Sonedou

The bell rings. This annoying, jarring sound shatters the silence of the hallway, but for the academy's students, it's sweeter than any music. Especially for those who have just struggled to stay awake for their third lesson in a row.

Welcome to the school with the longest name in town and the most diverse student body. Here, a hereditary aristocrat and a former hooligan from the suburbs can share a desk. Here, the teachers have long since given up on discipline, resigned to the fact that in the back rows, some are sleeping, some are playing handheld consoles, and some are growing an extra pair of limbs out of boredom. But today, we're not interested in the noisy cafeteria, not the gymnasium where balls are constantly rattling, and not a quiet corner of the library. We're interested in a very ordinary science classroom, where the heavy, lingering atmosphere of the last period currently reigns.

Friday. The sun is setting, casting orange reflections on the desks. The teacher, a kindly old crocodile named Vector, is enthusiastically talking about something, periodically tapping his pointer on the map. His voice sounds like the monotonous hum of an old refrigerator. The class is divided into two camps: the first three rows are desperately trying to take notes, clinging to the lifeline of knowledge, while the last desks have completely sunk into suspended animation.

The only exception are two desks by the window. Or rather, one desk and a seat immediately behind it.

At the front desk, right under the rays of the setting sun, sits a blue hedgehog. Sonic. He's not sleeping, but he's not listening either. His right leg shakes nervously under his desk, in time to some internal rhythm, and his gaze is fixed on a single point on the board. He seems to be pondering something grand, like whether he'll have time to run to the gas station for a soda before the vice principal notices him. His face wears a mask of studious boredom, but in reality, he's simply waiting.

Waiting for a signal.

Behind him, on the "Kamchatka" itself, sat a dark hedgehog. Shadow. Unlike Sonic, he doesn't even try to feign interest in anything.

Shadow loves to throw various notes to Sonic, teasing him, while maintaining a serious attitude.