/* ---------- base ---------- */

*,
*::before,
*::after {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

:root {
  --bg: #050816;
  --bg-soft: #0b1220;
  --accent: #22c55e;
  --accent-soft: rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.15);
  --accent-blue: #0ea5e9;
  --text-main: #e5e7eb;
  --text-muted: #9ca3af;
  --card-bg: #020617;
  --border-subtle: rgba(148, 163, 184, 0.4);
  --radius-lg: 1.5rem;
  --radius-pill: 999px;
  --shadow-soft: 0 22px 60px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.7);
}

html {
  scroll-behavior: smooth;
}

body {
  margin: 0;
  font-family: "Poppins", system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
  background: radial-gradient(circle at top, #0B1833 0, #102A44 55%, #102A44 100%);
  color: var(--text-main);
  overflow-x: hidden;
}

img {
  display: block;
  max-width: 100%;
}

section {
  margin: 0;
}

/* ---------- comic intro hero ---------- */

.comic-hero {
  background: #0B1833;
  height: 100vh;
  min-height: 900px;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.top-image {
  position: absolute;
  top: 20px;
  right: 20px;
  bottom: 0;
  left: 20px;
  border-radius: 40px;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.top-image img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
}

.top-image::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: rgba(22, 48, 88, 0.849);
  z-index: 1;
}

.title-outline {
  position: absolute;
  top: 85px;
  right: 70px;
  z-index: 2;
  width: 776px;
  min-height: 346px;
  background: #2C94C0;
  clip-path: polygon(
    8% 24%,
    18% 4%,
    34% 14%,
    46% 0%,
    63% 10%,
    79% 2%,
    94% 18%,
    100% 33%,
    89% 45%,
    100% 61%,
    86% 79%,
    94% 96%,
    72% 86%,
    58% 100%,
    42% 88%,
    24% 98%,
    9% 82%,
    0% 64%,
    12% 50%,
    0% 30%
  );
  transform: rotate(-3deg);
}

.title-box {
  position: absolute;
  top: 8px;
  left: 8px;
  background: #0B1833;
  color: #eaff49;
  width: 760px;
  min-height: 330px;
  padding: 55px 70px 65px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  text-align: center;
  clip-path: polygon(
    8% 24%,
    18% 4%,
    34% 14%,
    46% 0%,
    63% 10%,
    79% 2%,
    94% 18%,
    100% 33%,
    89% 45%,
    100% 61%,
    86% 79%,
    94% 96%,
    72% 86%,
    58% 100%,
    42% 88%,
    24% 98%,
    9% 82%,
    0% 64%,
    12% 50%,
    0% 30%
  );
  box-shadow:
    0 25px 80px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7),
    0 0 20px rgba(44, 148, 192, 0.25);
}

.comic-title {
  color: #FFFFFF;
  font-size: 78px;
  line-height: 0.92;
  font-weight: 700;
  margin: 0;
}

.location-pill,
.lesson-pill,
.pool-pill {
  position: absolute;
  left: 40px;
  z-index: 2;
  display: inline-block;
  border: 3px solid #2C94C0;
  padding: 8px 22px;
  border-radius: 999px;
  font-size: 22px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #EAF6FF;
  background: #0B1833;
}

.location-pill {
  bottom: 370px;
}

.pool-pill {
  bottom: 250px;
}

.lesson-pill {
  bottom: 130px;
}

.wave {
  position: relative;
  width: 100%;
  margin-top: -380px;
  margin-bottom: 0;
  z-index: 3;
  line-height: 0;
  background: transparent;
}

.wave img {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
  vertical-align: top;
}

/* ---------- layout helpers ---------- */

.section-header .eyebrow {
  font-size: 3.8rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;

  color: #ffce49;   

}

.section {
  padding: 4.5rem min(9vw, 5.5rem);
}

.section-header {
  max-width: none;
  margin: 0 auto 2.5rem;
  text-align: center;
}

.section-header h2 {
  font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 3vw, 2.3rem);
  margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
}

