The rain finally stopped before sunset.
A cool breeze swept across the city, leaving behind the fresh scent of wet earth. Water still clung to the branches of roadside trees, and puddles reflected the fading orange sky.
Benny climbed the narrow staircase leading to his apartment.
His clothes were no longer soaked thanks to Nathan's car, but his shoes still carried traces of muddy water.
Click.
He unlocked the old wooden door and stepped inside.
The apartment was small but clean.
A single living room connected to a tiny kitchen, while one bedroom sat quietly at the end of the hallway. There was nothing luxurious about it, yet Benny had worked hard to make it feel like home.
He placed his backpack beside the sofa and let out a long sigh.
"What a strange day..."
First, the rain.
Then getting lost.
And finally...
Nathan.
Just thinking of that man made Benny scratch his head.
"I'll probably never see him again."
To Benny, Nathan was someone who belonged to another world—a man surrounded by expensive suits, luxury cars, and an intimidating presence that could silence an entire room.
Someone like that would never have a reason to remember an ordinary university student.
Benny smiled to himself.
"Guess I was just lucky."
He walked into the kitchen and prepared a simple dinner. Nothing fancy—just instant noodles with an egg.
As the noodles cooked, his phone vibrated.
Daisy.
He answered immediately.
"Hello?"
"Did you get home safely?" Daisy asked.
"I did."
"I was worried after the rain became so heavy."
Benny laughed softly.
"I actually got a ride home."
"Oh?"
"That businessman I bumped into."
"The tall one?"
"Yeah."
Daisy became quiet for a second.
"He seems... difficult to approach."
"He really is."
"But he helped you."
"He did."
Daisy smiled through the phone.
"Maybe he isn't as cold as he looks."
Benny looked out the rain-speckled window.
"...Maybe."
After chatting for a few more minutes, they wished each other good night and ended the call.
Benny finished eating before opening his laptop.
Assignments.
Research.
Programming practice.
The cybersecurity competition was only a few weeks away, and he refused to embarrass himself.
Hours passed unnoticed.
Outside, darkness slowly covered the city.
Eventually, exhaustion won.
Benny closed his laptop and lay on his bed.
Within minutes...
He was asleep.
Elsewhere...
Far from Benny's quiet neighborhood...
A convoy of black vehicles entered an enormous estate hidden behind towering iron gates.
The guards bowed immediately.
"Welcome back, Boss."
Nathan stepped out of the car without a word.
Every servant lowered their heads as he walked past.
Inside his private study, his assistant placed several folders on the desk.
"These require your signature."
Nathan signed each document without even reading most of them.
Years of experience had taught him exactly which people deserved his trust.
When the final folder was placed before him, Nathan paused.
"Crescent University."
His assistant noticed.
"The sponsorship documents are ready."
Nathan opened the folder.
Inside were the names of students selected for the upcoming cybersecurity competition.
His eyes scanned the list calmly.
Then...
They stopped.
Benny Miller.
Nathan stared at the name for only a brief moment before closing the file.
"Interesting."
His assistant blinked.
"Boss?"
"Nothing."
Nathan stood and walked toward the large window overlooking the city.
The lights below sparkled like countless stars.
For reasons he couldn't explain...
The image of a cheerful boy with golden hair and bright green eyes crossed his mind once more.
Not because he was cute.
Not because they had met.
But because...
There had been no fear in Benny's eyes.
Most people became nervous the moment they stood before Nathan.
Benny had been shy.
Confused.
Curious.
But never truly afraid.
Nathan found that... unusual.
A faint smile appeared on his lips before disappearing just as quickly.
"Prepare the sponsorship."
"Yes, Boss."
"The competition will proceed exactly as planned."
"As you wish."
Nathan looked back toward the city one last time.
Somewhere out there...
A certain university student had no idea that fate had quietly placed his name before one of the most powerful men in the country.