That evening, after Shun had left to find dinner, Hiro sat alone in his room.
His leg ached. His body was tired. But his mind was clearer than it had been in weeks.
He thought about Shun's words.
You've always been strong. But even you have limits.
He had never allowed himself to acknowledge those limits. Not in his first life. Not in this one. He had always been the one who carried everyone else. The one who made the impossible happen.
The one who never broke.
He looked at his leg—wrapped, bandaged, but healing.
He reached out to the system.
[Passive Skill: Adaptive Recovery - Active.]
[Recovery rate: 24%. Mental clarity: High. Emotional stability: Stable.]
[Progress: Positive.]
He smiled.
**** ****
The rain hadn't stopped for days.
