The next morning, Kael walked to school with Renz for the first time. People stared at them Kael with his calm and sharp eyes, Renz with bandages still on his arm.
"Why are they looking at us?" Renz whispered.
"Because you're walking with me," Kael answered simply.
At class, Renz sat near Kael instead of hiding at the back like he usually did. For once, he didn't care what the others thought.
During break, two boys came over. "Renz," one of them said. "You actually fought back last night?"
Renz froze, but Kael spoke first. "He didn't just fight back. He stood his ground."
The boys glanced at Kael, unsure how to react. Something about his presence made them step back. "Tch. Whatever." They walked away.
Renz let out a breath. "Thanks… I didn't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything," Kael replied. "Strength speaks for itself. And soon, they'll see it."
That afternoon, the two sat by the rooftop again. Renz looked at the sky. "Do you think we can really change things here?"
Kael followed his gaze to the moon rising slowly. "I came from a world where I lost everything. Here… I won't let that happen again. And if you're with me, Renz, we'll make something new. Stronger. Unbreakable."
Renz clenched his fists. "Then I'll stand with you, no matter what."
Kael smirked slightly. "Good. Because this is just the beginning."
Under the quiet glow of the moon, their path started to take shape. Not yet a gang, not yet an army—just two boys with a promise. But every fire begins with a spark.