Horikawa clutched his father's hand tightly as they approached the school gate. His small feet bounced with excitement, and his face lit up with a bright smile.
"This is my first day of school. I'll make my dad proud!" he thought, glancing up at his father, who gave him a reassuring smile.
When they reached the gate, his father crouched down to his level, ruffling his hair. "You'll do great, Horikawa. Be brave and have fun, okay?"
Horikawa nodded enthusiastically, his chest swelling with determination. "Okay, Dad!" he said, and then he stepped into the schoolyard, his backpack bouncing with every step.
But as soon as he stepped inside, the joyful picture in his head began to crumble. Everywhere he looked, children were crying—sobbing into their parents' arms, clinging desperately to their legs, refusing to let go.
Horikawa froze, his smile faltering. His eyes darted around the chaotic scene, and a lump formed in his throat. Are they scared? Are they sad? Should I be scared too?
The thought overwhelmed him, and tears began to well up in his own eyes. Before he could stop himself, he was crying too—big, heavy sobs that echoed alongside the others.
Horikawa was an exceptional student during his school days, excelling in academics and sports alike. Loved by teachers and respected by peers, he served as the vice president of the student council and captained the basketball team. He always made time for his best friend, with whom he shared countless memories. Together, they navigated school life, their bond unshakable, while Horikawa's natural charisma left a lasting impression on everyone around him.
Horikawa walked alongside his best friend, a basketball in his hand, spinning it effortlessly on his finger.
"So, what do you want to become in life?" his friend asked, glancing at him.
Horikawa flashed a confident smile. "Isn't it obvious? I want to be a basketball player," he replied, his eyes gleaming with determination.
His friend took a couple of steps ahead, pointing his hand toward the sky. "I'm sure you can be. We can be whatever we want to be," he said, his voice filled with unwavering belief.
Amane knelt down, his movements slow and deliberate, bringing himself to the same height as the boy. His gaze fell to his open palm.
his gaze shifted upward to the sky; he raised his hand toward it
He could see the bright blue sky behind his palm and sunlight reached his eyes passing through his fingers
"Raising hand towards the sky… like it's trying to grab something, something Precious."
Horikawa stood at the doorway, dressed sharply in his new school uniform, filled with excitement thinking about the day ahead. Just as he was about to step out, his mother's voice called out from behind.
"Horikawa!" she said softly yet firmly.
He turned around and jogged back to her. "What is it, Mother?" he asked, his voice curious but respectful.
His mother, as calm and composed as always, reached out to adjust the knot of his tie. She took a moment, her hands moving with deliberate care, before looking into his eyes.
"Listen, Horikawa," she began, her tone gentle yet filled with meaning. "Today is your first day at a new school. A fresh start, a new beginning. Make sure to pray to our lord"
"I will, Mother," he replied, nodding slightly.
His mother smiled faintly, her expression a mixture of affection and faith in him. "You'll do just fine, my son."
On his way to his new school, he stopped by a temple on the way, clasping his hands in quiet prayer. He asked for strength and well-being, a mix of nerves and hope filling his heart.
And he made it to his new school
"Woah! this looks amazing" said Horikawa looking at the huge building structure of his new school
But when he entered the classroom, he quietly found a seat on a bench. He glanced around, but no one paid him much attention. It didn't bother him, though. Horikawa stayed focused on himself, diligently going through his lessons and preparing for the upcoming half-yearly exams.
When the results were announced. He had aced the exams, scoring a perfect 100/100. The second-highest scorer had only managed an 87. The gap was enormous, and it turned him into the center of attention overnight.
The next morning, as Horikawa entered the classroom, a group of students immediately gathered around him.
"You're Horikawa, right? Man, you're such a genius!"
"Bro, you're really cool and smart! Can we be friends?" said a few voices from the crowd.
The recognition felt strange but pleasant. Soon, Horikawa found himself surrounded by friends.
Hanging out, joking, and messing around with them became his daily routine for quite a while.
One evening, as he sat at home studying, his friends showed up at his door.
"Come on, dude! Even we didn't study. It doesn't matter. Let's go have some fun!" one of them said.
Horikawa hesitated, glancing at his notes. But their persistent smiles wore him down.
"Mom, I'm going out with friends," he called out, leaving his books behind.
That pattern continued, and soon the end-of-year exams arrived.
This time, the results were not what he hoped for
His friends noticed his unease and asked how much he'd scored. Horikawa reluctantly showed them his answer sheet.
"Oh, so you got 43? I only got 37, lol. It doesn't matter—let's go hang out to kill this depression" one of them said, brushing it off.
"Okay, let's go," Horikawa replied with a faint smile, setting aside the disappointment. He chose to follow them, leaving his worries about his scores behind.
Horikawa returned home that evening, "man that was fun, I really enjoyed today"
As he entered the house, he noticed his father sitting silently on the couch. The answer sheet was spread out on the table before him. His father's head was lowered, his hands resting limply on his knees.
when his father looked up and their eyes met, Horikawa froze. He saw the sorrow etched into his father's face and the faint glisten of tears that hadn't yet dried. His father had been crying.
That moment broke Horikawa. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning—his carelessness, had hurt the person he admired most.
The next day, when his friends came calling to hang out, Horikawa opened the door and, for the first time, declined.
"Sorry, I can't," he said firmly, his voice steady and unyielding.
They were taken aback, trying to coax him, but he refused. He isolated himself, cutting off distractions, and threw himself back into his studies with unwavering determination
He started to sit at the last bench of the classroom and was all alone all the time
"what's up with him now!? He used to be so cool and fun but now look at him he became a loner loser…. But whatever who cares" said one of his friends looking at Horikawa sitting alone.
When the final results of the year were announced, Horikawa once again stood at the top, achieving the perfect scores that had once been his norm.
As he handed his report card to his father, he saw something he hadn't seen in a long time—pure joy in his father's eyes. His father's broad smile and the pride radiating from his expression filled Horikawa with a sense of fulfilment he hadn't felt before.
