Shiho was still frozen, trying to process what was happening.
That look of concern.
The castle.
What Morgana said about cognition.
Knowing how he acts—and how no one ever mentions it.
She realized then how everyone just sees what they want to see. And how dangerous that really is.
'Rebel against what binds you…' Shiho thought.
"You—" she began.
"Don't buy into it," Ren whispered, just as Ryuji did exactly that.
"What do you want, Kamoshida? We were just having lunch together. You know. Like teenagers do. At school," Ryuji said dismissively.
"Well, two well-known troublemakers bothering a member of MY volleyball team—" Kamoshida began proudly.
"I quit," Shiho said.
"Huh?" Kamoshida asked, baffled.
"I quit! I quit the volleyball team!"
Ren and Morgana both saw it—a flicker of blue flame curling around Shiho as she spoke,
vanishing almost instantly.
Their eyes met. A sign of awakening.
Morgana frowned. Something about his own explanation felt… off now.
The world glitched.
For just a moment, Kamoshida's face twisted—from fake concern to raw, excessive rage—
before snapping back into place.
"Suzui… is it really worth throwing away your future?" Kamoshida sighed theatrically.
"So sad. I wonder what Takamaki would say."
"Let's go. We won't be able to buy that snack from the café—"
RIIINGGG—The contrast was jarring.
"Go to class," Kamoshida commanded as he walked away, casting one final look at Shiho.
'Ann. I have to tell Ann,' Shiho thought, glancing at Ren.
He nodded. Already knowing what she needed.
"Let's get to class," Ren said quietly. "I don't need to ask you that question anymore."
Shiho didn't hear him, as she was still shaken.
---------------------------------------------
As students began taking their seats—
"Takamaki," Ren said, drawing her attention.
"Is he hitting on her again?" someone whispered.
"What the hell. I'm pretty too."
"But I heard he's violent…"
"Yes?" Ann answered.
"Your friend—Shiho," Ren began, glaring at the surrounding students until they looked away.
Ann snapped to attention.
"Shiho?!" she whispered. "Is she okay? How do you know her? Did you hurt her?" The questions came rapid-fire.
"Calm down," Ren sighed. "She asked me to tell you to text her as soon as you can."
"You've sure got it rough, buddy," Morgana muttered from within his bag.
Ren felt a surge of panic.
'Please tell me no one heard that.'
Ann started looking around just as the lecture paused. Ren broke out into a cold sweat.
"They still haven't found that cat?" the teacher said irritably.
Ren's heart started beating again.
He internally fumed at Morgana—then stopped when he saw the smug look on his face. He definitely would've done the same thing.
Ann finally gave up searching and leaned back toward him.
"Thanks," she whispered. "I'll text her now."
---------------------------------------------
Class continued, Ann furiously typing in the seat ahead of him.
Luckily, Ren wasn't called on— mostly because his neighbor was too afraid to share their textbook with him.
RIIINGGGGG—
"Thank God," Ann muttered as she bolted for the door.
Ren stood and headed for the stairs—only to run straight into Ryuji.
"Yo," Ryuji said. "Let's go chat on the roof."
"Oh…" a female voice said suddenly, disappointed.
"You still haven't dyed your hair back to black," Kawakami said to Ryuji in regret.
"Sorry, teach," Ryuji muttered. He turned to Ren. "Meet ya there."
Then he took off.
Kawakami looked at Ren. "I heard something about you and two other students getting into it with Kamoshida-sensei. The rumors about you are only getting worse."
She sighed.
"You shouldn't associate with Sakamoto. He used to be so different when he was still doing track."
She said while she walked away.
From Ren's bag, Morgana spoke quietly.
"Let's go talk to Ryuji. The palace here is starting to affect reality."