Gin glanced at Tabaki, then let out a quiet sigh as he felt Iwaizumi unconsciously grip his arm tighter. Leaning in, he whispered,
"What's wrong with him? Why is he… scared?"
Tabaki whispered back, eyes flicking toward the approaching trio.
"That's his old friend Nathan Crest."
frowned. That only confused him more.
A friend? It didn't make sense. In his world, friends weren't supposed to make you shrink like that. But still... he didn't shake Iwaizumi off. If anything, he shifted slightly, positioning himself more squarely between the trio and the anxious man behind him.
He pitied Iwaizumi but also noted how useful he was as a human shield.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gin spotted Nanami quietly slipping away toward the patrol car. Probably off to update Chief Megnon, explain his late arrival, and dodge disciplinary action.
"Gin… sir…" Iwaizumi's voice came soft and strained behind him.
"Let's go," he said.
Gin wasn't sure if he should ask why Iwaizumi was acting this way. He glanced at Tabaki, hoping for some kind of explanation. But Tabaki only shrugged, just as unsure.
"I know they used to be close," Tabaki murmured. "But we didn't go to the same school, so... I don't know the full story."
Nathan was getting closer now, surrounded by a whirlwind of fans signing shirts, posing for selfies, flashing that easy, camera-ready smile. The air around him practically shimmered with charisma, like confidence made flesh.
And then he reached them.
Or rather, two of them.
He didn't seem to notice Iwaizumi at all half-hidden behind Gin, shoulders tight, gaze fixed somewhere far away.
Gin studied him. Nathan didn't look intimidating if anything, he radiated warmth. Charismatic. Approachable.
"Hello, sir! Don't want an autograph?" Nathan asked brightly, flashing a grin as the famous Twins flanked him on either side.
Gin blinked. This was the guy Iwaizumi was afraid of?
He replied flatly, "No, thank you."
But inside, his curiosity only grew.
Nathan's grin didn't falter. He leaned in a little, eyes narrowing as he peered past Gin.
"I guess this one's shy, huh? Hahaha. Don't you want an autograph?" he said, clearly addressing Iwaizumi now.
But Iwaizumi didn't respond. Not a word. Not even a breath. Frozen.
Nathan didn't seem to mind. If anything, he lingered, presence cloying like a shadow that refused to leave even when the sun moved on.
Finally, he shrugged, tone light, too light.
"Suit yourself. Have a nice day," he said, strolling off as if nothing had happened.
Just as Nathan turned to leave, his eyes snagged on someone Tabaki.
He paused, squinting slightly, as if trying to place a face from an old, half-faded memory.
Behind him, one of the Twins Ryo tilted his head.
"I swear, this guy looks familiar…"
Nathan's brow furrowed, gaze sharpening with interest.
"Yeah... why do you look familiar?" he asked, stepping closer to Tabaki. "I've definitely seen you before. I just can't quite place it."
Tabaki hesitated. His posture stiffened, caught between playing dumb and answering honestly.
Then the female Twin snapped her fingers with sudden excitement.
"Ahh! I remember now! I never forget a name or a face. Aren't you Tabaki?"
Gin, who had been watching Nathan closely, finally understood.
That's why Iwaizumi was afraid.
Nathan's smile changed.
The warmth drained like a switch had flipped. In its place was something colder leaner. A glint of cruelty flickered in his eyes. He didn't just radiate confidence anymore.
He reeked of control.
Of threat.
Nathan's gaze drifted back not to Gin, but just past him. Looking for someone else.
Then, without warning, he stepped forward, shifting to the side like a predator circling prey, trying to get a clearer view of the person half-hidden behind Gin.
Despite the crowd's cheers, the fans' screams, the whirlwind of noise, Gin heard the words clear as steel.
Low. Mocking. Cutting.
"So it was you hiding behind him…"
He smiled sharp and satisfied.
"Blank boy. Stop hiding."
Nathan stepped in, eyes locking onto Iwaizumi like a predator spotting wounded prey.
"Still spineless, huh?" he said, voice low and cruel. "At least you didn't run this time. Hiding behind strangers again?"
Gin felt Iwaizumi freeze behind him like the breath had been sucked from his lungs. But this time, it wasn't just fear. It was deeper. Older. Shame. Something long-buried that hadn't healed.
Tabaki shifted beside them, his voice firm.
"Back off. This isn't the place."
But Nathan didn't flinch. Didn't even glance at Tabaki.
"You never apologized," he said, eyes never leaving Iwaizumi. "Never even looked me in the eye after that night. Cowards like you shouldn't be anywhere near a Gate. Who knows who you'll leave behind next time?"
Gin took a step forward, fully blocking Iwaizumi from view.
"That's enough," he said quietly. "Iwaizumi isn't a coward. Move along."
Nathan raised an eyebrow, more amused than threatened. "And who are you supposed to be?"
Gin met his gaze, voice calm, but edged with steel.
"Someone who doesn't like bullies. Especially the kind who hide behind smiles and crowds."
The tension crackled like static.
Around them, the crowd stirred restless and uncertain. Cameras turned. Whispers spread. People could sense something shifting.
The Twins stepped up behind Nathan, their easygoing expressions gone. Their eyes flicked between him and Gin, sensing the tension thickening like a storm cloud.
Ryo frowned. "Nathan. Crowds watching. Time to back off. Thought we were here to greet fans, not start a war. You can deal with him later."
His sister crossed her arms. "You always get weird around him." She nodded toward Iwaizumi. "Can we not do this here? Please, Nathan."
But Nathan ignored them, still staring Gin down.
"Interesting," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "Very interesting."
Before he could take another step, a sudden, shrill alarm split the air.
A red siren flared from the anchor holding the Gate in place.
Tabaki's eyes widened. "Look—the Gate! It's opening…"
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Phones lifted, voices rose in a rush of murmurs and excitement.
A voice crackled through their comms and overhead speakers—Redman.
"Eyes up, everyone. Gate's opening. That's enough fan-greeting, newbies. Squad, gather. We move out now."
The Twins turned at once. The sister calmly placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder.
"That's our cue. Let's go. Don't waste your time on him."
"Finally," Ryo muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Been itching to test myself. You ready, Nathan?"
Nathan's smile slowly returned, sharp and composed. "Can't wait," he said mockingly.
But just before he turned, he leaned in behind Gin's shoulder, voice low, cold, and venom-laced:
"You'll always be in my shadow. You hear me?"
Then he walked away.