Bam: "Alright," he said at last, his voice calm but final. "I think I've made everything clear. If you need anything else, you can ask me."
Ashi, who'd been half-locked in a mock fight with Tom, suddenly froze. His eyes sharpened.
"Where does the money go?" he asked.
The question landed like a hammer.
A single sentence—but it cut through the air sharper than any blade.
Tom's hand, which was gripping Ashi's collar, stilled. Both of them turned toward Bam in unison, their expressions tightening, their gazes demanding.
Max, sitting on the couch with his hands folded, exhaled through his nose and dragged one palm down his face.
You idiot… not the time for that question, he thought grimly. You just poked the hornet's nest.
Bam's expression shifted instantly.
The faint calm that once lingered in his eyes evaporated—replaced by something cold, mechanical, almost inhuman.
His gaze fell on Ashi first, then Tom.
It wasn't anger. It was something far worse—disappointment layered over quiet authority.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees. Even the fluorescent light flickered faintly, as if reacting to the pressure.
Tom's throat went dry. His heartbeat quickened, thudding against his ribs.
Ashi clenched his jaw, trying not to show any fear.
Then, slowly, Max moved.
His hand slipped away from his face, fingers dragging down until only his eyes were visible. They were steady, emotionless, and sharp—like the surface of still water hiding a current beneath.
For a brief moment, Bam's eyes locked with Max's.
Cold authority met quiet defiance.
Tom's mind screamed, We're doomed.
Bam held the silence for a few more seconds before finally exhaling through his nose and looking up at the ceiling. When he spoke, his tone was deep, deliberate, and oddly calm.
Bam: "Great question… but you won't get the answer as easily as you think."
He began walking forward, slow and steady, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble floor.
"You see, you only know a fraction of what's really happening in Indus High. You have questions—many of them. And I know you want answers. But the truth…" He paused, looking directly at Ashi. "The truth has to be earned."
He stopped near the center of the room, folding his hands behind his back.
Bam: "If you want to know where the money goes—if you want to understand this place—you'll have to prove yourselves first. Help the Council. Survive the chaos that's coming. When it's over… you'll get your answers."
The weight of his words sank into the trio like stones into still water.
Ashi's confidence faltered for the first time that day. His throat tightened. Tom swallowed hard, glancing sideways at Max.
Ashi opened his mouth, ready to argue, but before he could speak—
Max stood up.
No words. No explanation.
He simply placed a firm hand on Tom's shoulder, pried him off Ashi, and began walking toward the door.
His silence said everything.
This wasn't fear—it was strategy.
Ashi stared for a second, then exhaled sharply and followed, muttering something under his breath.
The heavy wooden door creaked shut behind them with a thud that echoed through the quiet council chamber.
Bam stood motionless, his hands in his pockets, watching the closed door for a long moment.
His face was unreadable. His eyes, distant.
Then, quietly, almost to himself, he muttered—
Bam: "They'll understand… soon."
---
Scene shift — Cafeteria
The noise hit like a wave.
The smell of food, sweat, and chaos blended together into the signature scent of Indus High. The cafeteria was alive with shouting, laughter, and the occasional crash of a tray hitting the floor.
Amid that chaos, three bullies lay groaning on the ground—faces swollen, uniforms wrinkled. Standing over them was a senior, broad-shouldered, tall, and calm. His fists were relaxed, but the power in his presence said enough.
Senior: "I hope you guys remember this lesson."
His voice wasn't loud—but it carried.
He looked down at the bullies one last time, then turned toward the exit. His expression was neutral, almost bored, as if the entire fight was nothing more than an inconvenience.
From the corner, Sam and Moco watched silently.
Sam (whispering): "He blocked everything without even trying…"
Moco: "That wasn't blocking. That was… control."
The senior pushed open the door and stepped out.
But before he could take another step, he noticed three familiar faces coming his way—Max, Tom, and Ashi.
They looked exhausted, slightly out of breath from running down the hallway.
Ashi (panting): "Why the hell did we run? It's not like Bam was gonna eat us!"
