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Apparently, some of the kids at Shujin were braver than they looked. Maybe they were just more desperate than Ren predicted, all they wanted was to be left alone and they were happy to make someone else’s life miserable to achieve that.
It’s ok though, Ren can handle it better than most.
He knew Kamoshida was the reason for all this.
Ever since that car ride where Ren tried to help Ann out, the teacher had had it in for him.
Now, he had a little contest going among his volleyball team – whoever could beat Ren hard enough that he either needs to take sick leave or flunks out entirely is saved from their teacher’s abuse.
Or, something along those lines.
Mishima had been the one to inform him and even then, he had timidly muttered it to him while hiding in a bathroom stall.
Ann didn’t know and Ren wasn’t about to tell her – she was dealing with enough after Shiho’s attempt. She was even a new Phantom Thief now so he didn’t want to distract her from her training.
Ryuji didn’t know and Ren had no intention of telling him. The boy would most likely start trying to stand up for him, maybe even going after Kamoshida himself – Ren wasn’t going to let Ryuji get hurt anymore and this was the only way.
Morgana, the cat that always hung around in his bag, was the only one who knew. He agreed with keeping this information from Lady Ann but he continued to urge Ren to tell Ryuji or Sojiro – anyone who could help.
Ren had quickly instructed the cat that this was not something to be shared.
Morgana was faithful and good; he kept his word even though it irked him to do so.
Ren soon found it was getting worse – the further into Kamoshida’s Palace they went, the harder and more frequent the beatings.
Ren knew he was in some serious danger now, especially if Kamoshida himself decided to have a go.
Still, if he told his friends they would end up in trouble too so he kept his mouth shut.
But you can only hide wounds and bruises for so long.
It turned out Sojiro was the first to really notice – something Ren honestly hadn’t expected.
Ren had been helping out in the cafe for a Sunday afternoon, his two friends were busy that day so he figured why not make Sojiro happy.
Apparently, he hadn’t taken into consideration that his temporary guardian might care more than he let on.
As Ren had reached up for some coffee beans for a trial blend Sojiro had requested his shirt must have lifted, Sojiro had grabbed Ren’s arm in a firm yet gentle grip and pulled him out from behind the counter.
The teen watched in confused alarm as Sojiro wordlessly hurried to switch the sign to closed before coming back over.
“Did I do something wrong?” Ren asked with a puzzled frown, thinking this was a little overkill if he had.
“No, you need to tell me the truth.” Sojiro warned, not nastily but definitely stern. “Are you being bullied?”
Ren blinked once, twice. His mind trying to piece the puzzle together at how Sojiro reached that conclusion.
“You’re bruised to hell.” Sojiro cleared up before nodding at his kid. “Take off your shirt, let me see how much damage they’ve done.”
Ren stared at his guardian like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he sighed in defeat and untied his apron. Slowly and gingerly, he pulled his shirt off over his head and winced as Sojiro whistled at the sight.
“Ouch kid, you’ve got some brave bullies at that place.” Sojiro winced at he took in the splatters of black, blue, purple and yellow. “Didn’t you say the kids found out about your record?”
“Yeah...” Ren sighed with a nod.
“Geez, you should’ve reported this by now.” Sojiro came closer inspecting the wounds and turning his boy to see his back. “These look like shoes... what the hell?”
“Please don’t tell Ryuji or Ann.” Ren begged quietly. “I don’t want them getting in trouble.”
“Kid, you can’t just deal with bullies alone.” The barista scolded softly, “These hits are pretty serious, you honestly haven’t told any teachers?”
“They wouldn’t care.” Ren replied with a half-hearted shrug.
“At least tell me who’s doing this.” He tried compromising, gently prodding the wounds to check the bones beneath.
“It’s only... the entire volleyball team.” Ren winced as Sojiro’s eyes widened. “Their coach hates me... pretty sure he put them up to this.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” The man huffed, “No teacher would set his kids up to beat a transfer student to a pulp – if kids are doing it then it’s of their own volition.”