"Good job, son. I'm proud of you," his father said, his voice full of warmth.
That moment cheered Horikawa more than any celebration with friends ever could.
When school ended, and the time came to choose a career, Horikawa stood before his father. The weight of the decision made his hands sweat, but before he could speak, his father broke the silence.
"I am proud of you, my son," his father said with a calm but firm voice. "I want you to become a doctor."
Horikawa felt the sincerity in his father's words. There was no hesitation in his mind. Giving his father a broad smile, he replied,
"Okay… Father. As you say."
Horikawa's new journey had begun. With his exceptional grades, he had secured a place at one of the best universities. The years passed in a blur, with Horikawa immersing himself in his studies and relentless hard work. It all paid off when he received his first job offer.
He rushed home to share the news with his parents.
"Well done, son! I knew you could do it," his father said, embracing him tightly. The pride in his father's voice filled the room with joy.
"Good job Horikawa! Let's go and pray for the new starting phase of your life" said his mother in joy
His mother, ever devout, immediately took Horikawa to the temple for a prayer of gratitude and blessings for his future.
The fact that the Horikawa and his family prayed to one of the previous hosts of Lyuk Amberian.
On the other hand, Jace's mother and father both belonged to different religions
But both were two of the three main religions out there.
The side of Jace's father was a little complex,
The bloodline first used to pray to the same host but as they descended, they started to pray to the mortal Gods [Zexus (God of power), Sicus (God of fertility and generations) and Lukus (God of pain and suffering)].
But a part of their bloodline prayed to Devil and they loathed Gods.
As for Jace's family, they were atheist until his dad got married to his mom
Then they started to practice religions and Jace used to go to the religious places of both the religions
And here, the first day of Horikawa's job arrived. Horikawa stood at the hospital doors, a mixture of excitement and determination on his face. Inside, he was welcomed as part of the team, shadowing experienced surgeons and medical staff.
Horikawa joined the surgical team, assisting as they treated a young boy in critical condition. The room buzzed with urgency as four seasoned doctors worked on the boy while Horikawa observed
The operating room was tense as a group of four surgeons worked tirelessly to stabilize the child. Horikawa watched closely, standing by the boy's side and holding his tiny, trembling hand.
"Don't worry," Horikawa whispered softly to the boy. "You'll be all right."
The boy's pain-stricken eyes met Horikawa's, and for a fleeting moment, it seemed as though hope had pierced the unbearable tension.
But suddenly, one of the doctors switched off the Life support.
Horikawa froze, his mind racing to process what he had just seen. The monitors flatlined, and the room fell silent. The boy's hand, once gripping his own, went limp.
"What the…?" Horikawa's voice cracked as he stared in disbelief.
The surgeons calmly set down their tools and began switching off the lights, preparing to leave the room as if nothing significant had happened.
Horikawa grabbed one of them by the shoulder, his voice trembling with shock and anger.
"What the hell just happened? What did you do?"
The man turned to him with an impassive expression.
"There wasn't any way that kid was going to survive," he said flatly.
Horikawa's disbelief boiled over. "Are you insane? You killed him! He still had a chance!"
The man sighed, brushing off Horikawa's indignation. "Listen, rookie. Our job is to try, and we did. All you're supposed to do is watch and learn."
"But he could have been saved!" Horikawa shouted, his voice echoing in the now-emptying room.
"Could he? Are you sure?" the man retorted coldly, folding his arms.
"I'm not sure, but—"
"Exactly. You're not sure. And there's no time to dwell on it. Hundreds of patients come through here every day. Some make it; some don't. You'll learn soon enough that you can't save everyone. Now, move on to the next one."
The words hit Horikawa like a punch to the gut. The life of a child had just been dismissed as if it were nothing.
The following months unfolded like a grim blur for Horikawa. Each day brought him face-to-face with the fragility of life and the cold efficiency of the medical system. As he continued to shadow the surgeons and staff, he watched countless patients succumb to their conditions.
The initial shock that had gripped him after his first encounter began to dull with time. Each death weighed heavily on him, but he found himself growing numb, his emotions buried under layers of exhaustion and helplessness.
When he walked through the hospital corridors, the air was thick with sorrow. Families huddled together, weeping inconsolably outside the operating rooms. Others sat silently, their faces pale and drained, clutching onto the last threads of hope—or mourning what they had just lost.
Dead bodies were wheeled away on gurneys, shrouded in sterile white sheets, their presence becoming an everyday reality. The cries of grief that once pierced his heart now seemed like distant echoes in his mind.
He still tried to offer words of comfort to the patients he encountered, but the futility of his efforts often left him questioning their worth. No matter how hard anyone tried, the cycle seemed unending—another patient, another failed effort, another grieving family.
Deaths, once harrowing and deeply personal, became just another part of his routine.
The promotion came with praise but brought a crushing weight. Now he was no longer the rookie observing from the sidelines
Every day blurred into the next. Early mornings turned into sleepless nights, and the rare hours he spent at home felt more like brief pauses in the chaos than moments of respite. His body bore the brunt of it. Dark circles deepened beneath his eyes, his face was pale and gaunt, and his movements were sluggish and strained. His back ached from long hours hunched over operating tables, and his mind was fogged by the relentless grind.
He often sat in the breakroom, staring blankly at the wall, coffee in hand but barely tasting it. Conversations with colleagues were sparse, their voices muted by the deafening hum of his exhaustion. He wasn't just tired; he was drained—emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Horikawa sat slumped in his chair, his body language a portrait of exhaustion. His phone was precariously balanced between his shoulder and ear, leaving both hands free—one gripping a cheap cup of instant noodles, the other twisting a fork to scoop up it.
His sister's voice came through the phone, a rare warmth in his cold, sterile world.
"How is work going, Horikawa?" she asked gently.
His voice hoarse and distant. "I don't know, sis. Work is... exhausting. I barely have time for anything."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, his sister likely processing the strain in his tone.
