylers were finally reunited.

- That was the last one! Alright, now let's go to the basement! And fast, this place gives me the creeps....

Kellyn nodded before entering the forbidden floor, armed with a Bidoof and a Zubat that jumpscared him back in the library.

- Huh? Since when have these targets been there? Rhythmi and the others made some last minute changes?

The redhead looked genuinely confused, causing the brunet to frown as he felt his body go into battle mode. His muscles tensed as his senses sharpened. He moved forward cautiously, destroying the strange target with the help of the Zubat, before being in front of the famous basement door.

He put the devices in front of it before a sound surprised him.

- Hey, Kellyn...Did you hear that? Am I crazy?

-/....Apart from the scary music...I don't think so./

Crack!

For Arceus' sake- Don't break the 4th wall Kellyn!...Let's forget about everything and start again!

------ Please stand by.....--------

- /...I am not sure./

The teenager started to sign except that he didn't have time to say something that 4 Gastlys appeared and charged at him. Keith tried to intervene except that the brunet didn't give him time to do so.

Although the creatures were constantly disappearing and reappearing, the Ranger student never gave up and focused on capturing them, one at a time. The capture was quickly finished under the admiring gaze of the oldest who felt a little useless.

- It was just Gastlys, huh...?

- / JUST Gastlys?!/

The one with teal eyes gave an outraged look to the other boy who chuckled nervously. However, just before he had time to explain himself the door burst open.

- WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!!

It was the teacher with a weird sense of fashion, Mr Kincaid! The two teenagers panicked.

- Ah!!! Run!

Keith grabbed the youngest's hand and rushed upstairs, dragging the teenager who was struggling to keep up, as the teacher's shrill echoed in the background.

They arrived in disaster in the dining hall, under the incredulous gaze of their comrades. They were catching their breath rather loudly when Rhythmi's worried voice rose.

- Hey, are you okay? What happened?

-...Rhythmi. Never again, you hear me?... We almost got caught by Hairspray Man. Phew...Phew...

- What?

As the blonde tried to register the information, the two boys looked at each other for a moment and then burst out laughing. Or rather the redhead was laughing out loud while Kellyn giggled silently behind his free hand.

The young girl, upset at first, then had a teasing smile that didn't go unnoticed by her two comrades. She then pointed to their still intertwined hands, which made the teenagers blush violently and suddenly let go.

The brunet then bowed, apologizing clumsily to Keith who was trying to keep his composure. Rhythmi laughed, thus ending this wildly hectic day on a light note.

------------------------

Rhythmi: *to Kellyn* Keith will take the test of courage with you!

Keith: Hey! I didn't accept any of this!

Rhythmi: What, you didn't? Did I stutter?

-------------------------

Keith and Kellyn: *holding hands*

Rhythmi: *teasing smile* Oh~ I smell a ship~

Keith: RHYTHMI!!! 

Kellyn:.....?