Lies, Love, and the Reason I Wanted to Die

Yuuto was absent.

That single fact settled into Renji's day like a strange silence—thick and unfamiliar. No smirks in the hall. No low, calculated whispers. No "accidental" bumps or side glances followed by stifled laughter. The noise that normally surrounded him, that constant low hum of tension, had gone mute. It was almost unnerving.

But in that silence, someone else took his place.

Hina.

She was everywhere today.

Not loud. Not obvious. But present—like a ghost with unfinished business. Renji caught glimpses of her between classes. Standing near doors, eyes sweeping the crowd. Lingering at staircases, fingers nervously twirling the strap of her bag. Once, during lunch break, she waited just inside the courtyard, biting her lip and looking around like she was searching for someone lost.

She was searching for him.

But no one knew where Renji disappeared during breaks.

Not anymore.

Renji's sanctuary was the old stairwell behind the science building, next to the rarely used emergency exit. A vending machine hummed quietly beside him. Dust danced in the light beams cutting through the tiny window above. His lunch—two slices of dry bread and a convenience store onigiri—sat untouched in his lap.

He held the anonymous note again. The one he found yesterday. No signature. No clue. Just that message:

"I haven't forgotten. Not everyone believes them."

He hadn't told anyone. Not that he had anyone to tell.

It didn't feel like a threat. It didn't feel like comfort either. Just a whisper in the dark.

His gaze drifted to the corner of the stairwell, where a spider hung still in its web. Even that had more peace than he did.

And yet, she was looking for him. Hina.

Why now?

Was it guilt? Pity? Maybe she saw the rumors getting worse and suddenly grew a conscience. Maybe she thought if she "made peace," she could walk away feeling better.

But she had years to tell the truth.

She stayed silent.

Just like everyone else.

Final period came, dragging its feet.

The classroom was stuffy, thick with the smell of summer and too many bodies. Renji sat at the back, head lowered, barely hearing the lesson. His mind was drifting, staring through the glass at the distant clouds.

Then—

A message popped on the school's group chat. He wasn't part of it, but the students near him weren't subtle.

"Yuuto's out today? Lol lucky bastard."

"Hina's been looking for someone all day. Bet it's that creep lol."

"Maybe she's finally gonna slap him. That'd be entertaining."

The class laughed softly.

Renji didn't react.

He was used to being the punchline.

But he noticed the time. Five minutes before the final bell. Enough for someone desperate to make a move.

The hallway was quieter than usual.

Most students had already started filtering into their last class. Renji was just reaching the end of the corridor when he heard the steps.

Fast. Light. Urgent.

"Renji!"

He froze.

That voice.

He turned slowly.

Hina was standing there, panting lightly, eyes wide and glassy. She looked like she hadn't slept. Her hair was slightly messy, her blazer wrinkled. She clutched her bag like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

"I've been looking for you," she said.

He didn't answer.

She stepped forward, unsure. "Please… can we talk?"

Renji's expression didn't shift. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

She winced. "I had to find you. I need to say something. I… I owe you that much."

The hallway buzzed faintly with distant chatter from open doors. Somewhere down the hall, a clock ticked.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "For everything. What happened in middle school—I didn't mean for it to go that far. I was scared. Everything was happening so fast and Yuuto—he—"

"Stop," Renji said.

It wasn't loud. But it silenced her instantly.

"Whatever you're trying to do… it's too late."

"I know," she breathed, stepping closer. "I know I messed up. I was scared. But I never wanted them to hurt you like this. I didn't think—I was just…"

She looked down, then back at him.

"I'll do anything. Just tell me how to make it right."

Renji's lips thinned.

He turned away. "I have to go to class."

He took a step.

"Please, Renji," she pleaded. "Don't ignore me. Please. I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do back then. I really—"

"I said I'm going to class," he muttered, walking away.

But she followed.

"Please forgive me!" she called again. "I'll do anything! Just—just look at me! Please!"

They moved through the hallway like shadows, a desperate one chasing the other. Doors creaked open. Heads turned.

Then Renji stopped.

He turned around.

His hands grabbed her shoulders.

"Stop," he said, voice low and sharp. "Go to your class. Please."

A breath. A pause.

And silence.

A group of students standing near the lockers stared. One girl raised her phone. Another boy's eyes widened, already typing something.

Renji realized what he was doing.

He let go immediately and stepped back.

"Don't make a scene here," he said, quieter now. "Just go."

He turned and left, heading toward his classroom.

He didn't look back.

But her voice chased him.

"Renji!"

He kept walking.

"I'll tell them!"

His steps faltered slightly.

"I'll tell everyone the truth!" she shouted louder. "After school, in the auditorium—I'll tell them everything!"

Her voice rang like a bell.

Everyone heard.

But Renji didn't stop. He rounded the corner and vanished.

Across the city, in a hotel suite with polished floors and an untouched bed, Yuuto lay sprawled on the mattress, scrolling lazily through his phone.

He wasn't paying attention at first.

Until—

@NamiCutie: "Hina just said she's gonna confess something?? Auditorium after school??"

@KitsuNeko: "She screamed it in the hallway. Something about Renji. Crazy."

@GhostScanner: "Whole class is going. LMAO this is gonna be wild."

Yuuto sat up.

His face hardened.

The screen lit his expression—a slow, simmering mix of irritation and calculation.

He stared.

Then…

He smiled.

But it wasn't kind.

It was sharp. Dangerous. Like the edge of something waiting to cut.

To be continued...