Sairah paused. Then, a wry smile crossed her lips, "No matter what I call you, dear… you won't change, will you? So, just like you never listen to me, I've decided not to listen to you either." There was warmth in her voice, but it was tinged with bittersweet defiance, "Even if it means you call me the most selfish person in the world."
Alan lowered his gaze, staring at his wounded hands. His eyes burned with brimming tears, but he refused to let them fall.
Sairah continued, her voice gentler now. "As for Nidou… I'll apologize on his behalf, though I think—at least a little—you already understand why he acted the way he did." she tied the last knot on the bandage, her tone soft but knowing. "He didn't mean it, Alan. I can promise you that, as his sister. He won't be able to sleep tonight because of this. It'll weigh on him."
Standing up, she gave Alan a pointed look, her lips curving slightly. "Until your hand heals, stay in your room. And the next time you decide to plan another escape, at least try not to hurt yourself jumping off trees, walls… or the roof." With that, she turned and walked away.
Alan's fingers curled into a tight fist as he watched Sairah walking away. His body was tense, his breath uneven, but he forced himself to stay silent.
Seles, having observed everything, finally broke the silence, "Why did you provoke Nidou again?"
Alan's eyes narrowed, his defenses snapping back into place like a steel barrier. He let out a sharp scoff, "Hmph. Isn't it obvious? He deserved it."
Seles' gaze darkened, disappointment flickering in his usually calm expression, "You're only hurting yourself, Alain. And Sir Nidou too. Even if he took you in out of pity and refuses to acknowledge you, that doesn't mean he doesn't care."
A bitter smirk twisted Alan's lips. His grip tightened until his nails dug into his palms, "Oh? So I'm the heartless and careless one instead, is that it?"
Seles exhaled slowly, steadying himself, "That's not what I meant—"
"Put me down," Alan interrupted, his voice firm.
A pause.
Seles hesitated, his arms tightening slightly around Alan, as if he wanted to say something more. But in the end, he let go.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Alan bolted. His entire body shook as he fled, silent tears slipping down his cheeks. He didn't stop until he reached his room, slamming the door shut behind him. Curling into himself, he pressed his forehead against his knees. His breath came in ragged gasps.
'Would it have been better if I never ran from the orphanage?
If I had kept my identity hidden until no one could ever find me?
If I had escaped from here, just a little sooner?
Would it have been better if I never met Nidou at all…?
How much longer will this hurt before it finally stops?
Where is my reality?
Where do I even belong?
Do the people who gave birth to me ever think of me?
Ever miss me..?
Every single time… am I always the one who's completely wrong?'
The silent, unfiltered thoughts of a lost seven-year-old filled his mind, suffocating and relentless.
Outside, Seles leaned against the door, listening. The quiet, muffled cries twisted something deep inside him. He turned his gaze to the garden, his voice gentle yet unwavering, "Alan… every storm passes. Every hurt, every kindness, shall all be repaid. Every prayer from the bottom of the heart will be heard. None of this is your fault."
From inside, Alan's small frame trembled. His muffled sobs grew louder then, little by little, they faded.
"I'm right here," Seles continued, his voice steady as he watched the sky darken, "Let's figure it out together. Don't give up."
Alan wiped at his tears, his red eyes now burning, not with sorrow, but with something colder. Something more resolute. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into the bandages wrapped around his hands.
I
will prove it. My worth. My pain. My desperation. And I will run away. Just you wait, Nidou Rex Lorenzo!
(END OF FLASHBACK)
Feng sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Alright, alright, I'll do as you say, okay?"
Alan nodded, his fingers idly toying with Kenzo's.
Just then, Little Will hopped onto the bed, sniffing Kenzo's hand before giving it a soft lick and a nuzzle.
Alan's lips curled into a faint, disbelieving smile, one filled with irony, as he murmured, "Ai ya~ I had to run away, didn't I? Just where have I ended up now."
Feng blinked, confused, "Huh? Are you okay? What are you even talking about?" Alan shook his head with a quiet chuckle, "Listen up, Feng. Let me tell you something from experience. Whatever you try to run from the most… somehow, it always finds a way to stay tied to you, in ways you'd never expect. And the things you want the most? They're never easy to grasp. Even if they're right within reach, you might never be able to hold onto them. That's why I believe the people who live differently, the ones who get what they want without too much struggle, not entirely without effort, but with just enough, are the luckiest people alive. And this Highness right here…"
Alan glanced at Kenzo, tucking his hand under the sheet as he stood up, "…is like a walking jackpot. So, don't worry. Just believe in him."
Feng stared at Kenzo before exhaling in defeat, "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with any of that."
Alan chuckled as he made his way out, Little Will staying by Kenzo's side. "Get ready for practice. And wake the rest up in an hour, little Feng."
Watching him leave, Feng sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yeah, yeah, I'll do that… before I lose my sanity." he shot one last glance at Kenzo, who was now sleeping peacefully, soon clicking his tongue, "Tch. Jackpot, my foot. He's just a sleep-wrecker. My whole night's ruined. What a pain in the neck. I'm just going to ignore him today for my own good."
---
The sun had finally risen, its harsh rays striking Kenzo's eyes, causing him to groan as he instinctively raised his hand to shield his face. His blue eyes fluttered open, gleaming in the early morning light. He blinked a few times, allowing himself a brief moment to adjust, then sat up, regaining his senses.
Looking around, he found the room unexpectedly empty, and narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Where are they...?" he thought, glancing at the clock on the side table. The time read 9:30 AM, and an irritated grin tugged at his lips as he rubbed his forehead. "I really slept this long...?" he muttered, disbelief in his voice.
Suddenly, he felt something soft brush against his forehead. He lowered his hand and found a cloth wrapped around his wrist. His eyes narrowed in thought, "Did they know?"
Staring at the cloth for a while, he slowly unraveled it, revealing a bruise on his wrist. With a frustrated exhale, he clicked his tongue, "How dare this appear now, when I haven't even gotten my abilities back."
Shifting out of bed, Kenzo stopped when his gaze fell on little Will, curled up beside his pillow, tucked in close to himself. A soft smirk curved Kenzo's lips. "Did they really think I needed a bodyguard like this?" he mused, his tone laced with amusement. He stood up gently and walked over to the rabbit, lifting him into his hands.
Will stirred, blinking groggily at Kenzo before recognizing him and hopping closer, trying to slip from his grasp and reach Kenzo's face.
"Hey, calm down. You're gonna fall," Kenzo muttered, steadying the little creature.
Will tilted his head and licked Kenzo's hand before suddenly perking up his ears. He noticed Kenzo's injured wrist and, with surprising tenderness, nuzzled the bruise with his fur.
Kenzo's chest tightened at the contact. His blue eyes narrowed as he stared at the little creature. Curious, he pulled Will close to his face and asked, "Are you stupid?"
The rabbit tilted his head again, looking confused. "I argue with your owner all the time, and yet here you are, doing all this? Doesn't that seem like betrayal?" Kenzo muttered, realizing how ridiculous he sounded. He kept staring at the rabbit, who remained clueless about the situation.
If Adam, Feng, Ezekiel, or Ryan ever found out about this moment, he'd be the laughing stock of the group for an eternity.
Sighing, Kenzo placed the rabbit back down and ran a hand through his hair. "Forget it. I'll probably be the one getting the penalty today. Better get ready." He walked towards the restroom, leaving Will behind.
The little rabbit, however, climbed back onto the bed and grabbed the cloth tied around Kenzo's wrist. He looked up, as if to tell Kenzo about something, but seeing that Kenzo was already gone, Will, placed the cloth back on the bed and stared out the window, waiting patiently for his return.