Takeshi: "Aye ma, where Larenzo at?"
Mia didn't look up from the dishes. "He gon' be back when you back from school, most likely."
Takeshi slung his backpack over his shoulder, tying his shoes. "Ite, mom."
"Be good now," she called after him.
He stepped outside into the soft morning light, the air smelling faintly of asphalt and last night's rain. The bus hissed to a stop at the corner, brakes squealing as it pulled in. Takeshi checked his phone a couple of messages from Rebecca and shook his head before walking up the steps.
"Hurry and sit down, Tsuki," the driver grumbled.
Takeshi made his way to the back, where Dennis and Zay were already claiming seats.
"Yurr," Zay greeted, leaning back casually.
"What's good, bro," Dennis added, nodding.
They bumped hands all around before Takeshi dropped into the seat across from them, leaning sideways to talk.
"You do that study guide for Ms. Banks?" Zay asked, eyes narrowing in mock judgment.
Takeshi groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. "Man hell nawl, that shit too long."
Zay sighed, throwing his head back. "Your ass."
Dennis smirked, rifling through his bag. "If you're asking him for his, don't that mean you ain't do yours either?"
"Shut up, bruh," Zay muttered, rolling his eyes.
Dennis held up his neatly organized packet like a trophy. "Stop crying, bruh, and both y'all take a picture."
Takeshi snatched the paper, giving Dennis a grin. "You always coming through, bruh."
Dennis shrugged. "Do yo work, and you won't have this issue."
Takeshi waved him off. "Ite, ite."
Zay leaned closer. "Oh yeah Shawn told me to tell y'all to meet up at his crib after school."
Takeshi snapped a picture of the study guide. "What he got going on?"
"Hell if I know," Zay replied with a shrug.
Dennis looked down at his lap, hesitant. "I might be able to pull up."
Zay raised an eyebrow. "Why you say that?"
"Got some stuff going on with my momma," Dennis muttered.
Takeshi glanced back at him, frowning. Dennis shook his head, like he didn't want to explain further. "Nun like that. Ima see how it go down before I speak on it."
"I feel it," Zay said, nodding slowly.
Outside the bus window, Takeshi noticed a small squad of MPF patrols moving along the street. Their sensor helmets glowed faint blue, boots echoing against the concrete, a reminder that even school didn't feel truly safe anymore.
"MPs getting heavy around here," Takeshi muttered.
"Yeah," Dennis replied, leaning back. "Heard they found an unregistered Mark somewhere in this block. Bro gotta be strong if that many showed up."
"Maybe, man," Zay said, handing back the study guide.
Takeshi tapped his phone. "Ima send it to you, Zay."
"Ite, bro," Zay said, tucking the paper into his backpack.
The bus rumbled down the street, bouncing lightly over potholes, taking them closer to Parkway High the kind of school that felt both alive and dangerous, its dome of MPF drones scanning the perimeter like silent watchers.
Walking through the halls, Takeshi let his backpack slip lower on his shoulder. The noise was loud, lockers slamming and students shouting across the corridors. Parkway was never quiet not with Mark Patrollers occasionally walking the halls, their sensors scanning for unauthorized abilities, their presence making even casual laughter feel a little risky.
Girls waved, whispering Zay's name. "Hey, Takeshi!" one called, tucking her hair behind her ear as she passed. He nodded, trying to act casual.
"Zay, you doomed the test today" Dennis teased, elbowing him.
"mann..," Zay muttered, ducking under a backpack someone swung past.
They slowed a little near a row of lockers, watching as students walked about. One kid was showing off his hoverboard to a small crowd while a group of girls laughed at some stupid joke. Takeshi felt the tension ease a little the normal chaos of school was familiar, almost comforting, even with the MPF drones hovering above.
"Im cooked," Zay said, nudging Takeshi. "Ms. Banks ain't playin'."
"For real bro," Takeshi muttered, pushing the doors open to the classroom.
Inside Ms. Banks' classroom, the smell of old paper and pencils hit them immediately. The bell rang, and chatter dimmed to a low hum. Students shuffled to their seats, whispering and giggling. Ms. Banks didn't look up from her papers.
"Phones away. Test starts the moment you sit down," she said without lifting her head.
Takeshi dropped into his seat, Zay and Dennis flanking him. He could hear the faint tapping of pencils, the scratching of erasers, and the occasional sigh from someone next to him. Girls whispered his name a few times; he ignored them, half-smiling under his breath.
The test dragged on. Takeshi scrawled answers lazily, Zay focused, Dennis giving an occasional "Yo, this is wrong" glance. By the time the bell rang again, they were more than ready to get out.
Stepping into the courtyard, sunlight hit them like a soft wave. The ground smelled faintly of wet grass, concrete, and the lingering smoke from last night's city traffic. Students lounged on benches, some tossing basketballs, some leaning against the railings of the elevated walkways.
They walked, joking about last night's rumors and who scored what in their games. Takeshi spotted a girl walking by and felt her eyes linger. She gave him a soft, flirty:
"Heyyy, Takeshi."
Dennis whistled. "Oooooohhhh."
Zay laughed, elbowing him. "Oh yea wait till Rebecca finds out."
Takeshi's face flushed red, and he muttered something under his breath. "Man, shut up."
They strolled toward the benches under a big oak tree, sitting for a moment to just chill. The chatter, the sunlight, the smells—all of it made the school feel alive, like they belonged somewhere.
"Y'all ready for later?" Zay asked, stretching his arms behind his head.
"Oh yea that shi with Shawn," Dennis replied, smirking.
"Y'all know how he is," Takeshi added, shaking his head.
By lunchtime, the cafeteria was packed. The hum of voices, clanging trays, and the occasional drone buzzing overhead made the room feel alive and chaotic.
Shawn was already there, hoodie half-off, sitting in the middle of a small crowd. Girls giggled, leaning close, and a few guys hung on every word he said. He caught their eyes the moment they walked in, a cocky grin spreading across his face.
"Bout time y'all got here," Shawn said, swinging his legs over the chair.
Takeshi and Zay sat down while Marr slid into the empty spot beside Takeshi, keeping quiet but alert.
The group talked lightly, Shawn teasing, Zay joking, Dennis cracking small jokes. Around them, students whispered and stared their little circle a pocket of attention in the crowded cafeteria.
Then Shawn's gaze caught someone across the room.
Mike.
Leader of another crew. Equally popular. Equally cocky. His eyes locked with Shawn's, mean and unblinking. A spark of tension hung between them like static electricity.
Zay noticed the demeanor change in Shawn and he frowned
Zay muttered, "…Here we go."
Shawn leaned back slightly, letting a sly smile tug at his lips. Mike glanced at him, tray in hand, a girl by his side, as he walk to throw away his tray
Shawn spoke loud enough for Takeshi and the others to hear:
"Some people walk like they own the place, but can't even pass algebra…"
Takeshi snickered, Zay barely holding back a laugh. Dennis shook his head, trying not to crack up.
Mike turned slowly, voice low:
"…Ain't shit funny what u laughin fo."
Mike group rose immediately, moving toward Takeshi's table, chairs scraping. The tension thickened.
Before anything could happen, teachers rushed over, shouting:
"HEY! BACK TO YOUR TABLES! NOW!"
The moment broke, but the air between the two groups was still buzzing with an unspoken challenge.