Blood Of Platinum
Chapter 23. Gems in the Night World bag. 8
In a room with windows and white curtains wide open, there were two people sitting on a wooden chair where there were three cups along with a teapot and full of food on the wooden table. A man with a sword without a sheath was attached to his belt and a man who poured hot tea into a cup on the table. There was a sword with a sheath beside the bed. On top of that bed, there was someone who was asleep. The blowing wind and the morning sunlight coming in from the window that was right near the bed was like a hand that gently caressed him and woke him up.
“...Mmm...this...”.
His eyes began to open and see clearly. He saw the roof of the room that was unfamiliar to him. For a moment he was still thinking and calm. Then not long after, a loud shout from the person came out from
his mouth and reflexively woke up with a very panicked face.
“Kino!! Kaito!!”
“We are here” both reply simultaneously
Ryou fell silent and looked beside him left and there were two people sitting on the wooden chair, It was Kino and Kaito who were waiting for Ryou to wake up. Kino immediately stood up from the chair and walked over to Ryou.
“Good morning, Ryou. Sleep well?”
“.....” Ryou saw Kino's smiling face
It felt like something was knocking on his heart and making him smile so happily. Ryou smiling face cheerfully saw Kino was in front of him and did not suffer any injuries like last night. It's hard to believe if it's a dream because they're clearly experiencing all of it. Kino also looks like she wants to say something but she holds him back. In the end, Kino acted as if everything was fine.
“It's better that Ryou wake up and we have breakfast first. Only then do we talk about all the things that happened”
Kino held his sister's hand and held her. At the wooden table there are various foods and a cup of tea for each person. After the two brothers sat down, the three of them ate quietly.
Ryou watched the room and every corner. That place is not the same as before. It only had a bed, had three chairs and a wooden table, a small cupboard to the left of the entrance and a wide window with white curtains.
“This place is different from the previous place. Where are we now?” Ryou asked while holding a fork
“This second floor shop [Boulangerie Rassen]. Ryou slept for half an hour since we returned to this ‘world noon’. So, it's half-time seven in the morning. I'm glad Ryou woke up at the right time for breakfast" Kino replied as he placed the bread on Ryou's plate
“Bou... the bakery means? So, underneath this room is a bakery? How can?”
“I beg the owner of this store to lend me an empty room until you wake up. I didn't expect that other than to lend us a guest room, they gave us this delicious free breakfast. You can think of this as a lucky” Kaito spoke while holding a teacup
“But, to be honest I was a little unwell to the store owner for making a row when it was still morning, Kaito-san”
“It wasn't your fault, Kino. Besides your previous condition, it's impossible to take Ryou outside, right? In addition, because of the commotion this morning, the shop so visited by a lot of people and in the end people who came to buy bread from this store. You could say we help their business. Therefore we consider it luck”
“Be...so ya”
Kino begins to think that Kaito's mindset is at first glance similar to his sister's. Ryou who was listening to their conversation could only keep quiet for a while while chewing his food. After swallowing it, he asked about the flow of the conversation the two of them had.
“So, what did he mean by the commotion this morning? I'm the only one who doesn't know anything here. Waiting to finish breakfast will only be a waste of time. I want to hear the story now” Ryou looked with a sharp gaze towards the two
“……”
The two were silent for a moment until Kaito finally put down his teacup and started to open his mouth.
“I will explain it to you. About all the things you didn't know after you fainted until after we made it out of ‘the nightworld’ it”
******
Back off half an hour ago, when the sun came up and everything went back to normal.
Kaito looked at the time shown on his pocket watch at 06:00. ‘The night’ world has ended and everything is back to normal. After putting his pocket watch back in, he began to stare at the sky with a smile and a sigh of relief. Only then did he realize that he had almost forgotten something no less important.
“I almost forgot!! Cinema, Ryou!!”
Kaito turned around while inserting his sword into the belt around his waist, the other sword still clasped in his hand. He ran to the building where the two brothers were. As he opened the door, he saw them surrounded by a crowd of people.
“Why with him?”
“What's up?”
“Is he okay, son?”
The crowd surrounded them both. He looked around the place and realized the building was a bakery that had just opened its shop. As he looked at the crowd, he realized it was not the time to be fixated. Kaito immediately approached the crowd and immediately the commotion began. The surrounding people who were looking back instantly shouted instantly and retreated. They were so panicked to see Kaito who was carrying a sword coming closer. Even the store owner looks pale because Kaito is considered a robber who was about to rob in the morning.
“To–please don't kill us. I'll give you the money, please don't kill us. You..you may take all the money that is here.Hiii”.