"I wanted to ask you about—" she began, but Horikawa interrupted, his words cutting through the conversation like a scalpel.
"I won't be able to make it to your wedding, Sister," he said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.
Another pause. This one heavier.
"Please take care of yourself," his sister finally replied, her voice tinged with both worry and resignation.
He didn't respond, simply ending the call with a quick press of a button. The screen went dark, leaving only the faint sound of his fork scraping the bottom of the noodle cup as he shoveled the last bites into his mouth.
He tossed the empty container into a nearby trash bin and His eyes shifted back to the mountain of files in front of him.
Horikawa leaned forward, pulling the next file toward him. The dim light from the desk lamp cast harsh shadows over his tired face. He didn't pause, didn't rest. He simply kept going, burying himself in the work that had consumed every corner of his existence.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Horikawa stood in the dimly lit corridor, his gaze hollow as he faced a girl bowing before him. Her shoulders trembled; her hands clasped tightly as tears streamed down her cheeks. Desperation clung to her like a second skin.
"My—my brother… please save him," she begged, her voice breaking with raw emotion.
Horikawa's expression remained unchanged, his tone as flat and lifeless as his eyes. "He's suffering from what we call Chronorot. It's a newly discovered disease, and very little is known about it. I don't know if we can save him."
Her head sank lower as she joined her hands in a fervent plea. "Please… please, I'm begging you," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her despair.
But Horikawa's indifference was unshakable. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the corridor, leaving the girl behind in her grief.
Horikawa entered the dim hospital room, where the faint sound of labored breathing filled the air. The boy, the younger brother of the girl who had begged him for help, lay on the bed, his frail body trembling uncontrollably. An oxygen mask clung to his pale face, delivering the bare minimum to keep him alive.
Standing beside the bed, Horikawa stared down at the child, his expression as empty as ever. "No matter how much I try, he doesn't get any better… there's no cure for this disease," he muttered to himself, his voice cold and resigned.
He raised his hands, moving them toward the boy's neck, his fingers trembling slightly. "I'll just…" he whispered, the words catching in his throat. Inches away from carrying out his grim decision, he froze.
Both he and the boy breathed heavily, the shared tension thick in the air. Horikawa's hands fell back to his sides, and without another word, he left the room
The next day, Horikawa returned to the boy's room. The condition was unchanged, the same frailty, the same suffering. He stood at the threshold, his lifeless gaze sweeping over the child before he stepped inside.
Flicking on the lights, the sterile glow illuminated the boy's gaunt features. Horikawa stared down at him for a long moment, then spoke, his voice dry and distant. "Tell me—do you want to live?"
The boy's cracked voice emerged, barely a whisper. "No." The word was soaked in pain, and his body trembled with each labored breath.
Horikawa stood there for a second, motionless. Then, without hesitation, he reached for the oxygen supply. A twist of his hand silenced the flow.
Without sparing another glance at the boy, he turned and walked out of the room
As Horikawa exited the room, the boy's sister was waiting in the hallway, perched anxiously on a chair. The moment she spotted him, she sprang to her feet and ran toward him, her desperation evident in her trembling voice.
"How is he?" she asked hastily, her eyes pleading for hope.
Horikawa stopped and looked at her, his eyes betraying no emotion. "He is no more," he said flatly, his voice devoid of empathy.
The girl's face crumbled at his words. She fell to her knees, breaking into heavy sobs, her anguish reverberating through the sterile corridor.
"Why…" she cried out, her voice cracking under the weight of her grief. "Why is he no more?!" she screamed, her tears pooling on the cold floor.
A staff worker nearby noticed the commotion and hurried over, gently pulling the girl to her feet. "You need to leave," he said softly but firmly, guiding her away.
As the girl resisted, her voice raw with sorrow, the worker tried to offer her some comfort. "Look, we did everything we could. This outcome was inevitable when he was diagnosed with Chronorot," he said, his tone tinged with helplessness.
Horikawa watched them from a distance, his expression unmoved. A thought crept into his mind: Did I actually do everything I could?
He turned and walked back toward his office; his footsteps heavy. Once inside, he collapsed into his chair, his head sinking into his hands.
"I thought becoming a doctor was a noble thing, a way to serve humanity…" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. He glanced at the stack of files on his desk, the weight of them mirroring the burden in his heart.
"…But it feels like we're doing the devil's work here…... they can murder anyone they want There are often bribes here too.... people get their close relatives admitted here to get them legally murdered in exchange of some money for these lifeless souls, humanity to its core, and people here happily do it…. I WILL DO THAT TOO"
On his table one particular file caught his attention—a thick one, unusual among the others. He reached for it, and as he did, a cascade of money notes spilled out, scattering onto the floor.
Kneeling to pick them up, he noticed a note tucked among the bills. Its single line read: Room 23. Along with some digits Horikawa had no idea about
Horikawa sat back in his chair, staring at the note. A moment later, he stood, grabbed the file and the note, and made his way to one of his senior colleagues.
Entering the senior's office, Horikawa placed the file on the desk without a word. The senior glanced at it, then at Horikawa, a faint smirk forming on his lips.
"Hmmm… I see. Don't worry about this case. I'll handle it from here," the senior said casually, motioning for Horikawa to leave.
Horikawa turned to go but paused after a few steps. He glanced back at the senior, who was still smiling—a smile that reeked of something sinister.
"Tell me… why?" Horikawa asked, his voice calm but firm.
"Why what?" the senior replied, feigning ignorance.
"The boy on the first day," Horikawa continued, his tone unwavering. "You cut off his oxygen supply, even though he could have survived. Why?"
"There was no way he could've—" the senior began dismissively, but Horikawa interrupted.
"It was a bribe, wasn't it?" Horikawa's voice was sharp now.
The senior burst into laughter, leaning back in his chair. "You're a sharp one, aren't you?"
YES, IT WAS
"Why would anyone pay to kill a child?" Horikawa asked, his voice steady but cold.