Tom (flatly): "Then go back and check."
Ashi blinked, then smirked awkwardly. "Yeah… no thanks. Appreciate the rescue, though."
The senior stopped in front of them, towering slightly over the three. His presence alone was enough to draw attention from nearby tables.
Ashi's grin faded. Great. From one boss to another.
The senior broke the silence.
Senior: "You guys are Tom and Ashi, right?"
Tom: "Yeah, that's us."
The senior's eyes shifted to Max.
Senior: "And you're Max. I want to have a word with you."
Max frowned slightly.
Max: "How do you know my name?"
Ashi, always one to ease the tension with sarcasm, interrupted.
Ashi: "Can we talk while eating, senior? I'm starving."
The senior gave him a blank look for a few seconds—then nodded once.
Senior: "Sure. Food first, talk later."
---
Later — Cafeteria table
The noise returned to normal, but one table stood out.
Max, Tom, Ashi, Sam, Moco, and the senior sat together—an odd combination of chaos, curiosity, and quiet respect.
Sam and Moco sat side by side, whispering.
Sam: "Why are we sitting with the guy who folded three dudes like origami five minutes ago?"
Moco: "Because Ashi doesn't know when to shut up."
The senior, catching their whispers, looked up mid-bite.
Senior: "What are you two looking at me for? Scared or something?"
Sam: "N-no! You were just… really cool when you handled those bullies."
The senior chuckled softly, more exhale than laugh.
Senior: "That wasn't much. They just didn't know when to stop running their mouths."
He leaned back, arms crossed loosely. His posture was relaxed—but everything about him radiated discipline.
Senior: "So, you all friends?"
Ashi (grinning): "Yeah, you could say that. We attract chaos together."
Tom (sighing): "More like chaos attracts you."
Max didn't join in. He was still studying the senior—the way his shoulders stayed square, how his eyes scanned the room even while eating. He's not just strong… he's trained.
Finally, Max spoke.
Max: "Senior, how do you know my name?"
The senior glanced at him, tone even.
Senior: "Because you beat up someone from the council."
Tom tensed.
Tom: "Is that… a problem, senior? We can apologize if needed."
Before he could finish, Ashi slammed his palm on the table.
Ashi: "Who the hell is apologizing?"
He glared at Max.
Max lowered his head slightly, quiet for a moment—then looked up, eyes calm and voice steady.
Max: "Sorry, senior. But I'm not going to apologize. I wasn't at fault."
A long silence followed. Then, surprisingly, the senior smiled faintly.
Senior: "I never said you had to. We already know what happened. You just asked how I knew you, and I told you."
He nodded toward Sam.
Senior: "And also because of this sneaky guy sitting here."
Sam: "Wait—you know me? Am I that famous already?"
Moco: "Who wouldn't? You've been punching seniors since the first bell."
The senior—Jake—laughed quietly, cracking his neck.
Jake: "Heh. Anyway, listen up."
The table fell silent.
Jake: "If you've already met the vice president, you know your roles. Max—you're a lone wolf. You can buy your way into Free Rank if you want, but I doubt you'll ever need to. So here's my advice—help the council maintain discipline, or stay out of their way. But don't interfere without reason."
Sam: "If it's about discipline, we'll help too, senior!"
Jake: "Nice confidence. But don't bite off more than you can chew. Some fights in Indus High… aren't meant to be handled by students. Know your limits."
He drained his drink, stretched, and got up, yawning.
Jake: "Alright, that's it."
He turned toward the exit, then stopped halfway, glancing back with a faint grin.
Jake: "Oh—and the name's Jake. You can call me Brother Jake."
He walked off, leaving a silence behind that no one dared to break for a full minute.
Finally, Ashi spoke.
Ashi: "Brother Jake, huh… definitely not a guy I'd want to mess with."
Tom: "Or have as a brother either."
Sam: "Speak for yourselves. I think he's awesome."
Max stayed quiet, eyes still on the doorway.
Lone wolf… huh.
The words echoed again and again in his mind—calm, haunting, heavy.
---