Chapter 43: Kazuya P2

All he's ever wanted was somebody to stay by his side like this.

They used to call him by a number. When he lost his memories, he supposedly threw a tantrum whenever they called his real name. So they called him by a number to temporary replace his name. Kazuya recalled his emotions then, 'it's better than that name. I don't want to remember anymore.' The next day after receiving his new number day name. He completely forgot his real name; all that remained was a numb and hollow feeling in his heart. He controls his powers within the following week.

People showed him with endless flattery and called him a genius. Kazuya didn't care about it, perhaps because he didn't understand it well. Who cares whether he can control his powers so easily? Is it that rare of a case? Deep down perhaps he was thinking, 'aren't there other people out there like me?' Back then he already displayed signs of a child who wanted attention. A lonely child, but he didn't realize it.

In the beginning, he loved that place. The place he woke up too after the incidence. He woke up in a facility in the Sound Kingdom. People there showed him with endless praise and gave him whatever he wanted. If he were missing something like a book or game, they'd give it to him. When Kazuya grew older, he understood the reason why. It's not that they cared about him. It's due to fear. Back then he already displayed power level signs of being the strongest person in the Sound Kingdom. Naturally, crossing the person dubbed the strongest is a bad idea. They gave him everything he wanted, because they feared him.

With this sort of treatment, usually, a child grows up to be spoilt. But Kazuya didn't, even when the Sound Kingdom elders pulled him out of the establishment, and he lived a normal life. He didn't act spoilt once. One trait that he brought with him after he left the facility was his reading habit. He doesn't have time to read as much as he did back then. After all, he had his responsibilities. But Kazuya still tried to find time with it. He was fascinated with the interactions different characters had, as well as their journey.

He loved reading because he could learn about the world he's never seen before. Kazuya discovered this is the most common reason for people like him and Lyn who have lived an isolated lifestyle. He wouldn't say his situation was as bad as Lyn's though. They practically treated him like royalty and worshiped him. But Lyn who is genuine royalty gets treated like trash. Kazuya recalled how fascinated Lyn seemed to get whenever he pulled out a new book. It resembled the young him, and he couldn't help but feel bad.

Back then everything he had despite being isolated, he would have given it all to Lyn. Now he chooses to live a simple life even though the Sound Kingdom Elders and those around him try to give him more. Kazuya didn't want people to treat him like royalty; they could respect him if they wanted. But royalty? He didn't want them to treat him like the very thing he dislikes.

Yes, that's right. Kazuya loathed nobility from the very bottom of his heart. That may be why he liked the facility so much. There were no nobles there, just a group of adults who looked the same. And children with powers that people regard as unusual.

With books, he learned the same thing about nobles. He learned about the general structures of the Kingdoms. Instead of being fascinated by it, it disgusted Kazuya. Even with his lost memories, he knew something was amiss. Perhaps it was an unconscious reaction. With books, he learned the things he needed to know about the world. The facility told him that once he left the place, he could do whatever he wanted, he could explore. 'All you have to do is continue listening to us.'

It seemed like something simple, at the time. Just listen. Kazuya could do something that simple. But the difference between his old home and his new? His new home filled with psychos who kidnapped him from his old him after the incidence. But of course, Kazuya didn't know that until much later.

One day the Sound Kingdom Elders appeared, and they took him away. The moment they did, the establishment gets blown up. Kazuya recalled the scene all too well, the place he considered as 'home' went up in flames. But the head elder shook his head and said, 'Karma happens to those who harm others.' At the time he had an inkling suspicion that it wasn't Karma. But back then he focused mainly on the fact that he was finally outside the establishment. He was finally free. He could finally see the world.

Kazuya didn't care about the elders or what they wanted from him. All that mattered was he could finally see the world, he only saw in stories. See rivers and mountains, and maybe to fall in love? The establishment had plenty of those books too, books on how to fall in love.

His gaze fell on the girl fast asleep beside him. He woke up moments ago but didn't stand up. Kazuya just stared at the ceiling as he thought back to his past. When Kazuya thought about it now, there were many things he overlooked simply because he wanted to see the world. He overlooked the power and corruption in the establishment - and the treatment for those with weaker powers since he had his head in the clouds most of the time. When Lyn stirred, Kazuya moved his gaze from the ceiling to her.

He read them, those books regarding love. When he was waiting for his next batch of books to arrive, he read them to pass the time. But Kazuya felt the subject had sparked his interest; he wondered if it was possible for somebody like him to fall in love. Somebody so devoid of emotion.

His thoughts broke off when Lyn grabbed hold of his hand and brought it to her face. A smile on her face. Kazuya blinked, is she awake? Kazuya debated about it for the next few minutes before he called her name out.

"Lyn?"

Lyn laughed softly, "Um yes?"

So she's awake. For a split moment, he thought she did that unconsciously. Of course not stupid, "Sorry I woke you. It's still early."

Indeed, it was barely 5; still, twenty minutes past 4 am. There were no signs of the sun through his small window. He gently caressed her hair with his free hand, "Go back to sleep Lyn."

"Un, Kazuya too."

"Yeah."

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