During lunchtime, on the roof around 12:47 PM, you find yourself taking a rare break from the bustling cafeteria below. The sky is a clear blue, and the sun casts long shadows across the rooftop. You lean against the railing, surveying the serene view and the throngs of students moving along the paths below.

Lost in your thoughts, you almost miss the soft sound of a door creaking open and then closing with a faint click. Startled, you turn your head, your curiosity piqued by the unexpected intrusion.

To your surprise, standing a few paces away is Maria Dacascos, the school's renowned prodigy. Her presence is striking—her dark skin and muscular build make her stand out even in the crowded school. Maria's medium-length silver-blonde hair is tied back, and she wears her usual intense, focused expression.

The two of you exchange silent glances, the air between you thick with an unspoken tension. Maria's piercing gaze seems to search for something, though her face remains a mask of stoic calm. You notice the subtle way she adjusts her posture, hinting at a readiness for action despite her seemingly passive stance.

For a moment, the usual noise of the school fades into the background, leaving only the quiet hum of the city beyond the campus. The encounter feels almost surreal, a brief pause in the everyday hustle of school life. Breaking the silence, Maria finally asks, her voice low and steady, "What are you doing up here? Avoiding everyone, or just deep in thought?"