Aika was an ordinary high school boy in Japan. His grades were average, his days were routine, but he carried a quiet obsession that set him apart—mechs and their weapons.
It was another long day at school.
Aika: Ugh, this boring math period… when will it end, Armano?
Armano: Probably in six minutes. Relax, it's the last period of the day anyway.
Aika: Good. I'd better draw some mech designs.
(Aika leaned over his notebook, sketching lines until the shape of a towering mech emerged.)
Sikigai: Aika, why do you like mechs so much?
Aika: I just think they're cool. I mean—have you seen Mechagodzilla?
Before Sikigai could reply, the teacher's voice cut through the room.
Teacher: Alright, students, that's it for today. Pack your bags—it's dispersal time.
(Chairs scraped, bags zipped, and the students hurried out.)
Outside the school gates, Aika turned to his friends.
Aika: Alright, see you guys. I've got to head home early—I need to be somewhere.
Friends: Bye, Aika!
He walked back home, where he lived with his father, Akasa, and his older sister, Isegi.
Isegi: Hurry up, Aika. We'll be late. Change your clothes and eat your lunch.
Aika: Yeah, yeah, I'm hurrying. But first, let me go to my room for a bit.
(Aika slipped into his room. On the wall hung dozens of mech sketches, weapons designs, and half-finished ideas. He carefully pinned today's drawing among them, a proud addition to his growing collection.)
But then… something strange caught his eye. A tiny, floating camera-like machine hovered in the corner of his room, watching him.
Aika froze.
To be continued…