April 8, 2005,
7:52 AM.
Ren stood outside the classroom door, hand on the handle. He could hear the usual pre-horoom chaos inside. The laughter, the scraping of desk chairs, soone tossing a paper airplane across the room.
He took a deep breath. "Just open the door. " Ren told himself. "Go to your seat. Pretend everything’s fine. "
The door creaked as he pushed it open, and then an imdiate silence.
Every head turned toward him at once. All thirty-two students, their eyes all on him.
The classroom froze like soone had hit the pause button on the room.
Ren stood in the doorway his backpack hanging over one shoulder, his bruised face on full display.
"Great. " He thought.
One, two and three seconds passed before a voice shattered the quiet.
"REN!"
Shiinchiro launched himself from his seat like a spring, nearly knocking over his desk in the process.
He crossed the classroom in three long strides, grinning like an idiot.
"Dude! Finally! I’ve been texting you all morning!"
Before Ren could respond, the rest of the class surged forward.
It was like being hit by a wave.
"Is it true you fought Yuto?!"
"Did you really hold your own against the Mad Dog?!"
"I saw the video! You kicked him in the face!"
"Are you joining Sakuratei?!"
"Is Hasegawa really that scary in person?!"
"Your face—oh my god, does it hurt?!"
"Can I touch your bruise?!"
"What? No! "
"My brother said the Crimson Dragons are pissed about.. "
"I heard the principal wanted to expel you but... "
Ren backed up visibly overwheld. His shoulders hit the doorfra. There was nowhere to go.
"Too much. Too loud. Can’t breathe... "
"BACK OFF!"
Shiinchiro stepped between Ren and the crowd his arms spread wide like a human shield. "Give him space! Jesus, you’re like vultures!"
The class backed up slightly, but the energy didn’t dissipate. They were still watching, still buzzing with questions.
"Co on, man. " Shiinichiro grabbed Ren’s arm and pulled Ren through the crowd.
They reached their seats near the windows and Shiinchiro practically shoved him into a chair.
"Sorry about that. Everyone’s been freaking out since the video dropped last night. " Shiinchiro said, collapsing into the seat beside him.
Ren dropped his bag beside his desk before letting himself sink into the chair.
"Video? " he asked quietly.
"Oh yeah. " Shiinchiro said, scratching the back of his head. "Seems soone fild the whole cafeteria fight. It’s all over social dia. You’re... basically a celebrity now. "
Ren closed his eyes, wishing the world would disappear. "I don’t want to be. "
Shiinchiro’s grin faded slightly. "Ohh, right, sorry, man. I just thought you were amazing. But... yeah. I guess this is... complicated for you. "
Ren opened his eyes and t his friend’s gaze. Shiinchiro had always ant well. Always.
"It’s fine. " He said, forcing a weak smile. "Just... a lot to process. "
"Yeah, I bet. " Shiinchiro muttered, quiet now.
The classroom slowly returned to its normal chaos level. Students drifted back to their seats, conversations resuming, though Ren noticed many were still glancing his way.
He turned toward the window and pressed his forehead against the cool glass. Outside, cherry blossoms drifted past. Students crossing the courtyard below looked tiny from up here.
oone approaching.
"Two days and sixteen hours. " He reminded himself. "That’s how much ti I have left. "
Movent at his side drew his attention. It was Hana with her arms crossed, expression unreadable but her eyes carried behind her usual tough exterior a hint of concern.
She caught his eye and gave a slight nod.
Ren nodded back.
Hana returned to her seat two rows away. Then he felt a quieter movent, a presence on his other side.
It was Fubuki.
She didn’t sit in his lap or anything dramatic. Just stood there, hands held in front of her, looking at him with those soft, worried eyes.
"Are you okay? Really?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
Her voice was so gentle it cut through all the classroom noise, through all his ntal defenses.
Ren tried to smile. Probably looked more like a frown if anything. "Just sore but I’ll be fine. " He assured her.
"You shouldn’t have to get hurt like this. You just got here. " Fubuki said.
"Thanks, Fubuki. I... appreciate it. " he murmured.
She gave a small, sad smile, but real. "If you need anything... I’m here. Okay? "
"Okay. " He said as she returned to her seat, and he let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Shiinchiro leaned over, lowering his voice. "Seriously though... are you okay?"
Ren turned away from the window, t his friend’s eyes. Shiinchiro’s usual goofy expression was replaced with sothing more serious.
"I don’t know yet. " He admitted.
Shiinchiro nodded slowly. "Fair enough."
The door slid open and Mr. Tanaka entered, carrying his worn leather briefcase in one hand and a stack of papers in the other.
"Settle down, everyone. Horoom’s starting. " Mr. Tanaka announced. He set his briefcase down, adjusted his glasses, and began roll call.
His eyes swept across the room, calling nas. When he reached Ren’s na, he paused.
"Ryūhara Ren."
"Here. " Ren replied.
Their eyes t. Mr. Tanaka’s gaze lingered on Ren’s bruised face really looked at it, cataloging the damage but he said nothing. Just gave a barely perceptible nod and moved on to the next na.
"He knows. " Ren thought. "Of course he does. Everyone knows. "
Horoom proceeded with nnouncents about upcoming events, eeminders about howork. The usual morning routine.
But Ren couldn’t focus. His mind was elsewhere.
His thoughts drifted to Hasegawa’s voice in the nurse’s office, casual yet commanding, the apple in his hand, the three-day ultimatum. To his mother’s unanswered ssage in his phone. The weight of choice pressed on him like a guillotine.
And then the bell rang and horoom ended.
"Alright, everyone. First period is over... Ryūhara-kun. Stay behind a mont. " Mr. Tanaka said.
Ren’s stomach dropped. The classroom emptied quickly, students filing out shooting curious glances back at Ren as they left.
Shiinchiro gave him a worried look before Hana physically dragged him out by his collar.
Soon, only Ren and Mr. Tanaka that had remained.
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