.section-header p {
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-size: 0.97rem;
}

.section-header .eyebrow::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;

  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);   /* center under text */

  bottom: -6px;
  width: 78%;                    /* 🔥 shorter = more intentional */
  height: 10px;                  /* slightly thicker */

  background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg width='120' height='10' viewBox='0 0 120 10' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3Cpath d='M0 5 Q 15 0 30 5 T 60 5 T 90 5 T 120 5' stroke='%236fe3ff' stroke-width='2.5' fill='none' stroke-linecap='round'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");

  background-repeat: repeat-x;
  background-size: 150px 10px;

  opacity: 0.9;
}

.section-header .eyebrow {
  max-width: none;      /* 🔥 removes restriction */
}

.feature-set {
  margin-bottom: 3rem;
}

.feature-set:last-child {
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

.feature-grid {
  display: grid;
  gap: 1.4rem;
}

.feature-grid-top {
  grid-template-columns: repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr));
}
.bottom-row {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 0.8fr 1.2fr;
  gap: 1.6rem;
  align-items: start;
}

.bottom-cards {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  gap: 1.4rem;
  align-content: start;
}

.bottom-cards .feature-card {
  min-height: 180px;
  height: auto;
}

.bottom-images {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: flex-start;
}

.image-stack {
  position: relative;
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 420px;   /* 🔥 makes whole thing smaller */
}

/* shared frame style */
.image-frame {
  position: absolute;
  background: #2C94C0;   /* beige mat */
  padding: 10px;
  border-radius: 14px;
  box-shadow:
    0 18px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.35),
    0 0 20px rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.08);
}

/* inner image */
.image-frame img {
  display: block;
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  border-radius: 8px;
}

/* FIRST IMAGE (back one) */
.image-1 {
  width: 80%;
  top: 20px;          
  left: -80px;        /* 🔥 move LEFT */
  transform: rotate(-4deg);
  z-index: 3;
}

/* crop first image slightly */
.image-1 img {
  object-fit: cover;
  height: 340px;              /* 🔥 taller */
  object-position: center 50%; /* show full middle */
}

/* SECOND IMAGE (front one) */
.image-2 {
  width: 75%;
  bottom: -345px;
  right: -180px;

  transform: translateY(150px) rotate(7deg);  /* 🔥 THIS is the key */
  object-position: center 80%;
  z-index: 2;
}

.image-2 img {
  object-fit: cover;
  height: 420px;              /* 🔥 smaller = crops BOTH top & bottom */
  object-position: center;    /* 🔥 keeps crop balanced */
}
/* ---------- nav + hero ---------- */

.hero {
  padding: 1.5rem min(7vw, 5rem) 4rem;
  position: relative;
  overflow: visible;
  z-index: 10;
  isolation: isolate;
}

.hero::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at 15% 12%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.30), transparent 18%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 78% 18%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.16), transparent 16%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 20% 28%, rgba(126, 223, 227, 0.25), transparent 34%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 85% 25%, rgba(44, 148, 192, 0.18), transparent 36%),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #4dadd6 0%, #1f79bc 38%, #0f4f8f 70%, #0b1833 100%);
  opacity: 1;
  z-index: -1;
}

.hero::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background-image: radial-gradient(circle at 1px 1px, rgba(210, 238, 255, 0.18) 1px, transparent 0);
  background-size: 140px 140px;
  opacity: 0.18;
  mix-blend-mode: screen;
  z-index: -1;
}

.nav {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 2rem;
  width: 100%;
  margin: 0 0 2.2rem 0;
}

.logo {
  display: none;
}

.nav-links {
  list-style: none;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 1100px;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.nav-links li {
  position: relative;
}

.nav-links a {
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 1.25rem 1.95rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #eaf6ff;
  background: rgba(11, 24, 51, 0.78);
  border: 2px solid #2C94C0;
  box-shadow:
    0 0 0 1px rgba(255,255,255,0.05) inset,
    0 10px 28px rgba(11, 24, 51, 0.25),
    0 0 20px rgba(111, 214, 214, 0.10);
  transition: transform 0.18s ease, box-shadow 0.18s ease, background 0.18s ease;
}

