His name was Sota.
He was the smartest in class—always had the right answers, always finished assignments first.
But… he never raised his hand.
He never made eye contact.
And when someone teased him, he just smiled quietly and looked down.
Rin had noticed it for a while now.
And today, something told him… it was time to do something.
That night, the Dreambox Shop welcomed Rin with a familiar hush.
Moonchan was polishing an orb with a cloth that shimmered like stardust.
Kuro was dangling upside down from a shelf, tail flicking lazily.
"I need something," Rin said.
"For a boy who's smart… but too scared to be seen."
Moonchan didn't speak at first.
Then he reached beneath the counter and placed a glass Dreambag in front of Rin.
Inside: a simple ring, made of warm, bronze-colored wood.
"The Voice of Root, a quiet companion," Moonchan said.
"It won't shout for him—but it will let his words take root, if he dares speak them."
Rin looked at the ring, its faint glow pulsing gently.
"And the price?"
Moonchan met his gaze.
"For every time you help someone grow… you'll feel a little of their fear first."
Kuro added, "Meaning, you'll feel what it's like to be him. You sure you want that?"
Rin nodded.
"I do."
The next morning, Rin found Sota alone in the library, his nose in a book, as always.
He walked over, sat down beside him, and gently placed the ring on the table.
Sota blinked, confused. "What's this?"
Rin gave him a small smile. "A lucky charm. Just wear it. That's all."
Sota hesitated… but slipped it onto his finger.
And Rin… felt it.
The fear of being wrong.
The voice inside that always said, "You'll embarrass yourself."
The childhood memory of a teacher yelling.
The time he answered a question once—and was laughed at.
It hit Rin hard.
But he stayed beside him.
Later that day, in class, the teacher asked a question.
No one raised their hand.
Then… a soft voice spoke.
"Sota?"
He was trembling. But he was speaking.
And when he finished, the teacher smiled.
"Exactly right."
No one laughed.
And Rin smiled, too.
That night, the ring faded from Sota's finger like mist in the wind.
The Dreambag had already disappeared the moment Rin gave it.
Shiro looked up from his spot on the rug.
"Did it work?"
Rin nodded.
"I didn't help him become smart. He already was.
I just helped him believe it."