Chương 87: Firework I

Before Lyn could open her mouth to speak, she saw it. It was dark, and yet she could see the expression on his face. A rather dark one, those eyes. It seems as though there's nothing there.

' You think you can change? Fool,' a voice in her head said mockingly.

A very lonely look.

Lyn wondered how long it has been since such an expression has made its way on to that usually cheerful face. When she thought back to when she first met Kazuya again before she recalled who he was. Lyn misunderstood him from day 1. She thought he was one of those people, fools who would smile without having a single care in the world. However, that quickly changed. Quickly as in three seconds afterward...

'You don't pretend with me.

I want to be someone you can talk to, okay?

You don't have to act,' his words from that time echoed in her head.

Ah, strange enough he said something like that to her. Usually, she wouldn't even with such words open up. But after he said those words, the idiotic smile usually plastered on his face was replaced with something different. Lyn wanted to find out exactly what changed, why did he show her such an expression? To somebody like her? To find out the reason why she had to get much closer.

Come to think of it; he said something like this too, ' You know Lyn I believe we're quite alike. There are still some things you don't know about me either, but given more time I'm sure you'll realize it also our similarity...Maybe it's cause were similar, Maybe it's cause we're not. But whatever it is I surely don't want to lose it. I want to understand and know more about you. Is that alright, Lyn?'

Wanting to get to know her more hug, instead of getting to know each other through words. They explored the meaning through physical means. That in itself was not wrong, and yet at the same time, it didn't make it right either. Sometimes you cannot express your feelings through words, only through actions you can get the message across. Kazuya and her are that kind of people. Even if it was seen as something socially unacceptable, even if it's considered wrong by the rest of the world. It was the only way that they could understand each other. It's not like anything like that happened between them. But she knew people assumed that whenever he slept over. All Lyn wanted was to pull him close to her, to breathe in his scent, to feel his warmth and fall asleep in his arms.

She had to get close. She had to get close to him to understand and find the meaning behind that difference. But who would have thought that by paying attention to him such an extent, a gorgeous melody would appear in her head? That's right, Lyn saw it then. A different sort of light then before and yet it seemed to gently flow into her memory, something so beautiful. 'Kazuya is a man of wonders,' Lyn thought. Since she met him, she discovered many things she didn't know about herself.

Lyn buried herself in his arms, earning his attention.

"Are you cold?" he asked as he firmly wrapped his arms around her.

"Ah-huh, your very warm," she doesn't know what's wrong. She won't know unless he confines in her.

....

Two nights later - River Bank -

After careful planning, Lyn finally told Kazuya her plan to cheer up the townsfolk. Even if it's just for a short while, she wants them to see something beautiful. Perhaps, if they see all these lights, then they'll regain some hope.

Fireworks whistled like sirens as they launched into the dark, serene night. Brilliant colors illuminated the sky. The people in town were the liveliest they have been in years, as their eyes watched the scene in wonder. The vibrant colors stretched across the night sky. If one were to extend their hands out, perhaps they could touch it.

The first time Lyn had seen fireworks, she was just an infant, naïve to the world. She found that the memory was her earliest. Back then, he was a happy, ordinary child, unaware of how cruel the world could be. She, and the old grand and her cousin had watched the display together. They sat on the porch of her quarters. Both young children huddled against the woman that doted on them, nestled into her side. That was the only time she saw fireworks after the old lady passed away. Lyn didn't want to see it again. Whenever there is an event in the castle, Lyn would lock herself in her chambers and close all the windows, and block out the sound with magic. She associated fireworks with the woman's death.

Lyn closed her eyes as the sparkles that decorated the sky faded into nothingness. That moment he decided something, the reason that such brightness had to disappear was simple. All things unique did, like him. Her gaze flickered on to Kazuya who was giving out sparklers, unlike two nights ago, his expression was as bright as the sun.

'At least he is smiling,' Lyn thought. Even if it's a fake smile? It pained Lyn seeing him this way. But a fake smile is better than the solemn look he had on his face.

"Instead of staring at Kazuya, why don't you stare at the dashing man next to you?"

Lyn rolled her eyes as she hit Rhys arm, "You don't have to guard me, I'm fine," Lyn had bent down with a sparkler in hand as she watched the stream of the river. They decided to hold the event by the river bank, and lanterns surrounded the lake. It was truly a gorgeous sight.

"No can do, from now on. I'll stick close to you."

"You don't have to; I'll feel uncomfortable," Lyn murmured.

"You'll feel self-conscious? That's great."

A deep sigh passed her lisp, 'he isn't listening, is he?' Lyn thought. Then again, that shouldn't surprise her, "I find it strange that we can hold a firework event like this, isn't the atmosphere supposed to be cold here?"

Rhys paused, "Usually when the wind is calm, the smoke following the fireworks explosion won't disappear. Which will affect the vividness of the fireworks? Strong winds can blow smoke or hot embers into areas with spectators, so yeah it varies," he nodded, "It should be fine as long as the fireworks themselves don't get damp, and yet you had to hold it by the lake."

Her sweat fell, "But it's prettier here," she insisted.

"If the fireworks get wet, can you still say that?"

"Aaah," she exclaimed, "Quit criticizing me, look how happy people are," indeed, as Lyn said these words a group of people walked past with bright smiles on their faces. Like this, it's good, isn't it?