First Sparks of the Unseen

INT. MILO'S BEDROOM - MORNING

As the morning light filters softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room, Milo lies sprawled across his bed in a tangle of sheets. The room around him is a study in orderliness, each book and gadget meticulously arranged, every surface polished to a shine. Despite this precision, his bed remains a stark island of chaos, with blankets askew and pillows haphazardly strewn. His exhausted body needed much sleep, so he woke up a little later than usual.

The sharp sound of keyboard clicks slices through the tranquility, abruptly rousing Milo from his slumber. He blinks against the brightness, his eyes slowly focusing. To his surprise, he finds Rina perched at his desk, his laptop wide open.

His Laptop, which he realized contained a collection, his secret stash, hidden deep within digital folders—a private trove meant only for his eyes. He closed his eyes again connecting two and two he quickly snapped to his senses. Reaches for his laptop.

MILO

(in a panic, but pretends to be nonchalant)

What are you doing?

RINA

(pouting)

Hey, I was playing that.

MILO

(snatching the laptop back)

I told you not to come here. Who even let you in?

RINA

(Swivels on the chair)Your mom said to wake you up because breakfast is almost ready.

MILO

(exasperated at Rina's lack of awareness)

I get it already, I'll go down.

RINA

(frustrated by the cold treatment)

You're not mad about yesterday, are you? That's not fair; you play pranks on me all the time. You shouldn't get angry over a silly prank.

Milo watches so casually lying on his bed like it's hers, his irritation brewing not just from the invasion of his private space but from the confusing flush of emotions her proximity provokes. His cheeks redden—not from anger but from these bewildering emotions that he's too vexed to examine closely. He notices how unguarded she looks, how her presence somehow makes his room feel less structured, more lived-in. It irritates him somehow.

MILO

(half-joking, half-serious)

How many times have I told you not to lie on my bed?

RINA

(mock offended)Why?

I just showered so I'm clean! You're such a neat freak.

Her naïveté fills his head with a blend of exasperation and a desperate need to restore order—both around him and inside him. Milo acts swiftly, grabbing the edge of the blanket and wrapping Rina quickly into a snug burrito form. His movements reflect his inner conflict and embarrassment. Without a word, he lifts her from the bed and places her gently yet firmly into his desk chair, rolling her away to distance her from his personal space.

MILO

(pointing to the door)

Get out.

RINA

(hesitant)

No wait, I have something to ask you...

MILO

(sighs, exasperated)

What?

RINA

(escaping from the burrito blanket)

Can you please go with me to the Assessment Center? My dad wants to go with me so bad. I don't want him to be there; he'll just attract too much attention.

MILO

No way! Deal with him yourself.

RINA

(desperate)

Milo, please. I don't wanna go there with my mom and dad. It'll be too embarrassing. I'll be the only 15-year-old with her parents.

MILO

(firmly)

You'll be fine. Now go.

RINA

(grabbing the door frame)

No, but if you come with me, he won't tag along. He trusts you.

MILO

(doubtful)

I seriously doubt that. Now get out!

Milo tries to push Rina out of the room, but she resists, grabbing onto the doorframe.

RINA

Please hear me out!

Milo, using a little bit of his ability, "Enhance Conditioning," to strengthen himself, lifts Rina effortlessly like a little rag doll.

MILO

Nope I'm not gonna help you, now get out

RINA

No no no no, I don't wanna!

In her adamant protest, Rina's emotions surge uncontrollably. Suddenly, a vivid cascade of sparks erupts from her fingertips, crackling through the air with a sharp, sizzling sound. The unexpected burst of energy zaps both her and Milo, enveloping them in a brief, intense field of electrical charge.

Startled by the sudden discharge, Milo's muscles seize, and his grip slackens. Both he and Rina, momentarily stunned by the jolt, lose their footing. With a clumsy, staggering motion, they tumble through the doorway, sprawling into the hallway. They land in a disheveled heap, Milo awkwardly draped over Rina, their limbs entangled in a chaotic mix of shock and confusion. The crackling echo of discharged energy hangs in the air, a stark reminder of the unleashed power that sent them sprawling.

