Just like that, the first day of classes had ended after a long and exhausting speech about the future and other topics, some of great importance, others not so much; courtesy of the dean and sitting chairman of the school district. Essentially, presentation after presentation of work plans were discussed, among other inductions of what the brutal school year will be for the third-year students.

Most of the students, many of which are sponsored, headed to their respective dormitories, probably to study. The level of performance to be in this institution was extremely high, after all.

Among the naive and confident ones who thought could catch up with the rest were Aiden and a few of his classmates, who decided to go and take a look at the commercial district to socially catch up.

Young people from all over the world with all kinds of origins were gathered and polished here, including Aiden's class of course, so after a year seeing so much ethnic and personal diversity had lost its charm.

It was natural that all kinds of talents gathered even in Aiden's school, which was one of the most normal, after all the best education and experience could be found here.

The best students are recruited before even getting a degree, and the most promising ones are chosen to work with the most developed and important companies in the world, many of which have their headquarters in the city.

A few meters from the group, a small, robust-looking, truck stopped. Six metallic cylinders got down and quickly, in three or four minutes, picked up the trash and cleaned up all the waste that was on the street while leaving it shiny and with a subtle yet pleasant smell. Even that had lost its novelty, that kind of thing happened everywhere all the time in this city.

However, Aiden was in a good mood, not only because he saw and had fun with his friends, but because of the inclusion of a strange, strange and fascinating agent.

No one, besides Maika, had made an impression as great on him. So much so that Aiden, blatantly, kept turning to look in her direction over and over again.

She had been invited by Blair, the always considered and competent delegate, with whom she was apparently having a good conversation.

Maika approached the group at the same time as a gust of wind cut through the crowd, slightly rustling her chestnut-brown hair over her sweet face.

Suddenly, the previously monotonous aroma of cleanliness became a delirious fragrance in the presence of the beautiful girl.

It makes one think where did the fierce look that Aiden saw in the morning go?

Maika straightened her hair with one hand while holding her skirt, just in case, with the other. A certain elegance was tasted in her movements, nothing very exaggerated, but it certainly added charm to the scene that Aiden's eyes consumed without an afterthought of shame.

—It's getting late, 'and the demons will laugh at the poor sleeping on the street', says a proverb I once heard. I must go home soon —Maika's words were filled with an ominous feeling, for some reason, to Aiden who has paying close attention, they felt like a warning.

«What a strange way to say goodbye». Thought the young man, and probably everyone else too.

Soon, Maika's figure disappeared into the distance. And not long after, having walked through the student city for hours, the boys, and girls with a place in the official dormitories opted to return to their comfortable and warm residences. The only one left was Aiden, hunting down a new place to eat that Saya had recommended.

The restaurant was at the end of the commercial square, just a dozen and a little more meters from the abandoned district.

—The abandoned district… I understand that some buildings are built with synthetic alloys so strong as to be practically super bunkers, but if they only take up space, why don't they tear them down yet? It's like a glimpse of an apocalyptic future. Honestly, it gives me chills.

The area was not to his liking, but he wanted to save-up and eat something good at the same time, so he decided to follow his friend's advice.

Apparently, the restaurant was originally a house and the first floor was remodeled as a cozy salon, which served its purpose and made him feel like he was back home.

When he finished eating, the orange sky of the dusk was beginning to darken and to his surprise he saw a familiar figure in the distance.

—Huh, Maika?