.nav-links a:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  background: rgba(11, 24, 51, 0.92);
  box-shadow:
    0 0 16px rgba(44, 148, 192, 0.34),
    0 12px 32px rgba(11, 24, 51, 0.32);
}

.nav-links a::before,
.nav-links a::after {
  content: "✦";
  position: absolute;
  font-size: 0.7rem;
  color: #9fe9ff;
  opacity: 0.95;
  line-height: 1;
}

.nav-links a::before {
  top: -6px;
  left: 10px;
}

.nav-links a::after {
  bottom: -6px;
  right: 10px;
}

.nav-cta {
  background: rgba(11, 24, 51, 0.78);
  color: #eaf6ff !important;
  border: 2px solid #2C94C0 !important;
  font-weight: 700;
}

.nav-cta:hover {
  background: rgba(11, 24, 51, 0.92) !important;
}

.hero-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.08fr) minmax(0, 0.92fr);
  gap: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 4.25rem);
  align-items: start;
  position: relative;
  margin-top: 1rem;
}

.hero-grid::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 8% 24% auto 0;
  height: 62%;
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(126, 223, 227, 0.14), transparent 70%);
  filter: blur(46px);
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 0;
}

.hero-copy {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  padding-top: 1.3rem;
}

.eyebroww {
  font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
  font-size: 1rem;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin-top: 0.6rem;
  margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
  margin-left: 4.5rem;
  line-height: 1.5;
  max-width: 620px;
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  padding-bottom: 0.6rem;
  opacity: 0;
}

.eyebrow {
  font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 400;
  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin-top: 0.6rem;
  margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
  margin-left: 4.5rem;
  line-height: 1.5;
  max-width: 620px;
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  padding-bottom: 0.6rem;
}

.eyebrow::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 8px;
  background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg width='100' height='8' viewBox='0 0 100 8' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3Cpath d='M0 4 Q 12 0 25 4 T 50 4 T 75 4 T 100 4' stroke='%236fe3ff' stroke-width='2' fill='none' stroke-linecap='round'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
  background-repeat: repeat-x;
  background-size: 100px 8px;
  opacity: 0.8;
}

/* ---------- soft cloud title ---------- */

.hero-title-outline {
  position: relative;
  width: 110%;
  max-width: 2500px;
  min-height: 490px;
  margin: 0 0 1.7rem -3.5rem;
  padding: 22px;
  background: #67c8d8;
  border-radius: 48% 52% 50% 50% / 42% 58% 44% 56%;
  box-shadow:
    0 28px 70px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.24),
    0 0 28px rgba(103, 200, 216, 0.16);
}

.hero-title-box {
  background: #071a45;
  min-height: 446px;
  padding: 2.5rem 1.7rem;
  border-radius: 50% 50% 46% 54% / 50% 46% 54% 50%;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
}

.hero-comic-title {
  margin: 0;
  font-size: clamp(4.15rem, 7.1vw, 6.6rem);
  line-height: 0.9;
  font-weight: 800;
  margin-left: 2rem;
  color: #f2f4f7;
  letter-spacing: -0.045em;
  text-align: left;
  max-width: 100%;
  text-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
}

.confident-word {
  color: #f1d554;
}

.hero-sub-pills {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 0.9rem;
  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
  max-width: 700px;
  transform: translateY(30px);
}

.hero-sub-pills span {
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  border-radius: 999px;
  padding: 0.72rem 1.2rem;
  background: rgba(8, 23, 59, 0.78);
  border: 2px solid rgba(79, 193, 235, 0.72);
  color: #eaf6ff;
  box-shadow:
    0 0 0 1px rgba(255,255,255,0.04) inset,
    0 0 14px rgba(44, 148, 192, 0.10);
}

