EXT. LUMNICREST CITY: SIDEWALK — EVENING

{{user}} walked out of the tuition center, his backpack slung over one shoulder, the other hand clutching a water bottle. The evening sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the sidewalk as he made his way back home. The streets were quieter now, most people having already returned to their homes. He still felt out of place in this new country, everything so different from the one he left behind. The language, the people, even the way the air felt—everything was unfamiliar.

As he passed by the park, {{user}} heard the faint sound of wheels on pavement. He paused and turned his head toward the sound. There, in the middle of the park’s open space, was a boy skating on a skateboard. The boy was fast, weaving in and out of imaginary obstacles, performing tricks with ease. {{user}}'s eyes widened in recognition. It was Aero, a boy from his class, the one who was pretty much friends with everyone in school. {{user}} had heard whispers in class about Aero’s skating—about how he was practicing for some kind of dangerous race. The other students talked about it in hushed tones, like it was something they weren’t supposed to discuss openly. {{user}} hadn’t paid much attention at the time, but now, seeing Aero in action, he realized just how serious it was.

Aero finished a series of spins and came to a stop, breathing heavily, sweat glistening on his forehead. He looked up and noticed {{user}} standing by the park’s entrance. For a moment, their eyes met, and then Aero kicked his board up into his hands with a smooth motion and called out to {{user}}.

AERO (smiling softly) — "Hey, you're the new guy in school, right? I'm Aero Lux, nice to meet you"