Kenji was always loud.
He told big stories about how he fought ghosts, wrestled wild dogs, and once even scared away a thief.
No one really believed him.
But most of the time, they laughed.
And he smiled.
And that seemed to be enough.
Until today.
It was gym class.
The teacher had everyone line up for climbing practice—tall ropes, swinging in the air.
Kenji turned pale the moment he saw them.
He laughed it off. "Heh… piece of cake, right?"
But when it was his turn, he froze.
The other kids started whispering.
"I thought he said he climbed trees every day?"
"Big talker's finally quiet."
Kenji stared at the rope.
Then turned around and walked away—head low, fists clenched.
Rin saw it all.
And that night, he returned to the Dreambox Shop.
Moonchan greeted him as always, polishing a teacup that shimmered with constellations.
Kuro was napping upside down, paw twitching.
"I want to help a friend," Rin said.
Moonchan looked up, curious. "One of the loud ones?"
"He's not loud on the inside," Rin replied.
Moonchan nodded slowly and brought out a red Dreambag with golden thread.
Inside was a patch—shaped like a lion's head, soft but powerful.
"The Roar Patch," Moonchan said.
"Sew it onto someone's sleeve, and it'll give them one moment of real courage."
Rin touched the patch.
It pulsed gently, like a hidden heartbeat.
"And the price?"
Kuro spoke without opening his eyes.
"You'll have to take in their fear—every trembling breath, every heartbeat skipped."
Rin closed his hand around the patch.
"I'll carry it."
The next morning, Rin waited outside the gym.
When Kenji came by, dragging his feet, Rin stepped forward and quietly pressed the patch into his hand.
"No more pretending," Rin said. "Just this once… be who you are."
Kenji blinked, stunned.
But he nodded.
That afternoon, when the ropes came out again, everyone waited.
Kenji stepped up.
No bragging. No jokes.
Just silence.
He grabbed the rope, swallowed hard…
…and climbed.
Not the fastest.
Not the highest.
But he did it.
At the top, he looked down.
No smile. Just wide eyes, shining.
Then he grinned.
That evening, the patch vanished from Kenji's sleeve.
The Dreambag had disappeared long ago.
Rin sat at home, hands slightly trembling.
Shiro nuzzled against him.
"You okay?"
Rin nodded.
"He was scared. But… so was I."
And for once, that felt okay.