Talent defines where you begin…
but decisions define how far you go.
A voice echoed… distant… like a whisper crossing the void.
???
— Well… look at that. You won.
It was very entertaining… Ren.
A pause.
The silence grew heavy.
???
— Fight.
Awakening
Pain.
It was the first thing Ren felt.
His entire body burned, as if every bone had been broken… and put back together in the worst possible way.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Ceiling.
Dim light.
Confused, he tried to sit up—
BAM!
A punch hit his face.
Ren:
— Agh—?!
In front of him, Itsuki.
Angry. Eyes red.
Itsuki:
— How stupid can you be?!
Do you have any idea how I felt when I saw you like that, you idiot?!
Ren blinked… still dazed.
Ren:
— Itsuki… monks aren't supposed to swear…
Itsuki:
— I don't care!
A brief silence.
Ren smiled, even in pain.
Ren:
— Thanks for worrying about me…
You're the best brother in the world.
Itsuki looked away, annoyed.
Itsuki:
— Shut up… dead people don't talk.
The door opened.
Two men entered.
Kaien… and Tadashi.
Tadashi:
— I see someone finally woke up… after four days.
Ren's eyes widened.
Ren:
— Four days?!
Wait… I missed eight meals?!
Itsuki stared at him in disbelief.
Itsuki:
— Are you serious?! You were unconscious for four days and THAT'S what you're worried about?!
Ren (serious):
— Meals are important…
Tadashi let out a small sigh.
Tadashi:
— I'm sorry… for my incompetence.
If we had identified that Shinrei sooner…
Ren frowned.
Ren:
— Shinrei?
Tadashi:
— That's what we call those creatures.
Ren went silent for a moment.
Ren:
— It's not your fault, Mr. Tadashi…
But… what about the girl?
Itsuki answered, calmer now:
Itsuki:
— She's fine.
Tadashi lowered his gaze.
Tadashi:
— Unfortunately… the other one didn't survive.
Silence.
Heavy.
Dense.
Kaien stepped forward.
Kaien:
— It's good to see you're alright.
Another silence.
Ren looked away.
Ren:
— I'm sorry… I shouldn't have said those things before…
I just… I'm really grateful for everything.
Thank you… father.
Kaien closed his eyes for a moment.
Took a deep breath.
Kaien:
— I also want to apologize.
Ren looked up.
Kaien:
— I know you want to find out who your real parents were…
But I couldn't bear losing you.
His voice grew firmer.
Kaien:
— I made a promise to your mother… before she died.
Silence returned… but different now.
More human.
Heavier.
Kaien (continuing):
— But when Itsuki told me… that you ran toward danger just to save someone…
He looked directly into Ren's eyes.
Kaien:
— Then maybe… I was wrong.
A pause.
Kaien:
— Ren…
Can you become a hunter… even without Reikon?
Silence.
Kaien:
— With nothing but brute strength…
You almost died…
And even so… you were smiling.
The air tightened.
Kaien:
— Then… you can become a hunter.
Ren was speechless.
For the first time…
He didn't know what to say.
Elsewhere
Shadows.
Voices.
Hidden.
???
— So… what are we going to do?
Another voice replied, calm.
???
— They're already ready.
A pause.
Cold.
Calculated.
???
— Relax…
We're going to attack the school in 13 days.
Silence.
Then—
A name.
Like a sentence.
???
— Hayato Moriyama… will be killed.