Chapter 16 : The Cloud Guardian

Shinya's POV

The glow of the Cloud Ring faded as Shinya stood in silence, the weight of Reiji's words hanging in the air. The idea of being chosen, of being tied to something like the Vongola, gnawed at him. He wasn't one to follow anyone's orders, let alone become part of a mafia family with a legacy that stretched back centuries. The thought alone felt suffocating.

Shinya's gaze shifted back to the ring, its faint purple glow still lingering in the back of his mind. Reiji was watching him closely, waiting for some kind of response, but Shinya didn't owe him anything. Not yet.

"So, the ring chose me?" Shinya's voice was low, almost skeptical. He crossed his arms, his expression hard. "What does that even mean? You think I'm just going to wear that and be part of your famiglia?"

Reiji hesitated, clearly unsure of how to respond. "I… I don't know, Shinya. I'm still trying to figure everything out too. But I believe the ring chose you for a reason. You've always been strong, independent. That's what a Cloud Guardian is supposed to be."

Shinya's jaw tightened. "I don't need to be part of your legacy to keep doing what I'm doing."

"No, but… maybe the Vongola needs you," Reiji said, his voice soft but steady. "And maybe I need you."

Shinya turned away, the words lingering in his mind. Maybe I need you.

He wasn't used to hearing that. He wasn't used to anyone needing him. For as long as he could remember, he had been on his own, fighting battles he believed in, doing what he thought was right without needing validation from anyone. And yet… there was something about Reiji's sincerity that gave him pause.

Reiji's POV

Reiji's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Shinya wrestle with his decision. He knew he was asking a lot of him. Shinya had never struck him as the type to follow orders or submit to someone else's leadership. But Reiji wasn't asking for submission. He was asking for trust, for a bond that went deeper than just loyalty to a family name.

"I'm not asking you to blindly follow me," Reiji said, his voice a bit stronger now. "I don't have all the answers, Shinya. I'm still figuring this out as I go. But I need people I can trust. I need people who are willing to stand by me, even if I don't have everything figured out yet."

Shinya's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned back to Reiji. "Trust isn't something you just ask for, kid. It's earned."

"I know," Reiji replied, nodding. "That's why I'm not asking you to accept the role of Cloud Guardian right now. I'm asking you to see where this leads. To see if the Vongola is something worth fighting for."

The silence that followed was thick with tension, but Reiji didn't back down. He knew Shinya was testing him, pushing him to see if he was worth following. And Reiji was ready to prove himself.

Shinya's POV

Shinya studied Reiji for a long moment.

The kid had a lot of conviction, he had to admit that. But conviction didn't always lead to the right choices. Still, there was something in Reiji's eyes—a determination that reminded Shinya of someone he used to be. Someone who believed in justice, even when the world around him didn't.

Finally, Shinya sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he said, his tone reluctant. "I'll stick around for now. But don't think for a second that I'm committing to anything."

Reiji's face brightened with relief, but Shinya raised a hand to stop him from getting too hopeful. "I still don't know what this Vongola business is all about, and I'm not about to pledge myself to some mafia family. But I'll see where this goes. For now."

Reiji nodded, understanding. "Thank you, Shinya. That's all I'm asking."

Shinya glanced once more at the Cloud Ring on the pedestal. The faint glow had dimmed, but he could still feel its presence. Something about it resonated with him, even if he wasn't ready to admit it yet.

"We'll see," Shinya muttered under his breath, turning toward the door. "Let's get out of here."

But before he could take another step, Reiji's voice stopped him. "Wait, Shinya."

Shinya paused, glancing back to see Reiji holding the Cloud Ring in his outstretched hand, offering it to him. "You should take this," Reiji said, his voice steady. "It's yours now."

Shinya's eyes flickered to the ring, then back to Reiji. "The ring? There's no need for that. It's just a symbol anyway," Shinya replied, his voice dismissive.

"No, it's not just a symbol," Reiji said, shaking his head. "This ring is more than that. It might give you abilities—abilities that can help you in ways you don't expect. I'm not entirely sure how it works yet, but the Guardians' rings are meant to do more than just show loyalty. They empower us."

Shinya raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Abilities, huh? You think I need some fancy ring to do my job?"

Reiji smiled slightly, shaking his head. "No, I don't. You're strong enough without it, Shinya. But this ring isn't about making you stronger. It's about helping you protect the people you care about. And I think it's already chosen you."

Shinya stared at the ring for a long moment, the faint glow from the gem casting a soft light across Reiji's hand. The idea of relying on something as symbolic as a ring still didn't sit well with him, but Reiji's words gave him pause. Maybe there was more to this than he understood.

Finally, with a grunt, Shinya reached out and took the ring, holding it between his fingers for a brief moment before slipping it into his pocket. "I'll hold onto it. But don't expect me to wear it like some badge of honor," he muttered.

Reiji chuckled softly. "That's fine. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to. Just know it's there when you need it."

Shinya glanced at him, giving a small nod of acknowledgment before turning away again. The weight of the ring in his pocket felt strange, but he ignored it for now. There were more pressing matters to deal with, and this was just the beginning of whatever mess they were about to step into.

As they both left the room, Reiji couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief. Shinya had taken the ring, even if reluctantly. It was a step forward, a small victory in a much larger battle.