The salty air of Grandbay had long faded, replaced now by the familiar buzz of Hillwood University's campus. Though summer vacation technically had a few weeks left, for the Hillwood Investment Club, the break was already over.
Selene stood at the edge of the cleared construction site, tablet in hand, sunglasses pushing her hair back. Her digital blueprint glowed under the sun—clean lines, modular glass-and-steel structures, and spaces built for function and inspiration. She could already imagine it standing proud in the heart of campus: the Student Innovation Pavilion.
“It’s coming together faster than expected,” Sebastian said, joining her with a cup of iced coffee in one hand and a rolled-up progress report in the other.
“It should,” she replied, swiping through the 3D model. “We’re using prefabricated modules. Half of the framing was assembled offsite. It’s more efficient that way.”
He looked at the screen, nodding with interest. “I still can’t believe you got the board to approve that design in one presentation.”
Selene allowed herself a small smile. “That’s because they saw potential. Not just in the design… but in the Pavilion’s purpose.”
And they had. The board had been hesitant at first—Hillwood was known for tradition, not change—but when Selene laid out her vision, their resistance crumbled. She didn’t just present a building; she pitched a movement.
A place where students from every college could pitch, build, test, and display their ideas. Where engineers and artists, business students and culinary majors, coders and composers could collaborate and create.
It wasn’t just innovation. It was a bridge between campus and the world.
And investors saw it, too.
It had taken less than a week after returning from Grandbay for the club to raise their half of the Pavilion’s funding. Businessmen, tech entrepreneurs, food industry giants—even alumni—were lining up to get involved. For them, it wasn’t charity. It was investment. A way to nurture talent early, with a chance to profit from the results.
Now, barely two weeks after the funding closed, the project was already 50% complete. Digital kiosks were being installed. Studio labs were being wired. The open-air startup zones—Selene’s favorite feature—were now skeleton frames awaiting glass panels.
If things stayed on track, the Pavilion would be ready before summer classes ended.
The rest of the club hadn’t slowed down either.
Kairo and Lana handled logistics and school compliance, working hand in hand with university engineers and suppliers. Irene and Wendy took charge of documenting progress for media release. Lucas was assigned to liaise with Hillwood’s IT team for the Pavilion’s digital launch platform. Maya and Clint helped prep a public rollout event in coordination with the university's communications office.
But Sebastian and Selene—though rarely saying it out loud—were the core.
She led the creative. He led the strategy.
And together, they kept it moving like clockwork.
That afternoon, under the half-built pavilion arches, the core members of the club gathered for their weekly status review. Everyone looked a little tanned from vacation, but their focus had sharpened.
“Site inspection from the school board is scheduled next Thursday,” Lana reported, flicking through her notes.
“We’re ready,” Selene assured. “The walkways and smart glass panels for the main hall will be installed by Wednesday.”
“I’ve confirmed the tech sponsors for the innovation pods,” Lucas added. “Four of them want to set up mentorship booths during the soft launch.”
“Make sure they know it’s for students, not a marketing parade,” Sebastian said evenly.
“They do,” Lucas replied. “We screened their proposals.”
“Good,” Sebastian nodded.
They went down the list: digital security measures, the scheduling software for booth applications, student orientation videos. Each task had been assigned and was nearing completion.
When the meeting ended, most of them scattered—some to the construction teams, others back to the club HQ.
But Selene stayed behind, staring at the rising steel frames that would soon support the central atrium dome the Pavillion was located right next tonthe university an open space area owned by the university which was not maintained but now a new building is in construction not only will generate additional income for the university but will also introduce innovation made by the students of Hillwood University and the restnif nearby school.
Sebastian lingered beside her, following her gaze.
“You should be proud,” he said quietly. “This was your vision.”
She shrugged, still watching the site. “It’s not finished yet.”
“No,” he said. “But it will be. And people will know who made it possible.”
Selene turned to him, unsure of what surprised her more—his words, or the weight behind them.
“You believed in it from the start,” she said.
He looked at her. “I believed in you.”
The air shifted slightly between them, not heavy… but meaningful.
And then, just like always, Sebastian looked away first, walking back toward the staff van.
Selene let her eyes linger on the Pavilion again—half-built, yes, but already alive with potential.
And for the first time, she didn’t feel like a contributor.
She felt like an architect of something greater.
Something lasting.