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Yuki couldn't focus.
Math was a blur, history even worse. Every time he blinked, he expected to see something strange again—shimmering windows, glowing eyes, anything. But the real distraction was Ren's words from earlier.
> "You're waking up."
What did that even mean? And how did he know something was different?
By lunchtime, Yuki couldn't take it anymore. He found Ren sitting alone under the tree near the back of the schoolyard, reading one of his strange books.
Yuki dropped his bag beside him. "Okay, talk."
Ren didn't look up. "About what?"
"'You're waking up'?" Yuki said. "You said that like it meant something."
Ren slowly closed his book. "Because it does."
Yuki waited, but Ren didn't continue. "Seriously?"
Ren finally looked up. His eyes weren't glowing or anything… but there was something sharp about them. Like he was seeing more than just Yuki's face.
"You saw something in the woods, didn't you?" Ren asked.
Yuki froze. "How do you know that?"
Ren tilted his head slightly. "Because I've seen it too. The creature. The eyes. The power."
Yuki's mouth went dry. "What was it?"
Ren stood up, brushing leaves off his uniform. "Not what. Who."
He leaned in a little closer.
"It was you."
Yuki took a step back. "What are you talking about?"
Ren's voice dropped to a whisper. "There's a reason you've always felt different. You're not like the others. Not even close."
Yuki clenched his fists. "Stop talking like that and just say it."
Ren looked around to make sure no one was watching, then said:
"You're a mythic. A kitsune."
Yuki staggered back like he'd been punched. The word echoed in his mind.
Kitsune…
Ren lowered his voice. "And you're the only one left."
The wind around them stirred again—unnaturally.
"That's why they'll come for you," Ren said. "Some to protect you… others to tear you apart."
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