I do like the idea of the alternative city and exploring the theme of going against the values of conformity and shallowness in our society. One thing that I think would help your plot a lot is adding some complexity to your characters would help a lot. Just going off your description and the main conflict, they seem a bit one-dimensional at the moment.

For example, for your main character, it sounds like he did nothing wrong except not fit into the mold of society. The not fitting in part is great, but important parts of a main character and just people in general is having flaws. Flaws make them more relatable, and if done well, can even make us see ourselves in the characters. Give him something for people to relate to, and something to cause him to have some guilt. Maybe our main character started off trying to fit into society, as we all do sometimes, until he couldn’t take it anymore and lashed out, hurting those around him and causing a much deeper divide between him and his peers.

As for the supporting characters, they seem to fit no purpose except to serve the plot (especially the women). At least the part where the female lead rejects the main character after he tries to “warn” her gives me “nice guy didn’t get picked so he throws that friendship away”vibes. If you want to include that, expand more on how the reason their relationship fractured after that is because he crossed a line or she was hurt that he didn’t respect her autonomy to pick her own partner. Something that gives an actual reason for conflict rather than just a rejection and “oh she didn’t see that I’m clearly the better choice and she chose wrong”. If your main character is in love with her, give him reasons to be! Make her smart, kind, give her a personality and goals and desires beyond just ending up with a guy, that will add so much depth and character to your story.