AFTERMATH

Arthur had been asleep when he heard it — a blood-curdling scream that jolted him out of bed.

Still half-dressed, he sprinted across the academy, following the sound through corridors and courtyards until he reached the training field.

The sight stopped him cold.

"M-Mohit?!"

His best friend was collapsed on the ground, clutching his face. Blood streamed between his fingers. The knife lay forgotten beside him.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!"

Arthur rushed to his side, grabbing his shoulders. Mohit was shaking violently, teeth clenched, breaths ragged.

Arthur's voice cracked. "Stay with me! Just hold on—dammit—"

Without wasting another second, he bolted back into the building, screaming for help.

---

Moments Later – Infirmary

Sakazuki-sensei arrived with a team of medics. He didn't ask questions—just barked orders.

Mohit was rushed inside, barely conscious. As the doors shut behind them, Arthur stood outside, fists clenched, his chest heaving.

Why would he do this to himself?

What the hell was so terrifying… that he'd rather lose his eyes than face it head-on?Outside the infirmary, a small crowd gathered.

Some out of concern.

Some out of curiosity.

All of them confused.

> "Did he have a breakdown?"

"He was acting normal yesterday, wasn't he?"

"Maybe he was hiding it…. "By morning, the halls of the Shinigami Academy felt heavier. with tension.the incident spread like wild fire

Mohit from Class 2-A had done something no student in recent memory had attempted.

He had stabbed out his own eyes in the middle of the training grounds.

Alone.

No note.

No reason. The clatter of trays and bowls had never sounded so forced.

Groups of students huddled around tables, speaking in low tones.

> "Did you hear?"

"Of course I heard. Everyone did. Mohit... he blinded himself."

"No one knows why?"

"Nothing. He just snuck out at night. They found him screaming in the training grounds."

From a distance, Shinji sat with Rose and love . They didn't join the conversation. They stared at nothing and love spoke man why would he do it these fuckers say he had mental breakdown but I disagree.love spoke from behind yes I also do not thi k the breakdown shit real he was just himself yesterday shinji said why don't we ask arthur what realy happened he was the one saw mohit in that state in kuch break all three of them approached arthur who was seting in far corner

We heard what happened to Mohit," Rose said softly. He did not reply

Then Shinji added, not unkindly:

We're not here to judge. We just want to understand."

Arthur's jaw tensed. His fingers curled into fists on the table. For a moment, it looked like he wouldn't say anything.

Then, slowly—voice low and trembling—he spoke.

It was midnight. I heard him scream."

The trio leaned in.

> "I ran to the training ground. He was on his knees. There was blood—so much blood. His hands were shaking, covering his face. He kept whispering something I couldn't understand. Then he passed out."

Love's face tightened. Rose covered her mouth. Shinji's brows furrowed deeply.

"He didn't say anything? Nothing at all?" Shinji asked.

Arthur shook his head. "Only one thing. Before he blacked out… he said, 'I had to.' That's all."

The table fell into a heavy silence.

No one knew what to say.

Arthur looked at them finally, eyes hollow.

I don't think he lost control. I think… he chose to do it.". Academy Staff Conference Room

Participants: Captain Kazuki (Kido Instructor), Sakazuki-sensei (Sword Instructor), Headmaster Ryosei, and a few senior instructors.

The door shut with a soft thud, but the tension in the room hit like a storm.

Papers rustled. A kettle steamed in the corner. No one touched the tea.

Headmaster Ryosei stood by the window, his back to the others, watching the morning haze curl over the Soul Society rooftops.

> "He stabbed his eyes, Ryosei. We need answers."

—Sakazuki, arms crossed tightly.

> "This academy has stood for over 600 years without such an incident," Kazuki added, calmer but no less firm.

"The students are panicking. They're feeding off each other's fear like hollows on a battlefield."

> "They've started to make up things," another instructor muttered. "Some are saying he's possessed. Others that he was experimenting with forbidden kido."

Ryosei finally turned, his aged face unreadable.

> "None of those theories are confirmed. Mohit was an above-average student, but not erratic. If he did this, it wasn't madness—it was purpose."

Sakazuki's brow furrowed.

> "I trained that boy personally. He reminded me of myself at that age. Focused, yes. Stubborn, yes. But not unstable."

Kazuki tapped his finger against the table, thinking aloud.

> "The medical squad said he was silent the whole time after the incident. No resistance. Just pain."

Ryosei paced slowly.

> "We cannot let the academy descend into chaos. The students need to know something. But not the full truth—not until we understand the truth."

---

The Plan: Control the Fire Before It Spreads

Kazuki spoke first.

> "We need to address the students directly. If we don't, the rumors will become the truth."

Ryosei nodded.

> "I'll call an emergency assembly. We keep the details controlled. We confirm the incident, acknowledge the concerns, but make it very clear that speculation is not acceptable."

Sakazuki added:

> "And Mohit's name stays protected. We don't expose the reason until we know it ourselves—even if that takes weeks. He deserves that much."

Another teacher asked:

> "What do we tell the parents and noble sponsors?"

Ryosei's tone turned steely.

> "We tell them that a student was injured during personal training. It's being investigated. That's all."

The Announcement: A Measured Truth

By the end of the day, every student was gathered in the main hall.

The air was thick with tension.

Ryosei stepped up to the podium. His voice was calm, deliberate.

> "Last night, a student in Class 2-A was involved in a serious incident during private training hours."

Gasps echoed across the room.

> "He is currently under full medical care. His condition is stable."

He paused, letting the words settle.

"There is no danger to other students. And there is no evidence of external interference—no hollow activity, no spiritual manipulation, no foul play. I will not entertain any such rumors within these walls."

Eyes widened. Whispers stopped.

You will show respect. You will focus on your studies. And if anyone believes they have concerns—real concerns—they may speak to their instructors privately."

Silence followed He bowed his head.that is all."

The halls quieted, but not in peace—only in fear and confusion.

The rumors didn't vanish. They simply went underground, behind more careful lips.

But one thing had changed:

Now, everyone was watching.

Watching Arthur. Watching Shinji. Watching the empty seat where Mohit once sat.

And wondering what could possibly make a student do what he did…

and whether they were truly safe from ever feeling the same way.