Chapter 75
The heavy silence that followed Renji's declaration lingered long after the meeting should have ended.
President Nakamura remained seated at the long obsidian table, his fingers interlaced beneath his chin. The faint hum of the room's mana regulators filled the background .....soft, constant, and oddly mechanical a sound that somehow reminded everyone that time was still moving forward, even if their hearts weren't ready to.
Renji stood before him, his posture straight but his eyes betraying exhaustion. Hiroto and Takeda stood on either side of him, while Wang Chi leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, still processing what he had heard.
Arisa lingered near the doorway. She looked calm at first glance, but her fingers fidgeted at her side — betraying the storm of emotions that refused to quiet within her chest.
President Nakamura finally exhaled, his gaze shifting from Renji to the cityscape outside the window. The golden light of the setting sun spilled into the room, painting his face in amber and shadow.
"Renji," he began, his tone calm but firm, "you've made your decision regarding the Gate of Gealgilmesh. I won't stop you. But while you prepare for that… I have my own battlefield to face."
Renji tilted his head slightly. "Sir?"
"The International Guild Summit," Nakamura said, almost spitting the words as if they tasted bitter. "I'll handle that myself. You'll focus solely on your training and the gate. Understood?"
Renji's eyes widened slightly. "But, sir—"
Before he could finish, Hiroto interrupted sharply, his tone serious.
"Wait a second, President."
Everyone turned toward him.
Hiroto's expression was unusually grave his voice steady, but edged with tension. "How are we going to handle the International Guild Summit without Renji's presence? Unlike every other summit, this one isn't just about treaties or mana distribution quotas. It involves two top guilds from every major nation, and every SS-Rank hunter — including the Pillars. The rules are clear. Every representative nation must have their strongest present. Renji has to be there."
Takeda's eyes narrowed. "He's right. We all know the penalty for not attending."
The room grew still again.
The penalty wasn't just political. If Japan failed to send its strongest, it could be stripped of its A-tier Guild status ... and worse, lose its rights to international Gate interventions.
For a world now dependent on Hunters and mana economics, that would be national suicide.
President Nakamura didn't look shaken, however. He remained composed ..... calm in a way that unnerved even Takeda.
"Don't worry," he said after a pause, his voice measured. "I'll take care of it."
Hiroto frowned. "Take care of it? How?"
"I have my ways," the president replied with a faint smile ..... one that held no warmth, only political calculation. "Our job now isn't diplomacy. It's survival. The Guild Summit will distract the world while we prepare Renji for what's coming. If he truly becomes stronger than all the Pillars combined… then this war can still be won."
His gaze turned to Renji .... sharp, expectant, and somehow fatherly in its weight.
"Renji," Nakamura said quietly, "this is your battlefield now. The Gate of Gealgilmesh will be your crucible. You said you would win this war…"
Renji raised his head, meeting the president's gaze without flinching. "I will win, sir."
Nakamura's lips curved faintly. "Good. Then go. Prepare. Train harder than you ever have. If you truly can grow stronger… then let's see it."
Renji nodded deeply. "Understood, sir."
The president gave a small wave of dismissal. "Good. You may leave. Train harder. The rest of us…" He looked toward Takeda, Hiroto, and Wang Chi. "…have to forge a strategy for the International Guild Summit. Every move we make now will determine how long this world survives."
Wang Chi straightened, his voice carrying authority. "Then go, Renji. Train. Prepare for this war. Leave the politics to us."
Renji bowed his head low. "Arigatō… Commander. President."
As he turned to leave, his footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor. The sound seemed to carry more weight than it should — like the beginning of a journey that had no promise of return.
Outside the Bureau ... Evening Sky
The moment Renji stepped out of the president's office, the tension seemed to fall away, replaced by the quiet hum of the city below.
The sun had already begun to sink, casting the headquarters courtyard in hues of deep orange and gold. The air smelled faintly of rain and ozone — a reminder that autumn was near.
Renji let out a long sigh, rolling his shoulders as if shedding an invisible burden.
He hadn't gone far before he heard light footsteps behind him.
"Renji-kun… wait!"
He turned, recognizing the voice instantly.