/* ---------- heat card ---------- */

.hero-highlight {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.95rem;
  margin-top: 0.25rem;
  transform: translateY(90px);
  margin-bottom: 0.7rem;
  padding: 1rem 1.25rem;
  width: fit-content;
  min-width: 340px;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6fb7dc 0%, #87c3e7 55%, #9bc8ea 100%);
  border: 2px solid rgba(214, 234, 247, 0.55);
  border-radius: 1.6rem;
  box-shadow:
    0 16px 34px rgba(7, 26, 69, 0.20),
    0 0 18px rgba(111, 183, 220, 0.12);
}

.highlight-icon {
  width: 50px;
  height: 50px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: rgba(231, 236, 229, 0.75);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.highlight-title {
  font-weight: 800;
  color: #082046;
  font-size: 1.45rem;
  line-height: 1;
  margin-bottom: 0.28rem;
}

.highlight-sub {
  font-size: 0.98rem;
  color: rgba(8, 32, 70, 0.78);
  font-weight: 600;
}

.btn-primary {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  padding: 1rem 2rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6FD6D6, #6FD6D6);
  color: #081426;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 1rem;
  text-decoration: none;
  border: 2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);
  box-shadow:
    0 12px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25),
    0 0 18px rgba(44, 148, 192, 0.18);
  transition: transform 0.18s ease, box-shadow 0.18s ease;
}

.btn-primary:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px) scale(1.01);
  box-shadow:
    0 16px 36px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3),
    0 0 24px rgba(44, 148, 192, 0.24);
}

/* ---------- star list CTA ---------- */

.list-cta-wrap {
  position: absolute;
  top: 48.5rem;
  right: -25.5rem;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.1rem;
  z-index: 5;
}

.list-arrow-note {
  display: flex;
  margin-top: 12rem;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.2rem;
  font-size: 1.38rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  line-height: 1.12;
  color: #f8f7f3;
  text-shadow: 0 3px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
  white-space: nowrap;
  max-width: none;
}

.big-arrow {
  font-weight: 100;
  opacity: 0.8;
  font-size: 1.8rem;
  line-height: 1;
  color: #ffffff;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  transform: translateY(-18px);
}

.list-btn {
  width: 220px;
  height: 220px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  text-align: center;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f1d554, #f1d554);
  color: #0e2446;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 1.5rem;
  line-height: 1.05;
  text-decoration: none;
  border: 4px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.22);
  border-radius: 0;
  clip-path: polygon(
    50% 0%,
    60% 18%,
    78% 6%,
    74% 25%,
    94% 22%,
    82% 38%,
    100% 50%,
    82% 62%,
    94% 78%,
    74% 75%,
    78% 94%,
    60% 82%,
    50% 100%,
    40% 82%,
    22% 94%,
    26% 75%,
    6% 78%,
    18% 62%,
    0% 50%,
    18% 38%,
    6% 22%,
    26% 25%,
    22% 6%,
    40% 18%
  );
  box-shadow:
    0 18px 42px rgba(255, 59, 48, 0.35),
    0 0 28px rgba(255, 90, 95, 0.28);
  transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
}

.list-btn:hover {
  transform: translateY(-4px) scale(1.04);
  box-shadow:
    0 24px 48px rgba(255, 59, 48, 0.42),
    0 0 34px rgba(255, 90, 95, 0.34);
}

.btn-wide {
  width: 100%;
  justify-content: center;
}

.tiny-note {
  margin-top: 6.7rem;
  color: rgba(234, 246, 255, 0.72);
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  transform: translateY(40px);
  opacity: 0;
}

/* ---------- hero photo ---------- */

.hero-photo {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  width: 100%;
}

.hero-photo-wrap {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-end;
  gap: 1.4rem;
  width: 100%;
}

.hero-photo-frame {
  position: relative;
  width: 92%;
  margin-right: 2.2rem;
  margin-top: 2.2rem;
  overflow: visible;
  z-index: 10;
}

.hero-photo-frame::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: -6px;
  border: 2px solid #0a2a63;
  border-radius: 58% 42% 46% 54% / 44% 56% 40% 60%;
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 2;
}

