Staring at his arms, Shoji stayed flabbergasted. He could see cells regenerating themselves through his bare eyes, as If time was rewinding itself...
How is this- Fuck! This hurts like hell!
He clenched his teeth, not knowing whether to be afraid or excited. But in just half a minute, the holes have been undone without a trace, and Shoji finally got to catch a break.
"This... feels like when I was at the hospital..." He breathed heavily, as he let himself laid on the ground, in the midst of clashing and explosions.
Well, at least I know my power now... This still feels like a dream though. Or a nightmare. Fuck...
Then something struck him. Shoji immediately got up on his two feet and turned around to look for something. He proceed to take a closer look at the what-seemed-to-be a little girl he spotted earlier.
No... Fuck this... Fuck this bullshit!
Shoji stood in silent. What was in front of him wasn't the unconscious girl he imagined, but a deceased body with it's intestines partly visible. He wanted to puke, but he just got down on his knees to pick the body up. His expression turned tense, as If he was about to explode.
God dammit... Do something, power... heal her or something!
Please...
Shoji stood there for a good while, until he just decided to carried the body with him, and walked away from the battlefield reluctantly. His footsteps felt heavy, and it's not for the weight he had on him.
After reaching the hospital, he walked through the automated doors with the body in his arms. People near him slowly backed away, while some left their seat and ran away from the waiting room, but Shoji remained unfazed. And consequently, the Security guards showed up.
"Sir... Please put that body down..." The guards seemed scared, as one of them started to dial for the police right after.
"I just want to return the body." Shoji sighed, then placed the body on the waiting seat, without much to say.
"We'll have someone to examine the body. And you sir, stay here and wait for the police."
During the time he was waiting, nothing seemed to come out of his mouth. Shoji remained silent, from when he got into the car, to when he was led to the interrogation room. As he started to answer the questions, another policeman opened the door while holding pieces of clothing in his arms.
"Mr. Shoji, you're free to go. Someone's waiting for you outside. They also brought you some clothes."
Without hesitation, Shoji just nodded and pick the clothes up. After changing, he started to walk outside and noticed a familiar figure from afar, waving at him.
"Hey, you idiot!" Ryo shouted at him, looking furious as she should.
"Ryo... How?" Shoji walked out of the place empty-mindedly.
"How? Well... there are certain things an A-rank can do, ya know- But hey! What did you think to bring a whole body to the hospital huh!?"
"I... just wanted to make sure the family sees it. It's stupid, I know..."
"Wait what... Where have you been!?"
"The Dungeon Break near the hospital-"
"The what!? Oh my goodness! Shoji, are you okay?" She placed her hands on his cheeks gently and leaned closer to him.
"Yeah... I uh... Can we talk?"
"Let's talk, alright?" Ryo led him to the bench nearby.
After sitting down, Shoji let out a relief sigh and leaned back on the bench.
"Ryo... I well... just picked a Class, and joined that Dungeon Break as soon as I saw it. I tried to save this one kid but it didn't really work out." He looked away from her.
"That sounds just like you, huh? Even with the gown on..."
"Yeah... Except it wasn't like anything I imagined... being a Hunter and all..."
"Sho, you don't have to do this, y'know? Well... I just said that cause I'm worried for you." She leaned in closer.
"I know. I should just stay in college... "
"Yeah! I mean~ It was never easy to be a Hunter. I have been training since when I was a kid. And you... you are just Shoji!"
Shoji chuckled as he turned at her - "You're right... "
Ryo then proceed to smack on Shoji's shoulder - "Oh my god! I was joking! You have wanted to be a Hunter for as long as I can remember, so don't just give up like that!"
"..."
Shoji placed his hands over his face as he stayed silent for a while. Then, he turn back at Ryo one more time, and this time, with a smile.
"Y'know? I really just want to kiss you sometimes."
"W-what are you even saying!?" Her face turned crimson red while facing him directly on.
Shoji laughed it off and gave her an endearing smile - "What do I even do without you, Ryo?"
"H-huh!? Well... clearly you really need me! I'm just way too dependable."
"Yeah... " He kept on smiling, but something seemed off.
Shoji then stood up from his seat and stretched his arms.
"Y'know what? Let's go and get my Hunter evaluation."
"Now we're talking!" Ryo got up in excitement.
"By the way... Can A-Ranks manipulate the evaluation result?"
"Hey!"
Shoji laughed, placing his hand on her head. And they started walking to the distance...