Chapter 27
The streets were quiet when Renji walked out of Takeda's apartment.
The city lights glowed faintly, painting long shadows on the ground. Cars moved in the distance, and the air carried the faint smell of rain.
Lily held onto his hand tightly, her small fingers trembling. She looked up at him, her lips pressed together as if she wanted to say something , but she stayed quiet.
Renji's steps were slow. He wasn't running away. He wasn't even angry.
He just… didn't know what to do.
Januza… me?
The word felt strange in his head. Heavy. Unreal.
He looked down at Lily and gave her a soft squeeze, as if to tell her everything was alright. But inside, nothing felt alright.
Behind them, footsteps approached. Choji's voice came, steady but gentle.
"Yooo renji… wait up."
C'mon don't be an asshole after pulling a stunt like that
Renji stopped walking. He didn't turn around.
"Why are you following me?"
"Because Takeda told me to," Choji said, his voice calm. Then softer, "And also because… you look like you need someone."
Renji finally turned. His eyes were tired, almost empty.
"I don't even know who I am anymore, Choji. If what Takeda said is true I don't know… if I'm really this Januza… then why couldn't I save them?"
Choji's brows furrowed. "Save who?"
Renji's voice shook. He placed a hand on Lily's head gently, almost absent-mindedly.
"My parents choji my father, trapped in that fire. My mother… slowly breaking herself with the bottle. If I had that power… why didn't I stop it? Why didn't this Januza stop it?"
The night wind brushed against them. Lily lowered her head, her grip on Renji's sleeve tightening.
Choji stepped closer. His eyes softened.
"Hmmm renji… maybe you don't see it yet, but you did save someone."
Renji blinked. "Who?"
Choji nodded toward Lily.
"Her. You carried her all this way and you protected her when no one else would. Maybe you weren't some god-slayer back then… maybe you were just Renji. But that was enough. You were there when she needed you most. Isn't that saving someone too?"
Renji's throat tightened. He looked down at Lily, who was staring at him now with watery eyes.
"Big brother," she whispered, using the word she always called him with so much love. "You saved me… many many times and you are my hero."
Renji's chest ached. He knelt down,pulling Lily into his arms. She buried her face against him, small shoulders shaking.
For a long moment, Renji said nothing. He just held her, the warmth of her body grounding him more than any truth Takeda could ever tell.
Finally, he whispered,
"Then maybe… maybe that's all I want to be not Just your big brother but also your hero
Choji placed a hand on Renji's shoulder.
"You can be both," he said softly. "You can be Renji… and be a hero
But Renji cut him saying I know I just said it dumdum
Choji Chuckled okay okay.. dum dum but don't let the past blind you. Your parents' fate wasn't your fault. Power or no power… some things are beyond us that's why it's called fate bozo what really matters is the choices you make now okay "
Renji closed his eyes and when he opened them again, the night sky stretched endlessly above, stars faint but present.
You know choji the first time, I dont feel angry I just feel small
And maybe that was okay.
Of course dumdum choji Chuckled that's called being human my friend