Kaito's heart raced as he remembered the Ryuk's words. Turning back time to when Mina was alive sounded impossible, but it came with a heavy price—his eyesight.
He clenched his fists, disbelief washing over him. How could he defend his daughter if he couldn't see? Why did Ryuk need his eyes? His thoughts spun like a whirlwind.
A part of him wanted to agree, but the dark clouds of doubt loomed. "Why do you want my eyes?" he demanded an answer.
Ryuk floated effortlessly, one hand pressed to his cheek, a smirk playing on his lips. "Isn't the answer clear? I'm blind. I want eyes," he replied, amusement in his voice.
A gasp escaped Kaito's lips. Ryuk was blind? He had thought it was just a trick. How could someone who seemed so aware not see? It felt impossible! He looks like he can see him.
"If you can't see, how do you know I'm here? How can you tell where I am?" Kaito challenged, confusion creeping in.
"I don't see as you do," Ryuk explained slowly. "I perceive your aura, your essence. I interpret things through their energy, but the true appearances are unknown to me."
Doubt still lingered in Kaito's mind. "So if what you need is sight, why not use your powers to make your own eyes?" he questioned, frustration in his tone.
Ryuk yawned, seemingly bored. "We can't use our powers for ourselves. We were made like this. It's a rule we must accept, no matter how strong we are."
Shock coursed through Kaito. Even demons followed rules? "So if you take my eyes, that's breaking the rules, right?" he asked, bewildered.
Ryuk grinned, yawning yet again. "You misunderstand. It's different. If I used my power for perfect sight like yours, that would break the rules and I could lose everything. But if I gain sight without directly wishing for it, that's allowed," he explained, a glint in his eyes.
Suddenly, clarity hit him. "So, you want a deal. You'll use your power with me, not just for yourself. And in return, I give you my eyes, so it counts," he explained, piecing it together.
Ryuk snapped his fingers, a grin spreading across his face. "Bingo! You got it!"
For a moment, he felt overwhelmed. "I see you want me to repay you too. So it's not really like a help, only a chance. But it's all so unclear. If I turned back time to when Mina was alive, how could I save her if I'm blind? I couldn't protect her even when I could see!"
Ryuk raised an eyebrow, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "Are you saying you can't do it? Are you that weak?"
Kaito shook his head, frustration evident. "It's not that. I'm being realistic. What can I do if I can't see anything? How can I protect Mina from her dangerous boyfriend? I'm not like you; you can make the impossible happen,"
Ryuk shrugged, a smirk on his lips. "Sounds like you're saying blind people are helpless. That they can't fight or protect their loved ones. Is that it?"
He hesitated, memories flashing through his mind. He recalled many people with disabilities, facing challenges head-on. They became stronger, thriving despite their limitations, driven by a desire to succeed.
He had seen many successful not able people before. "It's not like that. I admit that having a disability doesn't stop someone from succeeding. There are blind singers, artists, and entrepreneurs. But they have a different purpose. I don't dream of being rich. I just want Mina back. How can I do that if I can't see? A syndicate will be after me!"
Ryuk lifted both arms, gesturing that he wouldn't push Kaito. "It's for you to answer that, Kaito. Nothing is free anymore; everything costs something. Consider this; it's a one-time offer, and I won't bring it up again,"
Kaito froze, realization dawning. Ryuk was right; nothing was free anymore. He understood Ryuk's need for his sight. But could he really accept that deal? He has eyes ever since he was born. How could he fight with nothing but darkness ahead?
Could he actually let this chance slip away? It wouldn't come knocking again. Why was he feeling so low, so heavy-hearted?
He knew that those without sight carried fears, and adjusting took time—not just a day. If he prepared thoroughly, nothing was impossible. He could rescue his daughter and rewrite their fate.
Ryuk stood back, observing Kaito, who was lost in thought.
Didn't he long to see Mina again? Didn't he wish she was still alive, that this was just a terrible nightmare? He felt a surge of desperation. Ryuk was right; that couldn't be a reason not to fight. If he trained hard, prepared so much, he could stop Mina from meeting Ryo. His daughter didn't have to die.
He didn't need to hesitate anymore. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. Ryuk may be a demon, but he had a chance to be with Mina again. If he failed to change their fate, the blame would rest on his shoulders.
"Okay, I agree. I will give my eyesight for Mina,"
A broad smile spread across Ryuk's face. "Very good! I thought you might be too foolish not to grab this second chance. Now that you're sure, you need to ask me formally. We'll perform a ritual to seal our deal,"
Fear gripped Kaito's heart, but he couldn't turn back now. Hope flickered within him. He longed to be with Mina again, to give her a bright future. He dreamed of so much for her. He wouldn't let his sacrifice be in vain. He love his daughter so fucking much, more than his own life.
Ryuk gestured, outlining the details of the ritual. Moments later, a deep red aura enveloped his floating form.
Kaito focused on Ryuk, who spoke in a language that twisted and turned in the air. The red glow grew brighter, and the heat surged, turning the space into a sauna.
He opened his mouth to complain but stopped, not wanting to interrupt Ryuk's focus. Anxiety bubbled within him. His desperation for Mina burned bright. She was everything to him, and he wouldn't let her slip away.
A strange sound echoed from the pulsating red aura. Ryuk turned, eyes locked on Kaito, signaling that it was his "turn."
Kaito knelt, eyes squeezed shut. He pressed his palms together, forcing himself to concentrate on the ritual despite the rising fear. It was early morning, and his courage felt drained. How was he facing a demon?
"Ryuk, one of the demons in the realm of the demons, I am Kaito Takashiro, a father. I wished you to turn back time to when my daughter was still alive. In return, take my eyesight. Just give me back that time," he spoke clearly, relieved he didn't stumble over his words, unsure if he sounded right.
Without warning, Ryuk's closed eyes flashed a bright red. The wind howled, swirling smoke around them. Kaito felt a strange surge of power, knowing that losing focus could mean disaster for the ritual.
"Kaito Takashiro, I am Ryuk, and I accept your wish and offer. When you open your eyes, the results of our deal will be clear," Ryuk declared, and a loud sound shattered the air before everything went black.
Kaito jolted awake to the loud barking of a dog next door. Mr. Ito's Akita was barking again, he never discipline his naughty dog. He felt groggy, his entire body aching like he had run a marathon.
He felt for his cellphone on the mattress and checked what time it was. He had to go to work again. But he panicked when he found his cellphone and opened his eyes wide, only to see nothing but pure darkness!
He then remembered the Ryuk — the demon.
What the hell… this meant he really went back to the past, and now he was… fucking blind?!