“……”
“I have two children and a wife who must eat”
“……”
“If you know this, I will not go to this store..Hiii”.
“……”
Kaito's face upon hearing that instantly turned strange to hear those people talking as if they were in danger. He saw that the crowd was so trembling and scared like a marmot that a stray cat was about to eat. Now, Kaito could even see the tiny faces of the marmots crying out to depict the expressions of those people in his shadow.
‘Why is it like seeing a bunch of marmots about to be killed?. Am I so scary?’ Kaito muttered inwardly while putting on an expressionless flat face
Kaito also had a glance at the entrance and he saw a lot of people gathered with scared faces. In fact, some of the shopkeepers around the place carried sharp objects and looked at him with gazes as if they were staring at a criminal. All of the commotion slightly changed its flow as someone from within the crowd called out his name.
“Kaito-san? Are you there, Kaito-san?”
“Kino. Are you okay?”
Kaito approached towards the crowd of people inside. The frightened shopkeeper along with everyone gathered inside went straight to the very side of the corner of the store and trembled while observing their situation.
Kaito tried to ignore them even though it seemed like the gazes of various expressions were pointing at him. He saw Kino who was holding Ryou who was still unconscious.
“Is Ryou okay?” Kaito squatted down while checking his pulse
“Ryou is still not awake. When ‘world night’ ends suddenly the building we are in turns into this store. Is Ryou okay, Kaito-san?”
Kino looks so worried about the state of the sister, but she sees a smile on Kaito's lips.
“All is well. His entire wound was absent and he just fell asleep from exhaustion. Don't worry”
“Thank God” Kino heaved a sigh of relief
Not long after, Kino realized that Kaito was still carrying a sword without a glove on his left hand. He also saw many people trembling in fear in the corner and countless strange gazes from outside the shop. Now, their situation was completely beyond belief.
“Umm... Kaito-san, why that sword?”
“This is Ryou's sword I borrowed from him”
“Shear sheath..still attached in the belt fastener, yes?” Kino looked at Ryou's belt and looked at Kaito with a strange look
“Because I only need the sword so I don't take the sheath. I'll get Ryou, so we'd better get out of here. We have to leave before things get even more messed up. I feel like these people have a serious problem with their minds. You see they've been noisy early in the morning, right?”
Kino begins to think that Kaito has an indifferent nature with a high enough level. Even with the situation that can already be seen the cause, the main perpetrator is still not aware of it.
“Actually Kaito-san.. if you want to know, the cause is Kaito-san who brought the sword with you. Still not aware of it?”
“……”
Kaito was silent for a moment and looked at his left hand. After that look at the group of people in the corner who look like marmots, then last look outside. Finished looking at everything around him, he saw Kino's face that looked embarrassed once with a smile.
“This is beyond expectations”
Afterwards, Kino stood up and apologized to the shop owner and everyone there. She made up the story that she and her sister were queuing in the back row however, as the sister felt dizzy she finally went to the other side of the store and her sister fainted. Of course it's just an essay and can't make them all believe it. It was just that after glancing towards Kaito who was staring at them, they thoughtlessly believed that.
******
In the living room room, many expressions were created from the faces of the three people. Kino and Ryou are still listening to Kaito's story of what happened this morning.
“And so. Since they were still looking at me with a face like a marmot that a savage beast would pounce on, I used it to borrow an empty room. Without saying much, the owner of this store immediately drove me and Kino into this room. Then, they also gave all this fancy breakfast”
Kaito spoke as he sipped the tea that Kino had just finished pouring. Listening to Kaito's explanation, Kino only smiled resignedly and did not say much. While Ryou starts to look red like a boiled crab that is ripe.
“Stupid basis!! So the commotion that happened was because of you!! What begging the shop owner!!. It's like you threatened them, you don't know yourself!!”
In Kaito's shadow as he looks at Ryou, he sees that his stew crab is turning into a wild cat face that will scratch his face. The hissing from the cat also sounded in Kaito's ears when he saw Ryou's face.
‘I told you I'd have ailurophobia because this kid’
Trying to get rid of his shadow and thoughts, Kaito replied very casually.
“But I didn't ask them to bring us breakfast. This is all free anyway. You must not waste free food given wholeheartedly by them”
“You think they gave you a cheerful smile in the morning?! Tell me what their faces look like when delivering this?”
“They cried”
“I've guessed you threatened them, you sociopath!! Akh, this is driving me crazy. Though facing the creature is not clear and the damn goat alone has pissed me off. It turns out that facing a sociopath like you can make my life short!!”
Kino tried to calm her sister's emotions.
