Chapter 22: Chapter 23. Big brother Kyoji.

It had been seven days since Kyoji was admitted to the hospital, and today, he was finally free to go. Of course, under normal circumstances, he would have been discharged as soon as he recovered. But Kyoji's case was different.

Doctor Ava explained that when Kyoji lost consciousness, he was found amidst a group of slain mutants lying in their blood. This meant they had to keep a close eye on him, ensuring the chaotic energy from the mutants' blood didn't have any adverse effects.

This confirmation from the doctor only strengthened Kyoji's suspicion – the mutant blood was the reason he woke up feeling stronger than usual. While not entirely certain, he knew further experimentation was needed to confirm his theory.

Dressed in a finely tailored white suit that hinted at wealth and elegance, Kyoji prepared to leave his hospital room. Glancing around the space he had occupied for the past week, he sighed. He wouldn't miss this place.

With his preparations complete, Kyoji walked towards the door, reaching for the handle – perhaps for the first time since waking up in this room. As the door swung open, a wave of fresh air hit his face. Inhaling deeply, it felt like a new kind of air after being confined to the same room for days.

"Ready to go?" a voice suddenly spoke, breaking his reverie. Turning, Kyoji found Butler James standing quietly by the door, his presence as unobtrusive as ever.

"Yes," Kyoji confirmed.

"Alright, this way," Butler James gestured, leading Kyoji down the hallway.

Soon, they arrived at the elevator. As Butler James pressed the button, a small silence fell between them.

"Oh, your friend with the surname Gilles left this for you before he left a few days ago," Butler James said, producing a small piece of paper.

"Ah, yes, I told him to," Kyoji replied, remembering their conversation.

"Could you transfer a sum of one hundred thousand E₵ to the account details on this paper, please?" he requested, turning to face Butler James. The butler's brow furrowed slightly, a silent question in his eyes.

Kyoji sighed internally. This was typical of Butler James, always ensuring he wasn't being frivolous with his money. While Kyoji had full access to his wealth and could buy anything he desired, he found it more practical to let Butler James handle most of his finances for two reasons.

Firstly, with Butler James in charge, Kyoji knew his money was spent wisely. He was still young and learning the value of things. Secondly, Butler James was an expert negotiator, always managing to secure the best possible price. Even when Kyoji thought he'd found a bargain, Butler James would arrive and negotiate an even better deal.

"It's for this ring," Kyoji explained, holding up his hand to display the spatial ring he wore.

"I see, sir. However, one hundred thousand E₵ seems excessive for that ring. I'm certain it could be acquired for a lower price," Butler James replied, his brow still furrowed with concern.

"That's alright. Do what you think is best. Just make sure he receives the full amount for the ring. I don't want to be indebted to anyone," Kyoji said, stepping into the arriving elevator. Butler James followed silently.

The elevator was a private one, reserved for the VIP area on the top floor. It remained unoccupied during their descent, which Kyoji appreciated. He wasn't necessarily claustrophobic, but he disliked being crammed into small spaces with strangers, and forced into unwanted physical contact.

After a short ride, the elevator doors opened to the ground-floor reception area. Butler James stepped forward to sign the necessary discharge papers, and finally, Kyoji was free to go.

As Kyoji walked through the hospital's front doors, he felt the sun's warmth on his skin – a sensation he hadn't experienced in days. While sunlight had touched him through his hospital room window, it was a far cry from the feeling of the sun directly on his skin.

Just as they exited, a sleek, luxurious black limousine pulled up. The driver's side door swung open, and a man in his late thirties hurried out to greet them. His face was vibrant and filled with life, etched with a few telltale wrinkles. It was Kyoji's chauffeur, Charles.

"Greetings, Master Ren, I'm glad to see you've fully recovered," Charles said, a warm smile spreading across his face.

Kyoji wasn't entirely comfortable with the "Master" title some of the mansion staff used, but Butler James advised against discouraging it. It was important, he explained, to maintain a professional distance and avoid any disrespect. According to Butler James, Kyoji needed to constantly remind everyone of his position as their employer. So, Kyoji adopted a more authoritative demeanour, even though he found it a bit unnatural.

"Thank you, Charles," Kyoji replied with a neutral expression, his tone devoided of any emotion.

Charles nodded respectfully and proceeded to open the car door for Kyoji. Without a word, Butler James settled into the corner seat, followed by Kyoji. Once they were comfortably seated, the door closed with a soft thud. A moment later, the driver's side door slammed shut.

"Charles, could we stop at a convenience store? I need to pick up something for Courtney and Jasper, " Kyoji requested as soon as he heard the door slam.

"Of course, Master – " Charles began but was abruptly cut off.

"That won't be necessary, I've already taken care of it." Butler James interjected smoothly.

"Oh, I see," Kyoji replied, turning towards Butler James, who produced two boxes of chocolates and handed them to Kyoji.

'How thoughtful,' Kyoji mused, relieved that he wouldn't have to make an unnecessary stop.

"Just head straight home then, Charles."

"Certainly, sir. No problem at all."

"Good," Kyoji replied with a curt nod. He leaned back into the plush leather seats of the limousine and closed his eyes, letting the gentle hum of the engine lull him into a relaxed state.

_____

Sometime later, Kyoji's eyes snapped open as the car slowed to a stop.

'We're here,' he thought to himself.

The door swung open, and Kyoji stepped out onto the familiar driveway. A refreshing, subtly scented breeze greeted him. He took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings.

Before him stood his home - a grand mansion, its facade radiating an aura of stately elegance. The sprawling front lawn stretched out, a meticulously manicured expanse of vibrant green grass and colourful flower beds. In the centre, a fountain shaped like an ornate lantern gurgled softly, encircled by a ring of brightly blooming flowers.

"Home sweet home," Kyoji murmured under his breath, though he felt no particular emotional connection to the sentiment.

It had been a long time since he'd set foot in this place – eight years if his memory served him right. His previous life had been consumed by his work in the lab, leaving little time for visits home.

Kyoji inhaled another deep breath and exhaled slowly, his expression unchanging. He felt strangely detached as if observing the scene from a distance. Shouldn't he feel *something* upon returning to the place where he'd made so many memories after such a long absence? But there was nothing – just a sense of emptiness.

With a sigh, he turned towards the mansion. Four maids dressed in crisp black-and-white uniforms stood waiting at the entrance, ready to welcome their master home.

"Welcome back, Master Ren," they chorused respectfully as Kyoji approached.

Before he could respond, a high-pitched voice rang out, breaking through the formal atmosphere.

"Big brother Kyoji!..."