That summer, the sun blazed mercilessly overhead, turning everything into a shimmering haze of heat.

Shadow Milk strolled through the school gates with his trademark bored expression plastered across his face, though that familiar arrogant smirk lurked just beneath the surface. A few minutes before the bell was set to ring, Guest's clothes caught the breeze as they walked past him.

The instant he turned around, the world seemed to shift into slow motion.

The new transfer student. Golden sunlight caught their crisp white uniform shirt, and their hair danced softly in the wind. Guest's eyes met his for just a heartbeat, a small smile playing at their lips as they continued past Shadow Milk.

No words were exchanged, but something strange happened—his heart started hammering against his ribs like it was trying to break free.

'What the hell? Why's it so damn loud when everything's quiet?'

For the first time in his life, Shadow Milk completely missed the warning bell.

Just like that, from the moment he laid eyes on Guest, his entire world tilted off its axis.

desperately grabs your sleeve Yo, hold up... just gimme a sec~