Aki, carrying an exaggerated posture as though burdened, ascended the steps of the college. Each step was deliberate, his movements overly dramatic as if mocking the weight he bore. Finally, he reached the terrace door. Careful not to make a sound, he peered outside. Ariyan stood there, leaning against the railing, his figure silhouetted against the vast sky. The warm breeze ruffled his black hair as his distant gaze remained fixed on the horizon. He sighed deeply, the sound carried away by the wind.
"Wow…! He actually looks cool," Aki muttered to himself, unable to resist a grin. Then, louder, he called out, "Hey! Where'd you get lost in thought this time?"
Ariyan turned, his expression calm yet unreadable. "Nowhere," he replied in a simple tone. "Just part of my daily routine. Are you done?"
"Sure am."
The two descended the stairs together in synchronized steps, their conversation flowing naturally as they left the building. The sun's golden rays painted the campus in warm hues, but their focus was elsewhere.
"How much budget do you have?" Aki asked suddenly, his tone casual yet probing.
Ariyan shot him a curious glance. "Why do you ask?"
"I mean, if you're serious about moving to the city, you'll need to pay rent, right? And if you want a decent place, it'll cost more. Want something fancy? Well, you better have a fat wallet."
Ariyan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Ha…! Let's see how much I'll need. I mean, I have a decent budget, but…" He trailed off, his face twisting into a comically perplexed expression.
As they approached the college gates, Aki spotted two girls waiting just outside. Waving enthusiastically, he called out, "Hey!"
One of the girls, Amelia, stood with a confident stance, her glossy black hair shining under the sunlight. Beside her was a bespectacled girl, Sophie, who seemed quieter yet equally poised. Amelia raised an eyebrow at Aki's greeting.
"So, you went to fetch this asshole?" she said, her tone dripping with mock irritation.
Before Aki could reply, Ariyan interjected with a mischievous smirk. "Ooh…! The girl who can't even handle her own panties is calling me an asshole now?"
Amelia's eyes narrowed dangerously. The memory flashed before Ariyan's mind—a peculiar incident in the college hallway. Someone's undergarments had been found lying conspicuously, the result of either a prank or an act of bullying.
Leaning closer, Ariyan whispered with a playful grin, "I know because I got a peek." He straightened up, winking at her teasingly.
Amelia's cheeks flushed a faint red. "What the…! AAA!" she shrieked, her foot shooting out in an attempt to kick him. "I'm 100% sure it was you!"
Aki stepped between them, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, no fighting! Let's just go."
Ariyan's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why does it feel like you're tricking me? Where exactly are we going?"
Amelia rolled her eyes. "You don't know? Today's the birthday party for that rich guy."
Ariyan's face fell into an expression of utter disappointment. "Oh, great… Him."
The "rich guy" in question was Elian Castor, a student with mysterious ties to political figures. Though he flaunted his wealth and influence, Ariyan knew there was more to him than met the eye. His real name remained a secret, much like the source of his power.
Before they could dwell on the topic further, a blaring alarm shattered the air. Ariyan's instincts kicked in as he turned sharply. Robots emerged from hidden compartments in the ground, The sleek forms of the enforcers gleamed under the harsh, artificial light, their presence signaling the unraveling of the illusion. One by one, the city's vibrant elements began to flicker and dissolve. Cars vanished mid-motion, their forms disintegrating into pixelated remnants. Trash bins blinked out of existence. Even the people walking along the bustling streets wavered and disappeared, leaving faint echoes of their holographic facades.
The once lively cityscape was stripped bare, revealing the cold, sterile truth beneath—gleaming metallic surfaces, grids of wires, and the ever-watchful eyes of surveillance drones hovering overhead. This city, so carefully crafted to mimic life and vibrancy, was nothing more than a holographic shell. Every illusion served a purpose: to disguise the high-tech reality and to ensure constant monitoring of every citizen.
But now, something had gone wrong. The holograms weren't malfunctioning—they were being shut down deliberately. The seamless facade had been pierced, and someone had broken the rules. In this world, such a breach meant immediate investigation. The city's perfection was crumbling, not because of a glitch, but because of the system's relentless pursuit of control.
A security van screeched to a halt in front of them. Armed guards poured out, their movements precise and efficient. The ground around them was marked by the robots, creating a cordoned-off zone. Among the group were three students and six strangers, their faces a mix of confusion and fear.
A team clad in uniforms with blue patterns approached, their weapons raised and pointed. "We are from the Security Department. Hands up. Do not move. Cooperate, and no one gets hurt," one of them commanded, his voice cold and unyielding.
Ariyan's heart pounded as he raised his hands slowly. The artificial perfection of their world had shattered, revealing the stark, oppressive reality beneath. The question lingered in his mind: What the hack..! what's going on?