Chapter 14: The Homecoming

The helicopter touched down at Subang Airport, and the pilot handed me a cryptic message. "Maruk's arranged a private transport for you. Good luck, kid.”

As I stepped out of the helicopter, I spotted a military transport airplane in the distance. A loud, booming voice echoed across the tarmac.

"Hey! Over here! We're waiting for you!”

I jogged towards the plane, my eyes widening in surprise. A Malaysian Air Force officer greeted me, his expression stern.

"I'm Alex... Is this...?" I trailed off, unsure what was happening.

The officer barked, "Yes! Now, hurry up! We're about to take off!”

I sprinted up the ramp and into the plane. What I saw took my breath away. A team of heavily armed soldiers, clad in special forces insignia, stood at attention. One of them, a grizzled veteran with a scar above his left eyebrow, eyed me with interest.

"So, you're Maruk's boy, eh?" he said, his voice low and gravelly.

I nodded, still trying to process the situation. "Yeah... Do you know him?"

The soldier chuckled, a hint of fear in his eyes. "Yeah, we've worked together. That guy's a ghost – no emotions, no attachments. And his 'hound dog'? Forget about it. That guy's a one-man army.”

I smiled wryly, understanding exactly what he meant. "Yeah, I get it."

The soldier nodded, a hint of respect in his voice. "I think you do, kid. Now, buckle up. We've got a long flight ahead."

The Hercules AC130 roared to life, its engines thundering as we lifted off the ground. The pressure pushed me deep into my seat as we soared into the sky.

In-flight, the soldier who'd introduced himself as Lockbolt grinned at me. "So, kid, what's your handle?”

I hesitated, unsure what to say. Lockbolt chuckled. "Don't worry, kid. We use code names. Nicknames only.”

I thought for a moment before shrugging. "I... uh... I don't know."

Lockbolt's grin widened. "Maruk's told me a lot about you. How about 'Lobo'? Means wolf, kid.”

I raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Fine. Lobo it is.”

My curiosity got the better of me, and I asked Lockbolt, "So, are you going on a mission?"

Lockbolt's expression turned serious. "Classified, kid. But let's just say Maruk's got intel that our target's hiding deep in the jungles of Sabah.”

I whistled softly. "That's a tough place to infiltrate."

Lockbolt nodded. "That's why we're here. And from what I've heard, you've got skills that'd put you right at home in the special forces.”

I shook my head, a wry smile spreading across my face. "Nah, I'd rather be an anthropologist.”

The plane fell silent, the soldiers exchanging disbelieving glances. One of them groaned, "Shit! He still thinks that's an option!"

Lockbolt chuckled, pulling out a wad of cash. "Alright, pay up, guys! I told you he'd stick to his story!"

Two hours passed in a flash as we soared over the skies, the landscape below shifting from lush forests to urban sprawl. Finally, the plane banked and turned, descending towards the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu.

Lockbolt's expression turned dead serious, his voice low and urgent. "Alright, Lobo, time to drop you off. You're going in solo.”

I nodded, my heart racing like a jackrabbit. Lockbolt clapped me on the back. "You've handled yourself well so far, kid. Just remember, stay sharp.”

As I geared up to jump, one of the soldiers called out, "Hey, Lobo! Got any tips on how to take down those clones?”

I flashed a confident grin. "Just assume they're as tough as you guys – and then some."

The soldiers chuckled, their faces set with determination. Lockbolt gave me a thumbs-up. "That's the spirit, Lobo! Now, go show 'em what you're made of!”

With a fierce battle cry, I leapt out of the plane, the wind rushing past me like a tornado. The ground rushed up to meet me, but I deployed the parachute just in time, slowing my descent.

I gazed down at the ground below, my heart still racing with excitement. I spotted my house, the familiar roof and walls a welcome sight.

I released the parachute and landed safely on the grass, rolling to absorb the impact. I sprang to my feet, dusting myself off.

But as I reached into my bag, my eyes widened in surprise. A gun lay nestled in the depths, two clips attached. A note was scribbled on the side – "From Lockbolt. Stay sharp, kid.”

I stared at the gun, my mind racing. How was I supposed to hide this in school?!

But I didn't have time to worry about that now. I grabbed my bike and sped off towards school, the wind whipping through my hair. I glanced at my watch – 10 am. I was already late.

Time to make an entrance.

I speed down the road, the wind whipping through my hair as I approach the school. As I turn the corner, I notice a group of guys loitering in front of the school gates. They're not from my school, and they look like they're up to no good.

