Takeshi felt like he was being watched.
All day.
Rei didn't say much in class. He sat still. Too still. Like he wasn't used to breathing.
But every time Takeshi looked up, those silver eyes were there.
Watching.
---
In math class, Rei answered every question.
Perfectly.
Even the hard ones.
Some kids clapped. The teacher smiled.
But Takeshi saw it.
That smile.
It wasn't real.
---
At lunch, Takeshi sat with Hiro and Kana, trying to act normal.
They talked about games, food, dumb stuff.
But Asami sat at the edge of the courtyard alone, under a tree.
Reading.
Like always.
But her hand was shaking.
---
Later, in the hallway, Rei walked past Takeshi. Close.
Too close.
He whispered, just loud enough to hear.
> "Your Drift... it's loud."
---
Takeshi froze.
Rei kept walking. Like he said nothing.
---
After school, Takeshi stood by the gates, thinking of what Rei said.
How did he know?
Asami walked past him, slowly.
Stopped.
> "Don't follow him," she said. "Not yet."
> "Why?" Takeshi asked.
> "Because he's not looking for a fight."
> "Then what?"
She looked at the sky.
> "He's looking for someone to break."
---
That night, Takeshi sat on his bed, heart racing.
He didn't want to sleep.
Didn't want to go back.
But he felt it pulling him again.
Nehvarra.
Calling.
And this time…
It brought someone else with him.
---
End of Chapter 13.