The streets were quiet as Ren and Kai walked home.
Streetlights flickered on one by one.
Kai let out a breath.
"…Well."
"…That plan didn't work."
Ren kept walking.
"…Yeah."
Kai glanced at him.
"…So what now?"
Ren was about to answer—
Then his eyes shifted slightly.
"…We're not alone."
Kai's expression changed instantly.
Ren "…You see it too?"
Kai gave a small nod.
"…Behind us."
Footsteps.
Soft.
Trying to stay hidden—
but not good enough.
Kai smirked slightly.
"…He followed us."
Ren slowed down just a little.
"…Yeah."
The footsteps slowed too.
Silence.
Kai's voice dropped.
"…Say it."
Ren looked forward.
His hand tightening slightly.
"…Olydo."
The air shifted.
In an instant—
they switched.
Kai took control.
He stopped walking.
Then—
turned around.
Fast.
The person behind them froze.
It was one of the bullies.
The same one from before.
"…You—"
He didn't finish.
Kai was already moving.
In a flash—
he closed the distance.
The bully panicked.
"Wait—!"
Too late.
Kai grabbed his collar—
and slammed him against the wall.
THUD.
"…You've been following us," Kai said coldly.
The bully struggled.
"I-I wasn't—"
Kai tightened his grip.
"…Don't lie."
The bully's eyes widened.
"…I just wanted my phone!"
Kai leaned closer.
"Are you one of them."
"... ugh NO."
The bully gasped as Kai's grip tightened again, pushing him harder against the wall.
"I—I told you!" he panicked. "I don't know them like that!"
Kai's eyes darkened.
"…Then why are you involved?"
The bully shut his eyes tight.
"…I just joined!"
Silence.
Ren, still watching from within, focused.
"…Just joined?" he repeated.
Kai leaned in closer.
"…Explain."
The bully's voice shook.
"I didn't know what it was at first… it was just messages… symbols… they told me to follow instructions…"
Kai didn't loosen his grip.
"…And you followed."
The bully nodded quickly.
"I thought it was just some group or something—I didn't know they were killing people!"
Ren spoke calmly.
"…Ask him if he knows the others."
Kai's eyes didn't leave the bully.
"…How many are there?"
The bully hesitated.
"…I don't know all of them."
Kai's grip tightened again.
"…Then what do you know?"
The bully winced.
"…There are others… but nobody knows each other."
Silence.
Kai frowned.
"…What?"
The bully swallowed hard.
"…We don't meet… we don't talk… everything comes through messages…"
Ren's mind started putting pieces together.
"…Then who's in charge?" Ren asked.
Kai repeated it.
"…Who's giving the orders?"
The bully's face went pale.
"…The one in red."
Silence dropped instantly.
Kai's eyes sharpened.
"…The one in red…"
The bully nodded quickly.
"…He's the only one who knows everyone."
"…But no one knows him."
Ren's heart sank slightly.
A leader.
Hidden.
Untouchable.
Kai let out a slow breath.
"…So you're all just… pieces."
The bully didn't respond.
Kai released him suddenly.
The boy dropped to the ground, breathing hard.
Ren switched back.
He looked down at him.
"…Then why follow me?"
The bully shook his head.
To be continued...