II skidded my bike to a stop, my eyes scanning the crowd. What was going on? Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the din.

"Hey! Nice bike! That's mine now, move!" A burly guy stepped forward, his eyes fixed greedily on my bike.

I raised an eyebrow, my mind still reeling from the morning's events. Is this guy for real? I cracked a wry smile. "Well, I guess it's time for a workout.”

The guy, Handal, reached for my bike, but I’m quicker. In a flash, I punched him square in the jaw, sending him flying into the crowd. The onlookers gasped in shock.

I turned to the crowd, my eyes scanning their faces. "Hey, aren't you guys supposed to be in class or something?"

One of them spots me and his eyes widen in surprise. "Hey, isn't that...?" he starts to say, but his voice trails off as his eyes lock onto mine.

The guy's face goes white, and he takes a step back, his eyes fixed on me in terror. "A-Alex?" he stammers.

The other guys turn to look at him, confused, but the guy's already backing away, his hands raised in a defensive gesture. "N-no, we don't want any trouble...!" he says, turning to run.

The other guys hesitate for a moment before following him. I watch them go, a mixture of confusion and amusement on my face. What's going on? Why are they so scared of me?

I shrug and park my bike, wondering what other surprises the day has in store for me.

I clinch my fist and asked them “I need a workout kinda missed it…”

The crowd erupted into chaos, some of them cheering, others jeering. Handal struggled to his feet, his face twisted in anger. "You're going to pay for that, kid!"

I zeroed in on Handal, my fists clenched and ready to strike. But what happened next even caught me off guard. My punch connected with a sickening crunch, and Handal's head snapped back like a rag doll. The sound of his skull cracking was like a melon splattering on the pavement.

Handal's body flew off like a human projectile, crashing into a nearby dumpster. He crumpled to the ground, out cold.

The rest of the group stared at me in horror, frozen in terror. I charged towards them, my fists flying in a whirlwind of punches and kicks. I was a force of nature, unstoppable and unrelenting.

"YOU GUYS SHOULD HAVE STAYED OUT OF THIS!" I bellowed, my voice echoing off the buildings.

In a matter of minutes, I took down almost 30 of them. The ones who were still alive were barely clinging to consciousness, their bodies battered and bruised.

As I stood, surveying the carnage around me, I couldn't help but crack a smile. "Well, that was fun.”

But my grin was short-lived, as I heard the sound of sirens approaching in the distance. "Oops. Guess it's time to make like a ghost..."

I strolled towards the entrance, the guard's eyes widening in surprise. "W-welcome back... uh…?"

I flashed him a mischievous grin. "Just forget what you saw, okay?" I winked, and the guard's eyes darted nervously towards the carnage outside.

I sauntered into the office, where a loud commotion was underway. Papers were scattered everywhere, and Melissa, our student council president, was frantically trying to gather her files. She looked up, her eyes widening in shock.

"You're back?! Eh? How on earth...?" She trailed off, her gaze fixed on me.

I chuckled, jerking my thumb towards the window. "Uh, check again... outside.”

Melissa's eyes followed my gesture, and her jaw dropped. Mr. Rahman, our principal, rushed to the window, his face pale.

The scene outside was chaotic. The guys I'd taken down were strewn across the ground, looking like they'd been hit by a tornado. Melissa's eyes darted back to me, her expression a mix of shock and awe.

"A-Alex, what... what happened?!" Mr. Rahman stuttered.

I shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "No idea what you're talking about, sir."

Melissa's eyes narrowed, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Save it, Alex. I know you're involved in this somehow.”

I chuckled, holding up my hands in mock innocence. "Who, me?”

Melissa flashed me a warm smile, though her eyes sparkled with a hint of curiosity. "Yeah, but whatever. Anyway, welcome back. I'm waiting for your report... then.”

Mr. Rahman's eyes gleamed with interest, his voice dripping with anticipation. "I'm eager to see what MCKK's been cooking up. What kind of programs have they got their hands on?"

I launched into a detailed account of my adventures, from the program and subsequent return. But just as I was hitting my stride, a commotion erupted outside.

Mr. Rahman's expression turned serious, his eyes locked onto mine. "Well, since we have a new problem…"

But before he could elaborate, I felt a growing sense of unease. It was as if Mr. Rahman was angling for something, his eyes gleaming with an unnerving intensity.

I held up my hands, a hint of exasperation creeping into my voice. "Uh, I've had enough of that kind of stuff, okay? Can I just enjoy my school time without any more... extracurricular activities?”

