he courtyard had cleared out after the event. Students either went home or returned to class, still buzzing about the matches.
Ren sat on the low wall outside the gym building, sipping from a juice box.
"…You didn't fight seriously."
Koneko's voice drifted in from behind.
He turned slightly, catching her golden eyes. She stood there in silence, arms crossed.
Ren smiled. "Neither did you."
She narrowed her gaze. "…But I tried."
"…And you still held back," he said quietly, tapping the box against his knee. "You were afraid. Not of me, but of yourself."
Koneko looked down, her fists clenching. Her ears twitched, tail flicking once under her skirt—subtle signs most people wouldn't notice.
"Don't talk like you know me."
"I don't," he admitted, cheerful as ever. "But I see you."
A pause.
"…What are you hiding?" she finally asked.
Ren looked up at the sky. "Would you believe me if I said I didn't know yet?"
Silence stretched.
Then, she turned and walked away. "...You're annoying."
He chuckled softly, not moving. "I get that a lot."
Elsewhere — Shadows Over Kuoh
High above Kuoh Academy, atop the bell tower of an old church, a figure watched with narrowed eyes.
Long, feathered wings the color of charcoal folded behind her. The moonlight shimmered faintly off her spear.
Kalawarner.
She pressed a finger to a comm-crystal.
"Target observed. Engaged in low-level combat. No Sacred Gear identified."
A pause.
"…However, energy signature was abnormal. Brief spike of… I don't know what. Like something from outside the system. Not holy. Not demonic. Not even draconic. Just… empty."
Static crackled. Then, another voice answered.
"You're saying he's Void-Touched?"
Kalawarner frowned. "I'm saying... he's not from here. And if he is—he shouldn't be."
"Watch him. Do not engage."
She lowered the crystal, gaze fixed on the academy grounds.
"Kurozai Ren," she murmured.
Her wings trembled once.
"…What are you?"