At the SHIELD Exam Center
The air in the dormitory wing was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the low hum of mana-stabilizers. Zen stood before Hoshizaki's door, his heart hammering against his ribs. He waited in a state of uncharacteristic nervousness before the door groaned open halfway.
Hoshizaki peeped through the gap, his eyes narrow. When he saw it was Zen, his face shifted from confusion to a cold, quiet anger. "What is it?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
"I, um... I just..." Zen stammered. The words of apology felt like lead in his mouth. He couldn't force them out, so he pivoted sharply. "The... the second phase of the exam is over. The L.E.C. is going to announce for every remaining contender to be present. I want you to be ready before then."
Zen looked at his boots, unable to meet Hoshizaki's gaze. Hoshizaki began to pull the door shut. "Sure. I'll be ready."
"Wait!" Zen swallowed his pride, thrusting his hand out to stop the door from closing. Hoshizaki reopened it, staring at him with a pained, puzzled expression. Zen exhaled a heavy, shaky breath. "Could you... let me in? Let's talk about this."
Hoshizaki hesitated, his eyes searching Zen's face. He looked unsure, guarded.
"Please," Zen muttered.
The word "please" hit Hoshizaki like a physical shock. He had never heard Zen beg unless it is very, very necessary. Slowly, he pulled the door wide. "Sure. But make it quick."
Zen stepped into the room, taking a few seconds to scan the sparse surroundings before turning back to Hoshizaki, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"What did you want to talk about?" Hoshizaki asked.
Zen sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his hands. "I don't want to talk. I want to... I want to apologize."
Hoshizaki looked away. "You can save it. I know you meant what you said."
"But I don't!" Zen countered immediately. "And even if I did, it was wrong of me to say it." He sighed, looking at the floor. "Look, I've never been a leader. I haven't taken lessons. Unless you count me always being in charge of Ren. I rely too much on my own thoughts, and I'm too blunt with strangers. I don't always know when I'm being hurtful."
Zen looked up, his expression earnest. "But I do know you, Hoshizaki. That's why I regret it. As the leader, I should be motivating you. As your junior, I should have respect. I showed none of that. I'm sorry. I'll try my best never to do it again." He reached out his hand for a shake. "We good?"
Hoshizaki looked at the hand, then up at Zen. "No."
Before Zen could react, Hoshizaki lunged forward, flinging his arms around him in a fierce hug. "We are great now!"
Zen stiffened, trying his best to avoid the physical contact while forcing a small, awkward smile. He gently pried Hoshizaki off just as the door flew open. Tsukiko and Aiko burst in, beaming with excitement.
"We have a surprise for you two!" Tsukiko chirped, she and Aiko blocking the doorway like a pair of guards.
"What is it?" Hoshizaki asked, sharing a puzzled glance with Zen.
"Straight out of the hospital bed himself," Aiko announced, stepping aside with a grand flourish. "Introducing the one and only... Ren!"
Ren stepped into the light, forcing a weak, thin smile. Hoshizaki let out a cry of relief and rushed forward, embracing him. "Ren! You're okay! Thank goodness!"
"Okay, okay," Ren wheezed, trying to remain upright as he patted Hoshizaki's back. "That's enough... before you reopen the wounds."
Hoshizaki pulled back instantly, his face turning red. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I forgot! I just... I'm so glad you're alive."
"Ren?" Zen walked over at a measured pace, his eyes scanning his brother.
Ren smirked. "I heard all about you turning into an asshole, Zen. But they also told me about your 'Rage Mode'—how you took on that monster and gave it a run for its money. I can't believe I missed that. I'd probably be jealous if I'd seen it."
Aiko giggled. "Yeah, Zen was everywhere. He was a beast."
Zen didn't laugh. He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Are you sure you're okay? Even if you can walk, you shouldn't be here. You should be resting."
"That's what we tried to tell him," Tsukiko added, shaking her head. "The doctors, too. But he insisted on seeing you guys first."
Ren stepped toward Zen, his voice steady but his eyes slightly hollow. "Yeah. I didn't want you jerks worrying about me. I'm fine. After a long nap, I'll be all set. We're going to crush the final phase and get our licenses."
Zen stared at him for a long beat. Ren was acting... off. Too cheerful. Too "fine." But Zen forced a smile anyway. "Yeah. I guess you're right."
"One more stage to go!" Aiko cheered. "After the final announcement and the break, we're going to ace it. This team is ready."
As everyone agreed, Zen turned to Hoshizaki. "I suggest Ren sleeps on your bed for now. His locker room is too far, and I doubt he wants to be carried. You can take his locker room."
"Of course, I'll—" Hoshizaki started, but Tsukiko jumped on him, hugging him tight.
"No! Why don't you just stay with me? In my room! We can have a sleepover! Come on, big bro!"
Hoshizaki was about to decline, but a thought struck him. "You're right. A sleepover. Zen, Aiko, you should come too. Ren, you rest up. If you need anything, you know where to find us. But for now... just sleep."
Ren nodded and climbed into the bed, lying down as the four of them prepared to leave. Zen was the last one out. He turned back, watching Ren lie there in silence, pretending to sleep. He noticed it then—Ren's fingers were trembling slightly against the sheets.
Zen looked down, quietly closing the door and joining the others in the hall.
"Big bro, I wanted the sleepover to just be the two of us!" Tsukiko pouted as they walked.
"Come on, would you really mind if I joined?" Aiko teased.
Tsukiko sighed. "Fine. I guess just this once."
As the siblings walked ahead, Zen slowed down, grabbing Aiko's arm to stop her.
"Something is wrong with Ren," Zen whispered, his voice low and jagged.
Aiko looked at him, confused. "Ren? No, he's fine. The doctors said so. He just needs sleep. Give him a few hours and he'll be the Ren we know."
Zen shook his head. "No. I don't mean physically. I'm talking mentally. I think Ren is... broken. The expression he had when that monster sliced him... I've never seen that from him or ever expected that would happen. He's acting, Aiko. He's massively traumatized."
Aiko shook her head, wanting to believe the best. "No, he said it himself. He's fine. Just wait until he rests. You'll see."
Zen nodded slowly, though the knot in his stomach didn't loosen. "Okay. Let's go."
As they walked away to catch up with the others, Ren stayed alone in the darkened room. He wasn't sleeping. His body began to tweak, small muscle spasms racking his frame. His eyes were wide, bloodshot, and fixed on the ceiling, refusing to blink as he fought for every ragged, terrified breath.