The moment Kairo dashed forward, the children scattered like startled birds.
Some zigzagged between the garden trees, others sprinted straight across the open grass, and a few scrambled onto low stone benches to get to higher ground.
Kairo's lips curled into a sly, almost predatory smile.
They think they can outrun me just because I look smaller? Heh… speed isn't everything. I'll use my brain instead.
Kairo's eyes landed on the fastest boy first—Daichi, the sturdy one with the easy grin.
Instead of chasing him in a straight line, Kairo decided to cut diagonally across the courtyard. Daichi's route was an open book to him.
"Got you!"
Kairo reached out and touched Daichi's shoulder with a light slap.
Daichi skidded to a halt, his eyes wide.
"W-What?! How did you—"
Kairo didn't wait for the rest.
He rolled across the grass in a quick motion, sprang to his feet, and circled wide around two girls—Mika and Hina—who had ducked behind a thick rosebush.
Instead of rushing in head-on, Kairo slipped silently to the opposite side.
He popped up right behind them.
"Boo!"
Both girls shrieked as he tapped their backs in quick succession.
Mika spun around, her cheeks flushed with surprise and laughter.
"Eh?! No fair!"
Hina grasped her chest, laughing so hard that she nearly fell over.
"No way—you got us that fast?!"
The sound of laughter echoed through the courtyard, but it soon turned into a tense atmosphere. The children looked at each other. They were beginning to grasp Kairo's strategy.
Kairo wasn't only fast; he was thinking. He was thinking ahead, herding them like a shepherd herding wolves.
If I chase them one by one, I will be the first to get tired, Kairo thought, grinning. So, I will herd them together like sheep.
He pretended to charge at Renji, who yelped and ran directly into a group of three others. Kairo swooped in low and tagged all three with a single swipe before spinning away to avoid any reaction from them.
"What kind of monster are you?" Renji shouted in surprise, laughing both in shock and amazement.
One by one, they fell laughing, protesting, then cheering for the next victim.
But finally, only one was left.
The quiet girl, Ayaka, stood at the very edge of the courtyard. Her eyes were wide with fear as she clutched her dress in her hands.
Kairo slowed his pace but didn't charge.
Instead, he walked towards her carefully with his palms open.
"You don't have to be scared," Kairo said softly to her. "It's just a game."
Ayaka blinked up at him. A nervous giggle slipped out of her. She took a step forward, then another.
Kairo reached out, tapping the back of her hand with a light touch.
"All of you are tagged," he said, standing up with a proud look.
Then Kairo notices where is Akio i think it is a secound round then he sighs uhhh it seems like he got lost again.
There was a moment of silence.
And then cheers broke out.
"You really got all of us!"
"How?! That's impossible!"
"He's amazing!"
Kairo stood there, panting, sweat dripping down his forehead, stinging his eyes. He was out of breath, but his smile didn't waver.
This… this is the kind of victory I never felt in my old world. Not from video games. Not from high scores. This is real.
Half-hidden behind a marble pillar at a distance, the King watched with his arms crossed. Slowly, a proud smile spread across his scarred face.
As expected… this boy isn't ordinary.
Kairo turned towards the cheers, catching his father's gaze briefly.
The King nodded slightly. Silent. Approving.
Kairo's smile grew.
For the first time since entering this world, Kairo felt something stronger than fear. Something stronger than his sense of duty.
Kairo felt that he belonged.
As the sun went down, dipping low into the horizon with streaks of gold and violet, the other kids said their goodbyes one by one. The sound of their laughter and running feet faded away, leaving Kairo alone in the training yard, his chest still heaving with exhaustion from the chase.
He sat down on a low stone bench, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.
Phew... That was tougher than I thought. These weights really drag me down…
Footsteps approached, light, tentative.
Kairo looked up, seeing a girl with long, rich brown hair, neatly tied with a ribbon.
She looked no more than seven or eight years old, but there was a softness in her eyes that stood out sharply amidst the world of towering, powerful figures.
She was a tiny thing, but there was a kindness in her face that made her stand out.
"H-Hello…" she said shyly, holding out a small wooden cup of water.
"You... must be tired from running. Here."
Kairo blinked, surprised. Then his face relaxed into a small but genuine smile.
"Oh… thanks."
