The hospital room thrummed with a restless vitality, its stark white walls reflecting the harsh glow of overhead lights that cast faint shadows across the tiled floor. Renjiro lay propped up in his bed, the dull throb of his injuries muted by the healers' magic, though bandages still clung tightly to his chest. The air carried a faint antiseptic tang, blending with the overlapping voices of his friends and family—Naomi's soft relief, Selena's fiery concern, and Tetsuya's steady authority. Near the door, Hoshimi approached Kaito, her posture stiff with a barely veiled agitation that sharpened her features.
"We need to watch the battle footage of Renjiro fighting Tetsuya," Hoshimi said, her voice low but insistent, her gaze darting briefly toward the bed where Renjiro rested.
Kaito tilted his head, his calm facade masking a flicker of curiosity. Interesting, he thought. Seeing that fight again—Renjiro injured so badly, Tetsuya driving him to that edge… Tetsuya's never been one to push that hard before. He gave Hoshimi a slow nod, then turned to Tetsuya, who stood nearby, exuding his usual air of quiet command. "I'd like to see the battle footage, too."
Tetsuya's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Sure. It was an interesting fight—worth a second look. It'll catch your attention, I promise."
Before departing with Kaito and Himari's parents, Ryu and Hoshimi, Tetsuya paused at Renjiro's bedside, his tone softening into something almost gentle. "Take your rest, Renjiro. I'll give you your reward in two days. Your friends need to evaluate their ranks soon, so recover well."
Renjiro's brow creased, and he shifted beneath the thin hospital blanket, his voice edged with impatience. "Two days? That's impossible! Why not today?"
Tetsuya's gaze remained firm, unyielding. "Just take a rest."
As Tetsuya, Kaito, Ryu, and Hoshimi left the room—their footsteps fading into the sterile corridor—Renjiro's mind churned with questions. What kind of legendary item is he planning to give me? The thought lingered, a spark of excitement cutting through the lingering soreness.
Takeshi leaned toward Haruto, who stood near the bed with his hands in his pockets, and lowered his voice. "What are you hiding from me about Renjiro?"
Himari, hovering close, echoed the question, her tone soft but persistent. "Yeah, Haruto—what's going on?"
Haruto's jaw tightened, a flicker of unease crossing his face. I can't dodge this, he thought. I'm the one who started hinting at it. He exhaled sharply, meeting their gazes. "I'll tell you later, Himari, Takeshi. Not now."
Takeshi's eyes narrowed, his voice firm. "You'd better not hide anything."
Renjiro, catching the shift in mood, turned to Haruto with a quieter question. "What happened to my sword and dagger?"
Haruto's expression softened, though his tone carried a hint of resignation. "They're broken—both of them. Just as expected. The quality wasn't that great.
Renjiro's face fell, a pang of guilt tugging at him. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice small. "I really didn't mean to break them."
Reina stepped closer, her voice gentle as she rested a hand on the bed's edge. "It's not your fault, Renjiro. How are you feeling now?"
"Better," he replied, forcing a faint smile. "Much better."
His thoughts drifted back to Tetsuya's promise, curiosity bubbling up again. He turned to Haruto, his tone brightening. "What kind of reward do you think Tetsuya will give me?"
Haruto shrugged, leaning against the wall with a casual air. "Probably a map or something. He said we'd have to find it, right? No guarantee if it's a hunt."
Renjiro's eyes sparkled, a grin breaking through. "I know, but it'd be amazing if we found a legendary sword or dagger."
Haruto's expression darkened, his voice rising with sudden heat. "You almost died, and you're talking about rewards?"
Renjiro waved a hand dismissively, flexing his fingers and kicking his legs under the blanket. "But I'm alive! See? Hands and legs working just fine."
A strange unease crept over him, though, and he glanced at Selena, who stood nearby, her scowl deepening. Before he could speak, she stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Oh, so you think it's fine? I'll break your leg myself!" She nudged his cheek roughly with her hand, her tone softening despite the edge. "You don't know how scared I was—what I'd do if you died."
Renjiro blinked, then mirrored her gesture, nudging her cheek back with a playful smirk. "I won't die that easily." He swung his leg out, giving her a light kick
Selena stumbled, losing her balance and collapsing onto the floor with a muffled thud. Renjiro pointed at her, laughter bursting from him like a flood. "Got you!"
Selena pushed herself up, brushing off her clothes as her eyes narrowed into slits. "Renjiro, we're not at home—this is a hospital. I'll show you true hell for that."
Renjiro's laughter faltered. He knew that look—she was deadly serious. Scrambling out of bed, he darted behind Yuki, clutching her shoulders with an exaggerated pout. "Yuki, help me!"
Yuki glanced back, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Okay, I'll help you." But then she caught Selena's wicked grin and froze. "Sorry, Renjiro," she said, stepping aside. "I'd love to, but if I do, I'm done for. I'll meet you in hell—rest in peace."
Renjiro's eyes widened as he turned to Haruto, desperation creeping into his voice. "Haruto, help me!"
Haruto raised his hands, feigning ignorance. "Don't know who you are."
Selena lunged, landing a few solid smacks on Renjiro's arms before he scrambled to his feet, pointing at her accusingly. "She started it!" Naomi stepped in, grabbing Selena's wrist with a stern frown. "Enough, Selena! He's already injured, and now you're beating him? You two fight like children!"
Renjiro rubbed his stinging arm, grinning sheepishly. "It's Selena's fault—she escalated it."
