Sakura Horizon Academy - a Japanese-American school tucked into the suburbs of the United States. Modern glass buildings gleamed under the sun, cherry blossom-lined walkways swayed gently in the spring breeze, and the school boasted a reputation for excellence. At least on paper.
Inside, chaos reigned.
Miles Carter stormed through the halls - fists clenched, jaw tight, glare sharp enough to cut glass. Grade 10, Year 11. Friendless, hot-headed, and infamous. Students whispered when he passed, glancing over their shoulders as though he might explode at any moment. Teachers groaned when they saw him coming, already preparing for the inevitable confrontation.
He'd been suspended 11 times this term alone. Expelled 14 times in his entire school career. And somehow, impossibly, he was still here.
The principal's office door slammed behind him, startling a few passing students. Miles turned briefly, expression unchanged, as the heavy wooden door creaked closed with a finality he didn't care for.
"Miles," the principal said, voice tight with exhaustion, "according to your record - expelled 14 times, suspended 19 times this term alone - we can't keep doing this anymore. You're out of chances."
Miles stared at the wall. His thoughts were a jumble of anger, boredom, and a strange emptiness he couldn't name. Words rolled off him like water. He didn't even bother looking at the principal.
"Fine," he muttered finally. "Whatever."
He pushed past the door, his boots echoing down the hallway. The whispers followed him like shadows. He barely noticed.
When he finally reached his locker, he slammed it open and slammed it shut again, muttering under his breath.
"When will I ever leave this shit pile of a school," he said, kicking the ground in frustration.
A sharp thunk echoed against the metal.
Then, someone had tapped his shoulder.
A calm voice said: "Excuse me…uhm…"