BELOVED BY THE TWINS

CHAPTER 9

"BELOVED BY THE TWINS"
by: Dark Flame Master

The next morning, Shin walked to school with his head low and heart heavy. The familiar stares and whispers followed him but today something felt off. It wasn’t just the usual gossip or the cruel glances. There was an unusual quiet that clung to the air. Shin couldn't quite place what it was but a strange feeling gnawed at him. The tension was still there yet somehow the atmosphere felt... different.

As he entered his classroom, the first thing he noticed was his desk. His chair, the one that used to be covered in cruel scribbles and carvings had been replaced. It was clean and new without a single mark. Shin blinked, his unease growing.

The sight of the fresh chair didn’t comfort him in fact it made him feel more uncomfortable. It was as if the visible signs of his torment had been erased but the memory of them lingered inside him. The classroom was unusually quiet too with none of the usual teasing or side comments. It felt unnatural like the calm before a storm.

Sitting down at his desk, Shin felt the unease weigh heavier on his chest. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Pulling out his phone he decided to text Ruka and Luca, his only sense of security.

Shin: "Did you guys do something at school?"

He stared at the screen, waiting. Almost immediately their replies came.

Ruka: "What do you mean?"

Luca: "We didn’t do anything, Shin. Why?"

Shin read their messages, his mind racing. "If they hadn’t done anything, then what was going on? Why had everything changed so suddenly?" Shin thought.

He couldn’t figure it out and before he could think about it any longer he heard footsteps approaching.

A group of girls from his class walked over to his desk. Their sudden presence made Shin freeze. His heart began to race and panic was creeping up his throat. Without thinking he hunched over his desk using his arms to cover his face and hide from them. He was used to their mockery and teasing and his body braced for the usual hurtful words or perhaps even worse.

A few seconds passed but nothing happened. Instead of insults or laughter there was silence. Then to his surprise one of the girls spoke gently.

“We’re not going to hurt you,” she said.

Shin slowly lifted his head peeking from behind his arm. The girls were sitting beside him now and their expressions were calm and almost friendly. He didn’t understand. Why were they acting like that. Just yesterday, they wouldn’t have given him a second thought unless it was to make fun of him.

“W..what do you want f..from me?” Shin asked nervously, his voice barely audible.

The girls leaned in closer, excitement in their eyes. “Who were those guys yesterday?” one of the girls asked, her tone eager.

Shin blinked, confused. “Guys?”

“Yes! Those two good-looking guys who walked you home yesterday!” another girl said, practically squealing.

Shin’s mind raced trying to figure out what they were talking about. Then it hit him. They were asking about Ruka and Luca. He had never expected his classmates to take an interest in the twins and the sudden attention made him even more uncomfortable.

“W...why do you... want to know?” Shin asked, still feeling nervous and unsure.

One of the girls leaned in even closer her eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Do they have girlfriends?”

The question caught Shin off guard. He hadn’t thought they’d ask something like that. His mouth opened but no words came out. He was too shocked to respond.

The girls exchanged glances giggling amongst themselves before one of them spoke up again. “Wait… don’t tell me…” They all looked at each other in realization before turning back to Shin. “Is… one of them your boyfriend?”

“NO!” Shin exclaimed, standing up so suddenly that he knocked on his desk causing a loud bang. His heart pounded in his chest, and he didn’t even realize how loud his voice had been until the entire class turned to look at him.

“Calm down,” one of the girls said trying to ease the tension.

Shin’s face flushed with embarrassment and he sat back down trying to compose himself. “J...just leave me alone,” he muttered, overwhelmed by the situation.

The teacher walked into the classroom just in time and the girls returned to their seats leaving Shin in peace. But the damage had been done. His mind was spinning, his emotions in turmoil. He didn’t know how to handle this sudden change in his classmates’ behavior. After months and years of being bullied and ignored. It didn’t feel right and it hurt more than he had expected.

As the afternoon dragged on, Shin found himself unable to focus on anything. The weight of everything the stares, the questions, the confusion was too much. By lunchtime, he had made up his mind. He couldn’t stay at school any longer. He grabbed his things and left skipping his afternoon classes without a second thought.

The walk home felt longer than usual. His heart was heavy and all he wanted was to talk to Ruka and Luca. He needed them now more than ever. But when he got home the apartment was empty. The twins weren’t there. They were at the hospital for their shift and wouldn’t be back until later.

Feeling more alone than ever Shin sat down on the couch burying his face in his hands. Tears began to fall. The weight of everything overwhelming him. He grabbed his phone and without thinking he called Ruka.

After a few rings, Ruka picked up. “Hello? Shin?” His voice was bright and cheerful but there was concern in his tone.

Shin didn’t say anything at first he was just listening to the sound of Ruka’s voice. He wanted to speak but the words wouldn’t come out.

“Hey, is that Shin?” Luca’s voice came through the phone, faint in the background.

“Yeah, but he isn’t saying anything,” Ruka replied, sounding worried.

“Shin? What’s wrong?” Luca’s voice was gentle, full of concern.

Shin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself enough to speak. “A..are you... ea..eating now?” he asked, his voice shaky. “Are.. you go..going to be late tod..today?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Ruka’s voice is softer now. “Shin… are you crying?”

“I...I’m not,” Shin lied, trying to hide the fact that he was still sniffling. But he knew they could hear it in his voice.

“Are you not at school?” Luca asked, his voice gentle but firm as if he already knew the answer.

Shin hesitated, wiping his tears away. “C..can I go there right now?” he finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

There was no hesitation in the twins’ response. “Of course,” Ruka said. “Come here. We’ll wait for you.”

After hanging up the call, Shin felt a little lighter knowing he could be with them soon. They were his only source of comfort and the only ones who made him feel safe. He quickly grabbed his things and left the apartment heading to the hospital where the twins were.

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