Arnik burst out the front door, feet hitting the ground hard as he tore down the sidewalk. His white hair bounced with every step, his sharp blue eyes focused straight ahead. He didn't pause to lock the door. He didn't even check if Kai was following.
"Kai! Hurry up or we'll miss it!" he shouted, voice echoing down the street as his sneakers slapped against the pavement.
They lived on the edge of Tokyo X—right where the clean order of the suburbs brushed up against the city's glowing heart. This part wasn't filled with sky towers or neon signs. It was rows of neat homes, tree-lined streets, and smooth sidewalks. Yard lights flicked on as the sun dipped lower. A few families were out tending to evening chores. A delivery drone zipped quietly overhead.
Here, it felt lived-in. Quiet. Real.
But Arnik had no interest in quiet.
He raced past trimmed hedges and motion-lit porches, cutting around a corner and disappearing behind another row of houses.
Three blocks back, a different door slammed open.
Kai burst out of his house, already winded. He practically tripped over the step as he came out, catching himself on the rail. His orange hair was messy, one side flattened from where he'd been laying down too long. His brown eyes blinked fast behind slightly crooked glasses. He was dressed like someone who'd thrown his clothes on in a panic and hoped no one would notice.
He looked around, spotted the distant blur of Arnik, and groaned.
"You couldn't wait five minutes…" he muttered, pulling his glasses straight and jogging after him. "Every damn time."
He picked up speed, though his steps weren't nearly as smooth. His bag bounced awkwardly on one shoulder as he ran.
"Not everyone runs on jet fuel, you lunatic…"
Then—sharp metal clattering from the alley just up ahead.
Kai snapped his head toward the sound and stumbled to a stop.
A shopping cart wobbled out into the street, rolling unevenly like it had a mind of its own. Behind it, running full speed, was Rose. Her bright pink hair bounced as she pushed the cart with full force, her green eyes wide with excitement. A pair of soft feline ears twitched above her head.
Inside the cart sat Aika, leaned back like she was on a lounge chair. Her long black hair spilled over the sides, green eyes half-lidded. She didn't even seem to be holding on.
Kai stared. "What… am I looking at?"
Rose gave the cart one last push and grinned. "Taxi service."
Kai blinked. "You stole a shopping cart?"
"It was abandoned."
"That's not the same thing!"
Aika opened one eye. "It's comfortable. Try it."
"No."
"There's room," Rose said, nodding at the spot next to Aika.
Kai looked at the cart. Then at them. Then at the street. Then gave up.
"I hate all of you."
He climbed in.
The moment he sat down—WHAM.
Rose charged forward, sending the cart flying.
Kai immediately grabbed the sides. "WHY ARE THERE NO BRAKES?!"
"Because brakes slow you down!" she yelled.
They zoomed down the street, cutting through the neighborhood like a missile with wheels. A lawn maintenance drone beeped angrily as they passed too close. A Demi-Wolf couple stepped aside quickly with their toddler.
Up ahead, Arnik turned the corner and looked back. When he saw the cart, he laughed.
"You serious?! That's your plan?!"
"It's working!" Rose shouted.
Aika yawned. "Smooth ride."
Kai held on tighter. "THIS ISN'T NORMAL!"
The street opened wider, and the local community theater came into view at the end of the block. Its lights glowed softly against the early evening sky. People were already gathering near the doors.
"We're almost there!" Arnik called out.
Rose gave one final push. Arnik sprinted forward, then jumped—landing clean on the back of the cart.
"I win," he said.
Kai nearly tipped the whole thing. "Three people! This thing's not built for three!"
"It's barely built for one," Rose said.
The curb approached fast. Arnik leapt off, ran ahead, and caught the front handle. His feet scraped the pavement as he forced the cart to a stop. It shuddered violently—then finally halted.
All three spilled out.
Aika landed on her feet.
Kai rolled onto the grass. "Never again."
Rose stretched. "Fun, wasn't it?"
Arnik helped Kai up. "Come on. Markus is about to start."
Rose's ears perked up. "They're calling him!"
Without waiting, she grabbed Aika's wrist and ran toward the theater. Kai followed, stumbling behind.
They made it through the doors just as the lights inside dimmed.
Then—
The speaker crackled.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our final contestant of the evening—Markus Seiryuu Sentryon!"