Chapter 29
The streets were quiet that night. Only the hum of street lamps and the chirping of crickets filled the silence. Renji walked slowly, Lily holding his arm, her little steps keeping up with his. Choji followed closely, his hands tucked in his pockets, scanning every corner like a guard dog.
But then, Choji stopped. His head tilted slightly, his brows furrowed.
Renji noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"
Choji narrowed his eyes, whispering, "We're being followed."
Renji stiffened, instinctively pulling Lily closer. His heart raced for a moment, but then he let out a shaky laugh.
"Maybe…" he whispered, his lips curling in a nervous smile, "this time Januza will come out and play."
Choji snorted, unable to stop himself. "Pfft. You and your Januza. Relax, Renji. It's not an enemy."
Renji blinked. "How do you know?"
Choji closed his eyes for a second, focusing. His senses sharpened like a blade, stretching into the dark alleys and rooftops. After a long breath, he smirked.
"There's no killing intent," he said simply. "Whoever it is… they're just watching. Careful, steady. If I had to guess… Hunters Bureau."
Renji tilted his head. "Bureau? Why would they follow me? I'm not important."
Are you sure about that with everything that has happened lately?? But ...
Choji shrugged. "I don't know. But the mana feels heavy. Refined. This isn't some rookie. Whoever's trailing us is at least S-rank."
Renji's face went pale. "S-RANK?!" His voice cracked so loud Lily tugged his sleeve and whispered, "Brother, don't yell…"
Renji rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "R-Right, sorry."
But inside, he was spiraling. Why would an S-rank be following me of all people? I can't even control my powers if I even have any...
On the rooftops above, Arisa crouched low, watching them carefully. Her gaze lingered on Renji, her expression unreadable.
Hmmmm soo according to the bareu that massive mana surge was caused by him but still also not sure if it's him and Takeda??
Vanishing without a second thought..?
Hmmmm
Takeda… just what are you hiding about this boy? she thought. He doesn't look like much. Yet Choji can sense me, for a B rank is that possible I have never seen a B rank with high perception skills unless Takeda must have warned them. Still… why place an S-rank on babysitting duty?
She stayed hidden, her presence masked, only leaking the faintest trace of mana. Enough for someone sharp like Choji to notice but not enough for Renji to understand.
Meanwhile at the Hunters Bureau, Takeda sat in his office, the weight of silence pressing down on him. On his desk lay a sealed document stamped with the Bureau's crest. Inside were questions about the mana surge, about Tang Shii's death, about why the detectors had nearly burned out.
He hadn't answered them. Not fully. Not truthfully.
Takeda leaned back in his chair, muttering to himself. "If the Bureau finds out about Januza… there'll be panic. Fear. Power struggles. No… I can't let that happen. Not yet."
A knock came at his door.
"Enter," Takeda called.
The door opened, revealing Riku, a young B-rank hunter with wild brown hair and an eager grin. "Captain, you've been in here for hours. The others are starting to think you've gone into hibernation."
Takeda gave him a tired look. "What do you want, Riku?"
"Nothing serious," Riku shrugged, strolling in. "Just… you always told us to trust our instincts. And mine says something's going on. You're hiding something."
Takeda's eyes sharpened. "Be careful with your words, boy."
But Riku only smirked. Ahhh takeda-san you always take things seriously ..
Takeda replied saying let me be I'm tired
Yes yes but Riku replied with an inner thought saying"If you don't want to tell me, fine. But I'll find out myself."
As he left, Takeda clenched his jaw. This is bad. If even Riku starts digging, the Bureau won't be far behind.
Renji and Choji finally reached the small park near their apartment. Lily ran ahead a little, laughing softly as she chased a firefly. Renji watched her, a small smile forming on his lips, but his heart still carried weight.
"Choji," he said quietly.
"Mm?"
"What if… what if it's true? What if I really am Januza? Then… why didn't he save my parents? Why didn't he stop any of it? If he's so powerful… why do I feel so powerless?"
Choji stopped walking. He placed a hand on Renji's shoulder, firm but gentle.
Again with this Renji ..... Then followed with a hard smack on the back of Renji's head
Renji screamed in pain!!! What was that for ??
"Renji," he said, his voice steady, "whether you're Januza or not doesn't matter to me. You're you. My friend. Lily's brother. That's enough."
We've said it before Renji
Renji felt his chest tighten, his eyes burning, but he laughed it off. "You always know what to say, don't you?"
Choji smirked. "Yeah. Someone's gotta keep you from sulking too much."
They both chuckled, the tension breaking for a moment. But above, Arisa still watched. Quiet. Patient.