Meanwhile, in the real world…
Brightgate City. Bright Academy.
The cafeteria bustled with noise, students crowding around screens propped up by the faculty to stream the Federation's official broadcast.
At the center of it all, a certain girl looked utterly unamused.
Lily was being dragged by the wrists by two of her friends who practically bouncing with excitement.
"Come on, Lily! Hurry! They're starting the stream—maybe we'll see him again!"
Her friends' voices were bright, eyes glittering. The reason was simple. Earlier today, they had seen Michael.
To them, it was enough that he looked like the kind of "main character" you only ever saw in stories.
But Lily knew better. Maybe.
As her friends pulled her along toward the largest cafeteria screen, Lily's lips pressed into a thin line. She was tired of their hopeless fantasies—girls swooning over someone they could never touch.
And yet…
Her steps didn't slow.
