Alvano finished his workout exactly at six in the morning. His body was drenched in sweat, his breathing still slightly heavy, but satisfaction radiated from his face. He sat on the floor in the backyard to relax, letting his muscles calm down after an intense physical session. Though his body ached, he felt content—he had taken another small step toward building a stronger physique.
He took a deep breath, then stood slowly, wiping his face with a small towel. After that, he took off his T-shirt and training pants and walked leisurely back into the house toward the bathroom.
Meanwhile, his grandfather had been awake since half past five, sitting in the backyard garden. He sat on a small chair, a lit cigarette between his fingers, gazing at the neatly arranged plants. Occasionally, he exhaled smoke softly and smiled, enjoying the calm of the morning.
In the bathroom, Alvano turned on the warm-water tap and filled the bathtub. Once it was full, he got in and immersed himself. The warm sensation immediately wrapped around his skin, melting away the tension in his muscles.
"Haah… this feels so good," he murmured, resting his head against the edge of the tub and closing his eyes for a moment. His body felt light, almost floating in the soothing warmth. The hard training earlier that morning now felt completely worth it.
Time passed quickly until his phone alarm rang again at six thirty. Alvano got out of the tub, rinsed off, then wrapped a towel around his waist and went back to his room to get ready for school.
He dressed neatly in his uniform, then picked up the black leather jacket Theo had left the night before. He slipped it into his bag, intending to return it today.
When he looked out the window, the sky was overcast. The air was cool, and he worried it might rain. He took a small folding umbrella from the hook near the door, just in case.
At breakfast, Alvano sat briefly with his grandfather. He ate a few bites of toast and drank a glass of warm milk. There wasn't much conversation between them that morning—just a few exchanged glances and faint smiles.
After making sure everything was ready, Alvano said his goodbye. "I'm heading out, Grandpa."
His grandfather nodded with a gentle smile. "Be careful on your way."
Alvano stepped out of the house, starting his new day with steady steps.
He walked as usual toward the bus stop. The morning air was cool, but the sky hung gray and heavy. His pace slowed slightly when he passed the spot where he'd seen a small cat taking shelter under a bench yesterday. But today, the cat was gone. Alvano stopped for a moment, scanning the area. Empty. No trace of the little creature. A faint worry crept in—rainy season wasn't kind to stray animals without shelter.
"She was pretty tame... hopefully someone kind took her in," he muttered softly.
He resumed his walk to the bus stop. When he arrived, the atmosphere felt different from yesterday. It was quieter—only a few people stood in the corners, either in a rush or glued to their phones. No usual chatter, only the occasional hum of passing vehicles.
Soon, the bus he usually took arrived. Alvano boarded calmly and went straight to his favorite seat by the window. He sat down, took off his backpack, and pulled his headset from his jacket pocket. His favorite music began to play softly in his ears, filling the emptiness that noise outside couldn't reach.
His gaze lingered on the cloudy sky beyond the window. As the music played, his mind drifted—to his morning training, to the strange dream that still lingered, and to the uncertainty of what this day would bring. But one thing was certain—he felt better than before.
He arrived at school right at 7:05. The rain began to fall just as he stepped off the bus—light drizzle turning into a downpour within minutes. Luckily, he'd brought his umbrella—a simple black one he always kept in his bag since the rainy season began.
Walking calmly, he made his way to the school gate. As usual, he greeted the security guard standing at the right side. The man, dressed in a full black uniform with a tactical vest, looked more like a police officer than a school guard. That was one of Velmont Highschool's trademarks—everything, even the staff, carried an air of professionalism.
The front courtyard was busier than usual. Cars kept arriving, engines roaring, the hum of luxury exhausts blending with the sound of rain. Sleek black sedans, flashy sports cars, and high-end SUVs with special plates filled the parking lot. Alvano glanced at them one by one, shaking his head slightly as always.
Velmont Highschool was infamous for its unwritten but undeniable caste system. Vehicles served as silent symbols of student status. A regular car usually meant a middle-class family, while luxury ones marked the children of businessmen, politicians, or the powerful.
Alvano walked past the rows of cars casually, lowering his head slightly so raindrops wouldn't hit his face. Other students also walked like him—some in raincoats, others running while covering their heads with bags. A few from the lower classes rode motorcycles straight to the back parking area.
But one thing caught his attention—Theo was nowhere to be seen. Usually, despite his lazy attitude and tendency to come just before the bell, Theo always showed up before class started. Today was different. Alvano glanced around, hoping to spot his friend leaning against a wall or running toward the building. Nothing.
He recalled the message he'd sent last night about the forgotten jacket. Still a single tick. Unread. A small frown crossed his face—was Theo really running late, or was something else going on? He shook the thought off; maybe Theo's phone had died, or he'd simply overslept.
Closing his umbrella, Alvano stepped inside the main building. The bell hadn't rung yet, but the familiar scent of the school hallway and the sound of footsteps filled the air. The place was slowly waking up, coming alive again.
He headed toward the elevator at the end of the main corridor. A few neatly dressed students were waiting there as well. When the doors opened, he stepped in with them and pressed the button for the third floor. Soft instrumental music played inside, adding to the elegant atmosphere of Velmont Highschool.
When he reached the third floor, Alvano exited the elevator. The hallway was already getting busy—students chatting casually near their lockers. He walked down the corridor toward his classroom, occasionally glancing at his phone.
"Still unread," he muttered when he saw Theo's message hadn't changed.
Reaching the classroom door, he pushed it open and stepped inside. His eyes scanned the room—still no sign of Theo.