Narration:
Tokyo's prestigious Hanamura Academy—where sons and daughters of Japan's elite polish their future under a golden sky. But today, the sky was the same for two people who lived under completely different worlds.
[Scene: School Courtyard - Early Morning]
Ren Hayashi, wearing a slightly faded uniform with a heavy second-hand backpack, rushes into the courtyard. He's 17, lean, with intense eyes and the walk of someone used to surviving.
Ren (internal monologue):
Late again. If I miss that entrance exam briefing, my scholarship is gone. And if that's gone...
[He's sprinting past the fountain when—]
[A sleek black luxury car screeches to a halt by the school gate. Out steps Aika Kisaragi—immaculate, poised, and radiating cool detachment. Students murmur.]
Student A:
"That's Aika Kisaragi, right? The Kisaragi Group heiress."
Student B:
"She's untouchable. Literally. Last guy who tried to talk to her got relocated to Siberia. Figuratively."
Ren looks up briefly as she walks past—then shrugs and keeps running. But a gust of wind blows Aika's folder from her hands. Papers fly everywhere.
Ren (grumbling):
"Seriously? At this time?"
He runs back and helps gather the papers.
Ren:
"You should keep your grip tighter. The wind's not gonna care who your daddy is."
Aika (raising an eyebrow):
"Excuse me?"
Ren:
"You're welcome."
He hands her the papers, starts walking off again.
Aika:
"You're Hayashi, right? The scholarship student."
Ren:
"Wow, I'm famous now?"
Aika (icy):
"Just don't mistake that for being equals."
He pauses, looks back with a dry smile.
Ren:
"I stopped mistaking people like you for anything other than a walking brand ad a long time ago."
Narration:
And just like that, a spark. Not of love. But of something far more dangerous.