Talent Reborn
Episode 12: The First Showdown
A Challenge in the OR
Haruto arrived at the hospital early, but he wasn't alone.
In the surgical training room, Ayaka Tachibana was already there, practicing on a simulation model.
She noticed him and smirked. "You're late."
Haruto crossed his arms. "Didn't know we had an appointment."
Ayaka gestured to the surgical dummy. "We do now. Let's see if your skills are as good as they say."
Haruto hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. He never backed down from a challenge.
The test? A laparoscopic appendectomy.
A simple surgery—but one that required precision and speed.
They took their positions. A timer was set.
Haruto vs. Ayaka.
"Ready?" Ayaka asked.
Haruto nodded. "Always."
The timer started.
Precision vs. Experience
Haruto moved fast.
Thanks to his talent, his scalpel work was flawless. Every incision, every movement—perfect.
But then—he glanced at Ayaka.
She was just as fast.
And unlike him—her movements weren't copied.
She worked with the ease of true mastery, as if she had performed this surgery a hundred times before.
Haruto clenched his jaw.
He was keeping up, but something felt different.
"She's anticipating every step. I'm just reacting."
For the first time, Haruto realized the gap between talent and experience.
The Final Cut
The last step. Closing the incisions.
Haruto was milliseconds ahead—but in his rush, he made a mistake.
The stitch was off by a fraction of an inch.
Just enough to slow him down.
Ayaka finished first.
The timer beeped. Challenge over.
Ayaka pulled off her gloves, unfazed. "Not bad."
Haruto exhaled, staring at his final stitch.
It wasn't a major mistake.
But in a real surgery—it would have mattered.
That single flaw cost him the match.
Ayaka glanced at him. "You rely on perfect execution. But surgery isn't about perfection."
Haruto frowned. "Then what is it about?"
She smirked. "Control."
Her words hit him hard.
She was right.
He had focused so much on precision—he forgot about adaptability.
"I still have a lot to learn."
Respect and Rivalry
As Ayaka walked away, she suddenly stopped.
"Let's do this again," she said without turning around.
Haruto blinked. "You want a rematch?"
Ayaka glanced over her shoulder, a small smile on her lips.
"This wasn't a match." She tilted her head. "This was just a warm-up."
Haruto felt an unexpected grin forming.
For the first time in his second life—he had found an equal.
And he wasn't going to lose next time.
"I'll beat you, Ayaka. Just wait."
A new rivalry had begun.
End of Episode 12.