The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of preparation for Shinju Fabien. Ever since he had received the letter confirming his admission to Paragon Academy, his life had transformed into a blur of last-minute studying, packing, and mental preparation. Despite the excitement, there was a constant undercurrent of anxiety, the weight of expectations from his family, and his promise to his late father driving him forward.
The morning of his departure arrived with a mix of anticipation and sadness. His mother, ever the pillar of strength, did her best to keep the mood light as they packed the last of his belongings into their small Toyota. The drive to the port was quiet, punctuated by brief conversations about mundane things, his favorite meals, the weather, anything to avoid the looming goodbye.
When they finally reached the Port of Japan, the sight of the vast ocean stretching out before them made everything feel suddenly real. His mother parked the car in the crowded lot and stepped out to help him with his luggage. The air was crisp, the scent of saltwater filling his lungs as they made their way to the designated boarding area.
Shinju noticed that his mother's hands were trembling slightly as she pulled his suitcase from the trunk. She quickly masked it with a warm smile. "Are you ready, Shinju? This is it. The beginning of a new chapter."
"Yeah, I'm ready," Shinju replied, though the words felt heavy on his tongue. He tried to imagine what his life at Paragon would be like would it be as rigorous and demanding as the stories said? Or would it be a place where he could finally find his footing among others like him?
They waited together by the docks, the sound of the waves lapping against the pier creating a soothing rhythm. Shinju's mother turned to him, her expression softening as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You know, Shinju, you're going to do amazing things at Paragon. But don't forget to call us, your sister and I will miss you terribly."
Shinju managed a small smile, nodding. "I'll call, I promise. I won't forget."
Before they could say more, a sharp honk echoed across the water, drawing their attention. To their surprise, a sleek, white yacht was approaching the dock, its pristine exterior gleaming in the sunlight. As it drew closer, Shinju could make out a man standing at the bow, dressed in a crisp black suit.
The yacht came to a stop, and the man stepped off with an air of authority. His eyes, hidden behind dark sunglasses, scanned the small crowd before landing on Shinju. "Shinju Fabien?"
"That's me," Shinju replied, stepping forward with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
The man nodded and gestured to the yacht. "Please, board the yacht. We will be departing shortly."
Shinju turned to his mother, the reality of their impending separation hitting him all at once. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her squeeze him tightly in return. "Take care of yourself, Mom. And tell Hana… tell her to marry one of her boyfriends."
"I will," his mother whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Go on now, Shinju. Make us proud."
With one last look, Shinju grabbed his small suitcase and followed the man onto the yacht. As he stepped aboard, he took in the luxurious surroundings, the polished wood deck, the comfortable seating, and the staff moving with quiet efficiency. It was a stark contrast to the simplicity of his life back home.
Inside the yacht, he found a plush couch and sank into it, the soft cushions a welcome comfort after the emotional farewell. He noticed another student sitting nearby, wearing the same uniform he'd received in his admission package. The boy was tall and overweight, his round face beaming with a polite smile.
"Hey there," the boy said, moving over to sit next to Shinju. "Looks like we've got the same glasses."
Shinju glanced at the boy, noting the thick-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. "I guess so."
"I'm Fu Ju Jing," the boy continued, extending a hand. "From Qingdao."
"Shinju Fabien," Shinju replied, shaking his hand. Despite the boy's friendly demeanor, Shinju wasn't particularly interested in making small talk, but he decided to listen out of courtesy.
Fu Ju Jing chattered on, sharing tidbits about his journey to the port and his excitement about attending Paragon. Shinju nodded along, though his thoughts kept drifting back to his mother and the enormity of the journey ahead.
Suddenly, a voice rang out across the deck, loud and clear. Both boys looked around, but there was no one in sight. The voice called out again, and this time, Fu Ju Jing pointed toward the water, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Look over there!"
Shinju followed his gaze, and what he saw defied all logic. A figure was running across the surface of the water, moving with a speed and agility that made it seem as though the waves were solid ground. As the figure drew closer, Shinju's eyes widened in recognition.
The figure leaped into the air, landing on the deck with a dramatic flourish. It was Davi Lazaro, his perennial rival, now standing before them with his usual smug grin. He casually wiped the water droplets from his hair, glancing around the yacht with a self-satisfied smirk.
"I'm earlier than I thought," Davi said, his tone dripping with arrogance. The yacht's crew, unfazed by his dramatic entrance, continued their tasks as if nothing unusual had happened.
Fu Ju Jing, seemingly oblivious to Davi's attitude, walked over to introduce himself. "Hi! I'm Fu Ju Jing. It's great to meet you!"
Shinju sighed, clearly annoyed as he approached Davi. "Why are you late?"
Davi shrugged, his smirk never faltering. "My alarm didn't work. Slept like a bird the whole morning."
Shinju rolled his eyes, not buying the excuse for a second. "Typical." Davi turned his attention to Fu Ju Jing. "So, how'd you get here, Fu? You're from China, right?"
Fu Ju Jing nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, the yacht picked me up at a port too." Shinju couldn't resist a sarcastic remark. "Well, it is an international school for a reason."
Davi responded with a playful elbow punch, and the three boys exchanged banter as they explored the yacht, though the excitement of the journey soon gave way to boredom.
Just as Shinju was about to suggest they find something to do, a new voice called out to them. They turned to see a girl descending from the upper cabin, her movements graceful yet energetic. She jumped down the last few steps, landing with a light bounce before approaching them with a broad, playful smile.
"Hi there!" she exclaimed, her Australian accent unmistakable. "I'm Connie Ibbott, from Texas. And you are?"
The boys introduced themselves, though it was clear Connie's attention was primarily on Davi, who looked unimpressed by her enthusiasm. She, on the other hand, seemed utterly captivated by him, her eyes practically sparkling.
Davi, noticing Shinju's amused expression, turned to Fu Ju Jing with a question. "Who's this 'girl'?"
Before Fu could respond, Connie chimed in. "What do you mean, 'girl'? I'm Connie, remember?" She flashed a bright smile at Davi, who grimaced in response, much to Shinju's amusement.
Before the conversation could go any further, the man in the black suit reappeared, his voice cutting through the chatter. "We are arriving at Paragon Academy's private island. Please prepare yourselves."
The students fell silent as they looked ahead. The island loomed in the distance, its impressive buildings and docks becoming more distinct with each passing moment. Shinju's heart raced as the yacht drew closer, the sight of other students disembarking from similar yachts only heightening his anticipation.
He was finally here. Paragon Academy awaited.