Tokyo never truly slept—but that night, it held its breath.
The cold wind brushed against Aren Ishida's face as he stood on the rooftop of his apartment building, hands shoved lazily into his hoodie pockets. At seventeen, Aren was the kind of boy people noticed without trying—170 cm tall, messy blonde hair, sharp blue eyes, and a face that looked like it belonged in an anime poster rather than real life.
"…Why am I even up here?" he muttered.
He had only come to clear his head. Exams, noisy neighbors, his own clumsiness—everything felt louder lately. Aren was a straightforward person, the type who said what he thought without polishing his words. Sometimes it got him into trouble. Most times, he didn't care.
Then—
The sky split open.
Aren froze.
"What the—"
Above him, space twisted unnaturally, forming a dark, circular distortion, like reality itself had been torn apart. Light bent around it, pulsing like a living thing.
A… hole? No—this looks like something out of sci-fi…
Before he could move, a massive spaceship emerged from the distortion. It was enormous—shaped like a modern warship, sleek metal plating glowing with blue energy lines. The air vibrated violently, forcing Aren to shield his eyes.
Then a second ship followed—smaller, faster, darting like a predator.
Aren's heart pounded.
"Okay… I'm definitely dreaming."
The large ship hovered silently above the building. A hatch opened.
Figures descended.
They weren't normal soldiers. Their armor was advanced, almost mechanical, weapons integrated into their suits. Military—but not from any country Aren recognized.
And then—
One man stepped forward.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, his presence alone making the soldiers instinctively part for him. Black hair, sharp golden eyes, and a uniform that looked more like a commander's than a soldier's.
When his eyes met Aren's, time seemed to slow.
Why… does he look at me like that?
The man walked closer, boots echoing against concrete. Aren didn't know why—but he couldn't move. Fear mixed with something unfamiliar… curiosity?
"…So you're real," the man said quietly.
Aren blinked. "Huh?"
The man stopped just a few steps away. His gaze softened—dangerously so.
"My name is Kael Veyron," he said. "And you're coming with us."
"…Excuse me?" Aren frowned. "I don't even know you."
Kael's jaw tightened, as if holding back words he wasn't allowed to say.
"We're from the future," he continued. "And you are essential to it."
Future? Is this guy insane?
Before Aren could laugh it off, alarms blared.
The sky distorted again.
"No—!" one of the soldiers shouted.
Another spaceship burst through the wormhole, black and jagged, radiating hostility. Its cannons charged instantly.
Kael grabbed Aren's wrist.
The contact sent a strange shock through Aren's body.
Warm…? Why does this feel familiar?
"Listen to me," Kael said urgently, leaning close. His voice dropped, almost intimate. "If they get you, everything ends."
"…Get me?" Aren whispered.
Kael didn't answer.
The first blast fired.
The rooftop exploded.
Kael pulled Aren into his arms as mecha units deployed from the ship above, metal giants descending with thunderous force. Soldiers moved with precision, forming a defensive line.
Aren's mind raced.
Why me? Why does the future need a random high school student?
Kael looked down at him—eyes dark, intense, almost possessive.
"I searched through countless timelines," Kael murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "And every time… you die."
Aren's breath caught.
"…What?"
Kael tightened his grip.
"This time," he said firmly, "I won't let that happen. Even if I have to rewrite time itself."
Something deep inside Aren stirred—fear, confusion… and a strange pull toward this man who claimed to know his future better than he did.
Who are you to me… Kael Veyron?
And as the world burned around them, Aren felt it—
His life had already been stolen by the future.