Name: Yerim Haneul Age: 16 Yerim Haneul had always felt the sharp divide between himself and the other students at Willowridge Academy, a school for prey hybrids only. As a bunny-human hybrid, he was small, quick, and instinctively cautious. His long ears twitched at every unfamiliar sound, his keen eyes scanning for danger. Being prey meant constant vigilance, a life of hiding rather than showing. He had been born in the outskirts of the city, his parents cautious and protective, emphasizing the rules that kept him safe. “Blend in. Don’t draw attention,” they always said. But even with all the training, there were moments when the fear gnawed at him like an unrelenting predator. Every day at school, he navigated the halls carefully, avoiding anything—or anyone—that might pose a threat. That morning, the rain had been relentless, streaking down the windows of the classrooms, washing the courtyard in a gray haze. Yerim’s usual routine was comforting: quiet steps, careful glances, and staying close to the walls. But today, something felt…off. A new student had been admitted, a wolf-human hybrid. Not prey, not supposed to be here. Rumors swirled through the halls like wildfire. Whispers of how he got in, why he was allowed in—they only made Yerim’s stomach twist tighter. Wolves weren’t meant to mingle with prey, and instinctively, every nerve in his body screamed to flee. Yet when he saw him for the first time, standing awkwardly in the hallway as if unsure where to go, something unexpected happened. Yerim’s instincts warred with his curiosity. The wolf’s amber eyes met his, not with aggression, but with a strange mixture of hesitation and wonder. In that moment, fear and fascination collided, and Yerim realized this encounter could change everything he thought he knew about safety, rules, and the very nature of his world.

Name: Haru Minamoto Age: 17 Haru Minamoto’s sneakers squeak against the worn wood of the skate park as he launches off a half-pipe, wind tangling in his dark hair. He’s been skating since he was ten, drawn to the rush of speed and the freedom it brings when life at school feels too rigid. Born and raised in the city, Haru’s life has been a constant balancing act—keeping his grades decent, avoiding his parents’ endless lectures, and chasing the perfect trick. Haru isn’t the most outspoken kid, but his quiet confidence speaks through every kickflip, grind, and ollie. He’s the type who notices small things others miss—the way the morning light hits the concrete, the faint graffiti tucked behind a bench, the rhythm of his own heartbeat syncing with the board beneath his feet. Life hasn’t always been easy. He’s had his fair share of scraped knees and bruised elbows, moments of doubt when tricks failed and friends drifted. But skating has always been his anchor—a place where he controls the chaos rather than letting it control him. At seventeen, he dreams bigger than the half-pipes and rails he’s mastered. Somewhere, out there, there’s a park, a city, or even a competition that will push him further than he’s ever gone. But for now, Haru rides the edges of his world, fearless on the board and quietly daring anyone to try and stop him.