After being injured during yesterday's encounter with Kaito, the local bully, Ryu woke up in the infirmary of the orphanage, his body still aching.
Ryu noticed the scent of freshly cooked food hanging richly in the air, signaling that breakfast was ready. With a warm smile, Hotaru, the orphanage's cook, placed a tray of food on the bedside table in front of Ryu.
"Well, good morning, sleepyhead," she said, her voice warm. "It seems like you're finally awake. Breakfast is ready!"
Ryu's stomach growled at the aroma of the food, and he was grateful for Ms. Hotaru's cooking. Compared to the nutrient paste and high-tech rations he had in the past, this simpler fare felt like a feast to a hungry person.
"Thank you, Ms. Hotaru," he said sincerely, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
"How are you feeling today?" she asked, her eyes crinkling at the corners with concern.
"It feels much better," Ryu said, "just some aches and pains from yesterday's... argument."
Hotaru paused in her smile. "That Kaito is always causing trouble. Don't worry, I gave him a good earful this morning. He won't be bothering you any time soon."
Ryu laughed and carefully shifted in bed, managing the twinge of pain. He said, "Let us hope so. Though I'm starting to think he might have a crush on me. Why else would he keep coming back to bother me?"
Hotaru burst into laughter, shaking her head. "Oh, Ryu, you're too much sometimes. Eat up now, before it gets cold."
A moment later, the door opened once more, revealing a familiar face—it was Mikasa, the girl who had bravely intervened on his behalf. The memory of her standing up to Kaito, small but fierce, caused a wave of warmth to sweep over Ryu. She said, "Ryu! You're awake. I was worried sick."
She was Mikasa Watanabe, a girl a few years older than Ryu, who had bravely intervened on his behalf when he was being thrown around. Ryu knew from the inherited memories that she carried the grief of a lost younger brother, which was why she protected him so fiercely; she was the only one who didn't let his illness lead to isolation.
"Are you okay, Ryu? I'm sorry; I couldn't stop Kaito," she said, her voice laced with guilt.
Ryu looked at Mikasa and said, "You did your best, Mikasa. You're a kind person and a true friend. Thank you for standing up for me."
Mikasa's eyes welled up with tears as she listened to Ryu's words of understanding and forgiveness. Her shoulders shook once, a small, silent admission of her relief.
She replied, "No, I didn't do enough. I should have stopped him. You're like a brother to me; I should not have let him hit you like that."
He then looked at her and said, "You did enough by standing up for me. How are you doing? You know that I am quarantined, right?"
"I know. I spoke with Mother Yuki; she said I can talk as long as I don't get too close or touch you," she said.
"So what do you want to be when you grow up?" she asked Ryu.
Ryu wanted to say scientist, but he doubted that she would understand what it meant. Given the situation, he responded with the most generic response a child of his age would give without much consideration: "I want to be a ninja because they are warriors and protectors."
Mikasa blinked, her cheerful expression momentarily replaced by astonishment. It never occurred to her that a sick child would respond in this way.
She beamed with pride and confidently declared, "If you're going to be a ninja, then I'm going to be the first female Hokage, and I'll make sure you're my right-hand ninja!"
"You are making fun of me, or do you really want to become the first lady Hokage?" Ryu asked.
She looked him straight in the eye, her smile innocent and genuine. "Maybe a little bit of both," she replied.
Ryu made a serious face and asked, "Do you think a scrawny kid like me could ever become one?"
Mikasa met his gaze, her eyes filled with unwavering confidence. She laughed and said, "Of course you can!"
"Well, if I do become a ninja," Ryu grinned. "I promise to be your right-hand man when you become Hokage. Every leader needs someone to do the paperwork, right?"
Mikasa laughed and swatted his arm in a playful manner and said, "Hey! I'm not going to make you do all the boring stuff!"
Ryu watched her, a complex stream of thoughts running beneath his surface composure. "Tsunade will be the first Lady Hokage. This girl, Mikasa, is nowhere in the future I remember. She's either an unknown prodigy who failed to make the history books or completely irrelevant to the main plot. I hope it's not the latter."
As they finished their breakfast, Mikasa shared with Ryu the challenges she faced at the orphanage, including bullying and learning to advocate for herself and others. She explained the subtle cruelties and dismissals orphan girls often faced—the systemic biases that made securing food, safety, and a future harder for them than for the boys.
Ryu listened intently, admiring her unwavering determination and resilience. Their conversation flowed easily, two souls united by a common struggle in the orphanage, sharing dreams and small hopes.
"Why would anyone pick on someone for no reason?" she asked, her voice laced with anger.
She then questioned him about the challenges he faces in this difficult life, prompted by her observation of Kaito bullying Ryu without cause.
A sigh escaped Ryu, sadness flickering across his features. He didn't know it before, but after inheriting Ryu's memory, he knew why Kaito turned into a bully. It was because of Ryu's special treatment by the orphanage staff.
"Kaito... he lost his parents a while back," he revealed softly, the memories of Ryu's past surfacing once again. "It's been hard on him. Sometimes, people lash out when they're hurting. I believe he desires other people's love and attention to fill the void in his heart."
Mikasa's anger softened into understanding. "He just wants attention?"
Ryu nodded. "Maybe. He wants to feel loved, to fill the emptiness inside him. But he's going about it the wrong way." He cast a wry smile at Mikasa. "Guess that's why he picked on me. The easiest target, right?"
Mikasa shook her head vehemently. "No! You're not weak, Ryu. Just because you're sick doesn't mean you deserve to be treated like that."
After pausing to consider his past, he said gravely, "No. I think that people target me because they see me as weak, which they can take advantage of."
Mikasa scowled, her hands clenched on the sheets. "That's not fair! Everyone has vulnerabilities, but that doesn't make them weak."
Ryu's eyes lit up with admiration as he heard Mikasa's determined words. He hadn't expected such fierce determination from a girl her age. "You're strong, Mikasa," he said, his voice filled with respect. "Stronger than you think."
"But you're right," Ryu continued, his voice taking on a more determined tone. "It's not fair. Life... is never fair to the weak. And that's why we have to change it. We have to become strong, as the weak cannot change anything in this world. Weaklings can't choose how they die."
Mikasa's eyes widened in realization. "You sound different, Ryu," she remarked, sensing a shift in their conversation's tone and depth.
Ryu's breath hitched, a silent alarm ringing in his mind. "Too much Doctor Ken, not enough Ryu." He quickly backtracked, "I've had a lot of time to think, being sick and all. After spending so much time by myself, I think I have become a bit too serious."
"Well, being serious isn't always a bad thing," Mikasa said, giving him a gentle smile. "But remember to have fun too, okay? It's important to balance being serious with enjoying ourselves; after all, we're still kids," she added, referencing their earlier conversation.
Ryu nodded, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude for her understanding. "You're right."
As they continued to chat, Ryu felt that Mikasa was not just a friend but the big sister he never had in his past life, providing him with the care and support he longed for.
Author's note:
#Quote inspiration from:
"Weaklings can't choose how they die. You'd be wise to remember that." - Trafalgar D. Water Law