INT. ORION HIGH – GYMNASIUM – DAY
Colorful banners hung from the rafters. The school's Annual Cultural Costume Day was in full swing — music, laughter, and a sea of students dressed in outfits from around the world or in pop-culture tributes.
The Galaxy Sentinels weren't in Ranger gear today… but that didn't mean they blended in.
KAEL walked in wearing a crimson samurai-style jacket.
DAIKI(immediately teasing)Shin-nii-san, you clean up nice. I almost believe you have class.
KAEL(deadpan)And I almost believe you're not trying to embarrass me in public.
LYRA arrived in a flowing pink hanfu, hair braided with small ribbons.JETT froze mid-bite of a pastry.
JETTOkay… that's… wow. Is it too late to change my vote for "Best Dressed"?
LYRA(rolling her eyes)You didn't even vote yet.
JETTExactly. Strategic timing.
ZAYN came in wearing a sleek, midnight-blue qipao-style tunic with subtle tech-printed patterns. Rayna, in an elegant yellow sari, tilted her head.
RAYNADid you sew that pattern yourself?
ZAYNLaser-etched. Took two hours and no sleep. Worth it.
RAYNA(smirking)It shows. I'll give you one point for effort.
On stage, the MC announced the Best Group Entry category. A cluster of students dressed as historical explorers stumbled into a comedic skit, earning laughter from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Daiki was fiddling with his morpher under the table.
LYRA(leaning over)Put that away. No Ranger tech during school events.
DAIKIWhat if Karnex attacks?
KAEL(without looking up)Then we deal with it. Until then, enjoy the free food.
DAIKIShin-nii-san giving life advice now? Cute.
Kael gave him a slow glare.
The event closed with a "costume walk" across the stage. The Sentinels, reluctantly convinced by Daiki, went up as a group. Their outfits drew cheers — especially when Jett, unprompted, dipped Rayna into a dramatic tango pose.
RAYNA(flatly, still in dip)If you drop me, you'll regret it.
JETT(grinning)Noted.
As they stepped off stage, Lyra glanced at the others.
LYRAYou know… this is probably the first school event we've had without a monster attack.
JETT…You know you just cursed us, right?
They all laughed.
TO BE CONTINUED…