Naomi's eyes narrowed as she glared between them. "If you two don't stop, there's no food for two days."
"We won't do it again!" they chorused, their voices overlapping in a familiar plea.
Naomi sighed, her exasperation palpable. "That's the same thing you always say to me."
Misaki, perched on a chair, unfolded her arms and huffed dramatically. "I don't know why they're my big sister and brother. They're always fighting like kids."
Yuki chuckled, her laughter light and infectious. "It's just how siblings are."
Renjiro shot her a mock glare. "So you love seeing me get hurt like this?"
"Of course," Yuki teased, her eyes glinting with mischief. "It's hilarious."
Takeshi tilted his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "Do you love Yuki?"
Himari's curiosity flared, her voice soft but pointed. "Renjiro, Yuki—I've thought sometimes you two might be dating."
Haruto raised an eyebrow, joining in. "Yeah, I've never seen you tease Yuki much. Why's that?"
Reina nodded, her tone thoughtful. "I've noticed the same thing—you don't tease Yuki like you do the rest of us."
Renjiro's eyes widened, a flustered edge to his voice. "What? All of you think I'm dating Yuki?"
Takeshi smirked. "Then why don't you tease her?"
Renjiro burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "Me? Dating Yuki? That's like dating a monster! No way!"
Yuki's smile turned sly. "Oh, so you see me as a monster who always irritates you?"
"Exactly!" Renjiro grinned. "I said it for fun—you're not just a monster, you're a spider. Every time I visit her house, she's jumping off the walls like some creepy crawler."
Reina blinked, intrigued. "Why a spider?"
"Because she leaps around like one!" Renjiro said, mimicking her with an exaggerated hop. "It's terrifying!"
Yuki smirked, unfazed. "I love doing that. And you can't tease me about it."
Haruto frowned. "Why can't he?"
Renjiro's grin faded, replaced by a dramatic pout. "Because she's got a damn video of me doing weird stuff—embarrassing stuff."
Yuki's smile widened, a wicked edge to it. "Not only because of that."
Himari squinted at her. "Why are you smiling like that?"
Renjiro groaned. "Because she's mental—and a small girl."
Yuki's eyes flashed. "Shut up, Renjiro! I'm not small!" She leaned in, whispering something in his ear.
Renjiro fell silent, his face paling slightly. Haruto raised an eyebrow. "What'd she say now?"
Renjiro shook his head, muttering, "Better not tease her. I'm doomed otherwise."
Haruto snorted. "I don't know if he acts like he's got no brain or if he really doesn't."
Renjiro turned to Himari, rubbing his arm. "Himari, can you heal me? Selena's left me with some new bruises."
Himari's face lit up, excitement bubbling over. He's asking me to heal him—finally! "Fine, I'll heal you," she said, stepping closer as a soft glow formed in her hands.
Haruto yawned, stretching his arms overhead. "We should sleep soon. Let's wrap this up."
As Himari finished healing, the room began to empty—Selena, Himari, Yuki, Naomi, Misaki, Takeshi, and Reina filing out with lingering glances at Renjiro. Haruto stayed behind, his expression shifting to something more serious as he approached the bed.
"You feeling okay?" Haruto asked, his voice quieter now.
"Yeah," Renjiro replied, leaning back against the pillows. "I'm good."
Haruto hesitated, then leaned in slightly. "I've got some questions for you."
Renjiro met his gaze, his tone steady. "I'll answer them when we get back to the village."
Haruto frowned. "Why wait until then?"
"I think it's better," Renjiro said, his eyes flickering with something unspoken. "Trust me."
Haruto studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But you're telling me everything when we're there. I'm heading out—rest up."
As Haruto left, the room fell silent, the faint hum of the hospital the only sound. Renjiro's eyes grew heavy, and he drifted into a fitful sleep, his mind a tangle of rewards and battles. Hours later, the door creaked open, and Selena slipped inside, her steps soft against the tiled floor. She sat beside his bed, her gaze lingering on his sleeping form, softened by the dim light.
"What kind of bloodlust was that?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she watched him breathe. "Doesn't matter. Just… don't push yourself too hard. I can't bear the pain of losing you." She paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "If I told the others this, they'd never believe me. But you're my cute little brother. If someone seriously hurt you, I'd kill anyone who tried." She reached out, ruffling his hair gently. "Good night, Renjiro."
She slipped out as quietly as she'd come, leaving the room still once more.
Two days passed in a blur of recovery and quiet anticipation. Naomi, Misaki, Kaito, and Himari's parents gathered in the hospital room, preparing to depart. Naomi approached Renjiro, her expression soft but firm. "Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"I won't, Mom," Renjiro said, offering a small smile.
Naomi leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. Renjiro touched the spot as she pulled away, a warmth spreading through him as he smiled faintly. With final waves and murmured farewells, they left, the room growing still in their absence.
Reina stepped forward, clapping her hands together. "It's time for the evaluation. Let's go."
Tetsuya joined them, his presence steady and commanding. "I'm coming along to see your skills," he said, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
The group—Renjiro, Haruto, Selena, Yuki, Himari, Reina, and Tetsuya—stepped out of the hospital, the late afternoon sun casting golden rays across the cobblestone path. They walked toward the Adventurer's Guild, where their ranks would be tested and their futures weighed. Renjiro walked beside Haruto, his mind drifting between the promise of a legendary item, Selena's quiet confession, and the secrets he'd soon have to unveil. Whatever lay ahead, he'd face it with the same defiant spirit that had carried him through the arena—and beyond.