Chapter 1 – The Last Ordinary Day

Tring... Tring... Tring...

The shrill cry of the alarm clock shattered the silence, heralding the dawn of another ordinary day.

Arren groaned, lazily pushing aside his blanket before sitting up. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and let out a weary sigh.

"Just another day..." he muttered, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

After throwing on his school uniform, he stuffed a few books into his backpack and rushed downstairs. Snatching a slice of bread from the dining table, he hurried out the front door and hopped onto his bicycle.

The morning air was crisp and refreshing. Above him stretched a sky as blue as an endless ocean, dotted with soft white clouds drifting lazily across the horizon. Birds sang from the treetops while the scent of dew-soaked grass lingered in the cool breeze.

As Arren pedaled toward the footbridge, someone unusual caught his eye.

Standing silently at the center of the bridge was a man clad in jet-black armor, a blood-red cloak flowing behind him. A sudden gust of wind swept through the cherry blossom trees, sending delicate pink petals swirling around the knight like falling snow.

The sight was strangely beautiful... and completely out of place.

"Cosplaying this early in the morning? That's... unique," Arren thought with a quiet chuckle before continuing on his way.

Behind him, a faint smirk crept across the armored man's face.

Then, as another gust of wind passed...

...he vanished.

Oblivious to what had just happened, Arren soon arrived at school. Locking his bicycle, he made his way to his classroom and settled beside the window.

His gaze wandered across the courtyard before stopping on a familiar figure.

Seraphine.

A nostalgic smile tugged at the corner of his lips as an old memory resurfaced. When they were children, they had solemnly promised to marry each other once they grew up.

He shook his head with a quiet laugh.

"Kids really do say the strangest things..."

Even so...

The smile refused to leave his face.

Click.

The classroom door slid open.

For a fleeting moment, Arren's eyes met Seraphine's.

The distance between them seemed to vanish, if only for an instant, before they both looked away.

A faint hesitation crossed Arren's face, but the moment passed as quickly as it had come.

Click.

The classroom door opened once more as their lecturer stepped inside.

"Good morning, class."

Everyone rose in unison before taking their seats, and another ordinary school day began.

By noon, the once-quiet hallways had come alive with chatter. Laughter spilled from Class 8 as students excitedly planned performances for the upcoming school festival and discussed where they would celebrate afterward.

Arren listened absentmindedly while eating his lunch by the window.

He had never been much of a social butterfly.

Naturally...

No one invited him.

It didn't bother him anymore.

At least, that's what he told himself.

Tring... Tring... Tring...

The final bell echoed throughout the school, signaling the end of another day.

Arren glanced out the window.

The setting sun bathed the city in warm amber light, while a gentle breeze rustled the leaves outside.

It was... peaceful.

Too peaceful.

He mounted his bicycle and headed toward Central Park, where he worked a couple of part-time jobs before finally calling it a day.

By the time he finished, night had settled over the city.

The streets buzzed with life. Neon signs flickered to life, conversations blended into the city's rhythm, and the aroma of fresh coffee drifted through the cool evening air.

Feeling exhausted, Arren stepped into his usual café.

"A medium cappuccino, please."

The barista smiled and nodded.

"Coming right up."

While waiting, Arren leaned against the counter, absentmindedly scrolling through manga updates on his phone.

Minutes later—

"Medium cappuccino for Arren."

He looked up.

His breath caught in his throat.

Standing near the café entrance...

...was Seraphine.

She wasn't alone.

The man from the footbridge that morning stood beside her.

The same man dressed in black.

Without hesitation, he gently cupped her face...

...and kissed her.

Everything around Arren seemed to fall silent.

The conversations.

The music.

Even the bustling streets beyond the café windows.

His chest tightened.

Without taking his coffee, he quietly turned and walked outside.

His phone rang.

The caller ID read:

Maple Leaf Medical Center

"...Hello?"

"Mr. Arren Wades?"

The doctor's voice was calm... too calm.

"I'm deeply sorry to inform you that your grandmother, Mrs. Hazel, passed away a few moments ago."

...

"Please come to the hospital when you're able."

Arren couldn't answer.

His fingers trembled.

The world suddenly felt unbearably heavy.

His grandmother...

His last remaining family...

...was gone.

After what felt like an eternity, he forced the words from his lips.

"...Okay."

"I'll be there."

He ended the call.

One step.

Then another.

Each felt heavier than the last.

Behind him, a familiar voice pierced the silence.

"Arren!"

Seraphine.

He didn't turn around.

He couldn't.

His thoughts were a tangled mess of grief, heartbreak, and disbelief.

All he wanted...

...was to reach the hospital.

He stepped onto the road.

A blinding pair of headlights filled his vision.

HONK!

Screeeeech—

A deafening crash echoed through the street.

Pain.

Then...

Nothing.

Arren lay motionless on the cold asphalt as warm blood slowly spread beneath him.

His vision blurred.

The city lights melted into streaks of color above him.

A faint smile formed on his lips.

"So..."

"I won't be alone..."

...after all.

Darkness embraced him.

And Arren closed his eyes for the last time.