“I am so happy you called me out here!” Athena let out a satisfying expression walking side by side and passing the street with me.

  I looked at her.

  “Yeah!” I agreed. “I also think it was a great idea!” I surprised myself by openly agreeing with her.

  “So where do we go first? Get some coffee? Ohh!!! See that store! They just changed their collection!” Athena’s eyes sparkled looking at the big window where quite pretty clothes were displayed.

  We were right in the central area in Akasia walking by. The weather felt nicely crispy. Sun shining on the horizon. The golden hour at its peak. It was after four o’clock in the afternoon. Autumn in its last bloom stages before the last leaves drop. We both were still in our uniforms with autumn coats on the top. Mine was simple black and Athena's very fashionably blue with a bow at its back. It truly looked very cute on her. The long ponytail high up with some locks in the ends curled. Athena definitely was the type of girl who would not pass any opportunity to put fashion in her lifestyle. Lively expressions and conversations about everything and nothing.

  “I want to pick up the materials for my project first.” I looked over at my new friend.

  “But we are coming back here? Are we?” Athena’s eyes were on the shiny windows where lots of displays of new clothes collections were displayed. Her eyes only briefly looked at me. Then right back at the sights.

  “Sure!” I agreed.

  Athena happily nodded and kept walking with me smiling brightly.

  “You know…the university has been so busy and the midterm test got me so stressed! I feel like treating myself now!” Athena said looking my way.

  “I get you. I really want to see what’s happening after the first of December.” I replied to her as we walked.

  “Oh…you haven’t heard yet?” Athena said.

  “Heard what?” I asked.

  “There will be an announcement gathering.” Athena looked over my way as she spoke. “You probably heard rumors of Nobu Ichigo being appointed as the new face of Akasia. That’s the date they will announce it officially.”

  “Is it?” I did not know of this at all.

  “Yeah…the official announcements are about to roll out any day but that’s when it will happen. They will announce it as an official holiday. Lots of vendors from small businesses are being invited to serve food and festivities.” Athena said. Smiling happily.

  “Oh? How do you know it already?” I asked.

  “My mom has a bakery shop. She will be there selling goods.” Athena answered.

  “Your mom owns a bakery?” I was surprised.

  “Yeah, it’s not too far from here. Today she is closed though but we can go there any other day!” Athena happily invited me.

  “Okay!” I agreed. “Are they making it as a festival?” Then I asked.

  “I think so! Which is great! I love festivals!” Athena sounded very excited.

  We were walking slowly away from the shopping area and approaching the technology department. It was placed in an interesting location. There was the central area where I and Shin went to have breakfast the other day. A little further down is the shopping center district where we are going though currently. We have to turn right and walk a little further ahead. Then there is a large park with a water fountain right in the center. We have to cross that.

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  “Oh? That looks interesting!” Athena pointed out people that were working in the park. They were changing the lights.

  “Are they already lighting it up?” I questioned loudly.

  “It looks like it. Did you see last year’s sculptures?” Athena excitedly said.

  I turned to her, nodding.

  “Ohh! Yes! They were mesmerising. I loved it so much! Especially the way they made them last for over two weeks without melting!” I remembered last year's decorations right before Christmas. They had put up a lot of sculptures all over town. The park looked the best with it. I remember being mesmerised by the science they used to last for so long. Akasia is truly ahead of the time.

  “Omg! That was so cool!” Athena was happy for me to remember it.

  “We should come back once they have done the decorations!” I said.

  “Definitely marking that in my calendar!” Athena smiled brightly. Her body excitedly moved around.

  I glanced at her excitement and nodded.

  “Let’s do it!”.

  “Yes, yes!” She was excited herself. “Actually they used to do things like a vision board search for the middle-schoolers. I remember it well! We each were given a questionnaire and after that they collected the answers and devised a light show from that!” Athena told me something that I did not know.

  “Oh? They chose the decorations in the city based on what people answer?” I was interested.

  Athena nodded.

  “Yes! This city is a true reflection of all the people living here.” Athena said. Smiling brightly.

  “Innovations don’t come from a single idea but rather a collective…” I murmured slowly my mind thinking. I turned my head towards Athena. “This city really is full of surprises!” I said.

  “I do have a question about it. If you don’t mind me asking.” I said to Athena.

  She looked back at me nodding. “Ask away!” She enthusiastically said.

  “When I was researching online about Akasia. Nothing came up. On the map's location it’s said to be a restrictive area. It’s like Akasia only exists to the people who know about it.” I looked at Athena.

  She stopped in her tracks in the middle of the park. A smile still on her face.

  “I thought you were aware of it. Akasia is special. Protected by The Big Three. Isolated community approved by government.” She said her eyes were not looking at me but I could feel some eerie undertone.

  “Do you mean like a closed city?” I asked.

  Athena nodded.

  “It’s been like this for as long as the city has existed.” Athena said. She looked at me. “Can I ask you something back?” Athena asked me with a curious stare.

  I gently eyed her.

  “How did you end up here?” She asked me.

  I stared at her for a long moment.

  “It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me!” Athena laughed it off.

  “No, it's fine.” I didn’t dismiss her question. “To be honest, recently I've been wondering a similar question.” I said. I started slowly walking forward. Then continued. “Originally my mentor sent me here. My education to him was very important and he knew this place would make me grow.” I said.

  “Is that so?” Athena walked with me. Matching my pace.

  “I won this math competition.” I said. “Around two years ago…I happened to impress some important people and my mentor chose this place. Those people recommended it to my mentor and here I am.” I explained to her further.

  “You are like a prodigy child.” Athena smiled at me.

  I nodded.

  “That’s the title I had.” I nodded.

  “I guess…that would make sense for you ending up here then!” Athena seemed glad. “Akasia values people like you the most.”

  “I have noticed that.” I nodded.

  “Do you have any plans for what you want to do after you get your degree here?” Athena asked me.

  I looked up at the trees in front. Most of the leaves were gone now but some lingered, looking more golden in the light of the sun. I saw the blue sky behind the trees. Letting out a small exhale I opened myself to speak.

  “I always wanted to follow in the footsteps of my mentor. Though, he always said that I should decide something besides that. That he would consider me a failure if I followed his footsteps.” I opened up to Athena. “I have still not decided what I will do.”

  “I kind of get you.” Athena said. “My mom always told me to be my own self. To not yield to standards but break them. I know that I don’t look like I am smart but that’s the point.” She said to me with a smile on her face.

  “I don’t think how one looks determines how smart they are. I know there are superstitions but those are based on a collective decision not the truth.” I said.

  “You get me! I hate superstitions. They are the worst!" Athena agreed to me.

  We were now leaving the park. The sun still lingered golden with the sky so clear. It’s so rare to have weather like this in the autumn. Quite a nice change to walk like this. To let go of repetition and step outside. It was unfamiliar for me but I felt like warming up to Athena.