Talent Reborn
Episode 16: The Prodigy's Secret
A Hidden Truth
The hospital was still buzzing from the surgical duel between Haruto and Renji.
Some called it a draw. Others claimed Haruto had finally surpassed the prodigy.
But Haruto himself couldn't shake a strange feeling.
Something about Renji's words had been… off.
"You didn't just copy someone this time."
Why did it sound like he knew?
And then, Renji asked to meet him.
Haruto found himself standing on the hospital rooftop, the evening wind chilling his skin.
Renji leaned against the railing, arms crossed.
"I've been watching you, Aizawa." His voice was unreadable. "Ever since you started rising so fast."
Haruto's jaw tightened. "And?"
Renji turned his gaze to him.
"I know about your ability."
Haruto's breath caught.
The world seemed to slow.
"What… did you just say?"
Renji smirked. "I'm saying I know you can copy other people's talents."
Haruto's mind raced. How? No one should have noticed—he had been careful.
But before he could deny it, Renji's eyes darkened.
"Don't bother lying. Because I have a secret too."
And then—
Renji lifted his hand.
Haruto's eyes widened.
Because his fingers were trembling.
The Curse of a Prodigy
Renji sighed, staring at his own shaking hands.
"I was born with a gift," he murmured. "They called me a prodigy. A genius."
His voice turned bitter.
"But what they didn't know… was that my body has a flaw."
Haruto watched as Renji clenched his fist—only for his fingers to tremble again.
"My nerves are deteriorating," Renji admitted. "Little by little, I'm losing control of my own hands."
Haruto's heart clenched. "That means…"
Renji smirked. "In a few years, I won't be able to hold a scalpel."
A surgeon who couldn't use his hands.
It was a death sentence.
A Deal Between Rivals
Haruto was speechless. He had always seen Renji as an untouchable genius.
But behind that perfection was a ticking clock.
Renji's voice broke the silence.
"I wanted to beat you before I lost everything." His gaze sharpened. "But after watching you… I realized something."
Haruto frowned. "What?"
Renji's smirk returned. "You have a cheat code, Aizawa. But you don't know how to use it properly."
Haruto tensed. "What are you saying?"
Renji stepped closer.
"I can help you master your ability."
Haruto's breath hitched. "You want to train me?"
Renji chuckled. "More like refine you. You're strong, but you hesitate. If you really want to stand at the top, you need someone who understands what it means to be a prodigy."
Haruto narrowed his eyes. "And what do you get out of this?"
Renji's smirk faded slightly.
"If I can't be the best… then I want to at least shape the one who will be."
Haruto inhaled sharply.
This was more than just a rivalry.
Renji Kujo—the genius who was running out of time—was offering to become his mentor.
Haruto clenched his fists.
A new path had just opened.
And he was ready to take it.
End of Episode 16.