Mr. Rahman's grin was like nails on a chalkboard, his eyes glinting with amusement. Melissa, on the other hand, watched me with an expectant gaze, her eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement.

Melissa's eyes sparkled with a hint of intrigue as she leaned forward, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Well, we'll see about that... anyway, thanks for the report. And it seems like you've arrived at just the right time.”

Mr. Rahman's expression turned grave, his eyes clouding over with concern. "We've got a new problem on our hands. A troublemaker has been stirring up trouble, trying to agitate the former elite students into causing chaos.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing. "But what's worse is that he's recruiting goons to do his bidding. Luckily, Sylvia's been taking them down with ease... but still."

I snorted, a wry smile spreading across my face. "Like a cockroach... never changes, huh?”

Mr. Rahman's expression turned stern, his eyes flashing with a hint of warning. "Alex, this is no laughing matter. We need to take care of this problem before it escalates any further."

Melissa nodded in agreement, her eyes locked onto mine with a serious gaze. "We'll need settle this, Alex."

I stood up, a defiant glint in my eye as I flipped Mr. Rahman and Melissa the bird. "Fine... let me see what I can do..." I muttered, stalking out of the office.

Mr. Rahman's voice called out after me, "Better go see your little sister, Alex!"

I raised a hand in acknowledgement without turning back. "Plan to..." I trailed off, pushing out into the hallway.

As I emerged into the corridor, I was greeted by a sea of curious faces. Students were clustering around the entrance, their voices buzzing with excitement and concern.

I pushed my way through the crowd, my eyes scanning the scene outside. Police cars were parked haphazardly, their lights flashing as officers milled about.

A boy's voice rose above the din, his face red with anger and worry. "WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!”

I watched as he pushed through the crowd, his eyes wild. There was something familiar about him... Ah, wait a minute!

I reached out to grab his arm, but he shook me off, his eyes blazing with anger. "GET OFF ME!" he snarled, shoving past me.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. What was his problem? And what was going on here, anyway?

As I pushed through the crowd, I spotted two familiar figures - Mr. Faruq and Mr. Haqeeb. They were standing off to the side, observing the chaos with amused expressions.

Mr. Faruq's face lit up with a warm smile as he approached me. "Hey!!! You're back, kid!!!"

Mr. Haqeeb chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Did they manage to teach you something, or did you spend the whole time causing trouble?”

I grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie with these two. "Yeah... a lot. Plus, I got a lot of info..." I trailed off, trying to sound nonchalant.

Mr. Haqeeb nodded, his expression serious for a moment. "Well, then... we'll meet again at home. We have a lot to discuss.”

Mr. Faruq's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "I'm pretty sure this is your handiwork..." He jerked his chin towards the scattered bodies outside.

I tried to look innocent, but Mr. Faruq's gaze was unyielding. "Uh, not sure... I just got here, and they were all like this... must have been some tornado or maniac taking them down like that..." I attempted to sound convincing, but Mr. Faruq's knowing glint told me I wasn't fooling anyone.

Mr. Faruq's eyes sparkled with amusement as he said, "Okay, I'll let it pass... for now. It's been a while since they've acted like this. Looks like they might have a new leader..." But I could sense a hint of skepticism behind his words.

I just shrugged and muttered, "Well, I need to get to class..." before beating a hasty retreat.

As I entered the classroom, all eyes turned towards me. The Buccaneers – my classmates – stared at me like I was a ghost risen from the dead.

One of them squealed, "OH MY GOD!!! IS IT GOING TO RAIN?!" Another one chimed in, "HOLY SHIT!!!! IS THE WORLD GOING TO END?!”

The class erupted into chaos, with everyone gathering around me like I was some kind of rockstar. I felt like I was suffocating under the attention.

"HEY, WHAT THE HELL?!" I shouted, throwing up my hands. "I'VE ONLY BEEN GONE FOR A MONTH!!"

I scanned the room, searching for two familiar faces. "Hey, where the hell is Amin and Mariam?" I asked, but before anyone could respond, another student chimed in.

"Seems like they're helping Mr. Rahim... anyway, how was MCKK?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

But before I could respond, another bombshell dropped. "Hey, I heard rumors it's not just boys, but babes too!!!" one of them exclaimed.

My eyes widened in shock as I took in the scene before me. The walls were plastered with posters and pictures of my adventures at MCKK. I could feel my face burning with embarrassment.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" I exploded, my eyes scanning the room for the culprit. "Mariam, you sneaky little…!"

