9
Chapter 9: Tears in the Shadows
The halls of the school were quiet except for the faint sound of sweeping.
Ryo stood alone, pushing a broom across the dusty floor—fulfilling the punishment the principal had given him.
Then, hurried footsteps echoed.
Iris, Ueno, Hyana, and Ron appeared at the door, their faces pale, their breathing sharp as though they had run the whole way.
Ryo lifted his head slowly, his eyes cold as ever.
"…What is it?"
---
Ron swallowed, his voice unsteady.
"Ryo… he was here."
Ryo's brow furrowed.
"Who?"
There was a beat of silence. Then Ueno spoke softly, almost afraid to say the name.
"…Kanji."
Iris stepped forward, her voice trembling.
"He asked about us… and about you."
---
The broom slipped from Ryo's hands.
His mask of indifference cracked—shattered.
Shock.
Pure, raw shock.
"…Impossible," he whispered.
Then, without another word, he bolted.
He ran past them, out of the school, his footsteps echoing through the halls.
Students turned to watch, murmuring in confusion, but Ryo didn't care.
---
Night had already begun to creep over the city.
On a dimly lit street near the school, a man walked slowly, his figure tall and sharp under the flickering lamps.
Kanji.
Ryo's footsteps thundered against the pavement as he sprinted toward him. His eyes glistened—not with anger, but with tears he could no longer hold back.
He stopped just in front of the man, his body trembling.
Then, without warning, he threw himself forward, clutching Kanji's clothes tightly, burying his face into his chest.
His voice cracked.
"Why… why did you come back…?!"
His shoulders shook as tears spilled freely.
Kanji said nothing at first. He merely smiled faintly—an unreadable smile. Slowly, he placed his hand on Ryo's head, almost tenderly.
---
The camera lingers on Kanji's face. His eyes gleam faintly, a shadow of something sinister beneath the calm.
His voice is low, almost a whisper.
"It's time, Ryo…"
The screen fades to black.
Words appear:
To be continued…