Fractured Hearts

Kenn's footsteps echoed in the hallway as he walked away, the tension from the confrontation still weighing heavily on his shoulders. His thoughts raced, a whirlwind of emotions and confusion that left him feeling lost, detached, like he was floating in a sea of uncertainty.

He didn't know where he was going, only that he needed space. The walls of the school, once familiar and comforting, now felt suffocating, as if they were closing in on him. The system, Lynn, Yaoi—everything seemed tangled beyond repair, and he was trapped in the center, a pawn in a game that wasn't even his to play.

The emotional scanner that had once seemed like a gift now felt like a curse. The more Kenn used it, the more he saw the darkness in those around him—the manipulation, the deceit, the fear. And now, it had turned on him. His emotions felt like they were on the verge of breaking, like a dam about to collapse under its own weight.

Why does everything feel so impossible?

His heart tugged between Lynn and Yaoi, torn between the girl who had always been there for him, and the one who was dangerous, obsessive, and consumed by her feelings. Both were real. Both had parts of him, whether he wanted it or not. And the system—that was the true enemy, wasn't it?

The soft buzz of his scanner interrupted his spiraling thoughts, a reminder that it wasn't just the emotional chaos of the people around him that he had to deal with, but his own feelings too. He could feel it—deep in his chest. The emotions of Lynn, of Yaoi, and even his own confusion were overwhelming his senses. He slammed his hand against the nearest locker, trying to stop the flow of feelings from swarming him.

He stood there for what felt like an eternity, leaning against the cold metal, fighting to get control back. Slowly, he exhaled, trying to steady his breathing. He had to calm down. He had to think.

"Kenn?"

He turned, startled by the sudden voice. Kil stood in the doorway, his eyes filled with concern. Kenn hadn't realized how much time had passed, but there was something about Kil's presence that grounded him, that made the world feel a little less heavy.

"You okay?" Kil asked, stepping closer. He could tell Kenn was on edge, his usual calm demeanor gone. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Kenn didn't answer immediately. He didn't know how to explain everything—the mess that was his life, the confusion swirling inside him. He didn't want to burden Kil with it, especially when the weight of his emotions felt so much heavier than anything his friend could understand.

"I... I don't know, Kil." Kenn finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just feel like everything's falling apart. I don't know who to trust anymore. Lynn says she loves me, but how can I believe her after everything that's happened? And Yaoi… she's obsessed with me, and part of me believes her, too. I just... I can't see through all the lies anymore."

Kil nodded, his expression softening. "It's not easy, man. I get it. You're in the middle of something pretty complicated, and I know you don't like it. But you don't have to figure it all out alone. Whatever happens with Lynn and Yaoi, I'm here for you. And I'll help you figure this system out. You don't have to carry the burden by yourself."

Kenn felt the tight knot in his chest loosen just a fraction, though the weight of everything still pressed on him. Kil's words were a small comfort in the storm, but Kenn wasn't sure how much longer he could hold on. He wanted to believe things could get better, but with every step, the system's grip tightened around him, threatening to drag him down.

"I don't even know if I want to fight it anymore," Kenn confessed, his voice small. "The system... it's been controlling everything—my actions, my emotions, even the people around me. And now, I don't know if I can trust anyone. What if I'm just another piece in its game?"

Kil's eyes darkened slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "I won't lie to you, Kenn. The system's messed up. But that doesn't mean you don't have control. You've always had the choice, even if it's been hard to see. It's not about trying to fight it all at once. It's about taking it one step at a time. You can't let it win by convincing you that you're powerless."

Kenn looked at his friend, a flicker of hope sparking in the darkness. One step at a time. It felt like a small thing, but maybe it was the only thing that mattered right now.

"Thanks, Kil." Kenn said quietly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It wasn't much, but it was something. "I guess I've been so caught up in everything, I forgot that I don't have to do it alone."

Kil smiled back, his usual relaxed expression returning. "That's the spirit, man. And hey, when you're ready to talk about whatever's going on with Lynn or Yaoi, you know where to find me. But until then, just take care of yourself. You don't need to have all the answers right now."

Kenn nodded, the weight on his shoulders a little lighter now. But as he walked past Kil toward the exit, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was lurking just beyond his reach. The system wasn't done with him, not by a long shot. And neither were Lynn or Yaoi.

As the door to the school opened before him, the cold air hitting his face felt like a reminder of the choices ahead. The system, the tangled web of emotions, the lies—all of it still loomed over him.

But for the first time in a long while, Kenn didn't feel quite so alone.