The senior leaned forward, his tone dripping with derision. "He was the son of a woman and her ex. Maybe she decided she didn't want any part of him in her life anymore."
Horikawa stared at the senior, his expression unreadable.
"So what are you going to do now? Report me?" the senior mocked, his voice laced with amusement.
"No," Horikawa replied flatly, his tone chilling. "Why would I do that? I'll join you."
The senior burst into laughter again, clapping his hands together. "You're even smarter than I thought! I like you, kid. Welcome to the real world."
"So," Horikawa said, his gaze locked on the senior's smirking face, "how much were we paid to murder that boy?"
"More than you could ever imagine," the senior replied with a menacing grin. "And I see you understand what I mean by we."
Horikawa remained silent for a moment, his face impassive. Then he spoke. "We're going to split that too, aren't we, partner?"
However, the new path Horikawa had chosen didn't last very long.
One day, he entered the hospital room of an elderly man who was bribed by his own family. A new employee was operating on the man, working frantically to save his life. Horikawa stood silently, observing the scene, before moving toward the life-support machine.
"All I need to do is press this one button," Horikawa muttered to himself as he reached for the controls.
Just as his finger hovered over the button, the new employee grabbed his hand.
"What are you doing, sir?" the young man asked desperately, his voice trembling with urgency.
Horikawa glanced at him and, for a moment, saw a reflection of his younger self in the man's determined eyes.
"I can still save this man. Please, don't give up on him yet," the employee pleaded.
"No, you can't," Horikawa replied coldly, pushing the man's hand away.
"Please, sir, let me try!" The young man's desperation was palpable, and Horikawa hesitated before stepping back.
Horikawa watched him perform the surgery with so much desperation he couldn't help but he joined him too
Together, they worked on the man, attempting every possible method to save his life. But despite their combined efforts, the elderly man's condition deteriorated, and they ultimately failed.
After the operation, Horikawa slumped into a chair, exhausted. The new employee sat nearby, his face buried in his hands as tears welled in his eyes.
"You know you cannot save everyone," Horikawa said, his tone flat.
The young man clenched his fists, his voice breaking as he replied, "But I tried my best. I gave it my all."
Horikawa opened his mouth to respond, but the new employee looked at him with raw emotion.
"You knew from the beginning, didn't you, sir? You knew there was no point in going on," the man said with deep sorrow
For once, Horikawa had no words. He stood up silently and began walking toward the exit, muttering to himself, "This thing isn't for me."
As he reached the door, he paused and glanced back at the young man.
"You did great," Horikawa said softly. "Keep doing what you're doing."
And with that, he left.
From that moment, Horikawa's life returned to its usual routine
__________________________________________________________________________________
FEW DAYS LATER
Horikawa entered the room quietly, his presence almost shadow-like. A girl lay on the hospital bed, her frail body propped up slightly as she leaned against the bed's metal railings. Noticing him, she gave a faint smile and adjusted herself to sit up straighter.
"So, how are you feeling?" Horikawa asked, his tone neutral, neither warm nor cold.
"Still the same..." the girl replied softly, her voice carrying a fragile weight, as if even speaking took effort.
For a few moments, they talked—small, mundane things about her condition and the routine she had grown accustomed to. Then, she gestured toward something on the bedside table.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot," she said, shifting carefully to one side. Reaching out, she picked up a neatly wrapped package and handed it to Horikawa.
He took it hesitantly, looking down at the simple wrapping. "What's this?" he asked, a flicker of curiosity in his otherwise flat tone.
"A lab coat," she replied with a faint smile, her eyes glinting with an odd mixture of mischief and sincerity.
"But Why?" Horikawa questioned, his expression unchanged but his voice tinged with confusion.
"I think you should wear one. you lowkey look like a mad scientist" said girl giving a little laughter
"It would look good on you, " she said, her voice calm, her smile widening slightly, her gaze lingering on him as if imagining it.
Horikawa stared at the package in his hands, his grip tightening for a brief moment.
Suddenly, the girl began to cough violently, her delicate frame shaking with each ragged breath. Horikawa's eyes shifted to her, and before he could react, blood trickled from her nose. She quickly covered it with her hand, her expression shifting from pain to composed urgency.
"Please... leave," she said firmly, her voice barely above a whisper but resolute enough to leave no room for argument.
Horikawa stood there for a moment, silent, watching her as she turned her face away from him. Without a word, he turned and left the room, the package still clutched tightly in his hand.
Horikawa pushed the girl's wheelchair out of the room, the sound of its wheels faint against the quiet hallway.
Girl looked at Horikawa
"So, he didn't wear it"
They stopped just outside, where the golden hues of the setting sun bathed everything in warm light. He stood beside her, his face blank, devoid of any emotion, waiting for it to get over already
The girl's gaze remained fixed on the horizon. "The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?" she said softly, her voice tinged with a quiet reverence.
"What's so special about it?" Horikawa replied, his tone flat. "The sun sets and rises every day."
She smiled faintly, not taking her eyes off the sun. "Sure, it does…"
After a moment, she turned her gaze to him. Her eyes already knowing the answer. "Will I… be able to see tomorrow's sunset?"
"No," he said bluntly, his voice steady. "Most probably not."
The girl's gaze shifted back to the horizon, her expression calm at first. But as the moments passed, tears welled up in her eyes. She rubbed them away with trembling hands, her breathing uneven. Finally, she clasped her hands together in silent prayer, though the tears kept falling.
Horikawa glanced at her. "Scared of death?" he asked. "Everyone is."
She shook her head, her voice breaking as she wiped her tears. "I'm not scared of death, damn it! I just… I just wanted to live a normal life, like everyone else." Her words spilled out in a torrent of pain and frustration. "Why I wasn't able to live before I actually die?"
Horikawa didn't respond, his demeanor unchanged. He stood there silently, his shadow stretching alongside hers in the fading sunlight, as the girl continued to weep.
Next day
Horikawa sat slumped at his desk, surrounded by towering stacks of files. The weight of paperwork mirrored the weight on his soul. His tired, eyes stared blankly ahead, unfocused.
