---
The sky was a little dark, clouds hanging low over the Qianyu Academy rooftop.
Ren leaned against the railing, staring at the clouds, looking relaxed. A soft breeze blew through his hair.
Suddenly, the rooftop door slammed open. Kevin, the white-haired boy in his basketball uniform, came rushing in. His face was all red from running, and he looked like he was about to explode with excitement.
"Ren! How's it?! Did she agree?!"
Ren let out a soft sigh, then smiled faintly. "Mei agreed. Do your best, Kevin."
Kevin's face lit up, and without thinking, he threw his arm around Ren's neck. "Yes! You're awesome, Ren! Totally reliable!"
Ren shoved him away. "Hey! Don't come near me like that. I don't hug guys!"
The two had been dormmates since the start of college. Close enough that Ren didn't even care to act as Kevin's wingman for Mei. Kevin had been obsessed with her for weeks now.
Ren noticed Kevin's excitement barely under control. A little smirk appeared on Ren's face.
"Oh, by the way," Ren said, pretending to be casual, "Mei also agreed to go to the international science lecture next week."
Kevin froze. "Wait… the science lecture? Isn't it the aquarium?"
Ren shrugged. "She counted her schedule and decided a lecture was better. Typical Mei."
Kevin groaned. "What kind of question did you even ask her? Don't tell me she doesn't like me anymore!"
Ren chuckled. "Relax. You'll be fine. Just don't waste my help. Oh, and remember, you owe me a meal."
"Of course!" Kevin said proudly. "Actually, guess what I got to reward you?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Tickets to Eden's concert?"
Kevin smirked. "Yup! Got three tickets through a friend."
Ren froze. "Seriously? When's the concert?"
"Two weeks from now. We'll meet up with Su and go together."
"Just the three of us?"
"Yeah, guys' trip."
The two laughed, talking about girls, concerts, and small dreams that made life feel fun.
That's how life was supposed to be.
Then Kevin suddenly spoke again. "Hey, have you heard? Some rumors about zombies near the school. A few people even got hurt, someone from our school too."
Ren rolled his eyes. "You watch too many movies. It's just some people spreading lies."
Ren had always dreamed of big, world-changing events. But now, he liked peace. He liked normal life.
He didn't believe in destiny, fate, or being dragged into some huge mess.
But he was wrong.
Because soon, the gentle evening breeze would smell of blood.
The moon would split in two.
And the world would show him its absurd, harsh truth—completely unprepared.
---
The next day, everything changed.
"Ren, you're dropping out of school? Why?! What happened?!"
Kevin was panicking.
Ren didn't answer. He silently handed Kevin a concert ticket. Kevin slapped it away, anger flashing in his eyes.
"What happened overnight? You were joking yesterday, chatting with me, and now…"
Ren looked at him calmly. His eyes, once warm and mischievous, were now cold, distant, like ice.
Kevin could barely recognize him.
"Ren, did something happen to your family? Money? Just tell me, I'll help," Kevin said, gripping his friend's shoulders.
Ren finally spoke, voice calm but serious. "Kevin, if one day you were told that the fate of humanity rested in your hands… would you fight for it?"
Kevin blinked. "What are you talking about?"
Ren's gaze sharpened. "Answer me."
Kevin scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I… I don't know about humanity. But for Mei, for you, and for Su… yeah, I'd fight."
Ren was silent for a moment. The answer was simple, human, and… enviable.
He picked up the concert ticket and pressed it into Kevin's hand. "I envy you," he said quietly. "But I can't be like you. I can't fight for just one or two people."
"Take Mei to the concert," he added.
The wind blew hard across the rooftop, making the ticket flap in Kevin's hand.
Dark clouds covered the sky as Ren walked away. Kevin stayed on the rooftop, staring after him. Mei appeared silently beside Kevin.
Their eyes met Ren's for a brief moment. Then they looked away.
Years later, when Ren faced a powerful enemy, he would remember this quiet afternoon, the time his best friend just wanted to take him to a concert.