Stories From Tokyo-To

Chapter 22: Slow!

As we followed the trail of wires and extensions, it became pretty apparent that skating wasn't an option. The concrete was replaced by dirt and thick, uncut grass. Seems like not only was the school abandoned, but the landscapers had to hightail it out of there too. The groan of the machine reverberated through the air the closer we got. Benisu and I crouched behind a line of overgrown shrubs, close enough to see what we were dealing with.

The cables fed into a large generator tucked away behind a tangled mess of foliage, the perfect spot for the Noise Tanks to hide their hijacked power source. It was loud, though—too loud. Even through the thick greenery, it sounded like the thing was ready to blow.

"We could just shut it off," Benisu whispered, tilting his head toward the humming box. His voice was steady, but I caught the flicker of nerves in his eyes.

"And let them know we're here?" I shook my head. "They'd be on us before we got ten feet. We need something subtle. You know... low-key sabotage."

"Subtle?" He was lost in thought, then smirked, his face breaking into that lopsided grin he always wore when he was about to say something brilliant... or dumb.

"You got something in mind?"

"Gum, don't you think that generator is in need of a new paint job? Y'know, like a facelift?"

I rolled my eyes. "Why yes, Benisu, I do think it needs a small touch-up."

He leaned closer, peering through the leaves at the machine, flashing me a quick smile. "A job like this would usually take a team of twelve, three lunch breaks, and a whole bunch of funding... but, with a little bit of elbow grease, but I think we can work our magic!"

"Sounds like a plan, foreman!" I said, almost smiling despite myself. He had that effect—always making things feel a little less dire, even when we were seconds away from being caught.

We were working out the logistics when the metallic tread of skates echoed nearby. I grabbed Beisu's arm, pulling him lower into the bushes just as two Noise Tanks emerged from a side path. They cut through the clearing, heading straight toward the school.

Benisu used a nervous smile as an apology. I ignored him.

We stayed frozen until their whirring and beeping disappeared into the distance. Then he let out a low whistle. "Close one, huh?"

I glared at him. Unamused.

He chuckled, quiet enough not to draw attention. "So, spray-painting, huh? What were you saying earlier?"

I glanced back at the transformer. "We pop it open, tag the insides, and hope it fries enough to buy us some time. The hard part's putting the cover back on without them realizing someone's messed with it."

"Exactly what I was thinking!" he said with a grin. "And here I thought breaking into a gang's hideout with nothing but spray paint and attitude was the hard part."

"You've got a lot of jokes for someone who couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag," I shot back, crossing my arms.

"Which is exactly why you're going in, and I'm staying out here," he countered, his grin softening. "Look, I'll handle the generator. You sneak into the school first. You're better at the whole 'breaking and entering' thing anyway."

I made a face at him. "What makes you think I'm good at 'breaking and entering'?"

"You came in and out of the mall for that one belt last Saturday night." He said, deadpan.

"Point proven. But, kid, what if you get caught–"

"I won't," he said firmly, cutting me off. "I can do this, Gum. Trust me. Besides, if things go south, you're better at handling them. Show them your iconic gut punches!"