The peace of last night shattered with the dream. Ryu woke drenched in sweat, his body trembling from the nightmare's grip. He reached beneath his bed, fingers closing around a half-filled bottle of water, and drank until the cool liquid washed away the sour taste of fear. Rising unsteadily, a wave of dizziness forced him to grip the wall for support.
"Mom?" he called into the silence.
No answer. Of course not. She was already gone—working the morning shift at a restaurant on the far east side of the district. But she had left him breakfast: bread and an egg, waiting patiently on the small table.
Ryu muttered to himself, his voice rough yet filled with gratitude."Feels like ages since I had real meat… Still, an egg's a blessing. Thanks, Mom."
He finished quickly, then threw on his red-and-white jacket. Just as he reached the door, a sharp realization hit him—his left wrist was bare.
The Pulse. The cursed band every citizen wore, a triangle-shaped core that recorded every movement, every heartbeat of obedience. To be caught without it meant public humiliation—beatings, shackles, the jeering of the crowd. Ryu's stomach twisted at the thought. He tore back into his room, yanking sheets aside until he found it buried beneath his blanket. Cold metal bit into his skin as he strapped it on, a daily reminder of who ruled.
Only then did he step outside, locking the door twice before leaving.
The street was alive with ordinary routine. Mr. and Mrs. Kazumi were out drying their laundry, their fragile hands steady despite their years. Mrs. Kazumi waved him over."Good morning, Ryu!"
He returned the greeting with a smile. The Kazumis had no children, and Ryu often helped them with chores. In return, they sometimes shared meals with him—simple dishes, but far better than what he could afford on his own. In their old age, Ryu was relief. In his loneliness, they were comfort.
Humming a random tune, he continued through the narrow lanes toward the hill where Takumi had asked him to meet. It was nearly ten, and the path stretched six kilometers from town.
If I had a bike… Ryu thought bitterly. Owning one was impossible for someone like him. Even scavenged machines were rusted into uselessness or scattered into pieces.
By the time he reached the hill, the sun was higher, and he was a few minutes late. Under the shade of an old tree, Takumi lay sprawled on the grass, staring at the sky. Ryu crept closer and suddenly leapt on him.
"Ugh—!" Takumi rolled, startled, before springing to his feet. Both boys laughed, the sound echoing across the quiet hillside.
"Sorry," Ryu said, brushing grass from his hair.
"Did I make you wait long?"
"You? Always late," Takumi smirked.
"I even came later on purpose this time—and you still managed to outdo me."
Ryu chuckled.
"It's a long walk, you know. If only I had a bike."
Takumi's expression shifted.
"Well, I don't have a bike for you, but…"
He went behind the tree and returned with a small box wrapped in paper.
"This might do."
Ryu's eyes widened. He tore open the wrapping, his excitement spilling out in a laugh. Inside was a skateboard, worn but sturdy.
"A bike's too expensive," Takumi said with a grin.
"I saved my share from scavenging to get this. Figured it might help."
Scavenging was how they survived. Hours spent combing through ruins, prying copper from broken drones, hauling bolts from half-sunken concrete. Some days barely enough for a meal; other days, a lucky find meant extra food. Dangerous work, but theirs.
Ryu hugged him tightly. Words failed him, but Takumi's eyes caught the scar on his friend's cheek. The grin faded."Those bastards beat you again, didn't they?"
Ryu looked away, clutching the skateboard. He began climbing the hill, forcing his voice lighter than it felt."It's not the first time. But hey—" he forced a laugh, "—I'm getting stronger. Yesterday, it barely hurt at all."
Takumi followed silently, but beneath the laughter, both felt the weight of the world pressing down. Then he broke the silence."Our classes start tomorrow, right?""That's right," Ryu replied.
Takumi's lips curled into a mischievous grin.
"So… excited to see her?"
Ryu's steps faltered. He didn't need to ask who. Lyra Amatsu. Daughter of Lord Masayori of House Amatsu, a wealthy and powerful family. Radiant, with molten golden skin, lotus-like eyes, and long, flowing black hair—beauty that lingered in his mind even in this harsh world.
Even here, education mattered. Classes divided by status, but knowledge was the one weapon no lord could take.
Ryu smiled faintly.
"Now I only have to get beaten up at school too. Are you trying to get me executed, you fat idiot?"
Takumi didn't let it go.
"Remember how you described her when you first saw her? 'She is Radiant, with lotus-like eyes and long black hair.' You sounded like a poet that day."
Ryu smiled softer.
"Even if that's true… she deserves better, right? And besides, if the lord heard you, both our heads would be rolling down this hill."
Takumi laughed, startling a few birds.
"Rolling down? More like kicked down. Yours would go farther—you've got the bigger ego weighing it down."
Ryu shook his head, gripping the skateboard.
"Better than yours. Your head's so empty, it'd just float away like a balloon."
The slope steepened. The grass thinned into rock. Wind brushed cool against their faces. Below, the town stretched small and fragile, smoke trails and rooftops dwarfed by Echelon banners on watchtowers. Above, the inverted rail hung like a floating giant, sleek flying cars glittering like false stars, soldiers roaring past on flying motorbikes. Another world they could watch, but never touch.
Takumi glanced at Ryu's scar but smirked to cover his worry.
"Tomorrow, when classes start—don't play the fool. I'll drag you by the collar if I have to. And don't think I didn't notice—you'll be looking for her the moment we step inside."
Ryu sighed.
"You're relentless."
"Someone has to remind you you're still human,"
Takumi shot back.
"Come on—race you to the top!"
They ran. Ryu cursed under his breath, then laughed, chasing after his friend.
At the top, a gentle breeze carried the scent of distant smoke and scorched earth. From there, the city lay sprawled below, people scavenging amidst the rubble. They sat beneath the shadow of an oak tree.
Takumi's voice dropped, low and trembling.
"Yesterday, at Grand square… the Watcher Squad caught four people holding secret meetings against the Lords. Even saying the name Echelon made my voice drop."
He swallowed hard.
"They raided the house, found evidence in the basement… and shot the heads of two right in front of us. The other two… taken for questioning."
Ryu's chest tightened. Anger and fear surged together, heat rising to his face.
"Followers of Kurogane… still? I've heard old men whisper about the resistance… thought it ended long ago."
They tried to laugh, to chatter, but the weight of the news pressed down. Once their brief hug was done, Takumi headed home. Ryu didn't wait—he leapt onto his skateboard and shot forward, carving through the narrow path. For a heartbeat, it looked like he was flying.