With his thoughts still lingering on the strange encounter with his parents, Kazuya made his way to school. The bustling streets of Neo-Tokyo greeted him, filled with the chatter of early morning commuters and the scent of street vendors selling breakfast.
As he walked, Kazuya couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his stomach. The conversation with his parents replayed in his mind, each word dissected and analyzed for hidden meanings. But he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the familiar path that led to his school.
Upon arriving at school, Kazuya spotted his two friends, Hiro and Mei, waiting for him near the entrance. They greeted each other with cheerful smiles, their camaraderie easing some of the tension that still lingered within Kazuya.
"Hey Kazuya, you ready for the presentation today?" Hiro asked, adjusting his backpack on his shoulders.
"Yeah, I think so. Hopefully, it goes smoothly," Kazuya replied with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Mei nudged him playfully. "Don't worry, Kazuya. We've got this. We've put in so much effort into our project, it's bound to impress everyone."
Kazuya nodded, feeling a surge of confidence at Mei's words. Together, the trio walked towards their classroom, engaging in light-hearted banter along the way.
However, their pleasant conversation was soon interrupted by the unwelcome presence of a few classmates who had been lurking nearby. With sneers on their faces, they began to make snide remarks about Kazuya, Hiro, and Mei, trying to provoke a reaction from them.
"Have you heard about that white haired boy and his buddies? They're all hyped up about their project," one girl snickered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Yeah, I heard they've been spending all their time in the computer lab, trying to develop some kind of advanced AI. Like they actually think they can create a sentient program or something," another classmate chimed in, rolling her eyes.
The group burst into laughter, their taunts reverberating down the hallway. Kazuya couldn't help but overhear as he passed by, a flush of embarrassment staining his cheeks.
"They're just a bunch of weirdos playing with code. I bet their presentation is going to be a joke" a boy jeered, eliciting nods of agreement from his peers.
Hiro's fists clenched at his sides, his frustration palpable. Mei shot Kazuya a sympathetic glance, her determination unwavering.
Ignoring the taunts, Kazuya and his friends exchanged knowing glances, choosing to rise above the petty gossip. Instead, they focused on their preparations for the presentation, discussing last-minute details and offering words of encouragement to each other.
Finally, the teacher called for their attention, signaling the start of the presentation.