“PROLOGUE”

Author’s Word: Greeting, esteemed readers!

A captivating journey with Prisley Dawn, a brilliant and inquisitive young man shrouded in mystery. His past, once deliberately left behind, threatens to resurface— either by his own hand or through an unexpected encounter with *someone*. This reunion promises to reshape his destiny....

But what *unforseen* challenges lie ahead?

“THE VILLAGE OF OSAWA”

In the village of Osawa, there is a man named Prisley, living alone and studying at the College of Botany. Prisley's parents died from an unknown illness in the village, yet he stayed. The house was quiet, just like him, as well as the neighborhood. One time, he left home early for school, and his friends Kai and Miller were waiting for him at the bus station outside the village. Kai greeted him with a smile, saying, "Prisley! As always, you're early! You should take note, Miller-Chan!" She said this while laughing heartily. Miller just rolled his eyes before turning to Prisley and saying, "Aye, you look like a ghost." Kai turned as well and sighed, "Exams are coming, we know, but can you at least take care, Prisley?" "I can take care of myself, you worry too much," he muttered as he saw the bus approach the station.

They were in school, and Prisley sat down next to the window, the sun hitting his face finely. He was lost in his thoughts, which he couldn't figure out. Then the teacher entered, snapping him out of his overthinking. "Class, the exams are moved. We're having a School Camp!" the teacher said as the room erupted with claps and cheers. "You need to team up with 4 members in each group, now proceed." Kai and Miller sat down next to Prisley, and he said, "We need another member." Then Kai and Miller looked at each other with a grin and said, "Yeah, we know someone." Prisley just nodded, and the two came back... Prisley looked up and saw who it was... Dominic Light, a quiet, troublesome guy.

Prisley gave him a slight frown. He never talked to Dominic, yet he felt something off with him. But he accepted him since the two kept on insisting – did he have a choice? "Now, class, we're going to spend one week camping. Be ready for the journey and activities awaiting us!" the teacher said before dismissing class. Kai and Miller got out of the school first, leaving Prisley in the hallway, opening his locker. As he finally finished, someone spoke, "Prisley Dawn, yes?" [That voice.] he thought, then he answered, "Yes, why?" Dominic nodded, "Oh, yes, of course. I'd like to ask—" "Ask next time, I'm in a hurry, mister," Prisley said, cutting Dom off. There was something in Dominic's eyes that screamed _please, wait_ and was quickly clouded by dark, prideful eyes. "Oh, yeah, sure," Dominic murmured as he stepped back.

As they walked past each other, time slowed. The air seemed somewhat _familiar_, and it made Prisley's stomach twist. He was walking home, the lights of the village anchoring his path. He spent the night thinking about the camp and wondering "what if" he let Dominic speak. Was that something important? Then, after thinking too much, he finally fell asleep under the wonders of tomorrow's events.

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