Three Years Later...
"I'm sorry, but the boy simply lacks the ability to use Force."
Dr. Aizawa didn’t sugarcoat his words. He looked at young Ryu with a cold gaze, showing no hint of emotion in his voice. Like the vast majority of Reapers, Ryu hadn’t experienced a "spontaneous awakening," and so he waited anxiously, albeit confidently, for his tenth anniversary—the time for a "forced awakening." He was certain that he would become a Reaper, just like his parents, and believed he would "inherit" the Force. However, doubt grew within him over time, gnawing at his confidence until the reality hit. In that instant, the world crumbled beneath his feet, shattering his dreams of glory—and, most painfully, his desire for vengeance.
“H-How can this be…? His parents were both Awakened; he should be able to use Force too!” exclaimed Jin, Ryu and Ariel's legal guardian. No one understood Ryu's dream of becoming a Reaper more than Jin, who had always encouraged the boy's aspirations. He trained Ryu physically and mentally, believing he would make an exceptional Reaper after awakening. The doctor’s diagnosis caught him almost as off guard as it did Ryu.
The doctor sighed, taking off his glasses to wipe them with a small white cloth. "You see," he began, "all living beings have Force; even I have it. The issue is that not everyone can use this power."
"It depends on whether an individual develops the Rinkuh—special 'channels' that allow us to harness Force throughout our body. Without these channels, it’s impossible to use Force. Some are born with these circuits; others have them but require a 'forced awakening.' That accounts for almost half of all Awakened. Then there are those whose Rinkuh are only partially developed. And finally, there are people like myself and Ryu who lack these circuits altogether. So, he can never be Awakened or use Force. I’m sorry, but the boy simply doesn’t have the talent to be a Reaper. Well, it’s not the end of the world, is it? Ryu, you can still become someone important," he concluded, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
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Ryu wanted to speak, but the shock was overwhelming. His silence spoke volumes. He felt his hard work crumble into dust, and, with it, a sense of utter worthlessness washed over him.
Jin noticed Ryu’s devastated state and gently placed a hand on his head, offering a warm, reassuring smile. "Don’t be sad, Ryu! Let’s wait a bit longer—maybe you’ll develop the Rinkuh after all!"
Meanwhile, Dr. Aizawa's gaze shifted from Ryu to young Ariel, who, sensing his scrutiny, clutched Jin's shirt in fear.
"Is there a problem?" Jin asked sharply, visibly irritated by the doctor’s stare.
"A problem?" murmured the elderly doctor, smirking slightly as if Jin’s seriousness amused him. "If anyone here has a problem, it's you, Mr. Reaper. How can you be so stubborn?"
The atmosphere grew tense as the two men locked eyes in a silent battle of wills. Jin, visibly frustrated, seemed ready to lunge at the doctor, though he restrained himself, knowing he could easily kill him with his power. He fought to keep his rage in check.
"No… It’s not worth it," Jin muttered, standing abruptly and grabbing Ryu and Ariel’s hands to lead them out of Dr. Aizawa’s office. "We’re done here."
Ryu was too lost in his thoughts to comprehend the tension around him. He could only vaguely sense the hostile undercurrents between the two men. Even Ariel, who had stopped speaking after their parents’ deaths, seemed more frightened and introspective than usual. Normally, Ryu would have comforted her immediately, but he was too shattered to notice.
“You’re a fool, Jin,” the doctor called out, his expression now deadly serious. "How long do you think you can go on living like this, you idiot! If you can’t think about your future, you—!"
"SILENCE."
For a split second, Jin’s voice turned cold and ruthless, and his eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, as if he were on the verge of committing a crime. Ryu and Ariel didn’t notice, but Aizawa did—and the look froze him in place. Losing his balance, he stumbled back onto his chair, suddenly realizing that antagonizing an Awakened wasn’t his smartest move.
The three of them left the office in silence, walking the long road home without uttering a word. Each carried unresolved conflicts, yet none dared to open up. They held their feelings inside, pretending everything would simply work itself out. But reality was no fairytale. Their resentment, stubbornness, anger, and secrets would, in time, destroy their lives forever.
