Thirty seven.

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The fun of last night still lingered in Akira's mind, but the aftermath was definitely felt the next day. She laid in bed, the sun filtering through her window, the warmth inviting her to stay tucked under the covers. The thought of the responsibilities ahead weighed on her, making it harder to move. Her body ached from all the dancing, and the thought of getting up made her groan, but she knew today was important.

It was time to pack.

With a deep sigh, Akira finally rolled out of bed and glanced around her room. It wasn't her usual space anymore—soon, it wouldn't be anyone's. As the newly appointed headmaster, Akira was about to move into a much larger, private room. The office was hers too now, a space where she could work and oversee the academy's operations. The idea of it felt surreal. She wasn't just Akira anymore—she was the headmaster, responsible for everyone here, their safety, their futures.

She stood up and stretched, trying to shake off the haze from the night before.

Packing up wasn't going to be easy. For so long, she had shared a space with her friends, all of them living together as one close-knit family. Now, things were changing, and she'd have to get used to it. She wouldn't see her friends as much—no late-night talks or spontaneous hangouts. The responsibilities of the headmaster would demand her attention, and she knew there would be times when she'd have to be alone, isolated in her new role. It was a strange feeling. The academy had become her home, and for years, she had been surrounded by her closest friends, who had become like family to her.

But change was inevitable. And while it was bittersweet, Akira knew it was time to embrace this new chapter.

She moved to her dresser, grabbing clothes to pack, the quiet of the room settling around her. As she folded her clothes, she couldn't help but think of what this would mean for her future at the academy. The students would look to her for guidance, and the staff would rely on her decisions. She wasn't just a student anymore. She was a leader, and that responsibility was not something she could take lightly.

But even as she thought about all the challenges ahead, she also felt a sense of pride. She had worked hard to get to this point. Her friends believed in her, and Rosaria, though strict in her teachings, had helped her prepare for this moment.

With one last glance at the room she had called home, Akira grabbed her last few things, mentally preparing herself for the next phase of her journey. It was time to step into her new life—one where she would make her mark on Silvermoon Academy.

And maybe, just maybe, it was time for her to step into the person she was always meant to be.

As Akira walked into the new room, her eyes took in the spacious, sleek design. The walls were a soft, calming blue, with large windows that allowed sunlight to spill in, illuminating the entire room. It felt different from her old room, where she had shared everything with her friends. This was hers—no more late-night conversations or spontaneous movie marathons.

It felt both exciting and a little lonely.

Just as she started to unpack, there was a knock on the door.

"Hey, are you in there?" It was Rowan's voice, warm and familiar.

"Yeah," Akira called back, opening the door to see her friends standing there with bright smiles. Lucian and Kael were at the front, each holding boxes or bags filled with her belongings. Renetta was standing behind them, arms crossed but smiling all the same.

"Did you really think we'd let you move in without us?" Kael teased, stepping inside and putting the box he was carrying on the floor.

Lucian grinned, dropping a pile of books next to her desk. "We've got your back. Plus, we're not letting you have all the fun without us."

"Yeah, what are friends for if not to help with your big move?" Renetta added, setting down a few more boxes.

Akira smiled, feeling a mix of gratitude and something else—comfort. "Thanks, you guys. I don't think I could do this on my own."

Rowan gave her a teasing smile, crossing her arms. "You might be the headmaster now, but don't get any ideas. We're still here for you, whether you like it or not."

"Yeah," Lucian agreed. "So, what's the first thing on the agenda for Headmaster Akira? Are you going to boss us around yet?"

Akira chuckled softly, sitting down on the edge of her new bed. "I'm still figuring things out. It's all a bit overwhelming. It's going to take some time to adjust."

Renetta nudged her with a gentle smile. "You're gonna do great, Akira. Just remember, you don't have to do it alone. We're here for you, no matter what."

As they continued unpacking and moving things around, Kael noticed the small stack of books Akira had placed on the desk. "You've been reading all of these?"

Akira sighed, rubbing her eyes. "Yeah, Rosaria's been making sure I study everything about leadership. She says I need to be ready for anything."

"That sounds intense," Kael said, frowning a bit. "But hey, if anyone can handle it, it's you."

Lucian nodded. "Exactly. You've got this, Akira. Don't worry."

As the room started to look more like home, Akira felt her nerves slowly easing. She wasn't completely ready for everything, but with her friends by her side, she felt like she could face whatever came next.

"Thanks, guys," she said softly, watching as they all continued to help. "Really. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Rowan grinned, tossing her a mischievous look. "Well, you'd probably still be packing. But we're happy to help."

Kael and Lucian exchanged a knowing glance, both grinning. "We'll always be here for you, Akira. Even when you're the big boss."

"Yeah, you can't get rid of us that easily," Renetta added with a wink.

Akira laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I'm glad you're here," she said, her voice sincere. "It's not going to be easy, but I know I can do it with all of you supporting me."

They continued to set up the new space, laughing and talking as if nothing had changed. And in that moment, Akira knew that while her role as headmaster would bring new challenges, the one thing that would always remain the same was the bond she shared with her friends.

𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺.Where stories live. Discover now