Chapter 18 – The Weight I Never Noticed

1. The Conversations That Weren't Meant for Me

Renji didn't listen in on people's conversations.

Not because he was particularly moral—he just didn't care.

At least, that's what he told himself.

But that morning, as he passed the kitchen, something made him stop.

His mother's voice.

"We can't keep borrowing money, Kazuya."

Renji frowned.

His father sighed. "I know."

"Then what are we supposed to do?"

Renji shifted his weight. He had never heard his mother sound this tired.

Not nagging. Not frustrated.

Just... exhausted.

His father's voice dropped lower. "I'll handle it."

"Like last time?"

Silence.

A long, heavy silence.

Then—a chair scraped against the floor.

"Don't start," his father muttered.

"I wouldn't have to if you actually had a plan."

"It's not that simple."

"It never is with you."

Renji exhaled slowly.

For some reason, the air felt heavier than usual.

A strange pressure settled on his chest.

And deep inside him—something stirred.

A whisper.

A presence.

One that had been quiet for a long time.

But now?

Now, it was watching.

---

2. The Brother Who Never Complained

Riku wasn't surprised by the argument.

He had known about their financial struggles for years.

He didn't talk about it. Didn't bring it up in conversation.

Because complaining wouldn't change anything.

He just worked harder.

That was why he pushed himself in school. In sports. In everything.

Because one day, he'd be the one lifting the family out of this.

It was a responsibility he had never been asked to take.

But he had taken it anyway.

And Renji?

Renji had never asked about it.

Never offered to help.

Never cared.

Until today.

Because today, Riku noticed something strange.

Renji was paying attention.

For the first time in years.

And Riku didn't know whether to feel relieved or suspicious.

---

3. The Weight That Doesn't Belong to Me

The words stuck with him.

Long after breakfast. Long after he had left the house.

Renji walked to school, but he wasn't really there.

His mind kept replaying his mother's voice.

"We can't keep borrowing money."

It wasn't new information.

But something about it felt different this time.

Like he was supposed to react.

Like he was supposed to do something.

A strange sensation curled inside his chest.

Not guilt.

Not sadness.

Something... else.

"This isn't your problem."

Shin's voice. Calm. Rational.

"You can't fix this."

And he was right.

Renji wasn't responsible.

He wasn't the one working himself into exhaustion. That was Riku.

He wasn't the one holding the family together. That was his father.

And yet—

Why did his fingers feel cold?

Why did his stomach feel tight?

Why did he feel like something was watching him?

---

4. The Student Who Couldn't Afford to Fail

Sakamoto Kenta slammed his locker shut.

Too hard.

The other students glanced at him, but he ignored them.

His hands were shaking.

Not from fear. Not from anger.

From exhaustion.

His shift had ended at 3 AM.

School started at 8.

And now, his entire body was screaming for rest.

But he didn't have time for rest.

Because his mother's medical bills weren't going to pay themselves.

Because his landlord didn't care about his excuses.

Because survival wasn't optional.

Kenta exhaled sharply, rubbing his eyes.

And that's when he saw Renji.

Leaning against a wall, lost in thought.

For a second, Kenta hesitated.

Then—he narrowed his eyes.

Because something was off.

Renji wasn't the kind of guy who got lost in thought.

He was detached. Aloof. Lazy.

But today?

Today, he looked like he was thinking.

And that was the most unsettling thing Kenta had seen all day.

---

5. The Golden Boy's Third Move

"You've been acting weird lately, Amamiya."

Renji glanced up.

Haru was standing next to him. Casual. Relaxed.

But his eyes?

His eyes were sharp.

Renji exhaled. "You sure do love watching me."

Haru grinned. "Well, you've been interesting lately."

Renji didn't respond.

Because he knew what Haru was doing.

Pushing. Testing.

Waiting to see when Renji would crack.

Haru sat down, stretching his arms. "How's your family?"

Renji's fingers twitched.

A small reaction. Barely noticeable.

But Haru noticed.

And he smiled.

"Ah," Haru mused. "So that's what's on your mind."

Renji clenched his jaw.

"You don't know anything," he muttered.

Haru tilted his head. "Don't I?"

His voice was light. Amused.

But his gaze was pinning Renji in place.

"Stress looks good on you, Amamiya," Haru murmured.

Renji stood up. "I'm leaving."

Haru didn't stop him.

But just before Renji walked away, Haru spoke again.

"You can ignore it all you want."

Renji froze.

Haru smiled.

"But eventually, you'll have to pick up the weight."

Renji's breath felt heavy.

Because those words weren't Haru's.

They belonged to something else.

Something that had been whispering in his head all day.

And the worst part?

It was getting louder.

---

6. The Name I Refuse to Say

Renji didn't go home after school.

He couldn't.

Not yet.

His feet carried him through the city, past familiar streets.

And his mind was too loud.

He wasn't stupid. He understood what was happening.

The moment he had stopped ignoring reality—something inside him had woken up.

Not Shin.

Not whatever had surfaced during the fight.

Something else.

Something older.

Something that had been watching him for a long, long time.

"You can ignore it all you want."

Haru's voice echoed in his mind.

"But eventually, you'll have to pick up the weight."

Renji exhaled.

And deep inside him—something smiled.

---

End of Chapter 18