Race 2 — Branch
Kaiyo and Tsuki sat comfortably on a thick, low-hanging tree branch just above the ground. Peace filled the air, and from time to time, small monkeys passed by, busy with their own lives — paying little attention to the two friends.
Kaiyo stared into the distance, his gaze fixed on the worn-out path.
Kaiyo: "That race taught me more than I expected. It wasn't just about who was fastest. You had to anticipate every move, adapt to the unpredictable track, and most of all — not let your own fears break you."
Tsuki nodded, listening carefully.
Tsuki: "Exactly. The Rashed Race is more than just a competition. It's a test of character, knowledge of the terrain, and knowing how to seize every opportunity. Without that, even the best gear won't help."
Kaiyo turned to his friend, determination flashing in his eyes.
Kaiyo: "Gorun was really strong. No one had ever beaten him before. When I passed him, I felt like I broke more than just his dominance — I broke through my own limits."
Tsuki gave a small smile, though there was something serious behind it.
Tsuki: "This is only the beginning. Apepolis has no shortage of challenges. There are still many roads and obstacles ahead — and not all of them can be predicted."
At that moment, Kaiyo noticed a figure walking nearby. Their eyes met for just a second — not with hostility, but enough to stir something in Kaiyo. It was another Japanese macaque like him, but there was something… hard to define.
He moved calmly, almost too calmly, with a quiet, focused presence that hinted at experience — maybe even deep knowledge of the track.
Kaiyo: "Is he… a racer too? He doesn't look like just anyone. But I've never seen him before."
There was an aura about him — not strange, but hard to ignore. Something that lingers in your mind even after a brief glance.
Tsuki glanced at the stranger too but didn't say a word. And that was probably for the best — Kaiyo wouldn't have known what to say either.
The unknown macaque disappeared without a word, vanishing among the trees and buildings like a shadow. Kaiyo kept looking at the spot where he'd vanished, as if trying to read something from it. But nothing more happened.
Tsuki leaned forward slightly, picking up a small twig from the ground and turning it in his fingers.
Tsuki: "You seem deep in thought. Something off about him?"
Kaiyo shrugged.
Kaiyo: "I don't know. Just… had a weird feeling. Like he knew this world a little too well. Like he's seen things most of us haven't."
Tsuki: "Maybe. But here in Apepolis, everyone has a story. Some just haven't come to light yet."
They sat in silence for a moment. Little monkeys darted by again, hopping from roots to rocks. Somewhere in the distance, someone shouted joyfully. Peace returned.
Until they heard heavy footsteps.
From the bushes stepped two figures — a massive gorilla with broad shoulders and clenched fists, and a tall mandrill with red and blue markings on his face, wearing a scowl of displeasure.
Mandrill: "You the one who beat Gorun?"
Kaiyo didn't get up. He looked up calmly.
Kaiyo: "And if I am?" — he replied casually.
Tsuki instinctively shifted back, almost slipping off the branch, but managed to catch himself just in time. He was smaller than the newcomers, and although he tried to stay calm, his tail twitched slightly, and his gaze flicked nervously between the two. He could sense danger.
The gorilla furrowed his brow.
Gorilla: "You think that means something? That you're better than all of us now?"
Kaiyo: "I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone. I raced the best I could. I won. That's it."
Mandrill: "That wasn't just a win. You humiliated Gorun. In front of everyone."
Kaiyo: "Maybe he should've raced better."
Silence fell. The gorilla stepped forward, and Tsuki froze, holding his breath. But the mandrill raised his hand, stopping his companion.
Mandrill: "Watch your mouth, macaque. Gorun doesn't forget."
They turned away, but just before disappearing into the trees, the mandrill added:
Mandrill: "This city doesn't like it when the order changes. And you just changed something."
They vanished into the forest. Only then did Tsuki let out the breath he'd unknowingly held.
Tsuki: "Well… that was close."
Kaiyo: "And that's how trouble starts."
Tsuki: "So what now? You think you'll keep racing, even with others challenging you and some looking to cause trouble?"
Kaiyo looked at Tsuki thoughtfully.
Kaiyo: "I won't lie — I'm a little scared. That race opened my eyes to how much more is out there. And that mandrill and gorilla… yeah, they pissed me off. But maybe that's exactly why I want to keep going. Because if not now, then when? I can't just stand still and pretend things are easy — I've got to go through it."
His eyes suddenly lit up with a spark of determination, brightening his face — he was ready for anything. And finally, a sincere smile appeared.
Kaiyo: "I have to win. Not for fame or money, but to change Apepolis. So everyone here gets equal rights. So we can finally live in peace."
That smile said more than words.
Tsuki nodded, seeing that his friend truly believed in what he said.
Tsuki: "It's easy to talk about peace when guys like Masaru run things. That mandrill from the Iron Bridge only pretends to keep order. Truth is, he rules through fear."
Kaiyo: "I know. And his buddy Karugo? That gorilla who solves everything with brute force. He doesn't want change. Just control."
Tsuki: "And Sena, the capuchin… She acts peaceful, but she plays both sides. One day with Masaru, the next against him. No one trusts her anymore."
Kaiyo: "Don't forget Zenkai. The gibbon from the Root Bridge. Even the guards are afraid to go in there without permission. Each one of them controls a part of this city."
Tsuki: "And you? You want to change all of that… alone?"
Kaiyo (softly, with a smile): "Not alone. But someone has to start."
Suddenly, the mood was broken by a distant voice.
Mother's voice: "Kaiyo! Dinner's ready, come now!"
Kaiyo hesitated for a moment, then smiled.
Kaiyo: "Guess it's time to head back."
Tsuki: "Alright, see you later, Kaiyo."
Kaiyo waved goodbye.
Kaiyo: "See you, Tsuki."
They both turned and went their separate ways, grabbing onto branches and swinging from one to the next, heading home through the treetops.