The rhythmic hum of the train echoed through the cabin as Auren Hoshinaka sat quietly, his eyes fixed on the rushing scenery outside the window. The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in a soft orange glow. He wasn't watching the world — he was lost in it. Lost in the daydreams of a life he was finally ready to start.
Namsu University. A name that still felt too big for him. Yet he had made it — against all odds. Hanzora was his gateway, his fresh start, his escape from everything that had held him down.
He imagined it all: walking into his first class, meeting people who saw beyond his past, who didn't know the pain, the scars. For the first time, he had hope.
By the time he arrived at Hanzora Station, the city was wrapped in twilight. Neon lights bathed the streets in electric color, and the crowd pulsed like blood through its veins. With his backpack on and a determination in his chest, Auren stepped into the chaos.
But fate wasn't going to make it easy.
As he turned into a quieter street, a loud voice caught his attention. Ahead, a girl was being cornered by three older guys. Their tone wasn't playful—it was predatory.
Auren's instincts kicked in.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" he yelled.
The men turned, amused.
One of them sneered. "Look at this hero."
Before Auren could move, a punch slammed into his stomach. Another cracked across his face. He stumbled back, trying to stay upright—but one of them shoved him hard. The pavement rushed up to meet him—
But he didn't fall.
A hand caught his arm. Firm. Strong.
An old man stood beside him, calm and composed. "Watch your step, son," he said, gently pulling Auren upright.
The tension broke with the sound of sirens. Police stormed in. The attackers scattered. But to Auren's shock, the officers grabbed him.
"Wait, I just got here—I didn't do anything!" he shouted.
They didn't listen. He was taken in, questioned, treated like a suspect until he dug through his bag and pulled out his university papers, his ID, his admission letter to Seoul University.
Only then did their tone change.
After a few hours, they let him go. No apology. Just silence.
Outside, under the harsh glow of a streetlamp, the same old man waited.
"You hungry?" he asked. "I know a place."
Auren nodded slowly. "Yeah… I am."
They walked through quiet backstreets until they reached a small ramen shop, tucked away from the noise. Inside, the smell of broth and grilled pork was comforting.
They ate in silence at first, but after a while, the man spoke. "You said you came here for university. Namsu University?"
Auren nodded. "Yeah. I've been dreaming of it for years. It's everything I've worked for."
The man smiled. "Namsu's a good name. It means 'calm,' you know. Maybe that's what this place will be for you — the calmness of your new life."
Auren stared at him. "You speak like you've been through this."
The man didn't answer. He simply sipped his tea, then pushed a small card across the table. It wasn't an address. Just a name: Ravel.
"If you ever find yourself truly lost," he said, "look me up."
That night, Auren checked into a cheap motel, sore and exhausted. He lay on the hard bed, the ceiling fan clicking above him. He pulled out his admission letter, reading it again
Namsu University, Department of Social Sciences.
Tomorrow would be orientation. His first real step forward.
And despite everything, a small smile tugged at his lips.
I survived day one. Let's see what the rest holds.
____