Ren Nakamura didn't have nightmares.
At least, that's what he told himself.
But some nights—when the world was too quiet, when sleep pulled him under too fast—he remembered.
The voices.The shadows.The cold feeling of being alone.
And tonight was one of those nights.
That Morning – Classroom
Ren leaned against his desk, eyes heavy from lack of sleep.
He felt off.
The usual dull hum of the classroom felt too loud. His fingers tapped against his notebook absentmindedly, a habit he didn't realize he had.
"Ren?"
A voice cut through the noise..
He blinked. Yuki was watching him.
"Didn't sleep again?" she asked, tilting her head.
Ren scoffed. "Since when do you care about my sleeping schedule?"
"Since the moment you looked like a zombie," she teased.
Ren rolled his eyes. "Tch. I'm fine."
Yuki hummed, studying him for a moment. Then she smiled softly.
"You know… you can tell me if something's wrong."
Ren stiffened.
No.
That wasn't how he worked.
He didn't talk about things. He didn't open up.
Because if you did—people left.
Just like they always did.
So instead, he smirked, resting his chin on his palm. "Worried about me, Hoshino?"
Yuki didn't laugh.
She just looked at him. Really looked at him.
And for some reason, that made Ren's chest feel tight.
After School – The Encounter
Ren didn't plan on running into him.
But life had a sick sense of humor.
He had been walking home, hands in his pockets, when a voice from behind made him freeze.
"Well, well. If it isn't Ren Nakamura."
His stomach turned to ice.
Slowly, Ren turned.
A man stood a few feet away, leaning against a streetlamp. Tall. Familiar. Cold.
His father.
Ren's grip tightened inside his pockets.
"...What do you want?" he muttered.
His father smirked. "Is that any way to greet your old man?"
"You're not my old man," Ren shot back. His voice was flat. Emotionless. "You're just some guy I used to know."
His father chuckled. "Still got that sharp tongue, huh?"
Ren didn't respond.
He didn't have to.
Because he wasn't a scared kid anymore.
He wasn't the boy who flinched at loud voices.He wasn't the boy who waited for someone to come back.He wasn't the boy who cried when he realized no one would.
That version of him was dead.
And yet—
His father's presence still made his stomach twist.
"Tch. Whatever," Ren muttered, turning to walk away.
But then—
A hand gripped his shoulder.
"You're just like your mother," his father sneered. "Running away like a coward."
Ren snapped.
His fist moved before he could think.
CRACK.
The punch landed clean. Right against his father's jaw.
The force sent him stumbling back.
The street went silent.
Ren stood there, breathing hard.
His knuckles throbbed.
His father wiped his mouth, then let out a dry chuckle. "Hah. So you finally grew some teeth."
Ren's voice was low, cold. Deadly.
"Touch me again," he muttered, "and I'll break more than just your jaw."
His father smirked, but there was something different this time.
Something hesitant.
Ren didn't wait for a response.
He turned and walked away.
And this time—his father didn't stop him.
Later That Night – A Knock on His Door
Ren didn't tell anyone about what happened.
But someone noticed.
A knock sounded at his door.
Ren frowned. Who the hell—?
When he opened it, Yuki stood there.
Ren froze.
"What—?"
Yuki didn't wait.
She just stepped inside, shutting the door behind her.
"Okay," she said. "What happened?"
Ren scowled. "What are you talking about?"
"You were off today," Yuki said simply. "And now you look even worse."
Ren clicked his tongue. "I'm fine, Hoshino."
Yuki studied him.
Then—
She reached out and touched his hand.
Ren flinched.
Her fingers brushed over his knuckles—red, swollen.
Yuki's gaze darkened.
"Who did you hit?"
Ren didn't answer.
Yuki exhaled softly. Then, without another word, she pulled him to sit on the edge of his bed.
Before he could react, she grabbed a small ointment bottle from her bag.
"...You carry medicine with you?" Ren muttered.
Yuki shrugged. "For people like you."
Ren scoffed. "You mean idiots?"
She smiled. "I mean people who pretend they're okay when they're not."
Ren's smirk faded.
Yuki carefully took his hand, dabbing the ointment onto his knuckles.
Her touch was soft. Gentle. Careful.
Ren hated it.
Because it made him feel like he was someone worth taking care of.
And he wasn't.
"...It was my father," Ren muttered before he could stop himself.
Yuki paused.
Then, slowly, she continued wrapping his hand.
She didn't ask questions.She didn't push.She just listened.
And for some reason—that was worse.
When she finished, she sat back, looking at him.
"You're a good person, Ren," she said softly.
Ren laughed dryly. "You don't know me."
Yuki smiled. "I think I do."
Silence.
Then, quietly—
"Thank you," Ren muttered.
Yuki's eyes widened slightly.
Then she grinned. "Wow. Ren Nakamura saying thank you? Someone write this down."
Ren scowled. "Don't push your luck, Hoshino."
Yuki giggled. "No promises."
She stood, stretching. "Okay, I'll go now. Try not to punch anyone else."
Ren rolled his eyes. "I'll think about it."
She smiled one last time before heading to the door.
But before leaving, she paused.
And without looking back, she said—
"See you tomorrow, Ren."
Ren sat there, staring at the spot where she had been.
And for the first time in a long time—
He didn't feel so alone.