The captain and his crew had finally retreated after the sudden arrival of Tom and Ashi, leaving only a few sharp words behind. Tom, Ashi, and the boy stood silently, watching the group disappear down the hallway.
Ashi (murmuring): "I always get annoyed just by looking at their faces."
Tom: "That's true."
Sam: "Yeah… I also got annoyed by those fools."
Both Tom and Ashi immediately turned their attention toward him.
Ashi: "Whoa, I almost forgot about you."
Sam gave a calm smile, hands tucked casually in his pockets.
Tom: "You've got guts to start a fight and make such a commotion on your first day."
Sam: "But big bro, I wasn't the first to hit, at least."
Ashi blinked, his brow raising. "Hey, hey, buddy… do you somehow know me and my bodyguard?" he asked, pointing at Tom.
Tom: smacks Ashi lightly on the head "Do you think I'm your servant or something?"
Ashi: "Ouch! I was just saying you're my protector!"
Tom ignored him and turned back to Sam, his voice calm, soft, but steady.
Tom: "We know each other, right? But I can't remember. Can you give us a hint?"
Sam's smile deepened, a single word leaving his lips.
Sam: "Max."
For a moment, the world seemed to pause. Both Tom and Ashi froze, eyes widening, as if the name itself had struck something buried deep inside.
After a tense few seconds, Ashi finally broke the silence.
Ashi: "Are you serious? You mean… Max?"
Tom: "No way. He's lying. He's not Max."
Ashi: "I don't believe it either. We knew Max. Even after all these years, we'd recognize him in an instant — just by a single glance."
Sam's grin widened.
Sam: "But I never said I'm Max."
Ashi: (annoyed) "Hey, buddy, you're really getting on my nerves. I asked who you are, not for some random name drop. And how the hell do you even know Max?"
Tom placed a calming hand on Ashi's shoulder.
Sam lifted his head slightly, eyes bright, voice calm but carrying a spark.
Sam: "I'm his younger brother."
The words landed like a thunderclap. Both Tom and Ashi froze, eyes wide with shock. Then, as if rehearsed, they spoke together:
Tom & Ashi: "Sam?"
Sam's grin widened. "Yup."
In an instant, Tom and Ashi laughed and pulled him into a tight hug.
Tom: "You've really grown up, kid. I barely saw you a few times back in the day, so I didn't recognize you at all. Sorry for that."
Ashi: "Yeah, same here. I only met you once back in elementary school. But Max used to talk about you all the time — how his little brother always got into trouble."
Sam's smile softened. "Yeah… you guys didn't recognize me, but I recognized you right away."
Tom ruffled Sam's hair affectionately, while Ashi smirked, crossing his arms.
Ashi: "Looks like the little troublemaker's back."
Sam: "hey common brother I don't follow trouble but instead trouble follow me wherever I go ."
Tom's eyes softened with a faint smile.
Tom: "You talk just like your brother used to."
For a brief moment, all three were silent. The cafeteria noise, the hall chatter — everything seemed distant, the world shrinking around them as if giving them a moment to breathe.
Ashi: "Man… Max really left a mark, huh?"
Tom: "Yeah. Seeing you now… it's like looking at his shadow."
Sam: "He's not my shadow anymore," he said, voice calm but resolute. "He's my reason."
Ashi blinked, then laughed lightly.
Ashi: "You've grown up, kid. Got that same scary calmness your brother had."
Tom: "And the same eyes."
Sam smirked. "Guess it runs in the blood."
Tom sighed softly. "Come on, let's go. Cafeteria's about to close, and I'm starving."
Ashi: "Finally! I thought you'd never say that!"
Tom began walking ahead while Ashi slung an arm around Sam's shoulders.
Ashi: "Since you're Max's brother, that makes you family now. No excuses — you're sticking with us."
Sam: (smiling) "Wasn't planning to refuse anyway."
As they walked toward the cafeteria exit, the setting sun cast long shadows across the courtyard. Three figures walked side by side, the bond of the past quietly rekindled, the future full of possibilities.
---
Cafeteria Scene Continued
In the cafeteria, the three settled at a quiet corner table. Trays clattered as they ate, steam rising from their food. For a while, they simply ate in comfortable silence, letting the noise of lunchtime fade into the background.
Ashi: (between bites) "So… how's Max doing?"
Tom: "Yeah. Where is he anyway?"
Sam kept his expression calm, voice matter-of-fact. "He also took admission here."
Tom and Ashi choked on their food. For a few seconds, they just stared.
After swallowing water and calming down, they managed to speak in unison.
Tom & Ashi: "What — he's here? Where now?"
Sam: "He's in Class 10, Section A."
Ashi's face went from shock to indignation in a heartbeat. "How have we not run into him yet? Where's he roaming?"
Tom: "Section A? I'll tell him to switch to B."
Ashi: "That's rude. He didn't even come to find us on the first day — I'll give him a proper beating."
Sam: "He'll be a little late. First day things happen. Don't worry."
Tom softened slightly. "All right, Sam. Don't get into trouble until lunch. I'll explain everything then. This school may look big and fine on the outside, but it has darkness inside it too."
Ashi: (leaning forward) "If anyone gives you trouble, call us. You're Max's younger brother — that makes you our younger brother."
Sam: "I'll be fine. You don't have to worry."
Tom: "Class is starting. We'll head to our rooms first."
Ashi slung an arm around Sam's shoulder. "Don't get lost, rookie."
They left, Tom and Ashi's footsteps fading into the crowded hall. Sam finished the last bites of his meal, shouldered his bag, and started walking toward his classroom.
Muttering to himself: I should've asked them for directions.
After fifteen minutes of wandering the hallways, he finally found the sign above a door. "IX — Section A"
"Finally," he breathed. Relief tightening his shoulders, he reached for the handle.
Just as he was about to step inside, someone slammed into him from behind. Books rattled, his bag swung wildly, and his balance wavered.
He spun around, eyes wide in shock. Standing in front of him was someone he hadn't expected to see. The world seemed to shrink around that single moment, leaving only him and the mysterious figure before him.
---