Chapter 26: [Ch. 26] The Rabbit's Love for Feral Cats

Panzram stared at Ryu from behind the invisibility screen. His sharp eyes bore into Ryu's back while he tried to figure out just why Ryu treated everyone with this fake smile, yet Ryu was always making all sorts of expressions when he was with him.

Ryu felt Panzram's death glare at his back and his face twitched in response. He tried ignoring it, but the look was giving him the shivers. It felt like a predator eyeing its prey before it lunged to attack. Ryu suddenly felt like chasing his eldest brother out so he could ask Panzram why he was staring so intently.

Ryu spoke quickly, "Is there anything else you want to tell me? Or would you like to stay for a drink?"

Kiyomori coughed in embarrassment, "Fourth Young brother… You're not an alcoholic right? Are you always drinking?"

Ryu chuckled, "Elder brother. You think too much."

Kiyomori grabbed onto Ryu's shoulders with a panicked expression, "Fourth brother! Please reconsider this lifestyle of yours! I fear you will really be dead in no time!"

Panzram saw how closely Kiyomori held on to Ryu. Although it was brotherly affection, Panzram's eyes grew fierce as he peered at Kiyomori through the hidden screen. Panzram was overwhelmed by the feeling to rip apart those hands which carelessly clung to Ryu.

Kiyomori hesitated as his intuition told him that there was some kind of danger nearby. However, Ryu quickly distracted Kiyomori by patting his hand. Ryu continued to smile, "Well you aren't wrong. I will be dead before I turn 25, but if that is due to this lifestyle- I really can't say."

Panzram looked at Ryu in curiosity. Why does this man always bring this up? Perhaps he really believes that he will die prematurely. But why? Is it because he knows he is courting death? Or perhaps death is the thing he desires.

Kiyomori paused and raised an eyebrow, "Little Ryu… You really say the strangest things sometimes. Every time you open your mouth; I gain a new worry."

Ryu chuckled and patted him in a reassuring manner, "Elder brother, please don't worry so much. You'll get wrinkles."

Kiyomori felt his face, "Do I have wrinkles?"

Ryu shook his head, "I was only saying that, Elder brother. Really, you need to loosen up more. Stop being so serious."

Kiyomori sighed as he stood up, "And you should become more serious before your carelessness gets you in trouble."

"I guess we truly are brothers because such things are impossible for us." Ryu motioned toward the door, "I will see you out."

Kiyomori chuckled as Ryu led him out. Before leaving the room, he paused and held onto Ryu's sleeve, "Little Ryu…"

"What is it, Elder brother?"

Kiyomori looked at his younger brother with a complicated expression, "Are you sure you won't come home with me?"

Ryu's smile never faltered, but it didn't reach his ears either. There was something about his smile that made him appear detached and distant. Kiyomori was all too familiar with this smile of his, so he didn't take offense. In fact, he was still infatuated with his darling little brother.

Ryu shook his head, "Elder brother. I will never return there as long as I have a choice. Please don't ask this of me again."

Kiyomori sighed, "I understand, little Ryu… But I hope you know that I will always be there if you ever need help."

Ryu nodded, "Of course, Elder brother. And if you ever need me, you know where to find me."

Kiyomori frowned at this, "Little Ryu… How could you mean that? You are always disappearing. Just how long do you plan on staying… Here?" Kiyomori looked around in disgust.

Ryu chuckled, "I should be here for a while. Who knows, I may end up leaving in order to chase after a cute feral cat."

Ryu glanced behind the invisible screen which was only visible to him. A warm smile spread across Ryu's face as he locked eyes with the feral cat in question.

Kiyomori paused when he saw that smile on Ryu's face. This was a smile he had never seen before on Ryu.

It was a real smile.

He thought it was strange. Since when did Ryu like feral cats?

After Ryu forcefully escorted his elder brother out, he returned back to the room to see Panzram crossing his arms. Ryu smiled cheekily at him and skipped over to him, "Panzram."

Panzram nodded towards the door, "So that was?"

Ryu paused and scratched his cheek, "Ah… That was my elder brother."

Panzram scowled, "The First Young Master."

"Mn. He will be the one who takes over the Taira clan."

Panzram shot Ryu a glance, "He is really your elder brother?"

Ryu nodded, "Yup! Can't you tell?"

Panzram observed Ryu closely. In truth, the two couldn't be any more different. Kiyomori was strong, large, and diligent-looking. He didn't wear anything out of place and his speech was perfect and proper. While his robe was red, it didn't have a bright and gaudy appearance. He truly looked and acted like a young master from a reputable family.

Ryu, on the other hand, was the total opposite. His speech and way of talking were laid back and flamboyant. He had a messy, yet charming appearance. He lounged around all day and wasn't serious about anything. He wasn't large or strong looking, but instead, he was short and feminine. He wore bright flashy clothes with gaudy accessories.

Diligent and Ryu could never be put in a sentence together.

Panzram's cat-like eyes looked into Ryu's, "No. Are you sure you two are related?"

Ryu chuckled awkwardly as he averted his eyes, "We do have different biological mothers."

Panzram's curiosity peaked at this, "Different mothers? I had heard that the head of the Taira clan only had two wives. Kiyomori's had died from an illness. Yours is the second one?"

But this didn't make sense to Panzram either. The second wife hadn't been from the Taira clan and was a Life user. Their marriage was to cement the alliance between two families. This was a well-known fact because it furthered the Taira clan's power.

However, the first wife had belonged to a side branch family in the Taira clan. She was a metal user and also Kiyomori's mother. Unfortunately, she died from an illness and the Second wife died not too long after.

These two were the only women the Head of the Taira clan had married.

That's why Panzram assumed Ryu's mother must have been the second wife. How else could Ryu have inherited chaos energy? The Taira clan only had metal users, except for two cases and Ryu was one of those cases. So, shouldn't he have inherited it from his mother's side? This was the only possibility since the Taira clan was pureblooded up until this point.

When Panzram had asked this, Ryu showed a rare expression. Ryu's face was devoid of emotion, yet it still had a lonely look.

Ryu thought back on an unwanted memory, then sighed and shook his head, "No, my biological mother was neither."

Panzram was shocked by this knowledge. "Then…"

Ryu nodded solemnly, "It's a secret of my family. No one outside of the main branch knows about it. My real mother… Ah, no. Perhaps this is a story for another day."

Panzram wanted to press him for more information but seeing his bleak expression, he figured it would be best to not say a word.

Ryu yawned and laid on the ground, "Well, I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up when our shift starts."

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