Kairo took the cup and drank greedily.
The water was incredibly fresh. Pure. Sweet. Alive. It danced on his tongue and flowed down his throat like silk.
Liana cocked her head to one side, her expression soft with concern.
"Better?"
Kairo nodded carefully, handing her back the cup.
"Yes. Much better. You saved me."
She giggled softly, her tone light and musical.
"I'm Liana. We just played together… did you forget?
Kairo's smile grew warmer. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"No, I didn't. How could I forget you and Ayaka?"
Liana clasped her hands behind her back, rocking gently on her heels. Her cheeks flushed pink.
"You're different, Kairo. When you play, you're not just fast… you're clever. I've never seen anyone move like that."
Kairo scratched his cheek, suddenly self-conscious. Different, huh…? I can't let her know how different I really am.
He shrugged his shoulders, attempting to pass it off.
"Yeah, maybe I was just lucky."
Liana's head continued to shake back and forth.
"No. You're special. I can tell."
Kairo said nothing. He leaned back against the bench and tilted his head back to face the sky. Stars were already appearing in the darkening sky. They were brighter, clearer, and more numerous than anything he was used to back in his own world.
Special… only if you knew the truth.
Kairo turned to her and offered her a small smile.
"Thanks, Liana. That means a lot to me."
Liana's face brightened. She held the empty cup to her chest.
"Then… see you tomorrow, Kairo!"
She skipped off, the ribbon flowing behind her like a tiny banner of triumph.
Kairo settled against the trunk of the first tree, crossing his arms over the back of his head. He felt a strange heat inside his chest, one that was soft, unfamiliar, yet comfortable.
Friends... real ones... This place isn't so bad after all...
Kairo saw Liana and Ayaka standing by the arch of the garden, their heads bent together as they spoke quietly. He turned towards them slightly, listening with interest, until he reminded himself that it wasn't any of his business.
No. I'm not going to listen in like that. They have a right to some privacy.
Kairo took a deep breath and turned away.
Ayaka waved goodbye and went off towards the servants' quarters, looking carefree. Liana stood there for a moment longer, then turned to go.
Kairo got to his feet silently and approached Liana.
"Liana?"
She started at him, her face lighting up with a small, surprised smile.
"Kairo? I thought you'd already gone inside."
He rubbed the back of his neck again, looking suddenly awkward.
"I… just wanted to say thanks again. For the water. And… for not treating me like some kind of prophecy statue."
Liana's eyes went soft. She hugged the wooden cup closer to her chest.
"You're not a statue. You're… just Kairo. And you're fun to play with."
Kairo laughed, a little embarrassed, but his laughter was real.
"Yeah… I think so too."
For a heartbeat, they stood there in the fading light of day, the first stars beginning to twinkle in the sky.
Then Liana waved.
"Tomorrow, okay? Don't be late!"
"I won't," Kairo promised.
And with that, she skipped away through the archway.
Kairo watched her go, the warmth in his chest remaining long after her footsteps had disappeared.
He turned to face the palace again, the cool night air a welcome change from his still-sweaty body.
For the first time in a long while, did not weigh heavily.
It looked to be a day to look forward to.
The night air was calm and cool, with stars shining like lanterns across the sky.
Kairo walked alongside Liana down the garden walk, their footsteps quiet on the gravel. She stood still beneath a branch, running a hand through her loose strand of hair, which was the color of chestnut, and pushed it behind her ear.
"Liana… wait its me Kairo" Kairo said, but his tone was easy, with a look of interest as he glanced sideways at her.
"You're a member of a noble family, aren't you? I saw you yesterday at the celebration. You were sitting at the front with the other noble families."
Liana looked surprised, with a look of shock on her face, but it faded into a soft, gentle smile.
"Yes, you noticed…" She bent her head, blushing.
"You're right. I am a member of a noble family. In fact, my father, Duke Erendil, is one of the king's most loyal vassals. That's why I was seated at the front."
Duke Erendil... The name had sounded familiar at the ceremony, but with respect, as if referring to a man known for his unwavering honor and strength.
Liana looked at him, her head cocked slightly, with a curious expression.
"But you... you weren't born here, were you? I mean... you just showed up, and then you're the prince. Everyone talks about it."
