Just like that, once again, he is caught in her pace. d.a.m.n, she"s really defeated him this time. If Lyn says things like this, he can"t do anything. Kazuya squeezed her hands, "Can I come with you?"

Lyn beamed happily, "Un, of course, come with me."

_________

People invent expectations about someone without really knowing them, and when they don"t live up to these expectations, they get mad.

If that"s going to happen anyway, then she would rather be alone. If they are just going to get disappointed in her because she is not who they thought she would be. Then there is no point getting involved in the first place. Yet that person had never once had any such expectations of her. He was different; unlike the rest, there seemed to be a gentle aura coming out of him.

Gentleness exactly like a stream of water. A stream of water that flows gently. A beautiful and mesmerizing sight. But that gentleness is only temporary; it can easily turn into a tide. It can turn into a raging storm.

After the events of that day, Kazuya practically watched her like a hawk. Lyn brought him along, but as expected, he didn"t like it at all. Kazuya didn"t complain then, but now - her gaze fell on their inter winded hands. It seems like he was serious about it. "From now on, we will spend more time together." This wasn"t what she expected whatsoever.

Back then, too, and now. Nothing"s changed at all. Kazuya is still as kind as he was back then, and now that he"s older, he truly can protect people. However, Lyn found herself being very afraid, so very afraid of it. Afraid of his kindness, it really was something that frightened her. If he keeps it up, she really is going to go crazy. She doesn"t deserve it, because she stole it from him twice. She stole memories of the people who are dearest to him.

Her thoughts broke when she feels warmth clasp around her hand to find that he was squeezing her hand, " Didn"t I say already not to look down when your walking?"

He really is too kind, acting considerate of her like this. "Yes..."

Kazuya nodded, yet he still didn"t let go of her hand. The two of them were in the courtyard of the place Kazuya was staying.

A mini-mansion - if he could afford a place like this. Lyn wondered why he let people treat him like a beggar in the castle. That small and cramped room... Whenever Lyn thought about it, she felt uncomfortable. Why would he let others walk over him?

The maroon colored haired boy was far too busy apologizing to an angry girl. Whereas Beth was calming them both down and acting as a sort of mediator. The three were in front of them, and the two of them ended up at the back... He"s not letting go of her. She"s indeed going to end up looking down, and even now she was doing the same thing... But there are not many people around anyway; he doesn"t have to worry.

Whether he was worried about her personally or it"s just in his nature, it was something that left her with mixed emotions.. "...Your friend looks happy now...."

She knew she had no right saying it. But, Lyn wanted to know how his feelings are on the matter.

"That"s right, he does. Like this it"s alright, he need not remember anymore. Because he"s chosen the path to belong with that girl, he likes her a lot, he told me not too long ago."

Lyn blinks, "He.. already..."

Kazuya nodded; he scratches his head. "Yeah, though, when we got back, a lot happened. And we all heard about what happened with the other girl, so we had to ensure she was alright first. He still cares about that woman deeply, and I"m sure that won"t change; however, if you find something that"s more important along the way. The thing you reach out to the most is that other something."

So that"s how it was.

Lyn believed something was different about his att.i.tude towards his sister had changed. One of Kazuya"s companions liked her sister. When they filtered through the information, they realized somebody was leaking Intel to her sister. It turned out to be one of the knights a.s.signed to her from the prestigious families — one of Kazuya"s close companions.

"For Kazuya, that"s your fiancee, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Kazuya looks at her with wide eyes.

Lyn continues, the usual expression on her face, and yet she was getting somewhat mixed emotions. "Rhys ...when he gave his report said he met up with you all and that your fiancee was there too..."

"I got that much. But what does that have to do with what I just said?"

"Even if my sister is important to you. You already know what will happen...that"s why like this person you"ll choose another person who is growing to be more important. For you, Kazuya, that"s your fiancee, correct?"

For a few minutes, he doesn"t say anything. Ah, as she thought, the other person for Kazuya can only ever be ... Yet, just as she thought that he suddenly flicked her across the forehead with his free hand, causing her to blink, "Kazuya?"

"Idiot girl."

Eh? Kazuya hardly scolded her, so she looked at him with wide eyes.

Kazuya sighs, " I don"t know how you"re jumping to conclusions just from that much information. But, I suppose I ought to tell someone about it. I already rejected your sister a year ago, during the start of the fight she came clean to me about who she was. A mole and the girl who helped me out after I ran away. I indeed became fond of her, but I only ever saw her as a good friend. Seeing her as a romantic interest during that time was the last thing on my mind."

!!!

Kazuya continues, "So there is nothing between her and me, alright?"

Ah...he"s not mentioning her sister. But that"s fine, right now just hearing from him personally that he isn"t romantically involved with that woman makes her somewhat...happy. "So anyhow don"t ---wh-- why are you crying?"

Eh?

Indeed tears streamed down from her eyes.

She was suddenly pulled into his embrace, "Don"t cry. I don"t know what"s wrong with you. But it doesn"t seem right when you cry."

He"s so very gentle and kind.

Even now that still hasn"t changed, from now onwards, that factor will always remain, and he will definitely grow even kinder. But, when that time comes, she really does have to leave him. Because although this kindness makes her happy, the two of them can no longer go back to how it was before.