Chapter 7

The moments I had with Lina really touched me—or rather, I was affected. Am I falling in love? What will happen to the Aoi in my heart? Ugh...

• "Brother... BROTHER!"

• "Ah! I was having such a nice dream."

• "Your face had a strange expression; I thought you were having a nightmare, sorry."

• "No... It's fine, I'm okay. What time is it?"

• "The sun is just rising."

• "WHAT? Why are you up at this hour?"

• "The early bird catches the worm."

• "We still have time before class starts... So, what are you doing waking up so early?"

• "I train, brother. These muscles need oxygen and sweat."

• "Yeah, you're right..."

It feels like Taro has endless energy... I can't say I'm not a little jealous; he's so full of energy, the opposite of me.

Since I woke up this early, I might as well stroll around the city a bit...

• "Taro, I'm going out for a walk."

• "Alright, brother. Be careful."

Taro might look tough, but he's got a solid heart and is a good person. I haven't asked, but I'm sure he's not in a class lower than B...

I just remembered, I wonder what happened to the kid who called for help when I fainted. I'd like to see him again.

After wandering around the city for a bit, I went back to the place where the kid got beaten up. I still have no idea what happened there; I only remember the sound, then I passed out. I thought about what Taro told me, but I don't know—my head is just confused. I don't think it has anything to do with me. But after what happened at the event, I can't say anything for sure right now. I just want to check the place where it happened.

After walking a little more, I saw the boy by chance again and shouted:

• "Hey, kid! Kid!"

When the boy saw me, he started running away.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

• "Don't you remember me? Don't run, I have questions! Stop!"

After a short chase, I finally caught him.

• "Why are you running from me? What did I do to you...?"

The boy was so scared he could hardly breathe; he had turned pale.

• "What's wrong?"

• "PLEASE DON'T COME NEAR ME! I'M JUST A POOR KID, TAKE WHATEVER I HAVE, BUT PLEASE DON'T HURT ME, MONSTER, I WANT TO LIVE!"

He was crying.

• "Hurt you? No, I won't hurt you. Why did you call me a monster? WHAT DID I DO? PLEASE EXPLAIN!"

• "Okay, don't shout, I'll talk! Just let me live..."

If he thought I was a monster, why had he saved me?

Now that I was looking more carefully, I noticed he was a cute 10-year-old kid with torn clothes, green eyes, and blonde hair.

• "Just calm down and tell me what happened that day. I remember passing out—or at least blacking out."

• "You... you..."

• "Yes, what did I do?"

• "You were on the ground, and suddenly you started laughing like crazy. You... you bit off your own fingernail with your teeth."

This kid must be out of his mind. He doesn't know what he's talking about. When I woke up, I had no wounds. But I kept listening.

• "You were like a madman. It was terrifying. You wiped the blood from your face with your hand, then just stood there and..." "How do you stare into my eyes at the same level?" you said, "Lie down," and then three thugs just laid down and started apologizing. And then... they started burning. While they burned, you were laughing, and then you looked at me and smiled. After that, you passed out."

WHAT? THIS KID WAS SPITTING NONSENSE. HE MUST HAVE LOST HIS MIND. After calming myself down, I realized he was just a child. This had to be a figment of his imagination.

• "Look, kid, what you're saying is cruel. I'm not that kind of person. I'm just a student in Class C, and—"

• "I KNOW WHAT I SAW."

• "Okay, calm down. Again, thank you for saving me. I'm not exactly rich, but I want to help you. You can call me Kaito."

The boy had stopped crying, but his eyes still glistened with the last of his tears.

• "My name is Rhea... Thank you, Kaito, but you don't have to."

• "Rhea, that's a beautiful name, but I'm going to pretend I didn't hear you. Now, come with me; I'm going to buy you some nice clothes. Where are your parents?"

• "I don't have any. I survive by stealing."

• "Stealing is wrong, but for a kid your age, I guess there aren't many options... Anyway, don't think about it. You won't need to steal. I'll buy you food. Just visit me at school after classes. Of course, they won't let you inside..."

After picking out some nice clothes for the girl, I took her to eat. She looked really hungry. No one should have to live like this, especially not kids. Seeing her devour the food brought a smile to my face. I think I've formed a bond with this girl. I can't just leave her in the streets.

• "So, where do you live?" She didn't even hear me. Her head was still buried in the food. After she finished eating, we went outside. As I headed back to school, she was about to leave for her home.

• "Take care of yourself, kid. These parts aren't safe. I'll find a place for you to live soon, but for now, be careful."

• "My name's not 'kid'."

Laughing:

• "Yes, yes, you're right, Rhea... I've got to go now."

After warning her, I headed back to school. Her words echoed in my mind. Now that I think about it, what she said seemed more and more possible, but I still couldn't believe it. Thinking about what Taro told me, I guess the odds were pointing to me.

These events were becoming a heavy burden on my shoulders.

Suddenly, I dropped to my knees, feeling a weight pressing down on me. In a faint voice, the events so far replayed in my mind.

• "WHO AM I? I DON'T WANT TO HURT ANYONE. PLEASE, LET IT NOT BE ME WHO DID THOSE THINGS!"