But before I could continue, one of the boys interrupted me, his eyes fixed on one of the pictures. "Whoa, who's that hot babe?! She looks like a Latino girl!”

I followed his gaze, and my heart sank. It was Isabella, posing in her short skirt and looking like a total boss.

"OH DAMN, MAN!" I shouted, throwing my hands up in the air. "WHY THE HELL DID I GET CHOSEN FOR THIS?!”

The chaos continued to erupt around me until everything went black. When I came to, I was sitting in my chair, with Mr. Rahim standing in front of me, a stern expression on his face.

"Uh, captain?" I ventured, trying to sound nonchalant.

Mr. Rahim's expression softened slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You've got guts, Alex. I'll give you that."

I took a deep breath, preparing to launch into an explanation. "Uh... let me explain..."

But before I could get a word out, a high-pitched giggle pierced the air, making my blood boil. I turned to see Mariam standing behind me, her eyes gleaming with a manic intensity.

"Kukuku... you never had a chance trying to meet me first, eh... bro?" she taunted, her voice dripping with malice.

Amin, her boyfriend, stood beside her, a mixture of amusement and annoyance on his face. "Bro!! What the hell, you get all lucky…!!!"

I seethed, my face burning with rage. THAT'S NOT LUCKY, YOU ASSHOLE!!! THAT'S JUST ANNOYING!!!

Before I could lash out, I felt a jolt of surprise as I was tied to a chair. What the hell?!?

I struggled against the restraints, but they only tightened. "Hey... aren't we in school to... learn...?" I protested, but my words fell on deaf ears.

The next thing I knew, I was being pummeled by the boys and girls alike, without mercy. Fists flew, and I felt like I was in a war zone.

"He's the lucky bastard!!!" someone shouted, as the beating continued.

I'd reached my breaking point! With a fierce roar, I shattered my binds and launched myself at the mob, determined to put an end to the madness!

The students were like a pack of ravenous beasts, and I was the prey. But I wasn't going down without a fight!

I made a desperate dash for the door, but Mr. Rahim was hot on my heels, leading the pack with a crazed glint in his eye.

"GET THAT BASTARD!!!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls like a battle cry.

The students responded with a chorus of "GOT IT, CAPTAIN!!!" as they chased me down the hallway like a swarm of angry bees.

I was starting to get desperate. "ITS MR. RAHIM!!! WHY THE HELL YOU GUYS STILL NEVER GET THROUGH YOUR TOUGH SKULL!!!! ARGHH!!!!" Mr. Rahim shouted at them, his face purpling with rage.

And then, in an instant, the tables were turned. Mr. Rahim's gaze fell upon the students, and they were the ones who were beaten down.

"RUN AWAY! THE CAPTAIN IS RUNNING AMOK!!!!" someone shrieked, as the students scrambled to escape Mr. Rahim's wrath.

The bell rang, signaling the start of lunch, and I took advantage of the distraction to make my escape.

I sprinted towards my favorite hideout - the podium on the roof. I needed some time to process the chaos that had just unfolded. Little did I know, things were only going to get more intense from here.

I leapt up the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest like a jackhammer. I burst through the door and emerged onto the rooftop, gasping for air like a fish out of water.

The podium stood before me, a symbol of my sanctuary. I collapsed onto it, exhausted, my lungs burning like I'd just run a marathon.

But as I looked out over the school, I knew that I couldn't stay hidden for long. The chaos would find me, and next time, I might not be so lucky.

I let out a deep sigh, feeling the fatigue wash over me. Might as well take a nap until the heat cools down, I thought, wasting my energy trying to get along with them for now.

As I rested, gazing up at the peaceful skies, I could hear the sound of someone climbing up the roof. I turned to see Hana and Maya emerging from the stairway, big smiles on their faces.

Hana rushed over to me, throwing her arms around my neck in a tight hug. "BIG BROTHER!!!! WHEN DID YOU COME BACK!!!?" she squealed, her eyes shining with excitement.

I chuckled, hugging her back. "Uh... kinda a short trip back, eh?”

Maya stepped forward, a shy smile on her face. "Big Brother Alex... so... how about Big Brother Soro?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I hesitated for a moment before responding. "He said he's with Mr. Maruk..."

Maya's expression darkened, her eyes flashing with anger. She began to bite her fingernails, muttering to herself. "When I get my hands on them…"

Hana noticed my curious gaze and explained. "Maya's staying with us now."

I nodded, smiling. "Well, at least you're not going to get bored with only Big Brother and Sam around, right?”