Gripping his head in both hands, he suddenly erupted. "I can't take this anymore!" His voice, raw with frustration, echoed in the empty office.
He pushed his chair back and stormed out into the hallway, his movements slow, like a shell of a man. His face showed no expression, drained of all vitality, as he drifted aimlessly down the corridor.
As he walked through the hallway, his gaze wandered without purpose—until he found himself standing before her door.
His hand hovered over the doorknob, hesitating. "Why am I even bothering…" he muttered under his breath. His voice, cold and detached, was devoid of any spark of life.
He pushed the door open. The girl lay still on the hospital bed, her delicate frame illuminated by the faint glow of machinery. His eyes flicked to the monitor—it displayed a flatline. Her vitals were gone.
Horikawa stood there for a moment, expressionless, his heart unmoved. Without another glance, he closed the door gently and turned away.
The girl prayed to have her next life normal.
He started walking toward the exit, but something stopped him mid-stride.
He stood there, frozen in thought, before turning back toward his office.
Hours later, he emerged from the building.
He stopped and stood at the exit, motionless, his lifeless eyes fixed on the horizon. The sun painted the sky with vibrant hues as it slowly descended.
For hours, he remained in place, staring as the light faded and the world around him darkened. The sun was gone, leaving him alone with the suffocating silence of the night.
The realization hit Horikawa like a tidal wave—he had been standing there for hours.
"I should head home…," he murmured to himself.
With steps that felt impossibly slow and lifeless, Horikawa made his way back to his home. Upon arrival, he stared into the mirror, scrutinizing his own reflection.
His eyes were bloodshot, dark circles etched beneath them, and his beard had grown unruly. He continued to gaze into the mirror for a long moment.
"What is going on with me today... I feel different," he whispered, his voice tinged with confusion.
His eyes wandered to the side, where the coat the girl had gifted him lay draped over a chair. Lost in thought, he barely noticed as the coat slipped onto his shoulders by itself. He stared again, absorbing the change.
"I am tired," he sighed, his voice heavy with fatigue. Exhausted, he collapsed onto his bed and drifted into sleep.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through his window, casting rays that highlighted his pristine white coat and his silhouetted figure. The brightness jolted him awake.
Without eating or pausing for anything, Horikawa rushed to his workplace. As he walked through the halls, colleagues shot him curious and concerned glances.
"What is wrong today..." he pondered, feeling the weight of their stares.
Yawning uncontrollably, he decided, "I should wash my face. It will feel better."
He made his way to the washroom, splashed cold water onto his face, and stared into the mirror.
"What am I wearing?" he questioned aloud.
It was then he fully realized he was wearing the coat the girl had given him. The realization dawned on him—perhaps this was why he was drawing so much attention.
"Maybe that's why I am standing out... but does it matter? It's time to get back into hell, Horikawa," he muttered to himself, his determination hardening.
From that day, Horikawa was always seen wearing that coat. It became a part of him
when duty called and it was time for surgery, he never took it with him into the operating room. Instead, he carefully draped it over the chair in his office, as if leaving it there ensured it would be waiting for him, ready to wrap him in its quiet comfort once the ordeal was over.
__________________________________________________________________________________
CITY HOSPITAL
Horikawa stepped into the hospital room where the newborn lay in a glass chamber, his fragile body barely moving. This was his sister's son, his own nephew. His tired eyes, usually indifferent, widened sharply the moment he saw the child.
"No way... he is suffering from Chronorot," Horikawa muttered, his voice heavy with disbelief.
He walked out of the room, his sister immediately standing up from the waiting area, her anxious gaze fixed on him. "How is he?" she asked, her voice trembling with hope and fear.
"He'll be dead soon," Horikawa replied flatly, his tone devoid of emotion.
His words shattered her. She collapsed back into her seat, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Look," Horikawa began coldly, "he's suffering from a new illness. It has no cure. No one can save him. Just accept it—he'll be dead soon."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away, leaving her to cry alone.
As he strode down the hallway, he whispered to himself, "This is always how it goes. People are terrified of loss, and they cry like it'll make a difference. But it doesn't. Nothing changes. You can't save someone with tears."
"I've seen countless kids die... I've seen families weep over and over. None of it ever mattered."
His steps faltered, and he stopped, clutching his chest as a sharp pain surged through him. His thoughts swirled. his voice cracked as he muttered, "So why the hell does this feel different?"
Before he could stop himself, he turned and rushed back into the room. He stood before the glass chamber, staring at the tiny, fragile life inside. The newborn looked lifeless, his small chest barely rising.
"This is hopeless," Horikawa said, shaking his head. He turned to leave again.
Then, a sudden, piercing cry filled the room.
The baby's wail struck Horikawa like a bolt of lightning. His eyes widened, and for the first time in years, a genuine smile spread across his face.
"Tell me, kid," he said, his voice trembling with emotion staring at the newborn. "Do you want to live?"
And so began the relentless pursuit of Project Alpha.
Horikawa threw himself into his work, transforming his lab and even his home into chaotic canvases of scribbled formulas and theories. His lab coat was perpetually stained with chemicals, and his walls and shirts became makeshift whiteboards. Each day, he tested new serums, tirelessly working through blood samples
He barely ate, barely slept, consumed by a frenzy of ideas and experiments. But this was different from his usual days he was filled with excitement and he seemed more alive than ever before, his eyes were burning with fire instead of the usual dead look.
He sat at his office table one day, surrounded by towering stacks of unfinished files, his mind racing.
"Will this work? Or should I try something else?" he muttered, his fingers tapping against a vial of serum.
The door to his office slammed open, and the hospital owner stormed in.
"What the hell are you doing, Mr. Horikawa?" the owner roared. "You're barely performing any operations, and look at this mess! These files—who's going to handle them? And on top of that, you're wasting hospital resources on your pointless experiments! Who's going to pay for all this, huh? You are nothing more than a leach these days"
Each word was like fuel to a growing fire in Horikawa's chest.
