The twin of the Sharingan

After the show ended, the crowd slowly dispersed, though the chatter of the villagers still buzzed in the air. Renji and Sin slipped away from the center of the grounds, laughing between themselves about the awkward mistakes and the grand applause. Renji puffed his chest proudly. “Did you see me out there? I was on fire!” Sin gave him a side glance, lips twitching. “You tripped on your own foot.” “That... was strategy,” Renji protested, wagging a finger. “Keep the opponent guessing.” They both burst into laughter. Just as they were catching their breath, a small group of girls approached, holding bundles of flowers tied in ribbons. Renji’s eyes widened, a hopeful smile spreading across his freckled face. “Oh... oh! They must’ve seen my style, huh? Finally!” he whispered excitedly to Sin, smoothing his messy orange hair. The girls walked straight toward them. Renji straightened his back, brimming with confidence... only for his smile to crumble when the girls passed him by without so much as a glance. One even stepped on his foot as she brushed past. “Ah.... hey! Careful! I’m right here!” Renji yelped, stumbling back. The girls surrounded Sin, their voices bubbling all at once. “You were amazing!” “Can you show us that move again?” “You’re the best at the academy!” They shoved flowers into Sin’s arms, their eyes sparkling with admiration. Renji, still half-crushed on the ground, groaned dramatically. “Unbelievable… I’m invisible…” Sin looked down at the pile of flowers awkwardly, his (her) lips pressed into a thin line. He gave a soft, polite smile, but his eyes flickered with unease. He never wanted this kind of attention... it was dangerous, and it made keeping his true self hidden even harder. Still, he forced himself to chuckle lightly at Renji’s pouting face. “Looks like the flowers weren’t for you after all.” Renji crossed his arms, glaring half-heartedly. “I hate you sometimes.” Sin smirked. “No, you don’t.” After the crowd had scattered and the flowers lay heavy in Sin’s arms, Renji and a group of boys invited him out for dinner. “Come on, Sin! Let’s go eat till we can’t move!” Renji grinned, already half-dreaming about roasted meat and steaming bowls of rice. Sin shook his head, offering a small, practiced smile. “You go. I need to train.” Renji tilted his head, wanting to argue.. but then the thought of food won out. “Alright, but don’t overdo it!” He dashed after the other boys, leaving Sin alone in the quiet streets. Sin walked with calm, careful steps, the noise of the day slowly fading into the stillness of dusk. But then... he felt it. The unmistakable prickle of being followed. His senses sharpened instantly.... Without hesitation, Sin spun and flicked a kunai.... it sliced through the air and lodged into the bark of a tree, narrowly grazing the cheek of whoever was hiding there. A small gasp. A girl froze in the shadows, trembling. Sin’s eyes widened. “…You?” It was Aiko. The elegant girl from the show, her kimono now replaced by a simpler attire. She pressed a hand to her cheek, where a thin line of blood trailed down. “I.. I’m so sorry!” she blurted, bowing her head quickly. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just… I wanted to talk to you. Alone.” Sin’s gaze softened slightly, though his posture stayed guarded. He sighed, walked over, and gestured for her to sit on a wooden bench nearby. Without a word, he pulled a small cloth from his pouch, carefully pressing it to her cut. Aiko’s breath caught at the unexpected gentleness. “Th.. thank you…” “It was careless of you to follow someone like that,” Sin said calmly, his voice carrying more weight than his young age suggested. “You could’ve been hurt worse.” Aiko nodded quickly, eyes lowered. Then, almost shyly, she held out a small parcel wrapped neatly in red paper. “I… I brought you this.” Sin blinked, confused. “For me?” Her face flushed crimson. “Y.. yes. I just… I wanted to congratulate you for today. You were incredible.” Sin hesitated before taking it, his fingers brushing hers briefly. He gave her the same polite smile he always did, masking the unease that stirred inside him. “Thank you. That’s… kind of you.” Aiko’s heart fluttered at the softness in his tone, her blush deepening. To her, he seemed perfect.... talented, kind, untouchable. Aiko’s hands trembled slightly as she held out the parcel, its red wrapping tied with a golden thread. Sin hesitated, then carefully undid the knot. Inside lay a beautifully carved hair ornament of ivory and jade, the kind only wealthy families could afford. The design was delicate, shaped like a blooming lotus. Sin stared at it, stunned. “…This is… expensive.” Aiko bit her lip and nodded, cheeks burning. “It belonged to my family. My father had it crafted for me, but… I wanted you to have it. It’s a symbol of good fortune.” Sin froze, unsure how to respond. A gift like this wasn’t casual. It was precious, personal. “I can’t accept this,” Sin said quietly, closing the box and offering it back. But Aiko pushed it back toward him, her eyes firm despite the blush still heating her face. “Please. I want you to. You deserve it more than I do.” For the first time, Sin didn’t know what expression to wear. He simply bowed his head slightly, tucking the ornament carefully away. “Thank you. I’ll… treasure it.” Aiko exhaled in relief, her lips curling into a shy smile. To her, that moment felt like a promise.