Hana's face turned bright red as she glared at me. "DUMMY!!! Big Brother, of course I missed my big brother!!!"

Just as I was basking in the warmth of Hana's hug, another pair of arms wrapped around me from behind. I felt a soft, cushy sensation pressed against my back, and my eyes widened in surprise.

BOOBS!!!!!

I knew that touch, that scent, that sultry voice whispering in my ear...

“Darling..."

I turned to see Sylvia's stunning face inches from mine, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Hana and Maya stared at us in shock, their mouths agape.

I felt my face burning with embarrassment. "S-Sylvia... what are you…?!"

But Sylvia just giggled, her breasts pressing even closer against my back. "I've missed you, darling. And I see you're as popular as ever..."

"I'm back...?" I said to Sylvia, trying to sound nonchalant despite the awkwardness of the situation.

But Sylvia just smiled sweetly, her eyes gleaming with a hint of madness. She held up a Polaroid photo, displaying a picture of Isabella and me together.

My eyes widened in horror. That was definitely Mariam's handiwork.

"Like I told you... just going to class, right?" Sylvia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She was starting to sound like a full-blown yandere.

Hana's eyes narrowed, her face twisting into a fierce scowl. She clenched her fist, taking a step closer to me.

"Big brother, you're in trouble!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with rage.

I took a step back, hands raised in surrender. Why the hell was I going through all of this?! First, Mariam's poster campaign, then Sylvia's yandere mode, and now my little sister's wrath...?!

The constant lectures and beatings had left me battered and bruised, with Sylvia's nagging still ringing in my ears. I wondered what other tortures she had in store for me.

But for now, at least, the storm had passed. Hana and Maya were hanging out together on the podium, laughing and chatting like old friends. Sylvia, too, seemed to have calmed down, her demeanor serene once more.

I took a deep breath and began to share my story with her, leaving out the parts about Soro and the clone. I didn't want to drag her into that mess.

"So, that Shinji guy is the main attraction now, huh?" I said, trying to sound casual.

Sylvia nodded, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Yeah... kinda annoying with this new kid around.”

I nodded sympathetically. "Uh-huh...."

Just as we were getting into the conversation, another girl appeared out of nowhere, using the same sneaky maneuver as Sylvia. But before she could reach me, Sylvia blocked her path.

Priscilla, the new arrival, jumped towards me with a huge grin on her face. "Bloody hell, you made it here!!!" she exclaimed in her thick Australian-British accent.

Sylvia's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she shot Priscilla a warning glance. "Aren't you a model student? Maybe you need to take a look in the mirror... and check your attitude.”

Priscilla just winked at me, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Oh, don't worry, Sylvia. I'm not here to steal your boyfriend... yet." She emphasized the last word, her voice dripping with sass.

I face-palmed, feeling like I was trapped in a never-ending harem comedy. Why me?! I thought, my mind reeling with the chaos that seemed to follow me everywhere.

Sylvia's expression turned icy, her eyes flashing with anger. "Priscilla, I'm warning you..." she growled, her voice low and menacing.

Priscilla just chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, Sylvia, you're so easy to wind up." She teased, taking a step closer to me.

I think I've finally found a moment's peace, but no such luck. Mariam suddenly appears out of nowhere, kicking me in the face with her signature roundhouse move.

"Why the hell did you run off?!" she shouts, her eyes blazing with anger. "Leaving us to the wild... and that crazy captain!!!"

Amin rushes to my side, laughing. "BRO!!!! I'm dying!!! Babe!!!! Stop running around, will ya?!" he shouts at Mariam, holding his sides in laughter.

I clutch my face, wincing in pain. "Thanks for the sympathy, Amin."

Despite the chaos, it seems like the whole gang is here, like a usual gathering. Steward, Sylvia's little brother, is chatting with Hazlan and Tama. Sylvia herself is busy preparing lunch, a warm smile on her face.

As we sit down to eat, I notice that Sylvia has made sandwiches, my favorite. I grin, feeling a little better despite the chaos that's erupted.

As we eat, I regale them with tales of my adventure in MCKK. Amin's eyes widen with interest. "That's an elite school, right? Any difference?”

I chuckle. "Well, at least they're not the kind to brag about it... plus, they seem pretty normal to me. Only problem is, some of the girls in the program are a bit... intense."

Amin raises an eyebrow. "I heard your cousin's there too, right?”

I nod. "Yeah... and Mariam, did you know that Isabella's around too?"

Mariam looks up, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Kukuku... with me around, you're not hiding anywhere... kukuku.”

