A young boy with messy red hair—layered, unruly, not quite short but not long either—sat perched on a stone wall beside a narrow alleyway. He looked about sixteen, dressed casually in low-budget clothes: a plain grey t-shirt, long black pants torn at the knees, and a pair of old sneakers. Despite his simple appearance, his sharp onyx-colored eyes glinted with curiosity and excitement.

There were two others with him.

A girl stood nearby, slightly older, her brown hair pulled into a ponytail that hung down to the back of her neck. She wore a green jacket layered over a white shirt and some blue shorts. Her shoes were casual, just like the rest of her.

On the wall beside the red-haired boy, another stood—this one visibly energetic. He looked to be the same age as the others. His short silver hair didn’t look particularly special, and he wore a bright red t-shirt with a comic-style “POW” printed across the front. Faded jeans and beat-up sneakers completed his outfit.

The red-haired boy glanced between his two companions, eyes lighting up.

“Wow, this is Amodine? It looks way cooler than Dozor. Not much trash, and no run-down places and stuff.”

The girl nodded, though her eyes flicked warily around as strangers passed by.

“You sure we should be here? What if someone gets mad because we don’t belong?”

The silver-haired boy shrugged nonchalantly.

“We won’t get caught here. People living in Amodine and Dozor look the same… except our clothes.”

But just then, a shadowy figure emerged from the alleyway. Silent. Unnoticed. It reached out from behind—and placed a hand on the red-haired boy’s shoulder.

His eyes widened in terror.

“AAAAH!”

The scream echoed—not in Amodine, but from within a delivery shop.

A red-haired boy, now older by one year, jolted up from where he had been lying on a cluttered table. Behind him stood an elderly man, hand still on his shoulder, eyes filled with irritation.

“What did I tell you about sleeping on the job, Sai, my boy?” the man scolded with an assertive tone, retracting his hand.

Saigoichi rubbed his eyes groggily, blinking hard before turning around to face his scolder. Realization hit.

“Sorry, Mr. Miura. Won’t happen again, I swear!”

Mr. Miura grumbled, setting down a taped cardboard box—clearly a delivery package—onto the table beside him.

“Get this to Ms. Homura’s tuck-shop, in the Low Junction near the river wall. You know business is important for us. Life’s a struggle in this wretched place.”

Saigoichi didn’t hesitate. He jumped to his feet and grabbed the box with both hands.

“Yes, sir!”

He darted out of the delivery shop, weaving past stacks of boxes and crates. Outside, the streets of Dozor greeted him—worn-down, scattered with trash and debris. A stray, mangy dog passed by, tail low and eyes sunken.

No cars rolled through these streets—only the slow shuffle of pedestrians, most dressed in tattered clothing. Many buildings were still crumbling, scars from the war that ended eighty years ago.

Saigoichi now wore a plain white shirt under a brown jacket, long black pants, and sneakers—an outfit faintly reminiscent of the girl from his dream.

As he passed a group of children kicking around a deflated soccer ball, he clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling inside.

How can the government be so cruel to leave Dozor in such a mess?

He quickened his pace, clutching the package tightly.

“YO! Yo, Errand boy! I got a proposition for you.”

Saigoichi turned his head. It was Ryesuchi, leader of the Austenites—the dominant gang of Low Junction. Two of his lackeys flanked him.

“I’ve been looking for an errand boy to join my gang,” Ryesuchi said smoothly. “And watching you, I can tell—you’re a good fit for the Austenites.”

Saigoichi frowned and shook his head.

“Nah. I’m not joining any gangs… Plus, don’t you need an Arsil to join a gang?”

Ryesuchi scoffed.

“Nah, you don’t need an Arsil. I’ve got plenty of underlings without one. Just come join us. You’ll be paid accordingly—and way more than what you’re making now.”

The gang laughed. Everyone… except Saigoichi.

“Well, good luck finding an errand boy,” he replied. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m a bit late on the job. Have a good afternoon.”

And just like that, he walked past them.

Saigoichi reaches his destination greeting Ms. Homura and handing her the package she ordered. He then walks back to the workshop.

Upon arrival Saigochi is greeted with a comment from his boss, “Hey Sai my boy, we have two new recruits, and they will be working with you tomorrow let me introduce you to them.”, “Saigochi meet the new recruits Ay-”

 Saigochi interrupts the introduction once he spots the two new people within his workplace, “Ayana and Najime? What are you guys doing here? I thought both of you were working already.”

Najime, a young adult with silver hair, has a wide smile on his face.

 “Well, I already see that you guys know each other” commented Mr. Miura.

“It’s a long story, but thanks to your generous boss we are able to work again” says Ayana, the girl with the ponytail next to Najime.

After trying to recruit Saigoichi, the Austenites went back to their base. One of the boys who were with Ryesuchi sent two of his henchmen to follow Saigochi.

 “How dare he disrespect the boss like that go teach him a lesson but do not kill him, the boss still wants him in the gang.”

Saigoichi and the two new recruits who just finished locking up and telling Mr. Miura bye, are now walking home. The three friends live in the direction, and halfway to their destination they realize that they are being followed.