Arisa jogged down the marble steps, her auburn hair glinting under the fading sunlight. She slowed as she reached him, slightly out of breath, but smiling faintly — the kind of small, hesitant smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Oh… Arisa." Renji straightened his posture. "You're still here?"
"Of course I am." She folded her arms, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. "You didn't even say goodbye after dropping a bomb like that in the conference room."
Renji gave a soft laugh. "I thought you'd still be angry at me."
Arisa's expression softened. "After what I just heard? No… I think I've used up all my anger for one lifetime."
They began walking together down the quiet pathway that led away from the Bureau's main hall. The world seemed strangely peaceful — birds returning to their nests, the soft rustle of leaves in the garden nearby.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable this time. It was gentle — hesitant — like two people afraid to disturb something fragile.
As they reached the edge of the courtyard, both of them stopped — almost instinctively.
Renji opened his mouth to speak.
"So—"
At the same time, Arisa said, "Hey, Renji—"
They both froze.
Then, realizing what had happened, they blinked at each other before Arisa burst out laughing, covering her mouth. "Ah, sorry! You go first."
Renji scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "No, no, you—"
"I said you go first," Arisa insisted, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.
Renji hesitated for a second, then took a deep breath.
He bowed deeply, his hair falling slightly over his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Arisa blinked. "E-Eh?"
He kept his head bowed, his tone earnest. "I'm sorry, Arisa. For keeping everything from you. The truth about Januza. About the Outer Gods of creation. About… the war."
She stared at him, caught off guard.
"I didn't want to lie," Renji continued, his voice low. "But this secret… it's too heavy for most people to carry. If the world knew, chaos would spread faster than any gate could open. I thought hiding it would protect everyone. You, the guilds, humanity…" He lifted his gaze slightly. "But in doing that, I ended up hurting you."
Arisa's heart raced. The sincerity in his tone — the quiet regret in his eyes made her chest tighten painfully.
"R-Renji-kun…" she stammered. Her face burned, her voice trembling. "Y-you didn't have to… apologize like that."
Renji tilted his head. "But I—"
Before he could finish, she waved her hands frantically, her face flushed red. "No! I mean.. I understand, okay? You had to do it. You were trying to protect everyone to protect me. I… I get it."
Her words came out faster than she meant them to, but they were honest.
Renji looked at her, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Really… you understand?"
Arisa smiled softly, though her face was still bright red. "Yes. I understand. You've been carrying this all alone, haven't you?"
Renji's expression softened. Slowly, he nodded.
"Yeah. I guess I have."
The quiet between them settled again .. not awkward this time, but filled with something tender.
Then, without thinking too much about it, Renji reached forward.
His hand brushed gently against hers.
Arisa froze. Her heart skipped a beat.
Renji's grip was light careful, almost hesitant as if he were afraid the moment would vanish if he held too tightly.
"Arigatō," he said softly.
The word was simple, but it carried everything he couldn't express — gratitude, relief, and something deeper he couldn't yet name.
Arisa's cheeks turned crimson. She looked down quickly, unable to meet his gaze.
"R-Renji-kun…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
She could feel her pulse in her ears, her fingers trembling slightly where they met his.
He smiled faintly — a quiet, genuine smile that softened the sharpness of his usual expression.
The setting sun bathed them both in golden light, and for a brief, fleeting moment, the weight of the world seemed far away.
For that instant, there were no gods, no wars, no pillars, only two people standing beneath a fading sky, holding on to something fragile but real.
In the distance, thunder rumbled faintly a quiet reminder that peace was never permanent.
Renji looked toward the horizon.
"Tomorrow," he said, almost to himself, "training begins."
Arisa glanced at him, her expression soft but worried.
"Don't overdo it."
He chuckled quietly. "That's like telling the rain not to fall."
She puffed her cheeks. "You always talk like that."
He grinned. "And you always worry too much."
Arisa huffed, turning away with a small pout. "I wouldn't have to if you weren't so reckless."
Renji laughed softly, watching her expression — and for the first time in a long while, the tension in his heart eased.
As they began walking again, side by side beneath the fading light, the wind carried the scent of rain and hope.
And though neither said it aloud, both knew this peace however short was something they would remember when the storm came.