As I passed through the towering gates of Seraphim School of Fashion, my pulse quickened. Relief and fear collided, one settling deep in my chest, the other weaving through my thoughts. This was what I’d dreamed of for so long, yet the reality felt unsettling—would my father ever understand why I’d come here, leaving everything behind? He had a vision for my life that never included textures, colors, or the transformative power of clothing. But since childhood, I’d been mesmerized by these things, by how a piece of fabric could change how someone carried themselves, or even spoke. While other kids played outside, I’d sketched my ideas on scraps of paper, lost in a language of fashion only I seemed to understand. And now, here I stood, a lifetime away from home, facing the promise of what I’d always wanted.

The campus was alive, as Monday mornings often were. People streamed through the gates, their faces marked by private anxieties and ambitions. The buildings towered above us, a blend of classical grandeur and modern simplicity, softened by manicured green spaces that softened the hard edges with elegance. It felt like stepping into a castle—a sanctuary and a challenge wrapped in one. Flyers and colorful banners decorated the area, fluttering in the breeze and adding vibrance to the scene. Just as I lost myself in the atmosphere, a voice pierced the air.

“Kai Yan?!”

Jennifer pushed through the crowd toward me, her face a mix of relief and urgency. She grabbed my shoulders, giving me a quick once-over, almost like a mother checking on her child.

“What happened to you?! I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday! There was a fight in town, and your line was off, and you didn’t have a place to stay, and…” Her words came in a torrent.

“Breathe,” I interrupted, managing a small smile. “I’m here. I’m fine.”

She let out a long sigh, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Thank goodness. I was so worried… and your uncle would’ve killed me if anything had happened to you. I already told him you’re okay.”

Her relief was palpable, but her questions started again. “Where’s your phone? Did you find a place to stay?”

It took some time to reassure her, explaining the chaos of the past day, and by the end of it, she nearly teared up. I agreed to let her help find a place for me, realizing that after everything, I couldn’t do this entirely on my own.

The orientation almost passed me by as I barely made it through the closing doors. Jennifer had to plead with the staff to let me in. The introduction to the school was followed by a campus tour, and despite the excitement in the air, my nerves felt stretched thin. Our group was small enough to fit into a single bus, and we quietly took notes as we glanced through the student handbook. The whole experience felt surreal, a blend of structure and mystery as I tried to process everything.

Later, after the program, Jennifer met me at the school gates, and we headed to a nearby store to replace my lost phone. She covered every expense, from the phone to lunch at a cozy restaurant. I protested, but she waved me off, insisting it was no trouble.

As the taxi rolled to a stop in front of Iris's house, I finally took in the neighborhood—a clean, almost pristine area that felt worlds away from the bustling heart of the city. Rows of modern, stylish homes lined the street, each one meticulously designed with sharp lines, large glass windows, and a careful balance of white and black paint accented by lush greenery. It was as if each house here was part of an art gallery, displaying a seamless blend of elegance and sophistication.

I noticed subtle but ever-present security details, like the occasional cop car patrolling quietly down the street and the discreet security cameras mounted on the sleek iron gates. Everything here seemed perfectly maintained, as if nothing ever disturbed the peace. The air felt fresher, carrying a sense of order and exclusivity. I couldn’t help but wonder about the people who lived here—what sort of lives they led in a place.

As I pressed the doorbell and waited, the door creaked open, revealing a guy leaning casually against the doorframe, his arm blocking my way in as though he were assessing me. He was slender, yet his muscles were well-defined, each one seeming to settle into the right place effortlessly. His dark hair fell in loose, messy strands over his forehead, a perfect fit for his laid-back appearance. Round, dark earrings adorned his ears, adding a subtle edge that complimented his overall look, while his lips had a slight gloss, catching the light and drawing attention to the confident smirk forming at the corners.

His light brown eyes met mine, studying me with a mix of confusion and intrigue. There was an intensity in his gaze, like he was trying to solve a puzzle he didn’t realize he’d been handed. For a brief moment, I almost second-guessed myself, thinking I’d come to the wrong house.

“Uh… Is this Iris’s house?” I asked, second-guessing myself.

“Yeah?” he replied, his eyes drifting over me with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. I barely had time to react to his stare when Iris appeared, pinching his hand away from the door.

“Oh, Kai, come in,” she said, sounding unfazed. The guy gave a playful groan as he removed his hand, draping it casually around her shoulder. I quietly stepped inside, trying to ignore the curiosity nagging at me.

As I settled onto the couch, a mix of uncertainty and guilt settled over me. I had only known them for a day, but something about leaving felt… wrong. For a moment, I wondered if I should say nothing and just slip out, but that wasn’t why I’d come here.

The guy, sensing my discomfort, spoke up, his voice smooth but with a quiet strength. “Are you okay?” he asked, looking at me with mild concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied with a chuckle, although a strange nervousness lingered. Silence grew between us until he broke it by holding out his hand.

“Top,” he introduced himself simply, his hand steady and expectant.

I blinked, hesitating before shaking it. The name struck me as unusual, but before I could question it, he seemed to read my thoughts.

“My parents weren’t exactly inspired when naming me,” he said, shrugging. I didn’t realize I’d forgotten to let go until he gave a small wave of his hand, which I quickly released.

“Sorry. I’m Kai.”

“Yeah, Iris mentioned you,” he said, his tone somehow heavier with that one sentence. I couldn’t tell what he knew, but I got the sense that Iris had told him more than just my name.

He rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze softening. “Look, whatever you’re going through, I hope things work out.” His voice held an understanding I hadn’t expected.

I simply nodded, unwilling to unravel the mess of my past in front of him. The memories were too raw, too personal to share with a stranger, no matter how kind his words seemed.

Just then, Iris walked in, holding three cups of boba tea. She handed one to each of us, and Top raised a brow at her, smirking.

“Still not over your milk addiction?” he teased, sipping his drink.

“Never,” she replied, grinning as she settled across from us. They slipped into an easy banter, and I remained silent, rehearsing in my head how I’d tell her I’d found a new place. My nerves tightened as I recalled our last conversation—it hadn’t gone well, and I could still feel the tension in the air between us.

“Kai, are you okay?” she asked, her voice breaking my train of thought. There was genuine worry in her gaze, a surprise given her usual nonchalance.

“Yeah… actually, I came to tell you I found a new place to stay. I just came to grab my things.” The words tumbled out faster than I’d intended.

Top and Iris exchanged a glance, both taken aback.

“That’s great, but…” Top started, only for Iris to cut in.

“Seems like you’re getting used to the area already,” she said, a sly smirk playing on her lips.

I could feel a jab in her tone, almost as if she wanted to provoke me. It was a strange dynamic—she knew enough of my story to be empathetic, yet she seemed determined to keep me at a distance.

“Give it a rest, you little witch,” Top intervened, his voice light but assertive. There was a depth in his tone, a quality that instantly diffused the tension, showing a side of him I couldn’t help but admire.

Iris huffed, leaning back with a mutter I couldn’t catch.

“Would it be alright if we took you to your new place?” Top offered. “Just to make sure everything’s settled. Ivan would want to know you’re safe.”