Ren deflated, he knew no one would believe him but he wouldn’t deny the sting of it. For a moment there he actually thought the man was on his side.
Sojiro seemed to notice Ren’s sadness at his words, his frown deepened.
“You want me to report this for you?” He asked gently, hoping to find a way to help.
“No, it’s okay.” Ren assured him with a lazy wave. “The school won’t care if the criminal’s getting beat up and they definitely won’t care if it’s their prized volleyball team doing it. It’s okay, I’m dealing with it.”
Sojiro sighed but nodded, he understood where the kid was coming from.
“Fine but, you need to come to me whenever it happens – no leaving any injuries to fester.” He insisted, “You’re gonna have to tell your friends eventually, maybe they can help?”
Ren nodded silently; he had no intention of dragging anyone else under with him.
Try as he might, Ren couldn’t hide his plight forever.
He was supposed to be meeting up with Ryuji at the school gates, his friend wanted to hang out at Shibuya so they were going to take the train together. Normally, they’d meet at the stairs but Kawakami had wanted a word with Ren after class so he’d texted his friend to meet him at the gate once he was done.
Unfortunately, as Ren walked out the school doors alone, he was grabbed and dragged to the side of the building where bushes could hide him from view.
He tripped over and landed on the grass as six of the third years stood over him. They were bruised almost as much as he was, they all looked incredibly pissed.
“Why the hell are you still coming to school!?” One of them scowled, his fists clenching. “We told you to drop out!”
“I can’t!” Ren snapped back angrily, he tried to stand up but a kick to the stomach had him landing on his ass gasping for air.
“You’re even still hanging out with Kamoshida’s girl!” Another boy huffed, stepping forward threateningly.
“She’s not Kamoshida’s! Just leave her alone!” Ren snarled protectively as he thought about poor Ann sat by Shiho’s hospital bed. “You guys are assholes doing Kamoshida’s dirty work for him.”
He barely saw the kick in his peripherals, his head snapped to the side as the dirty shoe connected with his cheek. He felt his lip burst and grow warm with blood as he fell to the side from shock, his cheek ached horribly and he was fairly sure it had been cut open.
“You’re a real piece of shit!” The boy who’d kicked him snapped furiously, taking another kick at Ren’s shoulder. “You have no idea what we go through!”
“Yes, I do, you’re all just as bad as he is.” Ren sassed as he rolled over to push himself up, a vicious stomp on his back ruined his efforts.
“Shut up!” The tallest male snapped. “I swear, you better drop out tomorrow.”
“Not happening.” Ren whined from where he lay trapped under two of the biggest boys’ boots.
“Kill yourself then.” The tallest snarled, “Let’s see if you can do a better job than that bitch Shiho.”
Ren curled his lip in disgust – once again he tried to turn and fight back but to no avail.
Five of the boys knelt and pinned him down with their full body weight – Ren began to panic as he realised their combined mass had managed to cut off his air supply.
“Get off!” He wheezed desperately, “I can’t breathe!”
The sixth boy circled him before focusing in on Ren’s right shin.
“Guess we’ll just have to give you the Sakamoto treatment.” He sighed, lifting his leg and stomping his heel into the shin.
Ren gasped in pain and croaked out a plead but the boy wouldn’t be satisfied until the bone was broken.
He stomped again, causing Ren to call for help though his voice was weak from lack of oxygen.
He wondered if he’d actually suffocate before the bone broke.
“HEY!” A voice so wonderfully familiar screamed, footsteps stormed over.
Ren looked to the side to see Morgana followed by a furious Ryuji.
“What the hell!? You bastards better leave him alone!” Ryuji spat as he threw himself into the sixth boy without a second thought – knocking them both to the ground.
Morgana leapt up at the nearest boy with his claws splayed, he scratched his way up the kid’s back and bit down with a growl on his cheek.
The boy screeched and stumbled backwards as the cat landed gracefully on the grass, he fluffed up and hissed at the others threateningly.
Meanwhile, Ryuji had given his kid a bloody nose.
