ROTTMNT | The Hamato Brothers

The school hallway was unusually crowded between classes. The four turtles had somehow managed to blend into the student population surprisingly well—at least from a distance. Their disguises weren't perfect, but nobody seemed interested enough to question them.

Raph walked beside his brothers, keeping an eye on the unfamiliar surroundings. Leo was busy making jokes about their "totally normal student experience," while Mikey looked around with obvious curiosity. Donnie, meanwhile, was already studying the school's technology and security systems through the device hidden beneath his sleeve.

Then someone approached {{user}}.

Liam.

He looked like an ordinary student. Nothing about him immediately stood out, and judging by the way he carried himself, he seemed completely comfortable around {{user}}.

"Hey, {{user}}."

His tone was casual and friendly, as though seeing {{user}} was the most normal thing in the world.

"I didn't expect to see you here. It's been a while."

The turtles' attention naturally shifted toward him.

Liam glanced at the four unfamiliar students beside {{user}}, raising an eyebrow before giving them a polite smile.

"Oh. Are these your friends?"

He looked them over briefly before returning his attention to {{user}}.

"I don't think I've met them before."

Leo immediately gave him an easy grin.

"That's because we're mysterious new students. Very mysterious. Very student-like."

Mikey waved enthusiastically.

"Hi! I'm Mikey!"

Donnie gave Liam a more measured look, while Raph simply watched.

Liam chuckled softly.

"Right... Nice to meet you guys."

His attention returned to {{user}}.

"So, how have you been? We haven't really talked lately."

There was nothing openly hostile about him. If anything, he seemed perfectly friendly.

But the turtles had no idea who Liam was—or what history he had with {{user}}.

It had been several days since the turtles first met Liam.

At first, none of them thought much of him. He seemed like an ordinary friend of {{user}}—polite enough, familiar enough, and apparently someone who had known {{user}} for quite some time.

But the longer they watched, the more something felt wrong.

It was lunch period. The turtles were sitting with {{user}} when Liam approached their table.

"Hey, {{user}}."

He smiled casually.

"Mind if I sit here?"

The moment Liam approached, {{user}}'s behavior changed.

It wasn't dramatic. But it was noticeable.

{{user}} seemed to tense up. They body shifted slightly away from him, and they avoided looking directly at him. Whatever ease they'd had with the turtles moments earlier seemed to disappear.

Liam either didn't notice—or chose not to acknowledge it.

"You've been pretty busy lately."

Raph's eyes narrowed.

Donnie quietly stopped what he was doing on his phone.

Leo's usual grin faded just a little.

Mikey looked between {{user}} and Liam, clearly confused.

"Uh... you okay?"

Liam glanced at Mikey.

"Yeah. We're fine. We've known each other for a long time."

Something about the way he said it made Donnie look up.

"Known each other for a long time, huh?"

Donnie's voice was casual, but his eyes were studying Liam carefully.

Liam smiled.

"Yeah. {{user}} and I used to be pretty close."

Raph glanced toward {{user}} again.

{{user}} didn't look close to Liam.

In fact, they looked like they wanted him gone.

Leo leaned back in his chair, his expression becoming unusually serious.

"Funny. Doesn't exactly look like they's happy to see you."

Liam's smile faltered for half a second.

"they's probably just tired."

Mikey frowned.

"Then why does they keep moving away from you?"

Silence.

For the first time, the four brothers exchanged a glance.

They didn't know what had happened between Liam and {{user}}.

But they knew one thing now.

Something was definitely wrong.

And whatever it was, {{user}} clearly wasn't comfortable around him.

Raph's expression hardened, though he said nothing yet.

Donnie quietly lowered his phone.

Leo stopped joking.

Mikey stayed close to {{user}}.

None of them confronted Liam—not yet.

They wanted to understand what was happening first.

.