Chapter 21 – The First Shortcut

1. The Money That Wasn't Enough

Renji stared at the thin envelope in his hands.

His first paycheck.

It should have felt satisfying.

It didn't.

It barely made a dent in what they needed.

If this was what hard work got him, then... how was Riku doing it all this time?

And more importantly—

How long had he been blind to it?

Renji exhaled, slipping the envelope into his pocket.

He needed a faster way.

Something better.

And that was when Akane appeared.

---

2. The Offer I Should Have Refused

Hayashi Akane leaned against a vending machine, arms crossed.

She looked relaxed. But her eyes?

Too sharp.

"Amamiya," she greeted smoothly. "Busy?"

Renji narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

Akane smiled. "I hear you're working now."

Renji didn't react.

But Akane wasn't guessing.

She knew.

And when someone like her knew something, it was never good.

Renji exhaled. "And?"

"And," Akane tilted her head, "I might have a way for you to make money faster."

Renji felt his stomach tighten.

"Careful."

Shin's voice.

His presence stirred slightly.

But Renji ignored him.

"What kind of way?"

Akane smirked. "Nothing illegal. Just a little... debt collection."

Renji frowned. "Debt collection?"

Akane's smile didn't waver.

"Some people owe money. They need reminders. If they don't listen, we convince them."

Renji clenched his jaw.

"Let me guess," he muttered. "You want me to convince them?"

Akane shrugged. "Not directly. Just your presence is enough. People don't like disappointing someone they think is dangerous."

Renji exhaled slowly.

This was stupid.

It wasn't illegal, but it wasn't right.

And yet—

"It's more money than your café job."

Akane's voice was calm. Certain.

Like she already knew he was going to say yes.

And maybe, deep down—

She wasn't wrong.

---

3. The Conversation I Couldn't Escape

"You're thinking about it."

Renji flinched.

He was alone in his room.

Or—he should have been.

But Shin's voice cut through the silence.

"You know what she's offering," Shin continued. "It's a test."

Renji sat up, rubbing his temples.

"I haven't said yes."

"But you haven't said no, either."

Renji gritted his teeth.

"Do you think it's a bad idea?" he muttered.

Shin didn't answer immediately.

Then—softly.

"I think you're already halfway to accepting."

Renji swallowed.

Because Shin was right.

And that scared him more than the job itself.

---

4. The Brother Who Knew Something Was Wrong

The next morning, Riku was waiting.

Renji barely made it out the door before his brother spoke.

"You were out late."

Renji blinked. "I was home before you."

"Doesn't matter," Riku muttered. "You didn't sleep properly."

Renji scoffed. "Didn't know you monitored my sleeping schedule."

Riku's gaze hardened.

"Something's wrong," he said bluntly. "What is it?"

Renji exhaled. "Nothing."

"You're lying."

Renji didn't flinch. "You don't know that."

But Riku wasn't backing down.

"You always avoid responsibility," he muttered. "Now you're suddenly working, getting involved in things?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"This isn't you, Renji."

Renji felt his chest tighten.

Because for the first time—

Riku wasn't accusing him of being lazy.

He was accusing him of being something else entirely.

---

5. The Decision I Wish I Didn't Make

Renji stood outside the school gate, phone in hand.

Akane's number on the screen.

He should delete it.

Forget it.

Keep working his part-time job.

But that wasn't enough.

And deep down, some part of him wanted to know what would happen if he said yes.

If he crossed that line.

If he let himself become something else.

Renji took a breath.

Then—he pressed call.

6. The Leader Who Remained Silent (Shin's POV)

"So, you've finally crossed the line."

Shin had expected it.

He had watched Renji wrestle with the decision, pretending he still had a choice.

But the moment his fingers hovered over the call button?

Shin knew.

Renji had already decided.

And now?

Now, he was stepping into something far more dangerous than a simple part-time job.

A world where words carried weight.

Where pressure broke people.

Where money wasn't just money—it was power.

And the worst part?

Shin wasn't even sure if he should stop him.

Because for the first time—Renji was moving.

Taking action.

And that?

That was more dangerous than anything else.

---

7. The Manipulator Who Pulled the Strings (Akane's POV)

Hayashi Akane leaned against the railing, phone pressed to her ear.

"So… you're in?"

Renji's voice was quiet. "Yeah."

Akane smirked.

She had expected him to hesitate.

To push back.

But he hadn't.

And that told her everything she needed to know.

This wasn't just about money for him anymore.

It was about proving something.

To his family. To himself.

And people like that?

People with something to prove?

They were the easiest to break.

---

8. The Golden Boy Who Never Missed a Thing (Haru's POV)

Haru saw it immediately.

The way Renji walked into class, shoulders stiff.

The way he avoided eye contact.

The way his hands stayed in his pockets, like he was hiding something.

"Interesting."

Something had changed.

Something big.

Haru leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

"So… what have you done, Amamiya?"

Because whatever it was?

It was only the beginning.

---

9. The Brother Who Refused to Lose (Riku's POV)

Riku knew something was wrong.

His brother wasn't the same.

Not just tired. Not just distracted.

Something deeper.

Something worse.

And Riku wasn't going to wait for Renji to tell him the truth.

Because he wouldn't.

So instead?

Riku was going to find out himself.

And if Renji was doing something stupid?

Then Riku would stop him.

Even if it meant dragging him back by force.

---

End of Chapter 21