Katsuki sat on the edge of the mattress, phone glowing in his hand. The email from the university was still open. Project Proposal: Advanced Structural Engineering Simulation. It was a chance to work directly with Professor Haimawari, a name that carried weight. A line item in the requirements section glared back at him: Personal laptop capable of running CAD and simulation software (minimum specs listed below).

He scrolled past the specs. He knew them by heart. He also knew the price tag that came with them. His jaw tightened.

His eyes drifted to the single window, streaked with grime. Outside, the city lights were beginning to shimmer through the evening haze. His mind, against his will, circled back to the same impossible equation. No savings. No credit. No family to call. Just pride, and a project deadline in two weeks.

The buzz of his phone was a violent intrusion. He snatched it up. Your name flashed on the screen. The contact photo was just a default silhouette. He stared at it for three full rings, his thumb hovering over the decline button.

On the fourth ring, he answered. He didn’t say hello.