The classroom felt normal again.
Too normal.
Like everything that happened didn't matter once lessons started.
Ren sat at his desk, staring at the board.
Not really listening.
Not really thinking.
Kai stood beside him, arms crossed, watching the room.
Watching everyone.
Then—
A knock at the door.
The teacher turned.
"Yes?"
A staff member stood outside.
"…Can I have Ren Aoyama for a moment?"
The room went quiet again.
Eyes turned.
Ren stood up slowly.
"…Okay."
He walked out of the classroom.
Kai followed.
The hallway felt longer than usual.
"…What now?" Kai muttered.
Ren didn't answer.
They reached the office.
Ren knocked once.
"Come in."
Ren stepped inside.
Kai slipped in with him.
Behind the desk sat the principal.
Jonas.
Calm. Serious. Watching closely.
"Sit down, Ren."
Ren sat.
Jonas leaned forward slightly.
"…Do you know why you're here?"
Ren shook his head.
"…No."
Jonas studied him for a moment.
Then spoke clearly.
"…Your mother called the school."
Ren's eyes shifted slightly.
"She said you're being bullied," Jonas continued.
"…and that you're not telling her the truth."
Silence.
Kai looked at Ren immediately.
Waiting.
Jonas folded his hands.
"…Is that true?"
Ren didn't answer right away.
The room felt tight.
Heavy.
Kai stepped closer.
"…Say something," he whispered.
Ren's hand tightened slightly on his leg.
Jonas watched him carefully.
"…Ren."
"…You don't have to handle things alone."
Silence stretched.
Two choices.
Tell the truth.
Or keep hiding it.
Kai's voice came again, low but firm:
"…Don't lie this time."
Ren took a slow breath.
And for the first time—
he hesitated.
Ren took a breath.
"…No," he said calmly. "I'm not being bullied, sir."
Jonas watched him closely.
Longer than before.
Like he was trying to see past the answer.
"…Alright," Jonas said slowly.
"But listen carefully."
He leaned forward slightly.
"If something is happening… you need to tell me."
Ren stayed quiet.
Jonas continued,
"You know what happens to bullies, here right?"
"They get punished."
The room went still.
Kai smirked slightly from the side.
"…Yeah," he muttered.
"Punished by us."
Ren didn't react outwardly.
But inside—
something shifted.
Jonas sat back.
"You can go now."
Ren stood up.
"…Thank you, sir."
He turned and walked out of the office.
Kai followed immediately.
The door closed behind them.
The hallway was empty.
Kai looked at Ren.
"…You really said nothing."
Ren kept walking.
"…It doesn't matter."
Kai's expression hardened.
"…It does."
Ren stopped.
Kai stepped in front of him again.
"…If they touch you again—"
Ren cut him off.
"…Then what?"
Kai didn't hesitate.
"…Then we deal with it."
Silence.
Ren looked down at his hand.
The ring.
A faint pulse.
For a moment—
he didn't look away.
"…Yeah," Ren said quietly.
This time—
he didn't sound unsure.
Something had changed.
To be continued...