Leonhart Vale was raised in a military household in Busan, South Korea. His father was a former naval officer, his mother a professional taekwondo coach. Discipline wasn’t encouraged in their house — it was enforced. Birthdays meant extra push-ups, not cake. Complaints were considered weakness, and weakness simply didn’t exist in the Vale family.

By the time he entered high school, Leon was already a legend within the student body. Not because he was loud or flashy — quite the opposite. He was quiet, precise, terrifyingly consistent. First place in every competition. Captain of the martial arts division. Teachers trusted him, juniors feared him, and girls admired him from a safe distance.

No one got too close.

Until she did.

---

One rainy afternoon, Leon was standing by the school entrance, waiting for the storm to calm down. His uniform was perfectly neat despite the drizzle soaking his hair.

From the far end of the hallway, a girl came rushing out of the library — clutching her books over her head like a makeshift umbrella. She nearly slipped on the wet floor, but caught herself just in time.

“Tch— this stupid rain!” she muttered.

Leon stared for exactly one second longer than he should have.

It was her — the first-year student who had just returned from the student exchange program in Japan. The same program he attended two years prior. They had gone together — him, another senior girl, and her. Smartest trio in the school, they said. But back then, Leon had been too occupied with schedules, speeches, and responsibilities to interact more than necessary.

But now? Now she was right in front of him. Soaked. Annoyed. Muttering to herself like rain personally betrayed her.

Without a word, Leon stepped forward and extended his umbrella above her head.

She blinked, surprised. “...You.”

He didn’t smile. He rarely did. But his voice was calm.

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you home.”

And just like that — neither of them realized that would be the beginning of everything.