The hallway buzzed with conversation as students poured from their classrooms, their voices blending into a lively chorus that echoed through Aegis Academy, Kairo and Bobo walked side by side, weaving through the passing crowd.
Bobo could barely contain himself "I still can't believe you did that."
Kairo glanced at him. "Did what?"
"You just... walked away from Kina."
"...So?"
"So?" Bobo repeated, stopping long enough to stare at him. "Do you have any idea how many guys would've traded places with you?"
Kairo shrugged, "I don't know, I jus... I just find her weird."
Bobo blinked, "Weird?"
"She's always acted like that."
"What does that even mean?"
He slipped both hands into his pockets, giving a small, puzzled shake of his head.
"I don't know... it just feels like she's always trying to pick a fight."
Bobo looked at him for several long seconds before rubbing his forehead, "...You're hopeless."
Kairo simply continued walking.
Before he could respond...
THUD!!
Someone collided into his shoulder, the smaller boy stumbled backward as several notebooks scattered across the polished floor, "I-I... I'm sorry!" the boy blurted out, immediately dropping to his knees.
"N-No, it was my fault... I wasn't looking..." his hands moved frantically as he gathered the fallen books one after another, Kairo watched in mild surprise, "...You, okay?"
The boy nodded repeatedly-Yes!"
Within seconds, he had stuffed everything back into his school bag before bowing once more.
"S-Sorry!" Then he hurried down the hallway almost as if he were running away.
Kairo stared after him, "...Isn't he in our class?"
Bobo nodded, "Yeah... His name's Morri," then he chuckled, "Well... everyone calls him Morri Morri."
"Why?"
"He gets embarrassed really easily... the class likes teasing him."
Kairo frowned, "...What's wrong with them?"
Bobo only shrugged, "Kids."
The two continued through the corridor, checking one classroom after another
"No sign of Neyo."
"Or Renjirō."
"Maybe they already left."
"Probably."
They stepped outside into the warm afternoon sunlight, a gentle breeze swept through the academy grounds as students gathered beneath trees, around fountains, and along the walkways. Their usual meeting place came into view beneath the broad shade of an old tree. "There they are."
Neyo spotted them first.
"KAIRO!" he waved both arms enthusiastically, "Over here!"
Kairo and Bobo began walking toward the group, heavy footsteps thundered behind them.
Before Kairo could even turn...
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WHUMP!
A heavy weight crashed into his back, a muscular arm wrapped around his shoulders, nearly knocking him off his feet "KAIROOOO!"
Kairo stumbled before catching himself with a sigh, "...Renjirō."
"You're too heavy."
"Hahaha!" the 16 old laughed loudly, his fiery red hair bounced wildly as he squeezed Kairo tighter. "I missed you too!"
"I didn't say that."
"I heard it anyway!"
Kairo sighed in defeat.
He was already used to this.
A lazy voice drifted down from above, "Welcome back."
Everyone looked upward; Perched comfortably upon one of the tree branches sat Zuki, one leg dangled lazily while an open textbook rested across his lap.
Bobo pointed upward, "What're you doing up there?"
Zuki didn't even look up from the page, "What does it look like?" I'm studying."
"The exams are only a few days away."
Neyo chuckled behind his hand, "I've been trying to drag him to Mama Tito's all afternoon."
"No chance," he pointed at the book, "To him, that thing outranks Mama Tito's rice buns... I think we've lost him."
Renjirō laughed, "He probably sleeps with that book."
Without another word, Zuki closed it and jumped lightly from the branch, "I'm going somewhere quieter."
Renjirō threw an arm around him before he could leave, "What?! The fun's only just starting."
Zuki calmly removed the arm, "The exam is in a few days... I don't know about the rest of you..."
"...but I need that certificate... It's more important to me than anything else." Silence settled briefly.
Kairo looked at him, "Where are you going?"
"Anywhere quiet."
Before anyone realized what he intended....
Whoosh!
Neyo suddenly appeared behind Zuki.
Snatch!
The textbook vanished from his hands.
"My book!" Zuki reached instinctively.
Too late
Neyo held it high over his head with a triumphant grin, "Hahaha!"
"What do you want?" Zuki asked with complete defeat.
Neyo pointed dramatically toward the city, "To Mama Tito Territory!"
"My book first."
"Nope."
"You escort us there..."
"...then you get it back."
Zuki stared at him, "...You're unbelievable."
Kairo walked past him, "Sorry man!"
Bobo followed, "Yeah..."
"You're not getting that book back." Renjirō patted Zuki's shoulder sympathetically, "My condolences."
Zuki let out a defeated sigh, "...I hate all of you."
With no other choice...
He quietly followed behind the group.
Few minutes later....
The streets of Star Sand City bustled with afternoon activity.
Merchants called from their storefronts while children darted between customers carrying bags of fresh bread and vegetables.
The group chatted casually as they made their way toward Mama Tito's restaurant.
Suddenly...
"Kairo."
Renjirō pointed toward the opposite side of the street, "Isn't that kid from your class?"
Kairo looked where he pointed, a small figure hurried nervously along the sidewalk.
"...Morri?"
Bobo squinted.
"...Morri Morri."
The boy glanced around repeatedly before slipping through the entrance of an adult bookstore.
The group exchanged confused looks, "...What's he doing?"
Only seconds later...
BANG!!
The shop door burst open, "You little thief!" an older shopkeeper stormed outside gripping a broom, Morri sprinted away at full speed, several magazines clutched tightly beneath his shirt.
"Come back here!" The shopkeeper chased him halfway down the street before finally giving up.
The group watched in stunned silence.
Bobo scratched his head, "...What's a kid doing inside an adult shop?"
Neyo immediately grinned, "Come on," "...Let's follow him."
Kairo looked away, "It's none of our business."
Neyo stared at him, "Are you stupid?" ...I bet that little brat's got some seriously dirty thoughts."
Renjirō burst into laughter, "Hahaha! ...I want to see this."
"I'm coming too," the others exchanged glances.
Eventually... They followed keeping a careful distance, they watched Morri weave through narrow streets before disappearing beneath a small stone bridge, the group quietly crept through the tall grass overlooking the area; Morri wasn't alone, four older boys waited beneath the bridge.
They looked between 16 and 18 years old, compared to them... Fourteen-year-old Morri looked tiny. One of the older boys grabbed the magazines immediately, "Damn! ...You actually got them!" The others laughed excitedly as they flipped through the pages, another shoved Morri backward "Same time tomorrow."
"Bring more."
Morri lowered his head, "...O-Okay."
One of the boys leaned close enough for Morri to flinch, "And don't tell anybody."
"If you do..." he smiled coldly, "...we'll kill you ...Then we'll go after your mother."
Morri's face turned pale, "I... I understand," he turned and ran without another word, the older boys laughed as they tucked the magazines beneath their jackets before strolling away.
Hidden within the grass... The six friends watched everything in silence, Renjirō's fists clenched.
"...Those bastards." He started forward, "I'm stopping this."
Zuki grabbed his wrist, "Wait."
Renjirō glared back, "What? ...It's obviously bullying."
"I know," Zuki answered calmly, "But rushing them won't solve anything ...We should report them."
Neyo frowned, "By the time anyone comes, they'll already be gone ...We should do something now."
Bobo looked toward Kairo, "...What do you think?"
Kairo didn't answer, his eyes remained fixed on the four older boys as they walked away laughing.
There was something about their expressions... that excitement... that satisfaction... his face remained unreadable, yet his gaze grew strangely still, as though something inside him had tightened.
He said nothing, he simply watched, as if he were forcing himself not to react, and for reasons he couldn't explain... he couldn't look away.
To be continue...