The sky was still dark when Aswa opened his eyes at 4:30 AM. His cramped room - no wider than an empty storage space - felt icy as the morning air seeped through cracks in the weathered walls. Moving sluggishly, he sat on the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath as if gathering fragments of his soul scattered in his dreams.
Creak!
The wooden floor groaned under his steps as he headed to the bathroom. The sudden rush of water shattered the morning silence, making Mondy, Arca, and Momus - still asleep in the corner - shiver unconsciously, as if the cold droplets had touched their skin.
After his shower, Aswa toweled off his hair roughly, water dripping from his muscular frame, exposing the half-healed scars of past battles. He threw the window wide open, letting the biting dawn wind rush in. Mondy immediately curled up like a freezing kitten.
"Hmm... Let the sky see me shine before it does. HAHA!" Aswa suddenly laughed to himself, challenging the yet-to-rise dawn.
He slipped into loose gray sweatpants and a dark green training shirt before stepping onto the sidewalk. His movements were fluid - wrists rotating, knees bending, body stretching. After a short jog, he returned to the yard and began drilling his techniques.
Swish! Thud!
Every kick and punch split the air, sending dry leaves scattering as if caught in a storm. His form was flawless, as though his body had memorized every motion over years of repetition.
An hour passed.
Sweat streamed down Aswa's temples. He stopped, wiping his face with his forearm, then stepped back inside. His gaze shifted to his still-sleeping friends:
Mondy lay sprawled on his back, mouth agape, snoring like a broken engine.
Arca clung tightly to his favorite pillow, face innocent as a child's.
Momus was slumped over a wooden chair, mumbling: "I told you, don't call me King!"
Aswa sighed. He tried waking them one by one - useless. Arca even pretended to sleep deeper when shaken.
"Tch, you really think I didn't notice you faking it?" Arca finally opened his eyes, grinning smugly.
Mondy rubbed his eyes sheepishly, embarrassed to see Aswa already fresh. "Ugh, now I feel ashamed..."
Momus was about to speak when Mondy cut in: "Stop mumbling nonsense before breakfast! It's rude!"
"Sorry!" Momus bowed, but his eyes lit up at the sight of food on the table.
Aswa had already prepared a spread: stir-fried water spinach with chili, fluffy omelets, and steaming rice. The scent of garlic and hot oil still lingered in the air.
They devoured the meal, then got ready to leave.
The Trip to Meruya Utara
"Let's go!" Mondy took the lead, marching briskly toward the minibus stop.
The bus was packed - housewives with grocery bags, uniformed students, and vendors hauling baskets. Aswa and his crew, dressed casually, stood out like sore thumbs.
"Ugh... it's suffocating in here!" Mondy complained, his face scrunched up.
"If you want comfort, buy your own car!" Arca smirked.
Mondy glared. "If it weren't for you, my minibus wouldn't have exploded, you damn Minibus Hunter!"
"Minibus Hunter? HAHAHA!" Aswa burst out laughing.
"Shut up, Aswa! You're just as bad! You- You-!" Mondy stammered, lost for words.
"You shorty!" Momus chimed in.
"Shut it, Momus!"
Meeting Zay
Upon arriving at SMA Meruya Utara, they immediately drew stares. Passing students paused, eyeing Aswa's group - clearly not in uniform - with curiosity.
But Zay was already waiting. With a faint smile, he motioned for them to follow. The room they entered was clean and bright, desks arranged neatly like a professional meeting space.
"He really acts like a good kid now," Arca whispered.
"Huh? That was obvious yesterday, Arca! Damn it!" Mondy snapped.
"Who said it was obvious?" Momus asked innocently.
Mondy just sighed and signaled for Momus to shut up.
Zay sat across from them, two bodyguards standing behind. "We'll discuss our strategy against Kembangan," he began, his tone steady.
But Aswa didn't respond immediately. His sharp eyes studied Zay's every move.
"Before that," Aswa suddenly spoke, "is it really all of SMA Meruya Utara allying with us?"
Zay froze. "O-of cou-" He hesitated, then forced a smile. "Of course!"
"Then let's end this," Aswa stood, his voice firm.
"What? Why the sudden change?!" Zay shot up, his expression shifting - the fake smile gone, replaced by wariness.
Both sides tensed. Arca dropped into a fighting stance, while Zay's guards braced themselves.
The air in the room turned thick, as if a single breath could trigger an explosion.
"If it's useless, why keep it?" Aswa said softly, yet every word hit like a hammer.
-TO BE CONTINUED-