Souta's squad stood outside the Tenshiko Academy gates, the neon buzzing overhead like a swarm of pissed-off electric bees. Ishigo shuffled his feet, voice barely a mutter, "Bruh… this mission's got me feeling like a cat in a dog shelter."
Daigo, puffing out his chest like he swallowed a protein ad, smirked, "Relax, Ishigo. I'm here. You basically got a walking hype man with you."
Ishigo side-eyed him. "Yeah, your hype's more like a broken radio."
Yeaga, hair whipping like he just walked out of a shampoo commercial, leaned in and whispered, "Yo, Ishigo, bet your folks were Instagram models or something. That glow-up ain't natural."
Yeji rolled his eyes so hard it sounded like a clap. "Bro, can you chill? Stop stalking my face like it's your ex's DMs."
Yeaga grinned, "Nah, I'm just appreciating the art. Plus, if I marry, it's gotta be a girl. No offense, but dudes don't vibe with me."
Yeji smirked, "Bruh, you're like a rom-com lead who refuses the gay subplot."
Ishigo threw up his hands. "Listen up, lovebirds — Tenshiko's got zero chill for any 'couple goals.' Friendship, romance, bromance — all banned. Strict vibes only."
Souta cut in, dead serious, "One slip and you're off the squad faster than you can say 'terminated.'"
Yeaga raised a brow. "So what if I catch feelings for a girl here? That's cool, right?"
Souta's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Cool? Nah. You get caught? Expect a punishment so savage you'll be reconsidering your life choices."
Daigo groaned. "Man, sounds like some ancient toxic relationship drama."
"Back in the day, a couple here got so obsessed they ended up killing each other during a mission," Souta said, voice low. "Whole academy felt that loss."
Ishigo swallowed hard. "Jesus… So why's this mission even a thing?"
"To take down the Shikiban King who wiped out 500 Kageshiki. Dude's basically the final boss of this whole damn game," Souta said flatly.
Yeji's mouth dropped open. "Wait, that guy's legit scary?"
"Yeah, but old-school Kageshiki were basically toddlers compared to us new blood. We're stronger, faster, smarter. We got this," Reika added, calm but deadly.
Suddenly, a wild thud behind them as Miyu Ki Iburashi, Top 4, appeared wearing a dress that looked like it lost a fight with a paint explosion. She slapped Souta on the back like a pro wrestler. "Let's move it, dweebs."
Kaname Hisakawa, Top 9, strolled in like he was the chillest CEO ever, hands in pockets. "Breakfast was worth the delay."
Miyu crouched near Reika, grinning like a sugar-fueled kid. "Hey, newbie! You look like you just escaped a horror movie. Need a hug?"
Reika blinked. "No thanks. Personal space, please."
Miyu shrugged, "Suit yourself, ice queen."
Yeaga bounced on his heels, "Alright, time to catch the bullet train before it ghost us."
Inside, the train was packed tighter than a can of sardines at a concert. Yeaga spotted a girl glued to her phone, fingers flying like she was negotiating world peace.
He swaggered over, plopping down with all the subtlety of a dropped bass. "Hey, looks like you're suffering from 'commuter boredom.' Lucky for you, I'm the cure."
The girl blinked, confused. "Is that some new app or…?"
Yeaga grinned. "Nah, it's me. The human WiFi hotspot of chaos."
Nearby, a dude groaned like the soundtrack to a soap opera. An old lady fanned herself, muttering, "These kids are wild."
Daigo suddenly whipped out his phone, blasting obnoxious J-pop so loud everyone in a five-car radius was involuntarily dancing.
He flailed his limbs like a broken robot, launching his bag straight into a salaryman's lap.
"YEAH! TIME TO SMASH SOME SHIKIBAN—AHH—WOAH, WHOA!" Daigo tripped, face-planting into a seat, knocking over a cup of green tea.
The tea spilled sloooowly, like the universe was mocking them all.
Reika buried her face in her hands. "Someone save me from this circus."
Souta leaned against the door, voice deadpan. "How do you train in this chaos? I'm losing brain cells just watching."
Yeaga nudged the girl. "Ignore the disaster dancing. He means well… kinda."
The girl giggled nervously.
Daigo grabbed a seat handle, turning it into a makeshift mic. "WHO WANTS AN EXCLUSIVE LIVE SHOW?"
The train lurched. Daigo nearly hit the ceiling, clutching the handle like a lifeline.
"That was almost a one-way ticket to ER, dude!"
Yeji reluctantly bobbed his head to the beat. "Okay, I'm low-key into this."
Miyu clapped sharply. "Alright, enough. Before the conductor calls security."
Kaname deadpanned, "You're literally the loudest person here."
Miyu shrugged. "Someone's gotta keep this madhouse in line."
Reika muttered, "Madhouse? We're a zoo exhibit with no cages."
Yeaga gave her a conspiratorial grin. "Relax, you're the sane one. The rest of us are the live comedy."
Reika shot him a look that could freeze lava.
Yeaga turned back to the girl, striking a ridiculous pose. "I'm training to be a Kageshiki. Think monster hunter but with way more swag."
The girl's eyes lit up. "That's amazing! Teach me sometime?"
Yeaga winked. "Only if you're ready to survive the chaos."
Daigo started a one-man drumline on the floor, pounding his fists and feet like a wild percussionist.
A nearby businesswoman shot him a 'please stop' glare sharp enough to cut glass.
Reika whispered, "Is it too late to just teleport out of here?"
Yeji chuckled, "Pretty sure this nightmare's permanent."
The train jerked again. Daigo flew forward, slamming face-first into the window.
"Is this a train or a roller coaster?" he groaned, rubbing his nose.
The old lady sighed. "Kids today… no respect."
Kaname sighed, "At this rate, we'll never make it to the mission."
Miyu muttered, "Or in one piece."
Reika leaned back, exhausted. "This isn't a mission. It's a live comedy show with zero tickets sold."
Yeaga grinned. "And I'm the headliner."
Reika groaned. "Please, no more starring roles."
Random passenger #1 grumbled, "Wanted a quiet ride, not a circus sideshow."
Teen passenger #2 giggled, "This squad's my new favorite reality show."
Grumpy old dude shook his cane, "Back in my day, trains were for naps, not noise."
Yeaga leaned to the girl again. "Look, if this mission blows, we just start a boy band. 'Kageshiki Chaos.' Number one on every chart."
The girl laughed, "Deal. But only if Daigo ditches the dancing."
Daigo threw up his hands. "My moves are legendary!"
Reika buried her face. "End me now."
Souta shook his head, smirking. "If we survive this train ride, you're all leading the next mission."
Yeaga winked at Reika. "See? Even the boss knows we're pure chaos."
Reika groaned. "More like disaster on wheels."
The train rattled on, chaos rolling deep, ready or not.