The city of Velfield rose like iron bones from the earth — a sprawling, smog-stained metropolis where industry met ambition. Machinery hummed beneath the streets, cables stretched like veins between skyscrapers, and massive billboards flashed with Codex-powered light. It was a place where past and future clashed, and the air always smelled faintly of oil and ozone.
To the people of Velfield, the towering skyline was normal. But to Kei Rose, just seventeen and new to the capital, it was overwhelming.
The apartment was quiet that morning, a soft hum from the electric kettle the only sound as May Rose moved with practiced ease around the kitchen. The sunlight, filtered by the city's ever-present haze, cast golden patches across the counter. She wore a simple black blouse and tied her silver hair back in a neat braid — efficient, unassuming. Just how she liked it.
She cracked two eggs into the pan and glanced over her shoulder as footsteps shuffled into the dining room.
"Morning," Kei muttered, rubbing sleep from his eyes. His brown hair stuck out at odd angles, and he wore an oversized shirt.
"Morning," May replied. "Sit. Food's almost ready."
Kei yawned and dropped into a chair, blinking blearily at the sealed envelope in his hand. His name was printed cleanly on the front.
He broke the wax seal and unfolded the paper.
"…Anzel Academy?" he said slowly. "Wait—you signed me up for school?"
"I did," May said, setting a plate of eggs and toast in front of him. "Mid-year enrollments are rare, but I made sure it went through."
Kei frowned, tapping the letter. "But we just moved here. I thought I'd get a break or something."
May sat across from him, her expression calm as always. "Moving is no excuse to skip your education. Besides—" she sipped her tea, "—you'll be seeing someone familiar."
Kei tilted his head. "Who?"
"Violet," she said casually. "She mentioned she attends Anzel too. You might get lucky and end up in the same class."
He blinked. Then straightened.
"Wait. Violet? My Violet? She's here?"
May gave a small, knowing smile. "Two years and still surprised by her presence. Yes, she is."
Kei's face lit up with a grin. "Okay… fine. Maybe this place won't be so bad."
Later that morning
The car hummed quietly as it made its way through the academy district. Massive glass buildings surrounded them, some inscribed with glowing sigils — Codex seals. The Anzel Academy campus was impossible to miss: a blend of gothic architecture and futuristic tech, surrounded by a high wall and guarded gates. A symbol of status, wealth, and power.
May parked in the guest lot and turned to Kei.
"Limiter," she reminded him.
Kei sighed and slipped the black band around his wrist. "Yeah, yeah. Don't want to 'accidentally fry the school' or whatever."
"Not funny," May said, though her voice was light. "Control is everything. You remember that."
He gave her a grin, shouldered his bag, and got out. "Wish me luck."
May leaned on the steering wheel, watching him walk through the gates with the other students. His steps were uncertain at first, but he didn't look back.
She sat there for a few moments longer.
Then she drove off.
The Day
While Kei wandered the gleaming halls of Anzel, met his new classmates, and discovered — to his utter delight — that Violet really was in his class, May returned to her own routine. Grocery shopping. Cleaning. A silent apartment. The city outside felt large, cold, unknowable. But she'd lived in worse places.
For a moment, as she sat on the balcony with her second cup of tea, she thought she saw someone watching from the building across the street. A shimmer, barely there. Then it vanished.
She said nothing.
Evening
The front door slammed open. Kei burst in, still wearing his blazer, flushed with excitement.
"Guess what?" he called out, dropping his bag on the couch.
May looked up from the kitchen. "Violet?"
"In my class," he said, pointing at himself. "Same class. Same lunch break. Same dorm building."
She smiled. "I suppose the gods of teenage romance are kind."
He laughed, grabbing a bottle of juice from the fridge. "She was so surprised. We talked the whole time—like nothing had changed."
May watched him quietly, then said, "You should invite her over next week. I'd like to catch up with her too."
Kei blinked. "Seriously? You want me to bring her here?"
"You've been dating for two years. Don't act surprised."
"Right," he said with a grin. "I'll ask her tomorrow