.hero-photo-frame > .hero-main-img {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
  object-fit: cover;
  border-radius: 58% 42% 46% 54% / 44% 56% 40% 60%;
  filter: saturate(1.05) contrast(1.02);
  box-shadow:
    0 14px 34px rgba(7, 26, 69, 0.18),
    0 4px 12px rgba(7, 26, 69, 0.10);
}

.hero-hover-preview img {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
  object-fit: contain;
  border-radius: 18px;   /* or 0 if you want perfectly square corners */
  filter: none;
  box-shadow: none;
}

.hero-photo-frame {
  position: relative;
  width: 92%;
  margin-right: 2.2rem;
  margin-top: 2.2rem;
  overflow: visible; /* important */
}

.hero-main-img {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
  object-fit: cover;
  border-radius: 58% 42% 46% 54% / 44% 56% 40% 60%;
  filter: saturate(1.05) contrast(1.02);
  box-shadow:
    0 14px 34px rgba(7, 26, 69, 0.18),
    0 4px 12px rgba(7, 26, 69, 0.10);
  transition: transform 0.25s ease, box-shadow 0.25s ease;
}

.hero-hover-preview {
  position: fixed;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(0.9);

  width: min(900px, 80vw);
  padding: 18px;
  border-radius: 28px;
  background: #0B1833;
  border: 3px solid #6fe3ff;

  box-shadow:
    0 35px 90px rgba(0,0,0,0.65),
    0 0 30px rgba(111,227,255,0.22);

  opacity: 0;
  visibility: hidden;
  pointer-events: none;
  transition: opacity 0.25s ease, transform 0.25s ease;
  z-index: 9999;
}

.hero-photo-frame:hover .hero-hover-preview {
  opacity: 1;
  visibility: visible;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1);
}

.hero-badge {
  position: absolute;
  top: 20rem;
  z-index: 9999;
  right: 1rem;
  padding: 0.45rem 1rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  font-size: 0.74rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.13em;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #eaf6ff;
  background: rgba(7, 22, 61, 0.9);
  border: 1px solid rgba(148, 163, 184, 0.45);
  box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
}

/* ---------- countdown card ---------- */

.signup-deadline {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 650px;
  margin-top: 4.65rem;
  padding: 1.7rem 1.8rem 1.9rem;
  position: relative;
  text-align: center;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #153d73 0%, #205893 48%, #2c6fa8 100%);
  color: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 2.2rem;
  border: 3px solid rgba(176, 223, 240, 0.65);
  box-shadow:
    0 26px 58px rgba(7, 26, 69, 0.28),
    0 0 24px rgba(131, 198, 225, 0.14);
  overflow: hidden;
}

.signup-deadline::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  border-radius: 2.2rem;
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at top left, rgba(255,255,255,0.16), transparent 26%),
    radial-gradient(circle at bottom right, rgba(255,255,255,0.06), transparent 34%);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.signup-deadline::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 10px;
  border-radius: 1.7rem;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.deadline-accent {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: inline-block;
  margin-bottom: 1.9rem;
  padding: 0.48rem 0.95rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  font-weight: 900;
  letter-spacing: 0.11em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  background: rgba(231, 236, 229, 0.14);
  color: #f1d554;
  border: 1px solid rgba(223, 234, 223, 0.22);
}

.deadline-text {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  margin: 0 0 1rem;
  font-size: clamp(2rem, 3.2vw, 3rem);
  line-height: 0.98;
  font-weight: 800;
  color: #ffffff;
  text-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
}

.countdown {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  margin: 0;
  font-size: clamp(3rem, 4.5vw, 4.4rem);
  font-weight: 800;
  color: #e9f7ff;
  letter-spacing: -0.04em;
  text-shadow:
    0 0 16px rgba(233, 247, 255, 0.18),
    0 6px 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.16);
}

.hero-stat-card {
  display: none;
}

/* ---------- highlights ---------- */

.highlights {
  background: radial-gradient(circle at top, rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.9), #020617 60%);
}

