Avenir

***Year 2070**

**county:- Eldoria***

***Ravenhill City, Eldoria.***

The city slowly came to life beneath the morning sun.

Driverless buses glided silently through the streets. Delivery drones crossed the sky carrying packages to every corner of the city. Holographic billboards changed advertisements every few seconds, filling the skyline with moving lights.

Technology had changed the world.

But people...

People were still the same.

Students hurried to school.

Office workers rushed toward train stations.

The smell of fresh coffee drifted through the cool morning air.

It felt like another perfectly ordinary day.

---

Rei glanced at his smartwatch.

**7:01 A.M.**

His eyes widened.

**Rei:** "Oh no... I'm late again!"

He grabbed his backpack and rushed toward the front door.

From the kitchen, his mother called out.

**Mom:** "Rei! At least eat breakfast before you leave!"

**Rei:** "I don't have time, Mom!"

**Mom:** "You say that every morning."

**Rei:** "I'll eat at Uncle Aaron's café."

**Mom:** "Fine. And tell him to come over for dinner tonight."

**Rei:** "I will!"

He smiled before closing the door behind him.

---

The cool morning breeze brushed against his face as he unlocked his bicycle.

Cherry blossom trees lined the streets, their pink petals drifting through the air.

After a few minutes of riding, Rei stopped in front of a small café.

The wooden sign above the entrance read—

## **Morning Brew**

The moment he stepped inside, the rich aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread welcomed him.

Behind the counter stood a cheerful man already smiling at him.

**Aaron:** "Good morning, Sleeping Prince."

**Rei:** "Morning, Uncle."

**Aaron:** "Only two minutes late today."

**Rei:** "I'm improving."

Both of them laughed.

Before Rei could even reach the counter, a breakfast tray was already waiting.

A grilled sandwich.

An iced caramel coffee.

And a chocolate muffin.

**Rei:** "Uncle... I haven't even ordered yet."

**Aaron:** "You've been eating the same breakfast for two years."

**Aaron:** "I know your order better than you do."

**Rei:** "Fair point."

Rei sat down and started eating.

A waitress walked past with a smile.

**Waitress:** "Don't forget your shift after school today."

**Rei:** "I won't."

After finishing breakfast, Rei reached for his wallet.

Aaron gently pushed his hand away.

**Aaron:** "Put it back."

**Rei:** "Come on, Uncle..."

**Aaron:** "Family doesn't pay here."

**Rei:** "But I work here."

**Aaron:** "Exactly. That's why breakfast is free."

Rei laughed.

**Rei:** "Thanks."

**Aaron:** "Now hurry. I'd rather not hear your principal complaining about you again."

**Rei:** "No promises."

---

A few minutes later, Rei arrived at school.

His best friend was already waiting near the entrance.

**Kai:** "You're cutting it close."

**Rei:** "I made it."

**Kai:** "Barely."

The two walked into the classroom together.

---

The first bell rang.

Their homeroom teacher entered carrying a digital tablet.

**Teacher:** "Good morning, everyone."

**Class:** "Good morning!"

After taking attendance, she looked up.

**Teacher:** "Before we begin today's lesson, I'd like everyone to welcome our new transfer student."

The classroom door slowly opened.

A girl quietly stepped inside.

Long black hair.

Calm eyes.

A neat school uniform.

She didn't seem nervous.

She didn't seem excited.

She simply stood there with a gentle smile.

**Teacher:** "Please introduce yourself."

The girl looked around the classroom.

**Amelia:** "Hello, everyone. My name is **Amelia Roselle**. It's nice to meet you all."

Whispers immediately spread across the room.

**Student 1:** "She's beautiful..."

**Student 2:** "I wonder where she transferred from."

The teacher looked around the classroom.

**Teacher:** "Amelia, the only empty seat is next to Rei."

Kai leaned closer with a grin.

**Kai:** "Lucky you."

**Rei:** "Be quiet."

Amelia walked over and sat beside him.

For a moment...

Their eyes met.

**Rei:** "Hi."

**Amelia:** "Hi."

Just one word.

Yet somehow...

Her voice stayed in Rei's mind longer than it should have.

---

### Lunch Break

The rooftop garden was filled with students talking and laughing.

Only one person sat alone.

Amelia.

Rei hesitated for a moment before walking over.

**Rei:** "Mind if I sit here?"

**Amelia:** "Sure."

Several minutes passed in silence.

Finally...

**Rei:** "So... how's your first day?"

**Amelia:** "Better than I expected."

**Rei:** "Really?"

**Amelia:** "At least one person decided to talk to me."

Rei smiled.

**Rei:** "I'll take that as a compliment."

For the first time...

Amelia smiled back.

It wasn't a big smile.

But it was real.

---

### Evening

After school, Rei finished his part-time shift at **Morning Brew**.

As he cycled home, something across the street caught his attention.

Between two modern buildings stood an old clock shop.

Its wooden sign looked worn by time.

Warm yellow light glowed through the dusty windows.

Rei slowed down.

**Rei:** "...Has that shop always been there?"

A car horn suddenly echoed behind him.

**Driver:** "Hey! Move!"

Rei quickly stepped aside.

It only took two seconds.

When he looked back...

The clock shop was gone.

Only an old convenience store stood there.

**Rei:** "...What?"

He stared at it for several moments.

Then quietly shook his head.

**Rei:** "I must've imagined it..."

He got back on his bicycle and rode home.

Without realizing...

The ordinary day he thought had ended...

Had actually become the beginning of a story that would change his future forever.

---