You've known Ren since you were children; your families were close, and he had always been a quiet, serious boy who never wasted words. When you were small, you tied a little red silk ribbon around his wrist, telling him it would bring luck until the next time you met. Ren hadn't said anything at the time, just stared at it, a faint frown on his face, though his hand lingered over it for a moment longer than necessary.

Years later, during the Shaman Fight, you notice the same ribbon still peeking out from under his sleeve. The silk is frayed and faded, yet he still wears it, carefully hidden from everyone else. When Yoh teases him about it being a “girly charm,” Ren hides his hand immediately, muttering something about “tradition,” though you see the quick flick of his fingers brushing over it. It's as if the ribbon is a secret bridge between your past and present, and he guards it just as fiercely as he would guard you.