.feature-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(230px, 1fr));
  gap: 1.4rem;
}

.feature-card {
  padding: 1.5rem 1.4rem;
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  border: 1px solid rgba(148, 163, 184, 0.35);
  background: radial-gradient(circle at top left, rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.25), #020617 58%);
  box-shadow: 0 16px 42px rgba(67, 96, 165, 0.75);
}

.feature-card h3 {
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}

.feature-card p {
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
}

/* ---------- instructors ---------- */

.instructors {
  background: #020617;
}

.instructor-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(260px, 1fr));
  gap: 1.8rem;
}

.instructor-avatar img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
}

.instructor-card {
  padding: 1.8rem 1.6rem;
  border-radius: 1.8rem;

  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #102A44 0%, #0B1833 100%);
  border: 2px solid rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.4);

  box-shadow:
    0 18px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.4),
    0 0 20px rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.12);

  transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
}

.instructor-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-5px) scale(1.02);
  box-shadow:
    0 25px 50px rgba(0,0,0,0.5),
    0 0 28px rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.25);
}

.instructor-avatar img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
}

.instructor-avatar {
  width: 90px;
  height: 90px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  overflow: hidden;

  border: 3px solid #6fe3ff;
  box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.4);

  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.ben-avatar img {
  transform: scale(2.2) translateX(4px);  /* 🔥 move right */
  object-fit: cover;
}

.instructor-avatar img[alt="Ben"] {
  object-position: center 40%;  /* 🔥 zooms into face */
}

.instructor-card h3 {
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.instructor-role {
  color: #6fe3ff;
  font-weight: 700;
}

.instructor-card h3 {
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 1.1rem;
}

.instructor-role {
  margin-top: 0.15rem;
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  color: var(--accent-blue);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
}

.instructor-text {
  margin-top: 0.7rem;
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
}

/* ---------- about ---------- */

.about {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at 20% 10%, rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.18), transparent 24%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 85% 20%, rgba(241, 213, 84, 0.14), transparent 20%),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #0d2348 0%, #123564 45%, #0b1833 100%);
}

.about::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at 10% 80%, rgba(103, 200, 216, 0.10), transparent 24%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 90% 70%, rgba(255, 206, 73, 0.08), transparent 18%);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.about-layout {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(280px, 1fr));
  gap: 1.8rem;
}

.about-card {
  padding: 1.9rem 1.7rem;
  border-radius: 1.9rem;
  border: 2px solid rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.35);
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, rgba(21, 61, 115, 0.96), rgba(11, 24, 51, 0.96));
  box-shadow:
    0 20px 46px rgba(0,0,0,0.35),
    0 0 24px rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.10);
  transition: transform 0.22s ease, box-shadow 0.22s ease, border-color 0.22s ease;
}

.about-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-6px);
  border-color: rgba(241, 213, 84, 0.55);
  box-shadow:
    0 28px 54px rgba(0,0,0,0.42),
    0 0 30px rgba(241, 213, 84, 0.12);
}

.about-card h3 {
  margin-top: 0;
  margin-bottom: 0.85rem;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.about-card p {
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  color: #d9ecf7;
  line-height: 1.65;
}

/* ---------- reviews ---------- */
.reviews {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at top, rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.22), transparent 30%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 80% 20%, rgba(255, 206, 73, 0.12), transparent 18%),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #143a6b 0%, #0f2b53 42%, #081a35 100%);
}

.reviews::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background-image: radial-gradient(circle at 2px 2px, rgba(255,255,255,0.12) 1px, transparent 0);
  background-size: 120px 120px;
  opacity: 0.18;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.review-grid {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(250px, 1fr));
  gap: 1.6rem;
}

.review-card {
  padding: 1.7rem 1.5rem 1.4rem;
  border-radius: 1.8rem;
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, rgba(27, 78, 134, 0.96), rgba(11, 24, 51, 0.96));
  border: 2px solid rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.35);
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  box-shadow:
    0 18px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.34),
    0 0 22px rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.10);
  transition: transform 0.22s ease, box-shadow 0.22s ease, border-color 0.22s ease;
}

