Chapter 59: The Silence Between Lies
Inside the cramped, leather-scented interior of the Ford V8, the air was suffocating. Ren leaned back, a thin, provocative smile playing on his lips as he watched the vein in Kimo's temple throb with suppressed fury.
I knew it, Ren thought, his eyes glinting. The word 'Forsaken' didn't just surprise him—it triggered something deep and dark.
Kimo's knuckles were white against the steering wheel. He forced his breathing to slow down, the image of Mina's tearful face and her desperate promise acting as a physical restraint against his murderous instincts.
"You think you're being clever, don't you?" Kimo said, his voice a low, dangerous rasp. "Confessing your status doesn't change the fact that you're under my watch."
Ren let out a soft laugh. "You're lying, Sensei. Your eyes... your expression... they tell a different story. You hate Forsakens with every fiber of your being. Am I wrong?"
Kimo didn't answer. If I hadn't promised Mina... if she wasn't so impulsive and protective of this boy, I would have dragged him to the interrogation cells myself, Kimo thought bitterly.
The car slowed to a halt in front of Ren's house. The engine's growl died down, replaced by a heavy, awkward silence. Ren looked at the handcuffs, then back at Kimo. Kimo reached over and clicked them open with a sharp, metallic snap.
Ren stepped out of the car, stretching his stiff limbs. Despite the tension, he looked at the sleek vehicle with a hint of genuine wonder. My first time in a car... and it was a beast like this. Not bad, he thought.
"If there's a mission, I'll let you know," Kimo said, his tone professional but cold.
Ren leaned against the doorframe. "So, no punishment for the school incident? No jail time?"
Kimo looked at him, his gaze piercing. "Your behavior tells me everything I need to know. You feel no guilt for what you did. If a slap from a Vane Master didn't shake you, nothing else will. Go inside, Ren. Before I change my mind."
Without waiting for a response, Kimo slammed the car into gear and roared away, leaving a cloud of exhaust behind.
The Kimo Residence
Kimo returned home, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. Upstairs, Mina was in her room, the soft glow of a holographic tablet illuminating her face.
She was scrolling through the security logs Kimo had left open on the main server. She saw the GPS coordinates—Kimo had dropped Ren off at his home. A small, relieved smile touched her lips. She swiped to a file containing Ren's Academy photo, staring at his piercing eyes.
He's safe... she thought, a strange warmth spreading through her chest.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Lai stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the area suspiciously.
"What are you doing, Mina?" he asked, walking toward her.
Mina jumped, her heart hammering against her ribs. In a flash of panic, she twisted her body, tucking the tablet behind her back to hide the screen where Ren's face was still visible.
"Nothing!" she blurted out, her voice a bit too high-pitched. "Why don't you ever knock, Lai?"
Lai narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "You're acting weird. What are you hiding back there?"