“Ryou, you just woke up. Finish the breakfast first. After this, there is another important thing to talk about”
“.....” Ryou just looked at his brother and was silent
Kaito looks at the pocket watch in his pocket and the time shows at 07:05. The pocket watch was not kept back but rather placed on the table. After finishing breakfast, Kino took a deep breath and picked up the jewel in her pocket.
“Kaito-san, this is your gem”
Kino took out the purple gem and placed it in front of Kaito. Kaito looked at the jewel without touching it.
“This gem is your memory Kaito-san. Previously, Kaito-san said that after touching it the jewel will enter your body and Kaito-san will go directly from this place to the location of the other pieces. I feel now is the time for us to part” Kino smiled as she looked into Kaito's eyes
Ryou who was speechless seeing that finally spoke.
“You've been struggling all this time. We only knew you for less than two days, but thanks to you me and my brother are still alive today. You must quickly get away from this dangerous place and restore all your memories”
“Then, how about you guys?”
Kaito looked at the two teenagers who were before him expressionlessly. But, in the depths of her heart she felt something that made her claustrophobic. He knew that the two teenagers had not even found a way to return to where they came from. Thanks to their lives bets, this gem can be obtained. Kaito feels he has a debt of gratitude that is too great to leave behind and guilt envelops him if it is ignored. Kino smiled and pulled out his pocket watch on the table.
“We will be nothing. Basically, it was this pocket watch that brought us. If this pocket watch can take us to an unknown place like this, it means there must be a way to return”
“In addition though I'm fed up with that night‘ ’world, if indeed the hint is there, like it or not, me and Kino should do their best to find it and happy”
Hearing that, Kaito immediately stood up from his place and spoke in a high tone.
“You almost died because of this gem!!. If you die then, you don't know how heavy a burden I have to bear!! For the first time I can trust someone else. Besides, you guys are the ones who saved me. I don't want you guys to keep risking your lives like I've been!”
“Then you want to waste my and my brother's efforts on this gem, huh!!. As long as you know, in my eyes this gem is just a meaningless stone that almost makes both of our lives drift, but this is different in your eyes. This little thing means so much to you that you want to keep getting stuck in that horrible place and fighting life bets. Don't mix your problems with us!”
Ryou becomes emotionally involved. Basically, his mouth was indeed spicy. But his argument this time was a reality that the three of them had to accept.
In the hearts of the three, their unexpected encounter was a fate of great significance. They become close, share problems together, trust each other, help each other and it is all done without any purpose and purpose other than caring for each other. In any world, there would never be a bond like this and they knew it. From the beginning the two brothers trusted Kaito very much, and vice versa. Kaito trusted them so much that he was willing to do anything to protect their safety.
“Do not try to be a hero when you yourself need help, Kaito. You should have known that better than us”
Ryou started to calm down and looked at Kaito's eyes seriously. Those words were like stabbing a knife that made his chest feel tight. Kaito admits he would not be able to get the gem without their help. He needs their help for that. Everything Ryou said was true. Kaito fell silent and sat back down without replying to the words. His face was lowered without a word and Ryou was unwilling to say anything more. His face looked so upset. At a time like this, Kino tried to calm Kaito down.
“Kaito-san, it's not like we want to part with you. I told you from the beginning that my sister and I feel very safe with you. But, Kaito-san also knows that we all have different goals. Even if this pocket watch has a connection with Kaito-san, I think it is very unlikely to happen”
“……”
“Kaito-san said that we saved you, but it was the two of us who were always saved by you. Kaito-san did her best for us, even willing to listen to my selfish requests. All of that really means. As Ryou said, don't make all our efforts wasted”
“……”
“In addition, it is possible that if Kaito-san goes to another location, we will also go to the place where the instructions for us are. All those possibilities must be there, right?”
Kaito started to raise his head and look towards them. The first thing he saw was a smile from Kino's face then he looked towards Ryou's annoyed face which looked at him straight.
“You heard well Kaito, who experienced this strange thing not only you are now. You've met two other people who have serious problems finding a way home. It means you already have a partner. If it's like you said that this pocket watch has something to do with you, just trust that you'll see us again.”
“Ryou's right, Kaito-san. If fate could lead us to meet you once, fate would definitely lead us again to you”
Kaito's heart calmed down. That sentence was the one he wanted to hear.
[If fate can lead us to meet you once, fate will definitely lead us to you again]
“I. I wish we could meet again. Please.keep yourself until we can meet again”
A smile was seen from Kaito's eyes. Kino and Ryou returned with warm smiles. It's like a beautiful farewell without regrets. And the wheels of their destiny began to turn.
