Chapter 15 – The Fear of Being Seen

1. A Lie I Couldn't Tell

Riku's stare was a knife against Renji's skin.

He had expected suspicion. Even frustration.

But not this.

Not this quiet, careful certainty.

"Who were you talking to just now?"

Riku's voice wasn't accusing. It wasn't demanding.

It was worse.

It was the voice of someone who already knew the answer.

Renji forced his body to stay relaxed.

"Lie."

"It was no one," he said. "I was just thinking out loud."

A normal response. A perfect response.

But Riku didn't react.

No sigh. No scolding. No anger.

Instead—his fingers moved.

Renji's stomach twisted.

Because Riku was gripping his phone.

And if there was one thing Riku never did, it was hold his phone while talking.

Renji's mind flashed back.

To last night. To the camera in his room.

"He saw something."

---

2. The Brother Who Stopped Believing Me

"You didn't leave home last night, did you?" Riku asked.

The words were almost casual. Almost.

Renji frowned. "Of course not."

A perfect lie.

But Riku's fingers tightened around his phone.

"You were in bed the whole time?"

"Yeah."

"You never moved?"

A pause.

Just half a second. A fraction of hesitation.

But it was enough.

Riku inhaled sharply. His eyes weren't sharp anymore.

They were tired.

Because he had wanted Renji to tell the truth.

And Renji had failed him.

"Forget it," Riku muttered, turning away. "I have practice."

Renji wanted to stop him.

Wanted to say something.

But the words wouldn't come.

Because no matter what he said now—

Riku wouldn't believe him.

---

3. The Shadow in the Classroom

Renji barely noticed his walk to school.

His body moved. His mouth spoke when necessary. His hands turned pages when needed.

But his mind?

His mind was still trapped in last night.

Still trapped in the feeling of that smile staring back at him.

"Vail."

The name surfaced again, crawling under his skin.

It wasn't a word. It was a presence.

Something real.

Something watching.

"Renji."

He blinked.

His English teacher, Yoshikawa-sensei, was staring at him.

"Your answer?"

Renji's gaze flickered to the board. A question about story structure.

Easy.

But his mind was blank.

"Not paying attention?" Yoshikawa-sensei grinned. "Should I give you a nickname to help you focus?"

The class chuckled.

Renji forced out a response. Something normal. Something good enough.

But as he sat down, he felt it.

The weight of a gaze.

Not from the teacher.

From the back of the classroom.

Renji didn't turn. Didn't need to.

He already knew who it was.

Kirishima Haru.

The school's golden boy. The perfect student. The one who always knew the right answer.

And today—his eyes were locked on Renji.

Like he had just found something interesting.

---

4. The Perfect Rival

Haru wasn't normal.

He wasn't like the other top students, who studied too much and socialized too little.

He wasn't a bully. He wasn't arrogant.

He was better.

Smarter. Stronger. More in control.

Everyone liked him.

Teachers, students, parents. Even people who hated him respected him.

But Renji?

Renji had always been invisible to him.

Until now.

Haru was watching him.

Not like a classmate.

Like a scientist observing a specimen.

And for the first time, Renji had a terrifying thought.

"Did I do something to make him notice me?"

Or worse—

"Did he see something in me that I don't?"

---

5. The Invitation I Didn't Want

Lunch break.

Renji sat alone, trying to clear his mind.

Trying to ignore the creeping sensation that someone was—

A shadow fell over him.

"Yo, Amamiya."

Renji looked up.

Haru smiled.

A real smile. Friendly. Warm.

And completely, absolutely fake.

"Mind if I sit?" Haru asked, already pulling out a chair.

Renji didn't answer. It didn't matter.

Haru wasn't asking.

"You don't talk much, huh?" Haru continued, resting his chin on his hand. "I've never really paid attention to you before."

Renji stayed silent.

"But now," Haru mused, tapping his fingers against the table, "you're interesting."

Renji's stomach tightened.

Haru leaned in, voice lower.

"You've been acting differently lately."

A statement. Not a question.

"You don't look as bored as before."

Haru's eyes locked onto his.

"You look like you're hiding something."

Renji's pulse spiked.

"He knows."

Haru didn't blink.

Then—he smiled again.

"It's okay."

Renji stared.

"You don't have to tell me," Haru said. "But I think you should come with me after school."

Renji's fingers twitched. "Why?"

"Because I'm curious."

And then—Haru dropped something onto the table.

A small slip of paper.

Renji hesitated. Then picked it up.

An address.

Nothing else.

Haru stood up, stretching.

"See you after school, Amamiya."

And just like that—he was gone.

Renji exhaled, shoulders tense.

He looked down at the paper again.

A sinking feeling settled in his chest.

Because he knew that address.

It was the underground fight club.

---

6. The Ghost in the Reflection

Renji washed his face in the bathroom sink, trying to breathe.

Trying to think.

But his mind was a tangled mess of questions.

Riku knew something.

Haru was watching him.

Vail existed.

And worst of all—

Something inside him was waking up.

"You're not ready for this yet."

A whisper.

Renji's breath hitched.

The mirror.

His reflection.

It wasn't moving.

No.

It was waiting.

A heartbeat passed.

Then—his reflection smiled.

Not him.

Vail.

Renji's body locked up.

The smile didn't fade.

And then—

In a voice identical to his own—

"See you soon."

The light flickered.

And his reflection was normal again.

Renji stumbled back, heart slamming against his ribs.

His breath was shaky. His hands were cold.

Because no matter how many times he blinked—

He still felt that smile crawling under his skin.

---

End of Chapter 15