The bully shook his head.
"…I didn't follow you because of them."
His breathing was still uneven.
"…I followed you for my phone."
Silence.
Ren looked down at him.
"…That's it?"
The bully nodded quickly.
"Y-yeah… I just wanted it back."
Kai crossed his arms.
"…Tch. Pathetic."
Ren didn't react to that.
His eyes stayed on the boy.
Careful.
Thinking.
"…Then you don't know anything else?" Ren asked.
The bully shook his head again.
"…No."
"…I swear."
Kai looked annoyed.
"…He's useless."
Ren didn't answer immediately.
He studied the boy for a second longer.
Looking for hesitation.
Fear.
Lies.
"…Fine," Ren said finally.
The bully looked up, surprised.
"…R-really?"
Ren reached into his pocket.
Pulled out the phone.
The screen stayed dark.
Kai frowned.
"…You're just giving it back?"
Ren didn't look at him.
"…I don't need it anymore."
"…He already knows I have it."
Kai clicked his tongue.
"…Still."
Ren dropped the phone in front of the bully.
It hit the ground lightly.
The boy grabbed it immediately.
Like it was the only thing keeping him safe.
"…Don't follow me again," Ren said calmly.
The bully nodded fast.
"Y-yeah… I won't."
He stood up quickly—
Ren looked at him for a second.
His eyes didn't move.
But his mind did.
If you want a killer to confess after they've already lied…
you don't ask directly.
You turn it into a game.
A game of psychological chess.
"…Kai. Switch back with me."
Ren spoke quietly.
No not yet."
He looked at the bully again.
Calm.
Too calm.
"…Why would you join something you don't even understand?" Ren asked.
The bully frowned.
"…What are you talking about?"
Ren didn't react.
Not even a blink.
"…I know you joined long before this," Ren said.
"…You didn't come here for your phone."
"Why bother with another phone? When you had one on you right."
Silence.
Ren's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…You came here to kill me."
The bully's expression changed.
"…No."
"…Why would I?"
Ren tilted his head slightly.
Still calm.
Still controlled.
"…Look around you," Ren said.
"…You see where we are?"
The bully stayed quiet.
"…Perfect area," Ren continued.
"…No people."
"…No witnesses."
"I knew from the very start that you were following me." In fact, I led you right here."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
The bully laughed.
"Hahahahaha…"
His shoulders shook slightly.
"…You're not dumb," he said.
"…So instead of wasting time with this acting…"
"Ren? Uh-huh.
"No, you're the fool. You never even realized I was playing you."
"His lifted his gaze, his eyes turning cold as they settled on Ren."
"…I was going to kill you…"
A small smile formed.
"…if you just let your guard down."
"But since you've figured it out, I'm afraid I have to be thorough. I don't like to leave loose ends alive."
Silence fell.
And this time—
it wasn't empty.
To be continued...