Horikawa slammed his hands on the table, flipping it over in a single motion. The files spilled to the floor in a chaotic heap.
The owner's face turned red with fury.
Horikawa stood, his voice cold and unwavering. "I'm done with your stupid job. If you love your files so much, do them yourself."
Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the room.
The owner stood frozen, seething. A mocking smirk crept onto his face as Horikawa suddenly re-entered the office.
"Back already?" the owner sneered.
"No. I'm just here to grab my lab coat," Horikawa replied, picking it up from the chair.
The owner grabbed his wrist. "You're not going anywhere," he growled.
Horikawa's patience snapped. He punched the owner square in the face, sending him sprawling into the pile of scattered files.
"To hell you and your job"
That punch carried the weight of all those years
Shrugging his coat onto his shoulders, Horikawa looked down at the man with a mix of disdain and finality.
"Sleep with the files you love so much."
He walked out, leaving the owner clutching his face, surrounded by the chaos he cared about more than lives.
As Horikawa disappeared down the hallway, the owner clenched his fists, his voice trembling with rage.
"I'll make that bastard's life a living hell," he vowed.
At Horikawa's home, the tension was palpable as his parents argued heatedly.
"I swear your son has lost his mind!" his father bellowed, pacing angrily. "Leaving his job without warning and, on top of that, assaulting his senior? What kind of madness is this?"
His mother, standing her ground, replied calmly, "He knows what he's doing. Everything will be alright. Believe in our son."
"Believe in him? How can you say that?" his father snapped. "Nothing is going to be alright! He's lost his mind completely, and you just keep supporting all his reckless decisions!"
His father's frustration boiled over as he grabbed his phone. "Wait here. I'll handle this fool myself."
He dialed Horikawa's number, and after a few rings, Horikawa picked up.
"You listen to me," his father growled, his voice stern and commanding. "You're going to apologize to your senior and rejoin that job without any questions. Do you hear me?"
There was a brief pause on the line before Horikawa, without a word, ended the call.
Back at home, the sound of the disconnected call only fueled his father's anger. He slammed the phone onto the floor, shattering it.
His mother flinched slightly, clutching her hands together, but she didn't say another word.
Horikawa had made his own small laboratory with the bribe money which he initially saved to gift his father a new Luxury house.
The lab was pristine white, with boards filled with equations lining the walls and advanced equipment meticulously arranged. It became his sanctuary.
He cut himself off from his family entirely, dedicating every moment to his work. His routine was relentless: wake up, experiment, and sleep, repeating the cycle day after day. Failure after failure weighed on him, but he pressed on.
One day, he saw a glimmer of hope. After creating a new drug, he injected a single drop into infected blood and examined it under the microscope.
"This should work..." Horikawa whispered, his heart racing.
The infection began to clear. It worked. For a moment, his joy was overwhelming, but he quickly restrained himself.
"No, I can't celebrate yet. If I can't save him... none of this matters," he murmured, forcing himself to stay focused.
The drug was first tested on Jace's mother to ensure its safety. Once the results showed no adverse effects, Horikawa moved forward. Exactly two months after first seeing Jace, Horikawa had a cure.
He administered the medicine to Jace diligently, twice a day for two weeks, waiting anxiously for the results. The day of truth arrived. Horikawa opened the test results package with his sister by his side, both trembling with nerves.
Just as he opened the package, he clenched his fist and whispered, "Yes..."
"What does it say, brother?" his sister asked, her voice shaky with anticipation.
"It's all good, sister. It's all good," Horikawa said, breathing heavily.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Really? Brother... is he actually going to live now?"
Horikawa smiled widely, grabbing her hand. "Yes... he will. No doubt about it."
After that breakthrough, Horikawa soon caught the attention of news outlets and media worldwide. The story of a lone man achieving in two months what massive organizations had struggled with for over a year was nothing short of miraculous. Interviews flooded in, and he himself became a symbol.
Headlines featured him prominently, and articles celebrated his achievement. Soon, an offer arrived from the world's most prestigious medical research institute, where he was invited to teach and share his expertise. The salary they proposed was astronomical.
When Horikawa returned home, his father was holding the offer letter. As Horikawa stepped into the room, his father placed the letter on the table and approached him. Placing both hands on Horikawa's shoulders, he looked him in the eyes with pride.
"I'm proud of you, son. I always knew you were born to change this world. You've got an offer from the best medical research institute out there," his father said, his face beaming with happiness.
Later, Horikawa found himself lying in the central IHCE park. He stared at the vast blue sky, lost in thought.
"So, what should I do…? I actually did an outstanding job," Horikawa muttered to himself,
He raised his hand towards blue sky.
"I wanna do more…. I wanna do more instead of teaching"
__________________________________________________________________________________
HORIKAWA'S HOUSE
"What—what are you even saying!?" his father stammered, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Yes, Father. I am not accepting that offer," Horikawa replied firmly, his tone unwavering.
"This isn't the right time to joke around, son," his father said, forcing a small, incredulous smirk.
"That's all I wanted to say." Horikawa turned away and began walking toward the door with a sullen look
"No way you're serious right now, son. Please go and accept it! As your parent, all I've ever done is think of what's best for you. This is for your own good," his father called out, his tone growing desperate.
Horikawa stopped at the doorknob, his hand hovering over it. Slowly, he turned back to face his father.
"I want to do something else. I hope you'll try to understand this as my parent, Father," he said, his voice calm but resolute.
"Something else!? There can't be anything better than this!" his father retorted, frustration etched into his words.
Horikawa locked his gaze with his father's, his expression shifting to one of disdain.
"You know what? Your sympathy is a terrifying work of art," Horikawa said leaving the room
After walking out of the house, Horikawa felt an incredible sense of liberation. The crisp breeze brushed against his face, and the blue sky above seemed more vibrant than ever. For the first time, he felt truly free—free from the chains he had unknowingly bound himself with for years.
