Chapter 19 – The Price of Avoidance

1. A Problem I Didn't Want to Solve

Renji had always been good at one thing—avoiding things he didn't want to deal with.And this?His family's debt? The quiet tension in the house? The looks his mother and father exchanged at the dinner table?

It was exactly the kind of thing he would have ignored.Would have.Because now, he couldn't.It followed him. In the way his mother hesitated before buying groceries. In the way his father left the house earlier and came home later. In the way Riku looked at him.Like he was waiting for something.Like he expected something.And that was the worst part.Because for the first time in his life—Renji felt like he was supposed to do something.But he didn't even know what.

---2. The First Time Shin Didn't Stop Me

The school day passed in a blur.Renji wasn't the type to focus too hard in class, but today was different.Not because he was listening.Because he was somewhere else."We can't keep borrowing money, Kazuya.""Then what are we supposed to do?""I'll handle it."The words wouldn't leave his head.And then—for the first time in weeks—Shin spoke."You're thinking about it too much."Renji nearly jolted in his seat.Because Shin didn't just say things randomly.Usually, Shin tried to keep him from thinking. From spiraling. From being affected by things that weren't his problem.But this time?Shin had let him think.Had let him sink deeper.Like he was waiting.For what?Renji didn't know.And that terrified him.--

-3. The Job Board

By lunchtime, Renji had made up his mind.He needed information.Needed to understand just how bad things were.And that meant he needed money.He wandered toward the school's job board—a place he had never even glanced at before.It was covered in papers. Part-time jobs, tutoring offers, delivery work.Nothing special.But standing there, staring at the listings, Renji realized something.He had never worked a day in his life.Not because he was lazy.Because he had never needed to.And now, as he stood there, hands in his pockets, something inside him felt wrong.Like he had been sleepwalking through his life up until now.Like he had never actually lived.And worst of all—Shin was silent.Not stopping him.Not guiding him.Just watching.---

4. The Brother Who Had Enough

Riku found him at the job board.He didn't say anything at first.Just stood beside him, arms crossed.Then—"What do you think you're doing?"Renji didn't look at him. "What does it look like?""You've never cared about this stuff before."Renji exhaled. "Maybe I do now."Riku laughed.Not a real laugh. A bitter, hollow one."Now?" he repeated. "Just like that? You suddenly care?"Renji finally looked at him."What do you want me to say, Riku?"Riku's eyes were sharp. Tired."I don't want you to say anything," he muttered. "I just want to know if you're actually serious. Or if this is just another thing you're going to quit halfway."Renji stiffened.That one hit.Because Riku wasn't wrong.Renji always started things. Always had ideas. Always said, "I could do that."And then?He never followed through.He never cared enough to finish.And Riku knew it.Renji clenched his jaw. "You think I'm just playing around?"Riku exhaled. "I don't know."And that was somehow worse than if he had said yes.Because it meant Riku had already stopped expecting anything from him.And suddenly—Renji hated that.---

5. The Question I Couldn't Answer

"You wanna help?" Riku muttered, turning to leave. "Then start by asking the right questions."Renji frowned. "What do you mean?"Riku glanced back at him.And for a second—his gaze softened.Then—"How much do you think we actually owe?"Renji froze.Because he didn't know.Didn't have a number. Didn't even have a guess.Riku studied his face.Then, without another word, he walked away.Leaving Renji standing there.Feeling like the weight on his shoulders had just doubled.

 1. The Leader Who Watched (Shin's POV)

"You're thinking about it too much."Shin had let Renji sink deeper into his thoughts.And that was intentional.Because for the first time in years, Renji had actually tried to take responsibility.And Shin wanted to see what would happen.For too long, Renji had drifted through life, half-awake, ignoring things that mattered.That was why they existed.To carry what Renji couldn't.But this time?This time, Shin didn't step in.Didn't guide him. Didn't block out the thoughts.Because he wanted to see—was Renji finally waking up?Or was this just another temporary interest that would fade?"Let's see what you do next."Because if Renji wasn't strong enough to handle this...Then Shin would have to take over.---

2. The Brother Who Was Running Out of Patience (Riku's POV)

Riku sat alone on the school rooftop.Wind ruffled his hair. His phone sat beside him, screen dark.He wasn't sure if he was angry or relieved.Renji had finally noticed the weight their family was carrying.But Riku didn't trust him.Not yet.Not after watching his brother quit everything he ever started.Dancing. Fighting. Studying.He had potential in everything.And yet, he never stayed long enough to be great at anything.Would this time be different?Riku sighed, rubbing his temples."I don't want to get my hopes up."But deep inside, he wanted to believe.Because if Renji really was trying to change...Maybe, just maybe, Riku wouldn't have to carry this alone anymore.--- 

3. The Golden Boy's Next Move (Haru's POV)

Haru leaned against the hallway wall, watching.Renji Amamiya, staring at the job board.Interesting.For years, Renji had avoided responsibilities.So why now?Why was he suddenly trying to take action?Haru smirked."You're changing, Amamiya."But was it real?Or was it just another phase?Haru wasn't sure.But he was curious.Very curious.So instead of approaching Renji today, he decided to wait.To let Renji make the first move.And the moment Renji slipped?Haru would be there.Because breaking people down was so much more fun when they thought they were strong.--

-4. The Fighter Who Noticed Too Much (Kenta's POV)

Sakamoto Kenta wasn't the kind of guy who cared about school politics.Rich kids. Poor kids. Top students. Delinquents.None of that mattered.But survival mattered.And lately, Renji Amamiya had started to feel dangerous.Kenta had been watching him.Not on purpose.But when you grow up fighting for survival, you learn to recognize shifts in people.And Renji?Renji had shifted.He was thinking differently. Moving differently.The way he fought in that underground match...The way he hesitated, as if fighting himself...And now?Now he was staring at a job board like he was actually planning something.Kenta didn't know what Renji was up to.But he had a feeling—it wouldn't be good.--- 

5. The Debt Collector Who Knows the Truth (Akane's POV – New Rival Introduction)

Hayashi Akane had grown up in a house where money was power.Her mother was a loan shark.Her father? A ghost. Gone before she could remember him.By the time she was ten, Akane had already learned how debt worked.How people borrowed money with confidence.And how they begged for their lives when they couldn't pay it back.Now, as a high school student, Akane ran a different kind of business.Information. Favors. Quiet power.She bought and sold secrets like they were stocks.And today?Today, she had learned something very interesting.The Amamiya family was in debt.A lot of debt.And Renji?Renji had just started realizing it.Akane smirked, twirling a pen between her fingers.This could be fun.

---End of Chapter 19