"Did you know? A philosopher of the ancient world once said that… you cannot step into the same river twice."
"…?"
"Interesting, isn't it? Aside from godent-related subjects, the academy also teaches various sections of history mainly categorized as matters of the Ancient World and Old World."
"…"
"It makes you wonder why we are often fixated on the past. Maybe it's because we seldom ask at the back of our minds the 'what if' of change… that if this was done instead of this… what kind of world we would live in right now… Don't you think so too?"
Aeon, donning his unique student uniform that was only available within the premises of the academy, and acted as some sort of identification itself, continued listening to Asahina's mutterings that appeared to be lunacy as though she were living in her own world as both of them walked down the barely lively street amidst this foggy morning.
He then recalled Alina's advice:
"Even though I said that you should have sex with her if she tells you to do so, it won't happen based on her nature. So don't worry. However, whatever comes out of her mouth, unless it's a request that can physically be done, you should dismiss it as mumblings of a bizarre and very peculiar girl."
'Alina should fix her habit of talking behind people's backs.' Aeon thought.
Then-
"You are mine today, so why are you thinking about someone else?"
…his thoughts were cut off as Asahina suddenly appeared in front of him; she seemed to have no presence at all.
"I apologize for my absentmindedness, Miss Asahina." Realizing his mistake, Aeon apologetically lowered his head.
With her tender hands on her waist, she pouted tiringly. In the next second or two, she then stretched her one hand towards Aeon before saying,
"Punishment time!"
"Wh-"
Before Aeon could process what had just happened, Asahina pulled his one hand and-
Smooch...
…gently kissed it.
"Yay! I am your today's prince charming, sister! I'll protect you!"
"…"
Aeon was utterly dumbfounded; it seemed Asahina had completely turned into a different person… Or what even was she truly like to begin with?
'Seriously, what kind of roleplaying crap is this?!'
***
On this tranquil night of being true to themselves, when those awake often thought about their grave problems like how could he acquire sufficient money for their mother's medicine; needless anxieties similar to what she would feel if her crush rejected her; and considerable worries of not being able to fill one's stomach when hunger struck, Asahina and Aeon arrived at one of the districts of Summit City – or known as the New Seoul of South Korea.
Just like how Asahina quoted about a certain philosopher… that the only thing that's constant in this world 'is' change, among other things, whether it was grand or insignificant, the geography of the world had already undergone various and irreversible changes from the ancient to the old world, and to the current era where superhumans roam freely.
"District X of downtown Summit City…" Asahina muttered; her mind seemed to have the address memorized.
Ding-dong!
In front of a brown-hued steel gate, Asahina pressed the doorbell attached to the small pillar of mild crimson bricks which served as the foothold of the door.
A few minutes past three in the morning, after the heir of the Orion World pressed the welcoming signal for the third time to notify who was inside the house of their presence, the gradual arrival of heavy footsteps echoed in the air.
"For fuck's sake! Who dares to knock at this goddamn hour?!"
Opening the door, a man in his late forties, who seemed under the influence of alcohol and still had his drowsy eyes, feeling as though they would fall off his eye sockets, shook his head to forcibly sober up.
"Huh- who…?"
"Greetings! I'm Asahina. Would you mind if we come in?"
Such a renowned name and seemingly unforgettable appearance known even by people on the far side of the earth… was in the front door of an unknown, ordinary drunkard's home.
"Ah-Ah- Are you real…?!" The man stuttered.
"Hahaha! What a silly question, Mister."
Asahina gazed at her uniform and Aeon's, the sole proof that they were from the Summit Academy. After all, its structure, its materials, everything of it was only exclusive for the likes of them.
And based on the Summit Rules, especially those that were also applied to the general public outside of the academy, none shall replicate these uniforms, or else they would be punished severely.
"Ah, yes! Come in first! I'll prepare something, tea or coffee? A piece of chocolate bread, perhaps?" The man was delighted, seeing the heir of the Orion World and even an unknown entity come in front of his door.
Asahina only revealed quite an innocent smile. Aeon, however, casually answered, "A hot coffee, please."
The former then looked at him with amusing expression.
"Really… If he wants it, then let me have one too. I mean, how could I refuse a person's hospitality?"
The man then quickly entered his house with delightful and excited steps, cleaned the messy table for four, and prepared the mundane delicacies for his two visitors.
Finding themselves at the table, facing the patriarch of this abode, Aeon took a sip of the hot coffee. Meanwhile, Asahina let out a sigh of relief after doing the same thing before getting to the heart of the matter, which the man seemed to be waiting for.
"Mister, I am here because of your son, Rodrick Kang."
"Oh, yes! How's my son doing in the academy? He's a good-"
"I apologize if it's a bit late, but your son has broken the Summit Rules."
In this grand society that was starkly different from the nigh-forgotten past, the father of Rodrick Kang, whose son broke the absolute law and died at Alina's hands in one of the crimson rooms of the Red Moon, knew the indication behind Asahina's words.
His sobered countenance was instantly overshadowed by dread. This time, he's not forcibly staying sane for the sake of his visitors… as if the influence of alcohol already evaporated into oblivion.
"Wh-what did he do… where is he…?"
"He had served his necessary punishment-"
It was at that moment that something irreversible was committed…
Bang!
A thunderous punch tore through the air, aiming to reach the person seated in front.
However…
With one hand, Aeon caught Rodrick's father's fist aimed at the heir of the Orion World without an ounce of hesitation.
"You just committed a terrible mistake, sir."