Chapter 103 - Learning

But how does anybody expect him to keep a lid on his emotions when this girl messes it up every single time they see each other? It would be better if the girl hated him. However, no matter how cold and indifferent she would act towards him at times. Rhys knew full well that the woman named Lyn didn't hate him. He wonders when he started to see her as a woman, then a mere sixteen-year-old clueless girl who knew nothing about the world? Since when did these feelings start?

His thoughts broke off when he discovered that the girl had closed her eyes shut, and he hears the sound of her soft breathing. 'Fast asleep, she must have been tired,' Rhys thought. He pulled the covers more towards her, so she was mainly wrapped up. But even then, Rhys noticed the girl was shivering, so he dragged her into his arms and held her tightly.

"Sweet dreams, Lyn."

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Two days later - Library Surri Town- 8:00PM

Kazuya didn't come back, and two whole days had passed. Lyn knew him well though, he probably found a lead on something, and investigated it without leaving a message. When that man gets involved in an investigation, he goes overboard. A deep sigh passed her lips; she has to focus. Currently, she and Rhys were in the library, strangely enough, this place has the usual things one would find in Town. Then again, this place was once an ordinary town. The other members of the Sound Kingdom team, Beth, Yuzuhara, and Fukami had left moments ago.

Her gaze flickered past the pages of her book to Rhys, for the last few minutes he was reading the materials they gathered with a serious look on his face. This person, 'How mysterious,' Lyn thought. With Kazuya not around, even if she tried to evade Rhys, she still ended up spending the most time with him. He's an unusual guy. Unlike Kazuya, he seldom smiles, and whenever he does, there's something special about it. He's the type of person who doesn't hesitate to voice out what he is thinking. There's a lot more like he's charismatic and strong. But the most important factor is his kindness.

She knew it from the very start, Rhys true personality. Whenever they are alone together, he seemed to become more open and show the others that side of him too, and yet there are times where he reverts back to the side of him that she dislikes. Lyn wondered...was it really her fault? Is it her fault that he's suffering? She already came to that conclusion earlier, and yet she was still unsure.

"What?"

"Nothing. I can't hear the thunder anymore. So I wonder if it's stopped," Lyn said casually. Just make light conversation, light conversation. Being left alone with Rhys for the last two days lead to her always having her guard up. Who knows what would happen if she let her guard down?

"This room is soundproof so who knows? It might have gotten," Rhys chuckled.

"What? That can't be," Lyn's sentence fell short when the light in the room vanished, and the room is covered in darkness. Why is it suddenly pitch black? Is this, perhaps a blackout? Lyn stood up and headed for the door to open it. But the moment she tried, she hears a click, "Ah the doors been locked, and it won't open."

Lyn immediately realized something. Does that mean that the weathers got worse outside? What if they are locked in here for the night? This won't be good.

Her thoughts broke off when she hears a crash sound. Lyn turned around. "What?! What is it," she questioned. Suddenly she felt somebody pull her close. It was Rhys, of course, H--his arms...and his face...are close to hers, she can almost feel his breath...what?! Argh...What is she supposed to do in a situation like this? Lyn felt Rhys slide his hands against her waist, and she squirmed at his touch "Don't touch me you stupid pervert," Lyn exclaimed.

Whack, she hits him. "Oi! That wasn't deliberate," he exclaimed.

"Like I can believe you!" she yelled. Just when her impression of him was changing, he went ahead and ruined it.

"Please don't laugh."

Lyn blinked surprised at his sudden quiet tone. Ah, her eyes are adjusting.

"I'm...rather...my fear of the dark has gotten worse," indeed Rhys was shivering, and one of his hands covered his eyes.

"Don't go quiet on me. I'd rather have you laugh at me," Rhys said. It was the first time Lyn had heard his voice like this. The first time she heard him be so vulnerable and look so weak. Ordinary people would take advantage of this moment, but Lyn wasn't like that.

Lyn immediately grabbed his arm "Are you all right? Oh no! What am I supposed to do at a time like this? Do you have your eyes closed? I guess that won't help get rid of the darkness. Damn! I can't think of a good solution," Lyn said panicked. What does she do? He looks like he's petrified.

She should be questioning why a deity of darkness is afraid of the dark. But this wasn't anything new, back then she realized it that the two of them are the same, the fear they have towards their own poor.

"Pfft," Rhys laughter surprised her. When he suddenly grabbed her hand. "Then let's stay like this...until the lights turn on again."

"Ah? You just want to borrow my hand, okay then," Lyn nodded, and she shifted closer to him. Despite being in the pitch black, Lyn knew he was right next to her due to the warmth of their hands.

....

As time went by, however, nobody returned. Lyn couldn't hear the sound of footsteps at all. It was just the two of them left in this building. How foolish, she didn't keep track of the time. She and Rhys chose to sit in a remote location where the guard patrol most likely missed, so they probably didn't realize people were still here and locked up.

"Nobody is coming," Lyn said. Rhys nodded, "Do you think they've forgotten about us?"

"Yeah," Rhys said and sighed. "You know we have had this conversation five times already."

What? He was keeping track. But she really couldn't help but be nervous. Rhys couldn't help it. She was holding hands with someone in a couple manner, what's more, it's with a man who claims to have feelings for her. Even though she's only doing this to help him calm down.