Just then, Siti, my far cousin, joins the group. "Hey, guys! What's going on?"

Sylvia's expression turns protective, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I thought you had extra class today?”

Siti shrugs. "Nah, I skipped it. I'd rather hang out with you guys."

As we lounge around, Mariam launches into a dramatic retelling of the events that have transpired during my absence. Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she recounts how Shinji, the new kid on the block, has become the talk of the school.

"I'm having a hard time controlling them," Priscilla chimes in, shaking her head. "But Mariam here is taking it slow and settling it in one swoop.”

Amin snorts, rolling his eyes. "Well, this problem's been brewing ever since that kid showed up. New kid comes, new drama unfolds. But the goons are the real problem - they're acting like they're interested in this school or something."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Uh-huh... that means there's someone beyond that kid, pulling the strings.”

Mariam's grin grows wider, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Kukuku... you're getting close to the truth, buddy.”

Sylvia shoots Mariam a stern glance, her expression unyielding. "Mariam, stop teasing him. We need to focus on finding out what's really going on.”

I chuckle, feeling a bit relieved. Sylvia is always the voice of reason, and I'm grateful for her level-headedness.

Just as we're getting into the conversation, a loud shout pierces the air.

"HEY!!!!! SYLVIA WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!"

I look up to see Shinji, the same kid who got surprised by the goons earlier, scanning the area frantically.

Sylvia facepalms, shaking her head. "That is Shinji... huh... what a troublemaker junior..."

Mariam chuckles, filling me in. "Yeah, bro... you know, in your absence, Sylvia here's been running the show, making a statement... she's the one who beat down those goons."

I raise an eyebrow, impressed. Shinji looks like someone with an aura similar to Hiew, that notorious bully I took down back in the day.

Priscilla, Siti, and Sylvia clench their fists, eyes fixed on Shinji. But this time, he's not alone. He's brought someone who looks eerily familiar... one of Maruk's former men, if I'm not wrong about it.

The guy's eyes lock onto mine, and he starts walking towards me. I can hear a commotion brewing behind him.

"Asshole, this isn't what I signed up for!" he shouts, flipping Shinji the bird.

Shinji's face twists in anger. "Bastard! Why the hell are you walking away?!"

The guy turns to me, a hint of a smile on his face. "That's my brother-in-arms... so fuck off." He raises his fist in a symbol of brotherhood.

I respond in kind, and Mariam and Sylvia exchange a curious glance.

Amin leans in, whispering, "Is that one of the guys from…?"

I nod. "Yep... he's one of Maruk's men. From that rescue mission, remember?"

Amin's eyes widen. "Yeah... kinda don't want to remember that.”

Sylvia's eyes light up with curiosity. "What's going on?”

Mariam whispers something in her ear, and I pray she doesn't twist the story. Sylvia's eyes narrow, and she approaches me, pinching my thigh with a painful grip.

"Uh-huh..." she says, her eyes glinting with amusement.

As we continue our conversation, ignoring Shinji's antics, he suddenly leaps onto the podium, his face reddening with rage.

"STOP!! IGNORING ME!!!" he thunders, his voice echoing through the area.

We all just continue with our conversation, completely disregarding him. Shinji's face twists in anger, his eyes bulging.

"I SAID!!! STOP IGNORING ME!!!!" he screams, his voice cracking with desperation.

Hana's had enough. With a swift trip, she sends Shinji crashing to the floor. Maya follows up with a perfectly aimed knee, sending Shinji's eyes spinning.

"You're being too noisy!" Hana scolds, her hands on her hips. "We're trying to rest here!"

Maya offers Shinji a sandwich, a sweet smile on her face. "Aww, I think he's lonely... want a sandwich?”

Shinji's face darkens, and he pushes Maya away. But Maya's not having it. With a quick counter, she sends Shinji slamming into the podium wall.

"Ahhh!!! That hurt, you bitches...!!!!" Shinji yelps, clutching his head.

Maya and Hana clench their fists, ready for round two. "If you can't beat us, might as well forget about it... senior..." Hana warns, her eyes glinting with amusement.

Shinji's face twists in rage. "Fuck you!!!" he screams, charging at the kids.

But Steward's not having it. With a swift tackle, he sends Shinji flying into the wall again.

"Pick someone your own size," Steward says calmly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Kind of embarrassing fighting against someone younger than you…"

The 8-year-old's calm demeanor is something you don't see every day. Shinji's eyes widen in shock, his face pale with anger and embarrassment.