INT. MILO'S HOUSE - HALLWAY OUTSIDE MILO'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

The sound of the crash reverberates through the hallway as Milo and Rina lay sprawled on the floor, entangled in a mix of limbs and confusion. Dust motes dance in the air around them, stirred up by their sudden descent.

MILO

(shocked, his hair out of sorts)

What the heck was that?!

RINA

(also shocked, looking at her hands)

I... I didn't mean to do that!

Milo, his senses returning, quickly becomes aware of their compromising position. He's uncomfortably aware of her small frame beneath him, her proximity sending an unexpected rush of warmth through him. He hurriedly scrambles to his feet, offering a hand to help Rina up.

The sound of rushing footsteps echoes down the hallway, growing louder with each passing second. LISA LEE, Milo's mom, in her mid-40s and known for her kind heart, rounds the corner first. Her face is marked by alarm, and she clutches a kitchen towel, which she dropped in her haste. Close behind her, Milo's grandmother, DOLORES, arrives at the scene. Her eyes widen at the sight before her, her expression blending concern with confusion.

DOLORES

(brandishing a paper fan, she waves it theatrically at Milo)

What on earth are you two doing?!

MILO

(while trying to shield himself from the fan)

I didn't do anything!

LISA

(rushing to check on them, her maternal instincts in overdrive)

Are you two alright? Did anyone get hurt?

Rina, still on the floor, stares at her hands

RINA

(bewildered)

Did I do that?

INT. MILO'S HOUSE - MILO'S BEDROOM - LATER

Milo sits on the edge of his bed, his arm bandaged. His mom is placing a bandage around his hands, while his grandma speaks to Rina, her tone sweet but with a hint of mischief.

DOLORES

(to Rina, chuckling)

Oh, so that's what happened? Yes, yes, it was an accident. I'm glad nobody got hurt.

She turns to Milo, her voice switching to a teasing fury.

DOLORES

And no more 'accidents' in the bedroom, okay, Milo? I think it's time we talked about keeping doors open when we have guests.

Milo rolls his eyes, muttering under his breath while Lisa shakes her head, half-amused, half-concerned. Understanding the implied warning of no non-sense behavior shall be tolerated in this house.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

LISA

(carefully inspecting Milo)

Make sure to tell me if you feel anything wrong, honey. And maybe take it easy with the... energy bursts?

MILO

(annoyed)

It wasn't me, Mom.

RINA

(still in disbelief)

Do you think I did that?

MILO

I can't manifest electricity - I'm a Bio-user. There are only two of us in the room so it has to be one of us.

RINA

(sheepishly recreating the scene)

Do you think so? I mean I was like this and Milo was like this.

I really didn't mean to do that. It just happened.

LISA

(reassuringly and soothingly with a smile)

It's okay, dear. These things can happen when new abilities are emerging.

I'm uncertain with your power as Telekinesis, you should be Psychic user. I've never seen one manifest electricity before.

RINA

(tries to summon electricity once again)

I mean if I do this, nothing happens.

LISA

Don't worry Rina, I'm sure once you get your abilities assessed you'll get it all sorted out.

Milo glances at the burnt carpet.

MILO

You owe me a new floor.

Rina tries to wipe the burnt pattern, seeing if she can revert the floor back to its original state.

LISA:

(back to her gentle demeanor)

Rina, dear, don't worry about that. Accidents happen all the time when abilities start to manifest we just have to be careful —Milo used to break down doors when his abilities manifested. I can ask Milo's dad to fix that up.

RINA

Oh, right! I remember you kicked a soccer ball right into my face when we were in primary—I was hospitalized for a week!

MILO

(Looks away)

LISA

Oh my, I remember that. I still think I have a picture of it! Why don't you both go downstairs? Breakfast will be ready in a minute. Milo, please clean up your room before coming down.

RINA

Is there anything I can help you with?

LISA

No, sweetie, I can manage.

