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Chapter 9: No Bruises, Just Shadows
They expected him to come back angry.
Or shaken.
Or at the very least, quiet.
But when Kuro walked out of the principal's office after a long, private scolding…
He came back like nothing had happened.
His hoodie sleeves were rolled just enough to show his bandaged wrists, the scar on his cheek hidden again beneath a fresh strip of gauze. His posture was easy, almost relaxed. His steps, calm. Even the way he whistled a soft, tuneless melody made it seem like he'd simply taken a stroll—not nearly punched someone's teeth out.
He dropped into his usual seat beside the others during free period, spun a pencil between his fingers, and flashed that same old grin.
"So," he said casually, "anyone else feel like today's dragging extra hard, or is that just post-principal-brain?"
Riku blinked. "Dude... you decked a guy."
"Did I?" Kuro tilted his head. "Must've been a reflex. He said something gross."
Jason frowned, arms crossed. "You almost got suspended."
"I didn't," Kuro said, as if that settled it.
He leaned back.
Shrugged.
Like a storm hadn't just passed through.
But Eve saw it.
She always did.
He sat closer to her now—his knee almost brushing hers. His voice, while light, was just a bit softer when directed at her. He stole small glances when he thought she wouldn't notice. Once, she caught him staring at her hands like he wanted to reach for them again, but didn't.
Still, she let him stay close.
Even leaned just a little bit his way.
And he relaxed, if only by an inch.
---
Later that day, during literature, Kuro sat by the window again. Sunlight streamed in, but it didn't warm him.
He rested his chin on his bandaged hand and stared, eyes locked on the distant woods like they had something to say.
The trees were still.
But something about the way he looked at them made them feel like they were breathing.
Waiting.
He stayed that way for almost five full minutes.
Then blinked.
Looked around.
Smiled again.
---
After class, Riku caught up to him.
"You're okay, right?" he asked.
"Of course," Kuro replied.
"Really okay?"
Kuro laughed. "You worry too much."
But Eve, standing just behind him, didn't believe it.
Because when he walked away, she caught a glimpse of something beneath the edge of his hoodie.
A long, dark scratch running along his back. Fresh. Like something clawed him.
---
That night, Eve stood at her window, staring out toward the woods beyond the school.
And for the first time, she saw something move.
Not a shadow.
A shape.
Tall. Watching.
Exactly five minutes later—
Her phone buzzed.
A text from Kuro.
"You don't have to worry. I've got it under control. :)"
But even without replying, she knew.
He didn't.
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To be continued…