Rin stirs from her sleep and notices Tony lying on the bed, his breathing shallow but steady. Quietly, she leaves the room and returns with a bowl of steaming soup. The rich aroma fills the small space, stirring Tony from his slumber.
He blinks awake, the scent drawing him out of his haze. "Is that single-cell protein soup?" he asks, his voice hoarse.
Rin nods, her expression softening. "Yes, but you shouldn't try to get up. Your wounds are severe. I barely managed to stimulate your liver cells to replicate. If you strain yourself, there's no going back; you'd have to rely on mechanical support, like a cyborg."
Tony sighs, glancing down at his bandaged torso. "How am I supposed to eat then?"
"Just stay still. I'll feed you," Rin insists, her tone firm but caring. She sits beside him, spooning the soup carefully and bringing it to his lips.
As he sips the warm, nourishing broth, Tony's mind drifts back to the mission that changed everything. "You know," Rin starts, her voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and resolve, "I never thought you'd go against the superiors to save those children. Our entire team sacrificed themselves because of your decision. I only survived because the inferiors hid me, grateful for saving their kids."
Tony's face reflects a deep, unspoken guilt as he remembers the faces of his fallen comrades. "I wouldn't have done it if I'd known it would cost their lives. They would still be alive today."
Rin shakes her head gently, offering a small, comforting smile. "Don't blame yourself. I'm sure they would have understood and supported the decision. We saved those children; that has to count for something."
As if on cue, several children peek into the room, their faces bright with curiosity and concern. A young boy named Jack steps forward, his eyes wide with fascination. "Mister, are your muscles natural, or did you enhance them with cyborg tech?"
Tony chuckles softly, the sound a rare but welcome relief from the tension. "Just call me Tony, Jack. And no, my muscles are all natural. Rin, my team, and I were part of an elite unit because we were the only ones without cybernetic enhancements in the Action Command Force."
Another child pipes up, excitement evident in their voice. "What was your team called?"
Tony's gaze turns distant as he recalls his induction into the Action Command Force, a time when he was just a wanted child among the inferiors, recognized for his combat skills by the Head of the Force. "We were known as the Spectre Unit," he says, a hint of pride mixed with sorrow in his voice.
The children's eyes widen, and they clamor for more stories. "Can you tell us more about your unit?"
Before Tony can respond, Rin gently intervenes. "Kids, he needs to rest. You've all been so patient; let him recover."
She shepherds the children out of the room, closing the door softly behind them. Turning back to Tony, she says, "Get some rest, Tony. We can talk more when you're stronger."
Tony nods, grateful for her understanding. As he lies back on the bed, his mind drifts to memories of his past, from his troubled childhood to the pivotal moments that led him to join the Spectre Unit. The weight of his decisions and the sacrifices of his comrades settle heavily on his chest as he drifts into a restless sleep.