Friday – Tenkaichi Elite Academy, Morning
Whispers followed Aeron down every hallway.
"So it's true..."
"He's Himari Kael's son?!"
"No wonder he's different."
"Wait—does that mean Ayaka is his stepsister?! THAT Ayaka?!"
He ignored them.
As always.
His uniform crisp. His bag slung casually over one shoulder. His steps slow, deliberate — like nothing in the world could reach him.
But it did.
Every glance. Every whisper. Every girl trying not to stare, and failing.
---
Meanwhile – Arisa Minato's POV
The top-ranked student in the school adjusted her glasses.
She had known Aeron only as the quiet anomaly in her class. Untouchable. Unshakable.
But now?
Now, she understood the why.
> A boy raised by Himari Kael.
Groomed under business empires.
Drives a supercar like a shadow ghost.
And still aces his tests without asking for help.
"He's dangerous," she whispered to herself, closing her notebook.
But as she closed her locker door, her hand paused.
"…And I want to understand him."
She walked off — already calculating an excuse to speak to him.
---
Classroom – Midday
Yume stared at Aeron from the front row.
Misora leaned on her desk beside her. "So, stepbrother, huh?"
Yume stayed quiet.
Misora grinned. "Still like him?"
Yume didn't hesitate. "More."
Misora blinked. "Even with all the pressure now?"
"Especially with the pressure. It's like he's walking through a storm and doesn't flinch."
She watched Aeron, her heart pulling tighter.
> "I want to stand next to him through that storm. Even if I'm shaking the whole time."
---
Cafeteria – Afternoon
Tatsuki cornered Ayaka at the vending machine.
"You should've told us," he muttered.
Ayaka looked tired. Her eyes dull.
"I didn't mean for it to come out like that."
"Still," Tatsuki said, "everyone's treating Aeron like some kind of… prince now. Even the third-years are talking."
Ayaka looked away.
"He was always a prince. They were just too blind to see it."
---
Side Story – Sera Nakamura, the Artist
Sera sat cross-legged in the art club room, charcoal streaks on her cheek.
She stared at the blank canvas.
Then grinned.
"I need to draw him again. Not the old him — not the boy sitting still."
She dipped her fingers into the black ink.
"This time… I'll paint him driving. Like a blur. Like a god."
---
Evening – Himari's Office
Himari flipped through papers, pausing only when the door creaked.
Mirei stood there, arms crossed, lips curved faintly.
"He's becoming a headline."
Himari sipped her tea. "He hates it."
"Then we make it work in his favor."
"You're not subtle, Mirei."
"I'm not pretending to be."
She stepped closer.
"I'm building a world where he never has to look down."
---
Late Night – Aeron's Room
Aeron stared at his phone.
> [Yume]: "Hey. Can I walk with you tomorrow?"
[Misora]: "Wanna ditch class and drive fast?"
[Ayaka]: "Good night… I'm not leaving you alone anymore."
[Arisa]: "We need to talk about your math score."
He turned the screen off.
Set it down.
Stared at the ceiling.
> "Why do they all want me now…?"
"What happens when they see what's really underneath?"
He closed his eyes.
The only answer was silence.