Shinji's face is a picture of shock and outrage. "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!!!! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS!!!!?”

Just then, Mr. Tanaka appears out of nowhere, bowing deeply at us. "Forgive me, students... this is my son... and you must be Alex... I've heard a lot about you from Mr. Rahman.”

I return the bow, trying to compose myself. "Sorry about that, sir... but I believe he needs to learn some common sense.”

Mr. Tanaka's expression changes in an instant, and he bursts out laughing. "HAHAHAAH! You're right! He has no common sense when it comes to social etiquette! Anyway, please be good to him... or even better, shape him up! He's an idiot, after all.”

I sense a strange aura emanating from Mr. Tanaka - it's like he's hiding something beneath his polite demeanor. I've seen that kind of aura before, usually in mafia bosses or gang leaders. My instincts are on high alert.

Shinji's face is still red with anger, but he seems to be hesitating, unsure of what to do next. Mr. Tanaka's words seem to have taken the wind out of his sails.

Mr. Tanaka's expression turns stern, his eyes narrowing at his son. "Well, then, son... apologize to them.”

But Shinji's having none of it. "Fuck you, old man!!!" he spits, storming off.

Mr. Tanaka sighs, shaking his head. "I'm sorry about that... he's still learning.”

Sylvia and I exchange a concerned glance. "You're okay, Mr. Tanaka?" we ask in unison.

Mr. Tanaka forces a smile. "Yes, I'm fine... but it seems my son is not used to this lifestyle yet. He always thinks everything will go according to his plan.”

I sense a deep sadness in Mr. Tanaka's eyes, a feeling of resignation.

Then, he turns to me, his eyes piercing. "What do you think about him?"

I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. "Well, he's just like me and Mariam here... we're all from the States, and we've all got our own baggage. But I think he's just... naive.”

Mr. Tanaka nods, a hint of a smile on his face. "Yeah... that's why his mom asked me to move out here. She wanted him to experience a different life."

As I listen to Mr. Tanaka's story, I feel a pang of sympathy for him. He's a complex man, with a deep sense of loyalty and duty.

My inner voice, Frederica, pipes up. "Just help him, will ya? He's still a boy who thinks he's in Japan.”

I turn to Mr. Tanaka, offering him a smile. "Hey, why don't you hang out with us for a bit? We've got lunch to share.”

Sylvia chimes in, offering Mr. Tanaka a plate of food. "Yeah, please join us! We'd love to have you.”

Mr. Tanaka's face lights up with gratitude. "Thank you... thank you so much. I'd love to join you.”

As we sit down to eat, Mr. Tanaka launches into a story about his past as a high-ranking Yakuza officer. His wife, Akane, is the daughter of the Yakuza boss, and Shinji's mom.

Mr. Tanaka's eyes take on a faraway look. "Well... Akane did say to me that Shinji needs a new environment, and I never wanted him to lead the gang. The 'okashira'... the boss... said to me, 'Don't let my grandson become a Yakuza or get involved in any gang’."

I listen, entranced, as Mr. Tanaka's story unfolds. It's a tale of loyalty, duty, and the struggle to break free from the past.

Mariam drops a bombshell, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, this boy here... kukuku..." She tugs on my head, her smile growing wider. "He's also famous in LA as a gangster…"

Mr. Tanaka's face lights up with surprise, and he bursts out laughing. "Well, looks like we're in the same boat then! But 102 is a famous gang, even our boss knows about it... plus, when Akane told me they finally closed the case last year... which I couldn't believe was you involved in it, eh?”

My eyes widen in shock, and I feel a cold sweat trickling down my head. How the hell does he know all this?! I ask him again, trying to keep my cool. "Could you tell me who's willing to share that story, then…?"

Mr. Tanaka's grin grows wider. "Well... Tracy and Hawk are good colleagues of mine... never knew you had a thing with her daughter, eh?”

The atmosphere suddenly becomes tense, with Sylvia and Priscilla exchanging a deadly glare. Priscilla's arm tightens around my head, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, bloody hell! What a ripper of a coincidence! The bloke who designed my dress is the same one who's got a crush on you, eh, love?”

Sylvia mutters to herself, her eyes narrowing. "Eh... Natalie is really that famous, eh?"

I feel like I'm caught in a web of drama, with no escape in sight!

Mr. Tanaka bursts out laughing, clearly entertained by the scene unfolding before him. "If Shinji's willing to hang out with you all, that'll be a huge relief for me and Akane!"

Just then, his phone rings. He answers it, and a stern voice echoes through the loudspeaker.

