Ren remained seated beneath the large tree, slumped weakly with his knees drawn to his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around them. The night wind whispered softly, carrying a cold stillness that sank deep into his bones. Above him, starlight scattered across the sky—clear, as if the heavens had no idea that the earth had just endured hell a few hours ago.
While his body felt heavy, his spirit was even more fragile. In his eyes, reflecting that sky, there shimmered the raw edges of wounds not yet healed. One simple question played on repeat in his mind: Why? Why did this have to happen? Why him—a regular kid—why did he have to witness someone like Fujisawa… fall?
He didn't move for hours. Even as the sounds of nature faded into the soft hum of midnight, his body stayed frozen. The only thing still alive was his mind—and his mind was screaming.