Tom and Ashi stood up from their seats as the warning bell echoed through the cafeteria.
Tom stretched slightly and said, "Let's go. The bell already rang — I don't want detention on the first day."
Ashi followed, waving lazily toward the trio still sitting. "Try not to cause another scene, alright?"
Then, turning halfway, he added with a half-grin, "Especially you, Sam."
Sam looked up from his half-finished meal. "Hey, that was not my fault this time!"
"Yeah, yeah," Ashi waved off, smirking as he walked away with Tom.
Soon, the cafeteria grew quieter. Only a few students lingered, chatting or scrolling through their phones.
Sam, Max, and Moco sat at the same table, sunlight filtering through the glass panels behind them, painting long golden lines across the floor.
Max leaned back casually, spoon twirling in his hand. "So, Moco, right? Tell me — how did you even end up liking this guy?" He tilted his head toward Sam with a teasing smile.
Sam blinked in disbelief. "Wait, what?! I told you she used me! She literally called me her boyfriend to escape a situation!"
Moco rolled her eyes, irritation flickering across her face. "I didn't use you. I just didn't want unnecessary attention on the first day. You happened to be standing there."
Sam smirked, resting his chin on his palm. "So… you did use me."
"Shut up," she muttered, cheeks puffing slightly.
Max chuckled, amused by their back-and-forth. "You two sound like a married couple already."
Sam pointed his spoon at him. "Don't even start, Brother Max."
But then, Sam's expression turned curious. "Hey, are you into boxing or something?"
Moco nodded. "Yeah. Been training since I was a kid. My dad runs a small dojo."
Max gave an impressed nod. "That explains a lot. Your posture, the way you glare… that's a fighter's discipline."
Then he glanced at Sam again, voice dropping to a mock warning tone. "Anyway, Moco, just keep an eye on this fool. He doesn't miss a single chance to make a scene."
"You don't have to worry about him, senior brother," she said playfully, trying the words.
Max raised an eyebrow. "Senior brother? Huh. Sounds good actually… but just call me Brother Max."
"Alright then, Brother Max," she replied, smiling faintly.
Max smiled back, satisfied. "Good. Now let's move before another rumor starts flying."
Sam sighed and got up, carrying his tray. "If people are gonna talk anyway, I might as well give them something to talk about."
Moco rolled her eyes but followed, her steps in rhythm with theirs as they left the cafeteria together — three figures walking side by side, the light behind them fading as the lunch hour ended.
---
A few corridors away, Tom and Ashi were walking toward their class. Their footsteps echoed softly through the hallway — the calm after the noise.
Then suddenly, Ashi's phone buzzed in his pocket.
Tom side-eyed him. "Didn't I tell you to keep it on silent?"
"I forgot," Ashi said quickly, already pulling it out.
But the moment he saw the screen, his expression froze. His usual grin disappeared.
Tom noticed immediately. "What now?"
Ashi exhaled slowly. "Just what we expected… they've already gone viral." He turned the screen toward Tom. "The school's official page — posts, comments, even a short clip. The title says 'New Student Takes Down Seniors on Day One.' It's filled with their names — Sam, Max, and that girl, Moco."
Tom frowned, rubbing his temples. "Exactly what I feared. It's only been half a day, and the whole school's talking."
He stopped walking, eyes narrowing. "We need to talk to the Vice President before this spreads further. If the higher-ups take it the wrong way, it'll cause chaos."
Ashi locked his phone, slipping it back into his pocket. "Do you really think he'll listen to you after you turned down his offer last year?"
Tom stayed quiet for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. "I don't know. But we can't let history repeat itself."
Ashi glanced out the window as they walked, watching students chatting below in the courtyard. "You mean the fights last year…" His tone darkened. "When the clubs went at each other, and the teachers lost control."
Tom nodded. "Yeah. And this time… we might not be able to avoid it."
Ashi sighed. "There's also Max. He doesn't know what's really going on in this school yet. If he finds out too late, he might jump straight into the middle of it."
Tom gave a half-smile. "Knowing him, he will jump straight in. He's not the type to stand by."
Ashi nodded thoughtfully. "Then let's leave the choice to him. Whatever he decides, we'll follow. You know why I'm saying this, right?"
Tom looked over. A quiet understanding passed between them. "Yeah… his mind. The way he thinks ahead, sees the patterns before anyone else. Even in chaos, he finds a path."
Ashi chuckled faintly. "Exactly. That's why no matter what happens, I trust his call."
They continued walking, the noise of the distant classrooms blending with the faint sound of wind brushing through the windows.
Finally, Tom broke the silence, glancing at Ashi with a wry grin. "Still, I swear — if those two cause one more commotion today, I'm shaving my head and joining the monks."
Ashi burst into laughter. "Deal. I'll bring the razor."
Their laughter faded down the hall, replaced by the faint hum of notifications pinging on Ashi's phone again — more messages, more rumors, more eyes turning toward the new trio.
---
Later that afternoon, in an office on the top floor of the main building, a student sat behind a desk — clean uniform, silver badge pinned neatly to his chest: Vice President of Indus High.
He scrolled through his phone, expression calm but his eyes sharp. On the screen played a short video — Sam knocking down the seniors near the gate that morning. The comments were filled with excitement, curiosity, and warnings.
The Vice President leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as the video looped again.
"So," he murmured to himself, voice almost amused, "the new pieces have finally entered the board."
He smirked slightly, resting his chin on his hand. "Let's see how long this peace lasts."
---