The morning sun, usually a source of mild irritation for Ren, felt particularly oppressive today. He arrived at the school gate, scanning the familiar faces in the bustling crowd, expecting to see Itami. But Itami wasn't there. His usual spot by the cherry tree, where they often met before the first bell, was empty.
Ren waited, a faint prickle of unease beginning to form. Itami was meticulous, punctual. He rarely missed school, especially with midterms looming. The "family stuff" he'd mentioned yesterday, the strained look on his face as he'd rushed out of the library, returned to Ren's mind. Was it more than just mundane "family stuff"? Was it connected to the shadows that now permeated their lives?
The first bell shrieked, a jarring sound that signaled the start of classes. Still no Itami. Ren walked to his first class, his gaze constantly sweeping the corridors, half-expecting to see his friend hurrying, breathless, around a corner.
In history class, Itami's seat, usually occupied by his hunched form and spectacles, was conspicuously vacant. Ren felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach. Itami was his guide, his translator of this bewildering modern world.
Without him, the already complex academic concepts felt even more impenetrable. More importantly, Itami was his friend, the first true ally he'd made in this new life, aside from Li Wei.
He tried to focus on Mrs. Albright's lecture on the "Meiji Restoration," but his mind kept drifting. Was Itami in danger? Had Valerius somehow reached him, despite his seemingly mundane life? The thought sent a jolt of fear through Ren. Itami was innocent, a mere civilian caught in a war he didn't understand.
During the break, Ren sought out Li Wei. He found her in the student council office, her usual calm demeanor intact as she reviewed documents. When she saw Ren, her eyes, though composed, held a question.
"Itami is not here," Ren stated, his voice low, devoid of his usual formality, reflecting his concern.
Li Wei paused, her pen hovering over a document. "Indeed. I noticed his absence in homeroom. Did he communicate with you?"
"He mentioned 'family issues' yesterday," Ren explained, recalling the hurried departure. "He seemed... distressed."
Li Wei's brow furrowed slightly, a rare display of concern. "Family issues can be complex in this world. However, given recent events, we cannot dismiss it as merely mundane." Her gaze sharpened. "Did he give any indication of the nature of these 'issues'?"
Ren shook his head. "He was evasive. He merely said it was 'nothing like that,' when I inquired if it was a 'threat.'"
Li Wei tapped her chin thoughtfully. "A lack of information is a vulnerability. We must ascertain his situation. If Valerius has extended his reach to Itami's household, it changes the parameters of our engagement."
Ren felt a surge of grim determination. "We must find him."
"Agreed," Li Wei replied, her voice firm. "But discreetly. Any overt investigation might draw unwanted attention, particularly from Valerius. And with midterms so close, our movements are already under scrutiny." She glanced at the clock. "I will make inquiries through my... student council channels. See if any official reason for his absence has been reported."
The rest of the school day passed in a haze for Ren. Each empty seat, each unanswered question about Itami's whereabouts, amplified his growing anxiety.
He saw Hiroshi in their shared classes, the chess champion's face impassive, his focus unwavering. Valerius. Was this another one of his subtle moves? A way to isolate Kaelen, to remove his support system?
As the final bell shrieked, Ren felt a desperate urgency.
He had to find Itami. The academic battle of the midterms, once his primary concern, now seemed secondary to the safety of his friend. The war had begun to touch those closest to him, and Ren knew, with a chilling certainty, that he could not afford to lose another loyal ally.