The Good Times

Arnik burst out the front door, feet pounding the pavement as he tore down the sidewalk. His white hair bounced with every stride, and his sharp blue eyes locked straight ahead. He didn't bother locking the door behind him.

They lived on the edge of Tokyo X—where the neat, quiet 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 tidy 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 zipping 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.

"Kai! Hurry up or we'll miss it!" he shouted over his shoulder.

Across the street, a front door slammed open just as Arnik's voice echoed through the neighborhood.

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 sleeping. His brown eyes blinked fast behind slightly crooked glasses. He was dressed as if someone who'd thrown his clothes on in a panic and hoping 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…" Kai yelled at Arnik.

Then—clank… clank… clankclankCLANK.

A horrible metallic racket hurtling down the street behind him."Huh—?"

He turned his head just in time to see it.

A shopping cart. Barreling straight toward him.-

His heart skipped when he noticed who was inside and who was behind it.

Charging full speed, pink hair flying like a banner in the wind, was Rose—a Demi-Cat in her natural element: chaos. Her cat ears twitched with uncontainable energy, and her tail lashed behind her like a ribbon caught in a storm. Whatever this was, she was clearly enjoying it way too much.

And inside the cart—

Aika. Draped back like royalty, long black hair spilling over the metal edges. Her eyes were half-lidded, her expression distant. She looked like she was seconds from falling asleep, completely unfazed by the fact she was riding a stolen cart down a residential street at top speed.

Kai froze, eyes wide.

"…What am I even looking at?"

Rose gave the cart one last push and grinned. "Taxi service."

Then, with a sharp inhale, he slapped a hand over his face. "Rose. Why—how—do you even have a shopping cart?!"

Rose grinned, as if the answer was obvious. "Found it. No one was using it, so I just, borrowed it without permission."

Kai dragged his hand down his face. "That's not how borrowing works! And Aika—how are you even asleep in there?!"

Aika opened one eye. "It's comfortable. Try it."

"No,"snapped Kai.

"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." Kai complained, then climbed in.

He climbed in.

The moment he sat down—WHAM.

Rose charged forward, sending the cart flying.

"YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE BRAKES! NOT SO FAST IDIOT!", Kai panicked.

"Brakes are for cowards!" Rose called out, laughing.

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.

"You're gonna eat dust!" she yelled.

In one smooth motion, Arnik leapt onto the back of the cart, his balance perfect. His white hair whipped around him in the wind. "Still ahead," he grinned.

Kai looked between the two of them. "This thing's barely holding together! What is wrong with you?!"

"It's fine," Arnik said, barely phased.

"It's a shopping cart!"

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. "This thing's not built for three! LET ALONE FOUR!"

"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."

"Oh, come on," Rose teased. "Admit it—you had fun." Kai narrowed his eyes. "That's not the word I'd use." Arnik clapped a hand on his back, laughing. "Hey, you survived."

Kai groaned, dragging himself after them. "Why do I even hang out with you people?"

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!"