Kairo's heart constricted. She's perceptive... I have to watch what I say.
Kairo attempted a carefree, easy sound, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Not really... I don't remember much of anything before I showed up. But I do know Father took me in. The rest of it... hazy."
Liana looked at him, her eyes piercing, but not with malice, not with anger. She looked at him with a soft, gentle curiosity. And then, out of nowhere, a soft, genuine smile broke out across her face.
"It doesn't matter," she said softly. "You're here now. And if the king wanted you as his son, well... that's good enough for me."
Kairo blinked. She believes that so easily? Or… is she just hiding what she really thinks?
Liana clasped her hands together in front of her, rocking once on her heels.
"You know… nobles are always kind on the surface. Many of them smile in front of others, but inside they only care about themselves. I think like that sometimes… I don't know if I'm right or not." She glanced down, then back up at him. "But I think you're different, Kairo. You don't feel like the others."
Kairo looked away, gaze drifting upward to the stars burning brighter than any he had ever seen.
Different, huh… She has no idea how right she is.
He smirked faintly, the expression half-hidden in the shadows.
"Well… then I guess I'll just have to prove myself, right?"
Liana's giggle floated into the night—soft, clear, like a small bell ringing once.
"I'll be watching."
The sound hung between them, light and unguarded, as the two of them stood there beneath the vast, watchful sky.
Their first real conversation, quiet, secret, played out amidst the hush of the garden, with the stars above serving as silent witness.
For the first time since coming to this world, a small crack had appeared in the wall Kairo had constructed around himself.
And out of that crack, something warm and strange was beginning to bloom.
Kairo went back against the bench, the aftertaste of water cool on his tongue.
He turned his head slowly to Liana, who stood quietly a few steps away, hands clasped together at the small of her back, the ribbon in her hair catching a little moonlight.
"Well, Liana," he said quietly, his tone changing to something more serious than the playful one he'd used before.
"You're very kind. I don't know why, but my gut's never betrayed me—not even once."
Liana tilted her head, interest sparkling in her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
Kairo looked at her straight on, unwavering.
"When I look at people, I can sense their aura. Their intentions. Even if they try to deceive me...I can see through them."
He stopped, letting the words hang between them.
"And you, Liana...you're loyal. Just like your father."
Her breathing caught. A slight flush colored her cheeks, even through the starlight.
Her grip on the hem of her dress tightened.
Kairo's lips curled up, a small, sincere smile.
"Because of that."
He leaned forward a little more.
"You're kind, you're really kind. I see it in your eyes. And your eyes don't lie."
Liana blushed an even deeper shade of pink. She looked away, her eyelashes fluttering, and then back up at him with a shy, radiant smile.
"Y-You say things too directly, Kairo…"
Her voice was a whisper, a little flustered but full of warmth.
For a long moment, there were no words between the two of them. The night wind passed between them, bearing the faint sweet fragrance of night-blooming jasmine from the palace gardens.
The silence wasn't heavy or uncomfortable; it was… comfortable. Safe. As though a promise were being made silently.
Kairo looked up at the stars again.
They were brighter and closer than those of his own world. His chest felt light.
In this strange world… maybe I've found someone I can trust.
Liana took a step closer to him, still holding the empty wooden cup.
"Then… I'll watch you," she said softly.
"And you can watch me too."
Kairo's smile grew wider.
"Deal."
The wind rustled through the leaves above them again. Fireflies danced in the distance, their lights flickering from the lanterns of the palace.
Neither of them moved to go.
For the moment, standing side by side under the stars seemed to be enough.
Then while Kairo was sitting in the grand dining hall was bathed in the warm glow of a hundred candles.
Long tables groaned under platters of roasted meats, fresh-baked bread still steaming, and decanters of deep red wine. Kairo sat across from the King—his "Father"—who tore into a thick slab of venison with relish, laughing heartily between bites.
"Eat well, son! A strong body is built from a strong stomach," the King declared, raising his golden goblet in a cheerful toast.
Kairo forced a faint grin to his lips and lifted a piece of meat to his lips.
"I'm starting to get used to this… eating at the same table as royalty. But—"
A sharp, searing pain lanced through his chest without warning.
His fork clattered against the porcelain plate.
"—Khah!"