He immediately sprinted to his rented apartment, where he shaved his slightly overgrown beard, the reflection of his rejuvenated self-smiling back at him in the mirror. With a broad grin, he grabbed his lab coat and headed out,
He ran through the streets and on his way, he saw a temple, he smiled and nodded
"Come on God, I need you by myside today" said him now sprinting even faster
his excitement carrying him to an interview at a renowned research institute.
Sitting in the sleek, minimalist interview room, and miss director was taking the interview
"So, what are your future goals and objectives in joining us," She glanced at his application form and then back at him." Mr. Horikawa?" she asked, her tone professional and direct.
Horikawa took a deep breath, his nerves settling. "I don't have any grand goals," he r
plied confidently. "I just want to do more research with you."
The director raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"
"I don't think I need a reason," Horikawa said, his calm, familiar, gentle smile spreading across his face. "It's just that—everyone deserves to live their life to the fullest."
For a moment, there was silence. Then the director nodded, an approving smile creeping onto her lips.
"Alright then, join us from next Monday," she said, her voice steady but with a hint of excitement.
"Thank you," Horikawa replied, his tone filled with genuine happiness.
"You may leave now," the director said, maintaining her professional demeanor.
As soon as Horikawa walked out of the room, the director let out a triumphant cheer, punching the air and clenching her fist.
"Yes! We got that genius with us!" she was filled with excitement
Inside the building, a small group of people had gathered, their chatter filling the hallway. They stood in a loose circle, their voices carrying an air of amusement.
"Yo, have you heard about the new guy?" one of them said, grinning as he leaned in conspiratorially. "He showed up to the interview wearing a lab coat!"
The group erupted into laughter, their voices echoing in the otherwise quiet space.
Fujita who was holding a cup of coffee. He slid his hand onto the shoulder of one of the laughing men
"Yeah," Fujita said, with a smile on his face "He sure seems like an interesting guy."
Horikawa found himself in Spain, attending a prestigious red-carpet event organized to honor the groundbreaking drug he had developed. The venue was bustling with reporters, photographers, and influential figures in the medical field. Questions flooded in from every direction, and countless flashes went off as cameras captured his every move.
Amid the chaos, a familiar figure approached him—a man he recognized instantly. It was his former senior. The man extended his hand with a smile that felt more like a smirk.
"So, my dear Horikawa, how have you been?" the senior said, shaking hands firmly with him.
"why the heck this guy is here…" thought horikawa
Before Horikawa could reply, a reporter turned their attention to the senior.
"How do you know Mr. Horikawa?" the reporter inquired, curiosity piqued.
With a booming laugh, the senior responded, "He was a junior of mine. In other words, everything was taught by me. I always knew this kid would go places—he had a lot of potential!"
Report turned to Horikawa "Wow is that actually true Mr Horikawa?" asked the reporter
"Yeah, you can say this guy was my partner in crime"
After that Horikawa stood silent, maintaining a polite smile as the cameras clicked away. Once the reporters finished their questions, the senior leaned in closer, his tone dropping to a whisper.
"No matter how many lives you save, you'll still be a murderer. You'll always remain bloody. This is the curse you took on yourself," the senior hissed into his ear.
Horikawa responded with a light chuckle, his demeanor unfazed.
"Won't you ask why I'm here?" the senior continued, putting his hands in his coat pocket pulling a pen and a piece of paper
"My daughter is a huge fan of yours. It would mean the world to her if you gave her your autograph—she wants to be just like you," the senior said, handing the items to Horikawa.
Horikawa took the pen and paper, calmly signing them as he spoke.
"I'm just glad she didn't say she wants to be like her father," Horikawa remarked, his tone laced with subtle sarcasm.
The senior laughed faintly "that's so true."
Afterward, the senior stepped closer, placing his hand on Horikawa's back as they posed for a photo together.
"Now, smile, for a pic" the senior whispered, his voice low and demanding.
In response, Horikawa stuck his tongue out, facing the camera. The flash went off, capturing the moment.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Horikawa hurried over to Fujita's desk, his face lit up with childlike excitement, holding his phone in both hands. On the screen, a brightly colored cartoon played.
"Yooo, Fujita, watch this!" Horikawa exclaimed, thrusting the phone in front of him.
"What's this…?" Fujita asked, leaning back slightly to glance at the screen.
"They might look like kids' cartoons, but trust me, they're really cool and fun to watch!" Horikawa said, his enthusiasm contagious.
"Is that so?" Fujita replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, bruh, once Jace was watching this, and I just sat beside him. Turns out, these shows are incredible!" Horikawa grinned wide, his energy infectious.
Fujita chuckled. "Wow, then show me too."
Horikawa suddenly pouted, his smile turning into an exaggerated frown. "The only problem is… a new episode comes out only once a week. I can't even die before finishing this!" He laughed, his grin spreading wide again.
But the scene changed.
Arecus slowly placed Horikawa's head on the cold ground. Blood seeped from the gaping wound in Horikawa's torso, pooling beneath him. The light in Horikawa's once vibrant eyes dimmed, though he still clung to life. His lips formed a faint smile—but this one lacked the warmth it usually carried.
The collapsing building groaned around him, debris falling all around, yet Horikawa remained still, staring at the cracked ceiling above.
"So… I won't get to see today's sunset," he thought, his mind surprisingly calm despite the chaos. "Ah man, this sucks…"
He was holding back tears Infront of Jace, but they finally broke
His vision blurred as his body began to fail. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes
"I… I'm sorry, Mother… I-I wish I could've lived just a little longer…" His voice trembled in his mind; the regret heavy in his heart.
"Am I really going to die? There is no way right! I still- "
Above him, a massive chunk of the ceiling groaned as it tore free. Slowly, it rotated mid-air, its shadow engulfing him. For one fleeting moment, sunlight broke through the wreckage, bathing his face in golden warmth.
And then, with a final crash, the concrete slab struck him, crushing his head in an instant.