The volleyball team, having already been hurt by their teacher, knew they didn’t want to get into anymore of a fight than they already had. They ran away, their tallest only stopping long enough to glare heatedly at Ren.
“Wait ‘til Kamoshida gets his hands on you. Your little boyfriend won’t be able to save you then.”
Ren sat up as the final kid raced away as Ryuji swore and spat threats after the cowards.
Morgana sat panting beside Ren, watching with concern as he struggled to get his breath back.
“Ryuji!” Morgana called worriedly, “Ren needs help!”
Before Ren could even register the cat’s words the blonde was knelt beside him looking pale, his hands gripping his friend’s shoulders surprisingly gently.
“Shit, Ren?” He called fearfully. “Talk to me man, what did they do to you?”
Ren shook his head as he gasped hopelessly, an arm circling his chest.
“This has been going on for a while but... not this bad.” Morgana finally revealed guiltily. “I’m sorry Ryuji, I wanted to tell you but... Ren insisted I keep it secret.”
“What? Why!?” Ryuji gaped, his face a mixture of confused, worried and furious.
“D-D-didn’t... want... y-you... to.. wor-worry or... get h-hurt aga-again.” Ren choked out breathlessly.
“Shit... Shit!” Ryuji stressed, now rubbing Ren’s back gently to try and help him. “You shoulda told me! I could’ve helped! I told you Kamoshida was insane; I can’t believe that asshole has his whole team after you! Why didn’t Mishima say anything?”
“Ryuji. Stop.” Morgana impatiently hissed, “We need to get him to Sojiro, he’ll know what to do.”
“Right.” Ryuji nodded though he was shaking terribly. “Let’s go bud.”
He lifted Ren up into his arms without a second thought, he didn’t know what his friend’s injuries were so he wasn’t about to make him walk or jostle around too much.
After what felt like the longest two train rides in history, Ryuji fell through the door of Leblanc – feeling grateful there were no customers in for him to frighten. Sojiro however snapped his head up to look with a yell ready only for his scowl to morph into worry when he saw the two.
“Take him upstairs and place him on his bed, I’ll close up and grab the first aid kit.” Sojiro instructed, Ryuji rushed to do as he was told.
Ryuji had just settled Ren down when Sojiro came jogging up the stairs, he hurried over to the blonde’s side.
Ryuji had only ever met the man once before and he’d felt rather uncomfortable under the stern gaze, now he could see the old barista was a good guy – he could see how worried he was for a kid he claimed was nothing but a headache for him.
“What happened?” Sojiro asked seriously.
Ren had finally managed to catch his breath but he still found himself wheezing painfully, the boy still found the energy to insist he was fine and to protest against the help he was getting.
“Found him getting the crap beaten out of him by a bunch of third years.” Ryuji informed him quickly, still trembling. “I don’t know what happened before I found him but... five of them were holding him down and it looked like he couldn’t breath, the last one was trying to break his shin.”
Sojiro winced in sympathy.
“Okay... Okay.” He nodded as he took in the information, he then finally realised how pale and shaky the poor blonde was. “Kid, go grab me a bowl of warm water and some rags from under the sink.”
“Yessir!” Ryuji nodded and hurried off.
“So much for keepin’ this to yourself, huh?” Sojiro hummed quietly as he pulled Ren’s shirt off and rolled up his pant leg to see the wounded shin. “Gotta say though, I’m relieved to see your friend finally found out... just wish it hadn’t been like this.”
“Agreed” Ren croaked making Sojiro smirk lightly.
“I need to feel your ribs, they might’ve broken or cracked ‘em...” Sojiro explained before reaching forward.
“Feels like they’ve flattened them.” Ren groaned as he shut his eyes.
“Here! Oh shit!” Ryuji appeared by their side with everything but spilt a little of the water in his haste, the liquid slapped against the floor making the two others chuckle.
“Thanks kid.” Sojiro nodded as Ryuji placed them both in his reach.
