Chapter 7: The Path I Didn’t Choose
A Game That Wasn't Fun Anymore
Renji always liked games. Not competitively—just casually. A way to relax, to escape.
But tonight, as he sat in his room, controller in hand, staring at the screen—he couldn't focus.
The game wasn't fun anymore.
His movements were too precise. His instincts too sharp.
Every reaction was too perfect.
No hesitation. No mistakes.
It felt mechanical.
Like someone else was playing for him.
"You're improving," Shin murmured.
Renji set the controller down.
His fingers weren't even shaking. Normally, if he lost himself in a game for too long, his hands would ache, his body would feel stiff.
But now?
He could probably play for hours and still feel fresh.
Like his body was becoming something else.
His chest felt tight.
"You wanted to be better, right?" Shin whispered. "That's what I'm giving you."
Renji gritted his teeth.
He wasn't sure if he wanted this anymore.
---
The Brother Who Didn't Trust Him
The next morning, Riku stood by the door, arms crossed, watching Renji tie his shoes.
"You're coming with me?" Riku asked, suspiciously.
Renji nodded. "Yeah. It's been a while since I visited our old school."
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.
Something inside him—Shin—had been pushing him toward returning to that place.
Riku stayed quiet for a few seconds. Then, as Renji stood up, Riku muttered, "…You're different."
Renji glanced at him. "What?"
"You." Riku's gaze was sharp. Untrusting. "You've been acting weird."
Renji felt his fingers twitch.
"He's noticing," Shin whispered.
He forced a small smirk. "Maybe I just grew up."
Riku scoffed but didn't argue.
But the way he watched Renji on the way to school?
It was like he was waiting for him to slip.
---
A Place of Ghosts
The moment Renji stepped into the old school, memories came flooding back.
This was where he changed.
This was where he had been betrayed.
He remembered the classmates who smiled to his face but whispered behind his back.
He remembered overhearing them once, talking about him like he was nothing.
"Renji? Yeah, he's nice, but kinda annoying."
"He's too serious. Acts cool, but he's just weird."
"Honestly, I don't think I'd miss him if he transferred."
That was the moment something cracked inside him.
And from then on—
He stopped showing people who he really was.
"They made you like this," Shin's voice whispered.
Renji's hands clenched into fists.
Maybe they did.
---
The First Confrontation
"Oi."
Renji turned.
A guy from his old school—Daigo—stood near the school gate, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
Renji remembered him well.
One of the people who had mocked him behind his back.
Daigo smirked. "Didn't think I'd see you here again."
Renji stayed silent.
He had never confronted them before. Never said anything about what he heard.
And now?
He still didn't care.
At least, he thought he didn't.
But then—his body moved.
His feet closed the distance between them.
His hand grabbed Daigo's collar.
The smirk on Daigo's face vanished.
Renji's voice came out—low, calm, controlled.
"Do you remember what you said about me?"
Daigo's eyes widened.
Shin was pushing forward.
Renji didn't stop him.
Daigo let out a nervous chuckle. "H-Hey, man, that was years ago. You're not still mad about that, are you?"
Something snapped.
Renji's grip tightened.
Daigo flinched.
For the first time in years, Renji realized something.
They were scared of him now.
"Look at him," Shin murmured. "He's weak. He was always weak."
Renji could feel his muscles tensing, his body ready to strike.
He could hit him.
Just once.
Make him feel what Renji had felt back then.
Daigo's face paled. "I-I was just joking, man! I never meant anything by it!"
Renji stopped.
For a moment, it felt like two versions of himself were clashing.
One—Shin, who wanted justice, action, retribution.
The other—his current self, who had long since let it go.
Finally, Renji released his grip.
Daigo stumbled back, visibly shaken.
Renji exhaled. "I don't care about you anymore."
Then he turned and walked away.
As he left the school grounds, his heart pounded.
Shin had almost taken over completely.
And the worst part?
Renji wasn't sure if he regretted stopping.
---
End of Chapter 7