Renegades: Battlegrounds.-Chapter 56: The Star of Main Street I

"That’s Kaito’s little brother," the scarred guy announced, his voice cutting through the heavy silence like a blade.

He walked forward with easy confidence, each step deliberate, measured. "The one Hasegawa recruited last night."

The words hit the room like a stone thrown into still water.

Murmurs rippled outward, voices overlapping, rising and falling in waves of speculation and disbelief.

"*That’s him?"

"Doesn’t look like much..."

"Did you see him break the damn door?"

"Wait... Has Hasegawa actually recruited him?"

"What was he thinking?"

"Kaito’s brother? For real?"

"I heard he fought Yuto and won—"

"Bullshit. Nobody beats Yuto on their first day—"

The scarred guy stopped just a few feet away from Ren, close enough that Ren could see the details of that jagged scar cutting across his collarbone. Close enough to feel the weight of his assessment.

The boy’s sharp eyes took in everything, the exhaustion in Ren’s posture, the white armband barely visible under his sleeve, the stubbornness in Ren’s jaw despite looking ready to collapse.

His grin didn’t disappear. If anything, it just widened.

"It’s a bad habit to be late on your first day. " he said conversationally, as if commenting on the weather. "Meeting was supposed to start at 6. We’ve been waiting."

He gestured casually at the destroyed door behind them, hanging pathetically off one twisted hinge, splinters scattered across the floor like broken teeth.

"And also—you came in through the wrong entrance."

Ren met his gaze head-on, refusing to look away despite every muscle in his body screaming for rest. His ribs ached. His legs felt like they might give out any second.

But he wasn’t one back down. Not here. Not now.

"Did I?" His voice came out flat, challenging.

Something flickered in the scarred guy’s eyes. Amusement. Interest. Maybe respect.

"Where’s the meeting place?" Ren asked, maintaining eye contact.

For a moment, nobody moved. The room held its breath.

Then the scarred guy threw his head back and laughed loud, the sound bouncing off graffitied walls and filling every corner of the space. It was the kind of laugh that made others want to join in, infectious and real.

"I like this kid!" He turned to address the room, gesturing at Ren like he was presenting a prize. "Breaks down the door, walks in like he owns the place, doesn’t even apologize. Just demands to know where he’s supposed to go!"

A few of the other members chuckled, some reluctant, others more genuine. The razor-sharp tension that had been strangling the air eased slightly, not really gone, but less dangerous. Less likely to explode into violence.

The mood shifted from who the hell is this intruder to okay, this might be entertaining.

The scarred guy stepped closer, extending a calloused hand. "Shuu. Captain of the Second Division."

Ren took it without hesitation.

Shuu’s grip was firm, not trying to crush his hand, but definitely measuring his response. Ren squeezed back with equal pressure, meeting the unspoken challenge.

"Ren. First year."

"Oh, I know." Shuu released his hand, that ever-present grin still plastered across his face. "Everyone knows you now, new kid."

He started ticking off points on his fingers like he was reading from a resume.

"Fought Yuto Ishida on your first day. Survived. That alone should’ve killed you."

One finger.

"Took on fourteen Kotekai bikers three nights ago at that café. Heard you were protecting some girl."

Another finger.

"Got detention from Principal Hanagaki himself. Takes balls to piss off that old bastard on day one."

Third finger.

"And now you are here late, dramatic, and apparently allergic to using proper entrances." He spread his hands wide.

"You’re either the bravest first-year I’ve ever met, or the dumbest. Jury’s still out."

Some of the members laughed. Others watched with renewed interest, reassessing this scrawny first-year who had somehow survived a week that should have destroyed him.

Shuu’s expression shifted slightly, the grin turning a shade more serious. He leaned in just a fraction, voice dropping but still audible to everyone watching.

"Fair warning though, new kid."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.

"Don’t break any more doors. I’m serious."

He jerked his thumb at the destroyed entrance behind them, metal twisted and wood splintered beyond repair.

"That one? You’re paying for it. I’m not as forgiving as Hasegawa when it comes to property damage. The boss might overlook it because he likes your spirit or whatever, but I actually have to deal with logistics around here."

Ren’s jaw tightened. Pride wanted him to argue. Exhaustion told him to just accept it.

"I’ll pay for it," he said quietly.

"Damn right you will." Shuu’s grin widened, predatory now. "Two thousand yen. Cash. By next week. Don’t make me come looking for you."

Behind Ren, Shiinchiro made a small, strangled sound somewhere between a gasp and a whimper.

Two thousand yen. That was... that was a lot. More than Ren had on him right now. More than he could easily explain to his mother if he asked for money.

But he’d figure it out. He had to.

Shuu’s attention shifted, those sharp eyes focusing on the nervous figure half-hiding behind Ren.

"And who’s your friend? The one who looks like he’s about to pass out and possibly throw up?"

Shiinchiro stepped forward on shaky legs, trying to project confidence and failing miserably. His voice came out higher than normal, wavering.

"He’s with me," Ren cut in, his tone leaving no room for Shiin’s response.

Shuu studied Shiinchiro for a long moment taking in the nervous energy, the way he clutched his bag like a lifeline, the sweat still on his forehead from their sprint. Then he shrugged, apparently deciding Shiin wasn’t worth worrying about.

"Fine. But he doesn’t break anything. One door per night is our limit. We’re a gang, not a demolition crew."

Several members laughed at that.

Shuu turned, walking back toward the couch and grabbing his Sakuratei jacket in one smooth motion. He shrugged it on, white fabric, cherry blossoms embroidered across the back in pink thread, the symbol of their allegiance.

"The correct entrance," he said over his shoulder, emphasis dripping with sarcasm, "is through the main doors at the front of the building. Big glass ones. Can’t possibly miss them unless you’re blind."

He pointed vaguely toward what must be the front of the building.

"Matsuno’s waiting in the briefing room. Third floor. Big guy, always looks perpetually tired, like he hasn’t slept in three years. Can’t miss him either."

Shuu paused at the doorway leading deeper into the building, looking back one more time. His grin took on a sharper edge something almost predatory now.

"Oh, and Ren?"

"Yeah?"

"Welcome to the Garden." The words came out warm, friendly. Then his expression shifted just slightly, just enough to remind Ren that this wasn’t a social club.

"Try not to die during the trials."