Chapter 14

The halls of Minamo Central Academy buzz with the chaos of students released from the clutches of exam season. Lily stretches her arms high over her head, backpack slung lazily over one shoulder, yawning as she exits the front gates.

She barely takes five steps before a familiar voice cuts through the crowd.

ASTERA (walking over, casual but clearly tired):
Lily? You surviving?

LILY (brightening):
Barely. You done too?

ASTERA (grinning):
Yeah. I think AP Calc just shaved two years off my life. Wanna ride home?

LILY (without hesitation):
Absolutely.

Cut to the two teens in Astera’s sleek dark-blue car, gliding through the sparkling highway lanes outside Minamo. A gentle city-pop instrumental plays in the background. Lily’s got her feet on the dash, looking out the window while Astera drives with one hand on the wheel.

LILY (suddenly curious):
Hey... what do you even do outside of school?

ASTERA (smirking):
Sports.

LILY:
That’s it?

ASTERA (shrugging):
Kinda. I’m on the track team. Do a bit of martial arts on the side. Helps me stay balanced, y’know?

LILY (turning toward him with a grin):
Alright, Mr. Balance. Are you dating anyone?

Astera tightens his grip on the steering wheel ever so slightly.

ASTERA (glancing at the road):
What kinda question is that?

LILY (playfully):
A nosy one. I’m fifteen, it’s in my blood.

ASTERA (still avoiding her gaze):
I’m seventeen. I’m legally allowed to deflect.
(pause)
How are Shizu and Alto doing?

LILY (laughs):
Did you just change the subject?

ASTERA:
Yup.

LILY:
That’s suspicious.

ASTERA:
And that’s classified.

They both chuckle. The city fades into countryside roads, the Mizuyari Manor just visible on the distant cliffside.