RINA

Okay then, I'll help Milo clean up.

Milo feels self-conscious again, being alone with Rina in his room. His room feels suddenly smaller with Rina's presence filling the space. He shifts uncomfortably, keenly aware of the delicate balance between their long-standing friendship and the confusing new emotions that flutter in his chest whenever she draws near.

Rina using her Telekinesis ability, helps out with the cleaning.

RINA

(persistently, her voice echoing with a mix of hope and urgency)

Like I was saying, Milo—please go with me to the assessment center.

MILO

(resolute, trying to mask his unease)

I told you no.

RINA

Please, I'll pay for the bus fare!

MILO

No.

RINA

I'll treat you to that nice burger place you like.

MILO

No.

Rina's strategies escalate in desperation, her voice quivering on the brink of tears—a tactic Milo knows all too well.

RINA

(pleadingly)

Please, please, Milo!

MILO

(firm, though his resolve wavers as he notices her distress)

No, I'm not falling for your waterworks again.

Despite his words, Rina doesn't relent. Instead, she suddenly wraps her arms around him from behind, clinging to his back with the tenacity of a child unwilling to leave a toy store empty-handed. Milo's heart skips uncomfortably, his skin tingling where her arms encircle him. Her closeness is too much, too intimate, sending a jolt of unfamiliar warmth through his body.

RINA

(her voice softening, muffled against his back)

Please, please, Milo! If my dad goes with me, people are gonna recognize him, and they'll pay attention to me. I don't wanna go with him. Please go with me.

Milo pauses the weight of her plea sinking in. He realizes then that Rina's reluctance isn't just about adolescent embarrassment; it's about her privacy, about escaping the overwhelming shadow of her family's legacy. Her father, a renowned lawyer and a distant descendant of the prestigious Castillo clan, would undoubtedly draw media attention—attention that would turn invasive and personal. Rina, always private and reserved, would be thrust into a spotlight she's desperate to avoid.

MILO

(sighing, his voice softening as understanding dawns)

Okay, okay, I'll go with you. Just... get down now, alright?

Relief washes over Rina, and she loosens her grip, stepping back with a bright, grateful smile.

RINA

(happily)

Thanks, Milo! I'm gonna go tell him right away. We can leave later this afternoon.

MILO

(resigned but with a hint of affection in his tone)

Yeah, yeah.

Rina heads towards the door, then pauses, remembering something. She hands him the cap from yesterday, smiling.

RINA

Oh right, your hat—here you go. I almost forgot.

MILO

Great, thanks. Now please leave.

RINA

Alright, don't forget, let's meet at your house at 3 pm.

With the door gently clicking shut behind Rina, Milo is left alone in the quiet aftermath of their spirited exchange. The room suddenly feels expansive and still, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions and activity that filled it just moments ago. He collapses onto his bed, feeling the weight of the upcoming afternoon appointment pressing on his mind. The thought of accompanying Rina—just the two of them—looms large.

Lying back on his pillow, Milo's gaze falls on the cap in his hand—the cap Rina wore yesterday. In an effort to shield his eyes from the slanting rays of light filtering through his blinds, he casually places the cap over his face. As he does so, a faint but distinct scent wafts from the fabric.

It's subtle, a mix of vanilla and cherry blossom scents. The fragrance is sweet and comforting, and entirely unexpected. It conjures a flash of memory—Rina laughing yesterday.

A reluctant smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, and he catches himself enjoying the memory and the scent more than he anticipated.

MILO

(muttering to himself, a mix of amusement and embarrassment)

Great, now I'm smiling at hats... what's next?

EXT. BUS STOP - LATER

Milo and Rina step onto the crowded bus. Milo draws his OUAC ID card from his pocket—a sleek, holographic-emblazoned piece of technology—and taps it against the fare scanner near the bus driver. It emits a soft beep, and the scanner's small screen flashes green. Rina, following suit, scans her Non-User Card. It also beeps softly, confirming their entry onto the bus.

