Chapter 8: The Shadow of the Past
The day began like any other—students chattering, teachers carrying on with their lessons.
But one presence was missing.
Ryo.
Ever since the principal's decision, he hadn't been seen at school. Life seemed to move on for everyone else… but for Iris, the silence he left behind was heavy.
---
During the lunch break, Iris sat with Ueno, Hyana, and Ron in the courtyard. The atmosphere was light, filled with small talk and laughter—until a shadow fell across the school gates.
A man stood there, tall and imposing. His features were sharp, his eyes like blades scanning the campus. He didn't belong.
Iris's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Who… is that?"
---
Ron's expression changed instantly. His body went rigid, his fists clenched.
"…He shouldn't be here," Ron muttered, biting his lip hard.
Hyana turned to him.
"You know him?"
Ron's voice was filled with bitterness.
"That man… he's bad news. He's the one who raised Ryo."
The group froze.
"What?!" Ueno gasped, her voice rising.
---
Ueno's eyes widened in disbelief.
"If that's true… then maybe that explains why Ryo became so cold… so harsh."
Hyana's voice trembled.
"But if he grew up under someone like that… what kind of life did Ryo go through?"
Silence fell. Iris said nothing. Her gaze was locked on the stranger, and a tight ache twisted in her chest.
---
The man's eyes shifted. Slowly, deliberately, he turned his head toward their group.
Their breaths caught.
Then, with a cruel, crooked smile, he looked straight at them—before turning away and strolling off casually, as though daring them to follow.
The group exhaled shakily.
Iris clutched her chest, whispering to herself:
"Ryo… who are you, really?"
---
Elsewhere, in a dim, cramped room, Ryo worked in silence, cleaning as part of his punishment. His movements were mechanical, expression blank.
But suddenly, his hand froze. His eyes lifted slowly, as though some invisible thread had tugged at him.
As though… he could feel the shadow of the past drawing near.