Alon Mendez

Mandy never imagined a day like this would come—when the man she had once admired from a distance would stand before her, pleading for her help.

She had finally managed to carve out a rare half-day to rest in her apartment in Central City. But as soon as she arrived, Alon Mendez was already there, blocking her doorway.

"Mandy, please, help us," he begged, his voice thick with desperation.

Seeing that he wouldn't leave, Mandy reluctantly let him inside. Thankfully, her family was staying elsewhere, sparing everyone the discomfort of an awkward encounter.

Though Alon had clearly tried to look polished in a sharp, tailored suit that emphasized his striking features, his red-rimmed eyes and the bluish circles beneath them revealed his exhaustion.

The Mendez family had once thrived on Planet Nagano, their roots deep and their wealth vast. But that planet had been consumed by a black hole, leaving nothing behind—not even dust.