"Ohayo... eh, Akane... well, Shinji's being a bit of a child... thinking he can take on everyone..." Mr. Tanaka's voice is laced with amusement.

Akane's response is immediate and fiery. "Well, that asshole's going to get a beating from me, then!”

We all stare at the phone, shocked by Akane's outburst. Mr. Tanaka's sweating, and his eyes are wide with a mix of fear and amusement.

"Where are you?" Akane demands.

"I'm with a group of students... Shinji picked a fight with them," Mr. Tanaka explains, not sugarcoating the truth.

There's a pause, and then Akane's voice drops to a deadly tone. "When I get my hands on my son…"

We all cringe, feeling the tension emanating from the phone. Mariam jumps in, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Don't worry about it, Mrs. Akane! We'll help him!"

Akane's response is immediate. "THANK YOU!!!”

Mr. Tanaka explains, "She's the vice president of the student council..."

Akane's gratitude is palpable. "Thank you so much! I'll be coming there after I settle things here in Japan.”

As the call ends, we all breathe a collective sigh of relief. Mr. Tanaka wipes the sweat from his brow, chuckling.

I nod in respect, impressed by Mr. Tanaka's calm demeanor. "Well, that's how she is as a person…"

Mariam jumps in, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Well, like I said, since Alex is here, we can finally implement some new programs. And I believe Shinji is exactly the kind of person we're looking for... especially after you shared his profile.”

Mr. Tanaka's expression turns somber, and he pauses, collecting his thoughts. "Yeah... he's been through a lot. When he was just 7 years old, he was kidnapped..."

A trigger point, indeed. I can see the pain in Mr. Tanaka's eyes.

But then, he drops a bombshell. "Well, Akane spoiled him rotten... to the point where Shinji thinks he's special.”

I stare at Mr. Tanaka, my jaw hanging open. His wife is the one who's been coddling Shinji?! No wonder he's got an attitude problem!

Mariam's eyes light up with excitement. "Uh... okay... now I see... He's got potential as a student council member!”

The podium falls silent, with Sylvia's lunchbox clattering to the ground and Priscilla's eyes wide with shock. I'm still trying to process Mariam's words.

"HUH?!?!" we all exclaim in unison.

Mr. Tanaka bursts out laughing, clearly amused by our reactions. "If Akane heard this, she'd raise an eyebrow, for sure!"

The bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. As we file out of the courtyard, Mr. Tanaka calls out to me.

"Hey, Alex! Do you have a minute to talk?" he asks, his eyes serious.

I nod, curiosity getting the better of me. We head to the teachers' office, the sound of our footsteps echoing down the empty hallway.

As we sit down at his desk, Mr. Tanaka leans forward, his expression grave. "I've heard you're the president of the HELP club... is that right?”

I raise an eyebrow, wondering where this is going. "Is this something you need help with?" I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.

Mr. Tanaka's face twists with concern. "It's about my son... he's gotten himself involved in something dangerous, and I'm at my wit's end. I was wondering if you could... look into it for me. I'm worried sick.”

At first, I'm tempted to tell him to take a hike. But there's something about Mr. Tanaka's story that tugs at my heartstrings. Maybe it's the way he talks about his son, or the desperation in his eyes.

I nod, making a split-second decision. "Well... we'll see what we can do. I've heard the student council is working on something to flush out the real mastermind behind all this…"

Mr. Tanaka's eyes light up with hope. "Really? That's great to hear!" He pauses, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You know, I think I'll make things official. I'll be the faculty advisor for the HELP club. That way, you'll have my full support... and resources.”

I stare at him, surprised by the sudden offer. But hey, having Mr. Tanaka on our side could be a game-changer. I nod, a slow smile spreading across my face.

"Welcome to the team, Mr. Tanaka.”

We seal our agreement with a firm handshake. I give Mr. Tanaka a stern warning. "For now, just observe what he's doing. But if he threatens anyone close to me... just remember, I won't hesitate.”

Mr. Tanaka's smile grows wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Well, that's what he'll get if he tries to cross you. And I won't interfere... he need to learn too."

With our understanding in place, I head back to class. But as I walk in, I'm greeted by a familiar, menacing voice.

"WELL, WELL, WELL!!!! Aren't you a blessing!!!!"

I cringe, knowing I'm in for it. Our homeroom teacher, Mr. Rahim, is notorious for his... creative... disciplinary methods.

First, it was a surprise parachute drop at my house. Now, I'm facing a real beating from the captain himself!

You can imagine the rest...