Crimson sprayed across the pristine tablecloth.
Kairo's hand flew to his mouth. His eyes widened in raw horror. Blood?!
The King leapt to his feet so fast his massive chair screeched backward across the stone floor.
"Kairo!"
The single word was like thunder in its impact. Servants scurried forward in a state of panic, napkins and pitchers clashing to the floor.
Kairo struggled in his seat, his breathing coming in short, ragged gasps. What's happening to me? What's wrong with my body? It feels like it's burning inside!
A voice whispered in his mind, its tone low and cold and full of mockery.
"Did you forget, little prince? Strength always has a price…"
Kairo's eyes constricted to pinpoints. It's him—the man in my dreams.
The King dropped to his knee beside him, his huge hands grasping Kairo's thin shoulders with a strength that was almost desperate.
"Stay with me, Kairo! What is happening?!"
Kairo's vision was spinning. The flames from the candles streaked by him in lines of melted gold. Another wracking cough seized his body, more blood welling to his lips and falling to the table.
But then—as suddenly as it had started—the pain was gone.
Kairo took a deep breath, his chest heaving in his struggle to breathe. His hands fell away from his lips, leaving streaks of red on his chin.
"…I-I'm fine…" he whispered, voice thin and unsteady.
The King's countenance darkened in rage. His grip on Kairo tightened, not enough to cause pain, but enough to hold him in place.
"Fine? You're not fine."
His voice dropped to a growling snarl.
"This isn't an ordinary sickness."
He spun on his heels towards the nearby guards, his eyes blazing.
"Summon the Royal Healer—NOW!"
The servants and soldiers ran out of the room in haste, their boots pounding against the marble floor. The room remained in stunned silence, interrupted only by the soft crackling of candles and the metallic smell of blood that lingered in the air.
Kairo sat weakly in his chair, his hand still clutched at his chest, where the pain had ripped through him. His breathing came in short, ragged gasps, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
Inside his mind whirled with mad confusion.
That voice... that person... What is the price of the contract? Or is it something else entirely?
He looked at the spreading stain of red across the white tablecloth, at the metallic taste still on his tongue.
For the first time since entering this world, real fear gripped him. Fear that had claws and would not let go.
The queen burst into the room, her silk dress flowing behind her like spilled moonlight. Her usual tranquil demeanor had cracked into a thousand pieces.
Her pale face, shimmering eyes filled with unshed tears. She knelt beside the king, uncaring that she got her dress bloody.
"Kairo!" Her cracked voice reached out to him. Her hands touched him, cradling his cheeks with trembling care. He felt as if he were made of glass that could shatter at the
slightest pressure.
"My child... What's happening to you?"
Kairo's vision blurred. The candles flared into streaks of gold. Pain lanced through his chest with each shallow breath. But when he saw the tears shimmering on her lashes, something inside him steadied. Small. Stubborn. Defiant.
Kairo's mouth twisted into a weak, trembling smile.
"Father... Mother... Don't worry,"
he whispered. Each word hurt him, laboriously dragged out.
"I... will survive. I won't die. One day... I'll lead this kingdom... with peace... and harmony... just like it is now."
"Kairo…"
The queen's voice cracked completely. Her tears fell in shining lines down her face. She took his small hand in both hers, as if her touch alone could keep him attached to life.
The king's face was clenched in fury.
His huge hands, hands that had split armies apart, trembled as they grasped his son's shoulders. Anger, fear, and love struggled for dominance on his battle-scarred face.
"Sleep, son,"
he finally got out.
"Live. That's all I'm asking of you right now."
Kairo gave one last weak smile before his body relaxed into unconsciousness.
"Kairo!"
The queen's cry echoed in the room, a broken and despairing sound. The servants stared in shock. The guards shifted uncomfortably. The king's arms enfolded his son to his chest, his armor a barrier against what was taking his son away from him.
And yet, Kairo had already gone.
Darkness engulfed him completely.
In that vast darkness, the voice again echoed, low, cold, and mocking.
"So, you say you will lead this kingdom, boy? Very well… let's see if your words are backed by your deeds. Let's see if you survive… if you can."
And so began the coma of Kairo, a silent battle of unseen conflicts between his human frame and the power locked inside him, waiting to see which one of them would shatter first.