Chapter 329 - Intermission

Lyn increased her hold on him, and Kazuya laughed. All she can do is comfort him like this. All she can do is stand by his side. No, that's not it. From now on, they will fight together. She's concerned about Rhys whenever he gets that clouded look in his eyes. After hearing about his experience, it made sense. If Kazuya tells her everything, will she be able to understand him like she does with Rhys? It's hard to tell; these things even now make little sense to her. One thing is for sure, though, no matter what happens, she will make sure to prevent him from staining his hands with even more blood.

"What are you two doing here, flirting when we have an emergency case on our hands?"

At that comment, Lyn looked up and found a scowling Rhys on the balcony. He leaped down.

"We're not flirting."

"Right, that's not flirting," Rhys agreed. "What we did yesterday was flirting."

With his vague and yet suggestive tone, Lyn knew he did it on purpose. But Kazuya wasn't paying attention. His gaze was dark.

"Did they take it?"

"Yep, glass treasure was stolen at approximately 3:00 am this morning. Funny enough, none of the security alarms went off for it. The only crime reported was a bag of goods taken from a head guard---" Rhys looked at Kazuya and sighed. "Give those back."

Kazuya laughed, "It's fine. The situation is resolved already."

Did nothing trigger the security? How come? Wouldn't it make more sense if those guards were searching for the glass treasure?

…

In the end, the three of them went to the center of town. Because it was dark when they arrived, Lyn didn't notice how close the station was to the city. Rhys, however, seemed to be able to navigate through the dark. It must be nice; she ought to learn more from him. Even though he acts in that manner, Lyn understood how powerful he was. Kazuya is far stronger, but he isn't fond of teaching.

"Is this cloak new?" Kazuya asked.

"Ah," Lyn glanced over at Rhys, who was taking the lead. "It was a gift…"

She insisted that she didn't want it, but considering how she walked out of the mansion without many things. This was the only cloak Rhys brought with him.

"It suits you," Kazuya didn't seem to notice her looking over at Rhys. "Yeah, this color fits you better."

"..."

Why is Kazuya so oblivious to everything? Then again, if he did notice, it would turn out to be a messy situation. Forget it for now and focus on the situation at hand here. Lyn peered over Rhys shoulder, who opened the map up, exclaimed. "Ah. If we're going to this place anyway, can we drop by here?" she pointed to one of the houses on the map.

Rhys frowned, "Hey, I thought you said."

"But, since we are going to end up there anyway, we might as well, right?"

Kazuya walked over, "Here? This Lord Iz's mansion?"

"Yes."

"What do you want to do there, Lyn?"

"I just wish to confirm something," she mumbled. Noticing the two looking at her with a serious look in their eyes. A deep sigh escaped her lips. She supposes there is no use in hiding things anymore. "At a recent event, some killings took place in the middle of the public eye. It was not reported as a murder but a well-deserved death. The ones in question were from a family trying to climb back to society after losing everything. During the party, somebody attacked them, and yet nobody sought to lend a help in hand. One of the daughters got away, but a few days later, she was found dead. She hung herself."

Recalling what happened was painful for her. While she did not witness the sight herself, Shioka had sent her the photographs. "Later on, I learned that similar cases have occurred in the past year."

When she thought about it, it made her sick.

"So you…" Kazuya started.

"Elites who fall from grace, people who lose their power. Those who experience hardsh.i.p.s need other means to end their suffering without having to end their lives. I don't want there to be any more victims," Lyn trailed off. Her gaze fell on the skies; it was cold today, so the skies were grey. There is no trace of light to be seen. But even then, it looked beautiful to her. "I don't want people to go through any more painful situations. The Empire has a lot of strict rules, and the current ruling may not be ideal for people. But even then, this world is still beautiful, for people to discard their lives like this. …."

It's simply far too cruel. Kazuya encircled her in his arms again, "I'm sorry," he apologized. "Forget what I said before. It's not something as simple as working together. Lyn, I'll tell you everything from now on. From now on, you'll know where I'm going. I won't hide anymore."

"Kazuya, thank you…"

After a few minutes, the three of them set off again. Lyn avoided Rhys gaze the entire time as she focused on Kazuya's hand. Right now, she doesn't want to think about the matter with Rhys. She just wants to think about what to do next. Truthfully Lyn didn't intend to tell them about what she was thinking. Because they'd easily see through it. To prevent any more victims and suffering, to prevent people from taking their own lives. The solution is simple.

'If you desire to end your life, please tell me.'

Now that she thought about it, when she first met Shioka, it was like that too. Since then, Shioka has changed a lot; he's regained whatever confidence he's lost. However, once in a while, she would see that fragile look in his eyes. The people she associates with and end up caring about. Why does it feel like they are on the verge of breaking?

Every single person who cares, why do they have to go through this? If only there were something she could do about it. Lyn looked over at Kazuya, who was holding her hand. "Kazuya?"

"Hmmm?"

"I thought after this; maybe we could have dinner with my parents when we get back? I want to talk to them about us."

In this cruel world, there is only one thing she is sure of, and that's Kazuya. Not only does she want to speak with Mother. She wants her parents to know how important he is to them.

Kazuya froze and looked at her awkwardly. It wasn't the reaction she was expecting. Lyn thought he would agree with her. Kazuya is always talking about marriage these days and how he wants to be with her all the time. She expected him to be happy. But instead, Kazuya looked troubled.

"I don't think we should do that, Lyn."

Lyn looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry."

"No, that's not it… Just…right now, remember I have that fiance thing going on? I need to return home and end things first."

Ah, that's right. She forgot about it. Kazuya treats her so well, but like herself, he also has a fiance. Fiance, Allen… Right, she can't leave him hanging. She ought to have a proper talk with him about it too.