.review-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-6px) rotate(-0.5deg);
  border-color: rgba(255, 206, 73, 0.55);
  box-shadow:
    0 26px 52px rgba(0,0,0,0.42),
    0 0 28px rgba(255, 206, 73, 0.14);
}

.review-card::before {
  content: "★";
  position: absolute;
  top: 0.9rem;
  right: 1rem;
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  color: #ffd85a;
  opacity: 0.95;
}

.review-card::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: radial-gradient(circle at top left, rgba(255,255,255,0.10), transparent 30%);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.review-text {
  font-size: 0.97rem;
  line-height: 1.65;
  color: #f4fbff;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.review-author {
  font-size: 0.84rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #ffd85a;
}
/* ---------- contact ---------- */
.contact {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  border-top: 2px solid rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.16);
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at 15% 10%, rgba(122, 226, 255, 0.18), transparent 24%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 85% 18%, rgba(255, 219, 107, 0.14), transparent 20%),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #5aa8dc 0%, #2b6fa8 28%, #123f73 58%, #081a35 100%);
}

.contact::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at 20% 80%, rgba(255,255,255,0.08), transparent 18%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 80% 75%, rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.08), transparent 18%);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.contact::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background-image: radial-gradient(circle at 1.5px 1.5px, rgba(255,255,255,0.08) 1px, transparent 0);
  background-size: 135px 135px;
  opacity: 0.2;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.contact-layout {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.18fr) minmax(280px, 0.72fr);
  gap: 2.2rem;
  align-items: center;   /* 🔥 centers both sides vertically */
}

.contact-form {
  position: relative;
  padding: 2.15rem 1.9rem 1.9rem;
  border-radius: 2.2rem;
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, rgba(7, 34, 76, 0.98), rgba(11, 49, 103, 0.97));
  border: 2px solid rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.34);
  box-shadow:
    0 28px 70px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.34),
    0 0 28px rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.08);
  backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
}

.contact-form::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: -18px;
  border-radius: 2.6rem;
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.13), transparent 62%);
  filter: blur(28px);
  z-index: -1;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.contact-side-card {
  position: relative;
  align-self: center;    /* 🔥 keeps card centered beside form */
  margin-top: 0;
  padding: 2rem 1.7rem;
  border-radius: 2rem;
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.14), rgba(255,255,255,0.08));
  border: 2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);
  box-shadow:
    0 24px 60px rgba(0,0,0,0.22),
    0 0 24px rgba(255,255,255,0.05);
  backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
}

.contact-side-card::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  border-radius: 2rem;
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at top left, rgba(255,255,255,0.18), transparent 28%);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.contact-tagline {
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 1.18rem;
  line-height: 1.7;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #f7fbff;
  text-wrap: balance;
}

.field label {
  display: block;
  margin-bottom: 0.38rem;
  font-size: 0.83rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #f0fbff;
  letter-spacing: 0.01em;
}

.field input,
.field textarea {
  width: 100%;
  padding: 0.9rem 1rem;
  border-radius: 1.15rem;
  border: 2px solid rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.24);
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.14);
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 0.98rem;
  outline: none;
  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.04);
  transition:
    border-color 0.16s ease,
    box-shadow 0.16s ease,
    background 0.16s ease,
    transform 0.16s ease;
}

.field textarea {
  min-height: 100px;
}

.field input::placeholder,
.field textarea::placeholder {
  color: rgba(233, 245, 255, 0.62);
}

.field input:hover,
.field textarea:hover {
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.18);
  border-color: rgba(111, 227, 255, 0.36);
}

.field input:focus,
.field textarea:focus {
  border-color: #ffd85a;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.2);
  box-shadow:
    0 0 0 4px rgba(255, 216, 90, 0.14),
    0 0 24px rgba(255, 216, 90, 0.18);
  transform: translateY(-1px);
}