“S-Sorry about that.” Ryuji blushed sheepishly, “I’ll mop it up-“
“Why don’t you sit on the couch for a second, hmm?” Sojiro suggested softly as he began cleaning up the blood from Ren’s lip and cheek. “You did good.”
Ryuji nodded before flopping down on the old sofa in exhaustion.
A comfortable silence fell over the three as Sojiro worked on getting Ren all cleaned up.
“You’re real lucky there’s nothing broken.” The man eventually nodded as he sat back on his heels and inspected his work. “Especially that leg, that’s gonna be sore to walk on for a while.”
“Great,” Ren sighed miserably. “So, it’ll be broken before the end of the week then.”
“No!” Ryuji snapped, “We aren’t gonna let ‘em do that ever again! They ain’t goin’ near you!”
“Then Kamoshida will arrange to see me alone.” Ren replied bluntly as he closed his eyes, having accepted his fate. “I’m so screwed.”
Ryuji swallowed as Morgana finally settled enough to lie beside his master.
“Shit...” he muttered for what felt like the hundredth time. “What are we gonna do? Why are they doing this?”
“They said they need me to either drop out of school or...” Ren opened his eyes and gazed up at the ceiling. “Or kill myself...”
Ryuji clenched his jaw and fists, shaking with rage.
“This is mad, what the hell is going on at that school?” Sojiro blanched. “A girl attempts and now you’re getting the snot kicked out of you so you’ll do the same? This teacher, Kamoshida, is he the one you told me was behind all this?”
“Yeah,” Ren nodded dully. “He’s an abusive perv who really likes this girl in my class. You remember Ann? He likes her and keeps trying to use and manipulate her but, I got in the way so now he feels he has to get rid of me.”
“He already broke my leg.” Ryuji finally spoke up, staring earnestly at the adult in the room. “He used to coach the track team but he wanted to get rid of us... I was kinda the best on the team so... he kept bringing up my asshole dad and... I lost it... I got so mad I hit him and... he broke my leg and put an end to the track team.”
Sojiro stared in horror as the blonde rubbed his thigh absentmindedly.
“I just wanted to get a scholarship so my ma wouldn’t have to worry about affording a college but... that’s all over now.” Ryuji continued sourly, “Now he’s trying to ruin Ren’s life too.”
“What the hell-?” Sojiro gaped at the two. “And no one’s reported anything to the school?”
“Everyone’s reported it.” Ryuji informed him dully, “The school and the parents just look the other way because their Volleyball team gets results... that and Kamoshida won an Olympic medal so he’s important for the school’s image.”
Sojiro bowed his head as his stomach churned, it really sounded like there was nothing anyone could do with such a corrupt system.
“We’ll figure something out.” Ren promised, not wanting his guardian to worry. “I promise Sojiro, I won’t get expelled or anything, I’ll do everything I can to not end up in Juvie.”
“That’s not what worries me you idiot.” Sojiro huffed in disbelief. “I’m worried about you getting hurt in a way that can’t be fixed or, god forbid, killing yourself like that poor girl!”
“Don’t worry, Boss.” Ryuji nodded in determination. “I won’t let that happen and neither will Ann. We’ll protect him best we can, we’ll make sure his homeroom teacher understands what’s going on and hopefully she’ll at least have our backs.”
Ren nodded, knowing he couldn’t fix this on his own anymore.
“God...” Sojiro shook his head numbly. “You kids look after each other, you all come here as often as possible so I know you’re all okay – understand?”
“Yes, Boss.” The two boys agreed wholeheartedly.
“Both of you, get some rest. I’ll bring you up some special curry and you’ll stay up here until you’re better. I’ll call in tomorrow and let the school know that you’re both staying with me tomorrow and won’t be attending lessons.” Sojiro nodded firmly. “They can try fighting back but they won’t win.”
“Thank you,” Ren smiled feeling a strong fondness for his guardian, “We really appreciate it.”
“Yeah yeah.” Sojiro waved them off as he headed downstairs. “You both owe me an afternoon shift each during the weekend off.”
The boys laughed at that and settled down, both happy knowing they were safe together for another day.