**
Kaito put his sword belt on again. In the end his sword was left without a sword sheath since his first one was lost. Kino and Ryou stand to deliver Kaito's departure. Kaito looked at his pocket watch before it was put back in his pocket in his robe. Time showed at 07:30 at that time. After Kaito finished with his belongings, there came a time when they said goodbye to the two brothers.
“If the owner of this store is looking for me–”
“We will say Kaito-san left by jumping from the window. Don't worry”
“If you are hungry, what about the money?”
“What is clear is that I will not commit a crime like you did here. Remember that!. I don't want to be likened to a sociopath like you!” Ryou replied straight away
Kaito just smiled wryly. Ryou approaches Kaito and extends his right hand to shake Kaito's hand.
“Thank you for everything, Kaito. And you also have to remember, I will give you one punch and one fist when we meet again. You take note of that, Kaito”
Ryou shakes Kaito's hand while putting on a cynical smile. Kaito smiled happily and shook that hand while answering in a soft tone.
“I hope you lose your memory when we meet again later”
“Cih!”
Kaito looked at Kino who was just smiling while holding back her tears.
“I want to deliver Kaito-san with a smile. After that, I will cry with Ryou”
“I won't cry for him!”
Ryou with a reddened face shouted while pointing at Kaito's face with his finger. Kaito could only laugh and hug the two of them.
“I'm so happy to meet you guys. You are a precious person to me. Thanks for everything, thank you very much”
Kino and Ryou cannot lie to themselves. Of course, the separation was so sad, considering they faced life and death situations together, argued with each other and supported each other.
“Su–has stopped that. If you keep lingering here, you'll just be wasting your time. After all, Kino and I had to sleep to deal with a shitty night and come up with a plan. Quick go there!” Ryou pushes Kaito and sits on the bed
Kaito just smiled and walked to the front of the wooden table beside him. The purple gem was on the table. Kaito has prepared his mentality. Kino called out to him before Kaito touched the jewel.
“Kaito-san.
“……”
“Don't forget us and take good care of yourself, ya”
“You too. Take care of yourself. Especially you, Kino. I hope you can be patient facing your fierce sister like a stray cat with her scathing mouth”
“Do not carelessly you, yes! Quickly go there before I throw you with my shoes!!”
It will have no end. Like, Kaito was deliberately stalling for time to part. But, in the end, he had to do it. Kaito touched the jewel and a bright light suddenly illuminated the entire room.
There was a shadow that Kaito saw in the light. A little boy playing in a crowded city. A lot of smiling people surrounded the child until finally there was a couple who picked up the child and took his hand to go with them. At first, the faces of the two husbands and wives look blurry until the longer the faces of the two are clearer. Then, not long after that the entire shadow of that memory disappeared.
“This....my memory? Memories of my childhood..memories of my parents?”
The purple gem was a fragment of his memory of the time he played with his two masters. Kaito managed to recall the faces of his parents. Kaito was silent on the spot and unwittingly, his tears fell from both of his eyes. There was a feeling that was greatly missed by him. It was both of his parents. He did not remember whether they were alive or not, but he managed to remember their faces. A very moving moment for Kaito, until a voice sounded and destroyed the moment.
“Oi!! What are you doing there? Are you going where your memories are or not? Kaito!”
“……!!!”
Kaito hears Ryou's voice and quickly looks to the left side. He clearly saw that the two brothers who should have been abandoned by him were still nearby. He was still standing in the room and looking up at the table. The jewel is gone. But, his face could only show an expression of shock.
“Kaito-san? Why are you still here?” Kino looked at Kaito's face in confusion
“……”
Kaito was silent for a moment and realized something. The impossible happened almost on every trip it now happens.
“Looks...we'll be together a little longer..”.
“Don't joke! We kicked you out, didn't we? Kaito, do you still want to buy some more time?”
“Not. I think it's strange why I'm still here after the gem has entered my body. But now I understand. It seems, there is still another jewel of my memory in this place and I still have to find it”
“...Eh?” the two brothers were shocked and could not stop staring at Kaito with strange looks
“It seems, my search on ‘both worlds’ is still not finished. That's why I'm still here”
The thoughts of the two brothers were immediately empty. It's true, the jewel on the table is gone. Kaito himself also said that once the gem entered his body, he would automatically move to another location. Since he was still standing before them, it meant that there was indeed more than one piece of Kaito's memory in this place. Instantly, the situation in the room became very quiet. Only a voice in Ryou's mind described the strange atmosphere.
‘For what drama did we all do? Give me back all that shame now’
******