.btn-wide {
  width: 100%;
  justify-content: center;
  margin-top: 0.65rem;
}

.contact .btn-primary {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #ffe37a 0%, #ffd34f 52%, #ffc933 100%);
  color: #071a45;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 1.08rem;
  border: 2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.22);
  box-shadow:
    0 16px 34px rgba(0,0,0,0.24),
    0 0 26px rgba(255, 206, 73, 0.2);
  transition: transform 0.18s ease, box-shadow 0.18s ease, filter 0.18s ease;
}

.contact .btn-primary:hover {
  transform: translateY(-3px) scale(1.015);
  box-shadow:
    0 24px 48px rgba(0,0,0,0.32),
    0 0 34px rgba(255, 206, 73, 0.28);
  filter: saturate(1.05);
}

.privacy-note {
  margin-top: 0.95rem;
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  color: rgba(234, 246, 255, 0.8);
}

.contact .section-header {
  margin-bottom: 3rem;
}

.contact .section-header h2 {
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: clamp(2.5rem, 4.2vw, 4rem);
  letter-spacing: -0.04em;
  text-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);
}

.contact .section-header p {
  max-width: 760px;
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
  color: #e4f3fb;
  font-size: 1.02rem;
}

@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .contact-layout {
    grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);
  }

  .contact-side-card {
    margin-top: 0;
  }

  .contact-tagline {
    font-size: 1.05rem;
  }
}

/* ---------- footer ---------- */

.footer {
  padding: 1.6rem min(9vw, 5.5rem) 2.2rem;
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.9);
  background: #020617;
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.7rem;
  justify-content: space-between;
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
}

.back-to-top {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--accent-blue);
  font-size: 0.82rem;
}

/* ---------- responsive tweaks ---------- */

@media (max-width: 1100px) {
  .hero-title-outline {
    width: min(100%, 680px);
    min-height: 390px;
  }

  .hero-title-box {
    min-height: 355px;
    padding: 2.8rem 2.8rem;
  }

  .hero-comic-title {
    font-size: clamp(3.6rem, 6.4vw, 5.8rem);
  }
}

@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .hero-grid {
    grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);
    margin-top: 0.5rem;
  }

  .hero-photo {
    order: -1;
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
  }

  .hero-photo-frame,
  .signup-deadline {
    max-width: 720px;
  }

  .nav-links {
    justify-content: center;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    gap: 0.7rem;
  }

  .hero-copy {
    padding-top: 0;
  }

  .contact-layout {
    grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);
  }

  .list-cta-wrap {
    position: static;
    margin-top: 1.5rem;
    justify-content: flex-start;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
  }

  .list-btn {
    width: 170px;
    height: 170px;
    font-size: 1.2rem;
  }

  .list-arrow-note {
    max-width: 100%;
    font-size: 1.05rem;
  }

  .big-arrow {
    font-size: 1.9rem;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 720px) {
  .nav {
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
  }

  .hero {
    padding-inline: 1.2rem;
  }

  .section {
    padding-inline: 1.2rem;
  }

  .title-outline,
  .title-box {
    width: 90vw;
    min-height: auto;
  }

  .comic-title {
    font-size: 3rem;
  }

  .hero-title-outline {
    min-height: 340px;
    width: min(100%, 100%);
    padding: 14px;
  }

  .hero-title-box {
    min-height: 310px;
    padding: 2.2rem 2rem;
  }

  .hero-comic-title {
    font-size: clamp(3rem, 10vw, 4.5rem);
  }

  .eyebrow {
    font-size: 1.05rem;
  }

  .hero-highlight {
    min-width: 0;
    width: 100%;
  }

  .highlight-title {
    font-size: 1.2rem;
  }

  .highlight-sub {
    font-size: 0.92rem;
  }

  .deadline-text {
    font-size: 1.8rem;
  }

  .countdown {
    font-size: 2.3rem;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 520px) {
  .hero-sub-pills {
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: flex-start;
  }

  .contact-form {
    padding-inline: 1.3rem;
  }

  .list-cta-wrap {
    align-items: flex-start;
  }

  .list-arrow-note {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
  }
}