Horikawa stood at the doorstep of his sister's house, holding two oversized bags in each hand. The evening sunlight cast a warm glow over him, highlighting the grin on his face as he knocked and waited.
The door opened, and there she was—his sister. Her face lit up with joy at the sight of him, and without a moment's hesitation, they stepped forward and embraced each other tightly.
"How have you been after all this time?" she asked, her voice carrying a mix of relief and happiness.
Horikawa smiled, his usual vibrant energy shining through. "It's been really cool," he replied.
As they pulled apart, Horikawa's gaze wandered past her, catching sight of a small boy peeking from behind the doorframe. The child's wide, curious eyes met Horikawa's. It was Jace, hiding shyly but unable to look away.
Horikawa froze, his expression shifting from pure joy to something deeper—thoughtful, almost solemn. His eyes widened slightly, as though a flood of memories and realizations had washed over him in an instant. He dropped his bags, the thud startling Jace slightly, and took slow, deliberate steps toward the boy.
Lowered himself to one knee, Horikawa met Jace's gaze head-on.
"Yo, Project Alpha?" he said softly, his voice calm yet charged with significance.
He pointed a finger at himself, his lips curling into a faint smile. "I'm Horikawa….. my name also starts with your initial"
Behind them, his sister leaned casually against the doorway, watching the exchange with an amused smirk.
"Glad to see you're back, brother," she said, her tone light but carrying the weight of years.
Horikawa lifted Jace into the air, holding him steady as he mimicked the motion of an airplane. He ran around the room, making engine noises, while Jace stretched his arms wide like wings, his laughter filling the space.
"Look, Uncle! I'm a superhero!" Jace exclaimed, his face glowing with excitement.
"Haha, yeah, you sure are!" Horikawa replied, grinning from ear to ear as he twirled Jace in a circle, pretending to dodge imaginary obstacles.
Horikawa walked in with a cake in his hands, carefully crafted for Jace's 10th birthday. Seeing him, Jace's face lit up with excitement, his broad smile shining.
"Yo, Uncle! Did you bring a cake for my birthday?" Jace exclaimed as he rushed toward Horikawa.
"Yeah, I made it myself just for you," Horikawa replied warmly, handing him the cake.
"Can I take it inside?" Jace asked eagerly, raising his hands to hold the cake.
"Sure, just be careful," Horikawa said with a smile, gently passing the cake to him.
But as Jace took a few steps, his foot slipped. The cake tumbled from his hands, landing on the floor with a splatter. Jace froze for a moment, his excitement replaced by tears as he began to cry.
Horikawa quickly knelt beside him, scooping him into his arms.
"I'm so sorry, Uncle! I... I ruined the cake you made for me," Jace sobbed, his voice breaking.
Horikawa gently patted his head, his voice soothing. "Don't worry, kid. I made it just for you, and I can always make another one next time."
"But still…" Jace sniffled, still distraught.
"Let's just order a new one for today, okay? And hey, it's your birthday! No more tears. Cheer up—let's have fun and celebrate," Horikawa said with a reassuring smile.
Jace wiped his eyes and nodded, his spirits lifting as Horikawa gave him a playful pat on the back. Together
Jace and Horikawa sat cross-legged on the floor, controllers in hand, immersed in an intense gaming session. The screen flashed with explosions and colourful effects as they played.
"Ahh, man! I lost again!" Horikawa groaned dramatically, slumping back and pretending to sulk.
Jace turned to him with an accusing glare, pointing his controller at his uncle. "You're losing intentionally, Uncle!" he shouted, his competitive spirit in full swing.
"Face me like a man!" Jace demanded, his voice full of mock authority, earning a hearty laugh from Horikawa.
As they played match after match, Jace every single round.
Horikawa leaned back, folding his arms. "Guess I'm just too good for you, superhero."
Jace was sprawled on the couch, eyes glued to the TV as bright colors and dramatic music filled the room. He was watching anime, completely engrossed in the action on the screen.
Horikawa walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch beside him, glancing at the TV.
"So, the kid's watching cartoons, huh?" Horikawa teased, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Man, you really are just a kid."
Jace turned to him, frowning in mock offense. "Uncle, it's not just cartoons! This has a really cool story." His face lit up with excitement as he pointed at the screen. "You should watch it too! It's awesome."
Horikawa raised an eyebrow, leaning back with his arms crossed. "Oh yeah? What's so special about it?"
Jace grinned, already diving into an enthusiastic explanation. "Just wait till you see the fight scenes, Uncle. You'll love it!"
Jace and his uncle Horikawa were playing in the living room, their laughter echoing through the house.
"This time, I'm gonna play the role of the villain, Uncle!" Jace declared, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Oh, really?" Horikawa replied, raising an eyebrow with a playful smirk.
Jace pointed his hand dramatically at his uncle. "Take this!" he shouted, pretending to unleash a powerful attack.
Horikawa clutched his chest in mock agony, staggering back. "Ahh! You got me!" he cried out, collapsing onto the floor like a defeated warrior.
"Haha! You're dead! I killed you, Uncle!"
Lyuk floated in the exosphere, silhouetted against the blazing sun, his figure dark and enigmatic. His hands moved gracefully, as if conducting an unseen symphony, his expression serene.
"To its finest molecules of this universe, there is only one power that rules," his voice carrying an divine resonance. He brought his palms together, and between them, a radiant blue orb of light materialized, pulsating with energy. His piercing blue eyes opened, glowing with unparalleled intensity.
Meanwhile Amane was lying in bed with a new random girl. He slowly got up and looked in the girl's eyes
"From my mind to your body, there is only one power that rules everything," Amane declared with a sly grin, lifting a single finger to emphasize his point.
"What is it?" the girl asked, intrigued.
Amane tilted his head back, looking at the ceiling with a self-assured smile. "Humans call it God."
The girl was little confused. "What do you call it, then?"
Amane locked his gaze with hers, his confidence unwavering. "I call it Amane Kiruzawa."
"BOTH ARE WRONG" said Lyuk throwing the orb towards earth