The Crazy Four

Chapter 9: Queens of the Street

Saturday afternoon arrived, and Sakura was filled with nervous energy. She'd spent the past few days replaying Eunchae's whispered invitation over and over in her head, trying to decipher its meaning. What risk was she talking about? What was waiting for her at subway station M22?

Sakura pulled on her favorite pink varsity jacket and a white baseball cap, tucking her long hair underneath. As she slipped out of the East Wing dorm, she couldn't help but feel both excitement and a bit of nervousness. While her friends were probably hitting the mall or catching the latest blockbuster, Sakura was about to embark on a journey that could change her life forever.

No pressure.

Sakura arrived at subway station M22 ten minutes early. She leaned against a pillar near the southeast gate, her flightskate bag slung over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the crowd. The station was bustling with people, a mix of shoppers, commuters, and tourists, their faces a blur of indifference. No one seemed to notice the nervous girl with the flying board, waiting for a rendezvous with destiny.

Five minutes later, a figure emerged from the throng, her silhouette instantly recognizable even beneath the oversized light grey bomber jacket and the red beanie pulled low over her eyes.

Eunchae. Her bubblegum expanding and contracting between her lips, her sunglasses perched on the tip of her nose like a shield. She spotted Sakura and gave her a quick wave.

Eunchae stopped in front of Sakura, her intense gaze peeking over the sunglasses. She held up three fingers.

"Three terms," she said, her voice low and serious. "One: you're willing to take any risk. Even if it means jeopardizing your professional dreams. Even if it means... putting yourself in danger. I don't want to be responsible for anything that happens."

Sakura's breath caught in her throat. Danger? What kind of danger? But she'd already made up her mind. If this was what it took to get Eunchae's help, to unlock the secrets of her Hoverblitz genius, then she was all in. She nodded, her heart pounding.

"Two: you don't tell anyone about this," Eunchae continued, her voice even lower. "Not your friends, not your teammates, not even your pet hamster. Got it?"

Sakura nodded again, getting nervous even more. This was serious. This was... secret.

"What's number three?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"You'll help me defeat the final boss in Altissista," Eunchae said, keeping her serious tone.

Sakura frowned. "...You're still using that ridiculous party lineup, aren't you?"

Eunchae just shrugged, her bubblegum popping softly. "Shut up," she mumbled, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.

Sakura rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but grin. She nodded, accepting the third term.

"Ready?" Eunchae asked, her voice regaining its serious edge.

"So... what are we doing?" Sakura asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Where are we going?"

"We're catching a train downtown," Eunchae said, already turning towards the platform. "Wait here, I'll be back in a minute. Just grabbing a drink. Want anything?"

Sakura shook her head, her mind racing. Downtown? What was waiting for her there?

Eunchae returned a few minutes later, just as the train pulled into the station. "Here ours," they stepped inside and the doors sliding shut behind them.

The train rattled through the tunnels, each stop shedding more passengers until it was just Sakura, Eunchae, a couple of elderly folks dozing in their seats, and a woman in a corporate uniform with her eyes glued to her phone. By the time they reached the last station, the platform was practically deserted. For a Saturday night, this part of the city felt eerily quiet.