Renji hasn't looked back once since he left. He ventured into the depths of the woods, trying to make sense of what just happened.
Am I stupid? Maybe she's right. I misread her completely. No, that can't be true... or...
He punches himself in the face.
Get a grip, man. Forget it. Even if she likes you, she rejected you. Her stance is clear.
He sits down on the edge of a cliff and looks at the orange sky.
Maybe I need some time away. Screw school, I'll catch back up in no time. I need some time alone with my thoughts.
As he gazes into the twilight, he hears a twig snap behind him. He turns around.
"Who's there? I heard that! Come out."
Three tall, dark figures appear between the trees. They start slowly approaching.
Renji stands with his guard up. He smells trouble.
[An hour earlier]
"I think it's time. He's at his lowest emotionally."
"I'll report back to the Black Thorns.You guys go ahead."
The three figures nod in agreement. They follow Renji from the town all the way to the forest.
[Present]
"Who are you?! What do you want from me?"
One of the figures steps closer.
"Relax. We're not here to harm you. Quite the opposite. We want to make you an offer."
"Not even an introduction? Who are you people?"
The figure grins.
"You'll understand soon enough. My codename is Bones. I'm a general of the Black Thorns."
"I never heard of you."
"Good. That's our intention. We work in the shadows."
A pause.
"We've been watching you, Renji Shibata. For a long time."
Renji looks down, and it finally clicks.
"The presence... the feeling I had... it was real. It was you."
Bones laughs.
"Not me specifically. Us."
"That's creepy, to say the least. What the hell is your reasoning?"
"Do you have any idea who you are, Renji?"
"A student at Almenio Academy. Just a normal guy."
Bones chuckles.
"Normal guy? No, Renji. There's nothing normal about you. You are the prophesied Chosen One."
Renji laughs.
"Chosen one? Cut the crap. I know I'm strong. Very strong. But I'm not that special."
"Do you remember your conversation with the Headmaster?"
Renji steps back.
"You... you heard that? How's that possible?"
"Let's just say... we have eyes and ears everywhere."
A pause.
"Now, why do you think the Headmaster wanted to see you personally? A first-year student with no clear background?"
"That's... I don't know."
"Why do you think he told you to stay at the academy?"
"I..."
"It's because he knows, Renji. He understands who, no... what you are."
"I don't care. You guys seem sketchy as hell."
"Thank you!"
"Not a compliment."
Bones gets closer.
"It's okay to be scared, but as I already said, we're not here to harm you. We're not here to kidnap you, and, not here to force you into anything you don't want. We're here to... offer another option."
"I'm not scared, just creeped out. Very different things."
"Be that as it may, let's get straight to the point. Your destiny is to shape this world we live in, Renji. You possess that power. You and only you."
"Then what do I need you for?"
Bones smiles.
"What do you think will happen if you stay at the academy? They will hold you down, Renji. They will hinder your growth. Slow it. Possibly ruin it. We're the opposite. Instead of limiting your power, we want to unleash it to its fullest potential. We've been waiting for you."
"Let's say I believe you... do you think I'm stupid enough to become your puppet? Do you want me to believe the timing is a coincidence?"
Bones' smile fades, then Renji continues.
"As soon as you think I'm at my weakest, you finally grow the balls to approach me. It's clear you don't know me. You say I'm the chosen one, but then you take me for a fool. Why?"
"You're right, Renji. But that's especially because we know you. We know that getting you to join our side is an uphill battle... that's why we have to use anything we can. We didn't take you for a fool, we just saw an opportunity."
"Well, you were off the mark. Completely. I might be a little upset, but I can still think clearly."
"You said you don't want to become a puppet... I see there's a huge misunderstanding."
"How so?"
"We could never see you as a puppet, Renji. In fact, we see you as a leader. We don't want you under a boot, we want you on our side."
"And what does your side do? Kill innocent people? Wreak havoc? Do horrible crimes?"
Bones chuckles.
"It seems like you're off the mark this time. Completely. It's much more complicated than that. Our Headmaster can tell you more. This is an invitation, Renji. Do you want to know more? Did we pique your curiosity? If so, come with us. Give us a chance. We're not forcing you. We're asking you to give us a conversation. What do you say?"
Renji looks down, then back up.
"Let me be alone for ten minutes. I need to think this through."
"Of course, Renji. Take all the time you need. Just give us the signal."