Chapter 13: A Growing Resentment
Ryan sat alone in the empty classroom, the ticking of the clock on the wall filling the silence. It had been days since Pod had shown up at school. The teachers had asked questions, and rumors about Pod's sudden disappearance circulated among their classmates. But no one knew the real reason, and Ryan wasn't about to tell them.
He slumped in his chair, staring at the notes in front of him. The letters and numbers blurred together as his mind wandered, thoughts of Pod filling his head. Since Pod had gotten his Choujin powers, everything had changed. At first, Ryan had been proud—proud that his best friend had gained such incredible abilities. But now... now all he felt was frustration. Jealousy, even.
Pod had stopped coming to school, had stopped hanging out with him. Instead, he spent his days training with Morgan, wrapped up in some mysterious mission Ryan barely understood. And while Pod was out there gaining strength and becoming something more, Ryan was stuck in the same mundane routine.
He clenched his fist, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. How was it fair? They'd been through everything together—fighting bullies, surviving the streets of Shigatsu—and now Pod was leaving him behind. Worse, it felt like Pod didn't even care.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Ryan gathered his things slowly, the weight of his thoughts dragging him down. As he stepped out into the crowded hallway, he heard snippets of conversations, students chatting about nothing in particular. But in the background, he caught a few whispers about Choujin powers.
"Did you hear? They say more people are getting powers now. Even regular folks."
"Yeah, but you've gotta take that injection, right? No way I'd mess with that stuff. You've seen what it does to people."
Ryan's ears perked up at the mention of the injections. The same ones that had given Pod his powers. He'd heard about them before, of course. It was common knowledge that if you wanted to become a Choujin, you had to take the injection—a dangerous procedure that could either grant you incredible power or leave you a twisted monster. Most people avoided it for good reason.
But what if it wasn't so dangerous? What if he could handle it?
Ryan shook the thought away as quickly as it came. No, he wasn't like Pod. He wasn't some chosen warrior with a destiny. He was just Ryan—an ordinary guy trying to survive in a city filled with Choujin and churches fighting for control.
But still, the jealousy gnawed at him. Pod had power, freedom, a future that didn't involve being stuck in a classroom or scraping by on the streets. And Ryan... Ryan had nothing.
As he walked home, his mind kept drifting back to the injections. Maybe it wasn't so crazy. Maybe if he got his own powers, things would be different. Pod wouldn't be the only one who mattered. Ryan could stand beside him, an equal—no longer left behind.
The streets of Shigatsu were their usual chaotic mess. Vendors shouted at passersby from their stalls, offering everything from food to weapons. A group of kids ran by, laughing and shoving each other as they played. But all of it faded into the background as Ryan made his way toward the less savory part of town. The place where whispers of black-market injections and under-the-table Choujin power deals were rumored to take place.
He wasn't sure what he was doing. His feet moved on their own, driven by the bitterness festering inside him. He couldn't shake the image of Pod—strong, confident, with the power to change things. Ryan wanted that. He needed that.
As he turned down a narrow alley, the air grew colder, the noise of the bustling market fading behind him. Shadows loomed from the buildings on either side, and Ryan felt a chill crawl up his spine. He knew this was where the injections were said to be sold, but he hadn't expected it to feel so... wrong.
He hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. Was he really going to do this? Was he willing to risk everything for a chance at power?
Before he could turn back, a voice echoed from the shadows.
"Looking for something, kid?"
Ryan froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He turned slowly to see a figure emerging from the darkness. The man was tall, his face obscured by a hood, but there was something about him—something dangerous.
"You're not the first one to come here, you know," the man said, his voice smooth, almost amused. "Lot of people want what you want."
Ryan swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The man chuckled, stepping closer. "Sure you don't. But if you're here, it's because you've heard the rumors. You want power, don't you? You want to stop feeling like you're in someone else's shadow."
Ryan's fists clenched at his sides. The man's words hit too close to home. He didn't respond, but the silence was answer enough.
The man smiled, though there was nothing kind about it. "I can help with that. For the right price."
Ryan's stomach twisted. This was it. The moment where he could take control of his future, or throw everything away.
He took a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "What's the price?"
The man's smile widened. "Oh, it's not much. Just a little risk. A little leap of faith."
Ryan's heart raced. He didn't know if he could do it. But then the image of Pod flashed in his mind again—Pod, powerful and unstoppable, while he was left behind. And in that moment, Ryan made his decision.
"Alright," he said, his voice steady. "I'm in."
The man's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good choice."
As the man led him deeper into the shadows, Ryan couldn't help but wonder if he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.