The Non-User Card is a provisional card granted

In the bus the hustle of passengers and the faint scent of city life fill the space. With no seats available, they stand shoulder to shoulder, gripping the overhead rail for balance. The close quarters press everyone together.

To ease her anxiety, Rina engages Milo in conversation:

RINA

I wanted to pay for the bus fare

MILO

It's alright I got my allowance this month, plus since I'm a D-Rank user my fare is cheaper.

RINA

(excitedly)

Soon I'll have my own OUAC ID. Maybe I'll even start at C-Rank!

MILO

(laughing)

That would be something, but C-Rank on the first assessment is pretty rare. Most of us start lower, and since your ability manifested pretty late - it's an unlikely scenario.

RINA

But I'm pretty smart, both my parents are B-Rank, and I'm the top student in our class. Who knows, maybe I'll get a higher rank than you!

MILO

(smirk)

Well, it's true you're the smartest, but ability ranking isn't only about brains. Still, you'll likely land at least a D-Rank.

RINA

(defiantly)

Even an E-Rank would be fine by me—I just want my OUAC ID. Look, I even bought a cute pink card holder for it!

MILO

If you show that to the assessor maybe he'll fall for your enthusiasm and get you an A card right away.

RINA

You're not being nice

She proudly shows off a brightly colored card holder, adorned with cartoon characters, her face beaming with anticipation. Milo nods, his expression softening as he sees her excitement, teasing fading into a supportive smile.

MILO

I'm sorry, I was wrong. Maybe they'll give you an S card - man if you get that, you'll get into so many good schools and companies. Not to mention exclusive training facilities.

RINA

I get the schools and companies, but why would you need exclusive training facilities you always go to the dojo

MILO(shrugs)

Just curious wanted to see what other training centers look like

(curiously)

What was it like when you got your assessment?

MILO

It's mostly paperwork, then they let you handle an orb that figures out your abilities. Lots of guild agents and media there usually, looking for prodigies. But since you're 15, it'll probably be low-key for you.

RINA

(relief)

Well at least there's some relief to having your abilities manifest late.

MILO

You'll be fine.

RINA

(smiling at a memory)

Remember when we sneaked out to get that new Game Boy? It's been a while since we just hung out like this.

MILO

Don't remind me. Grandma thought we'd been kidnapped. She got all her terrifying friends to help search for us.

RINA

(giggling)

Those sweet old ladies brought us home with cookies and scolding.

As the bus moves along, making frequent stops to take on passengers, the space inside becomes increasingly cramped. Each stop adds more commuters, thickening the crowd. Rina's discomfort becomes evident as her shoulders tense and she withdraws into herself.

Milo notices and instinctively steps closer, positioning himself between Rina and the crowd, acting as a protective barrier. This simple act of shielding her from the crowd brings Rina a surprising sense of calm. Milo's nearness, a quiet reassurance, significantly eases her anxiety amidst the crowded bus.

RINA

(noticing his height)

You're taller than me now, Milo.

MILO

(smirks)

Well yeah, cause I'm a guy. Guys tend to grow taller than girls.

Due to their proximity, Rina catches a comforting scent of chocolate and mint—the chocolate from a perfume she gifted Milo last year, mingling with the mint of his aftershave, stirring deep emotions unexpectedly. Her cheeks warm with a soft blush, realizing their proximity is far closer than their usual casual interactions. Just yesterday, their conversation flowed easily, but now, the intimate closeness in this cramped space sends her heart racing and her breath catching,

RINA

(softly, almost to herself)

You always smell nice... like chocolate and mint.

Rina realizing she let her thoughts slip, Rina cautiously peaks to see if Milo heard her, anxiously searching for any sign of a reaction. Milo, however, keeps his gaze fixed resolutely ahead, his face an unreadable mask as he avoids making eye contact. She feels relief that it seemed like he didn't hear her.

Unbeknownst to Rina, hidden from her view by his deliberate forward stance, Milo's ears are a telling shade of red. The heat radiates from them, betraying his inner turmoil and embarrassment at the conversation's intimate turn.