Hunting: Memories (I Transmigrated as a Memory Hunter)

Arc 1: Kumoshima Part 6

CHAPTER 11

Nephrite didn't want to look into Kazuyuki's eyes. He can imagine how painful this question was for the other person. However, he needs to be sure. Aijin must not see him. Though he doesn't know how exactly it will affect Aijin, he can roughly guess based on Professor Ram's warning before and with his own experience. Knowing the past was much more tolerable than knowing the future. Plus who knows if Aijin would just see the memories of this world once she saw him? He saw all his past by accident. Even if the parts that he can remember are just fragments of it, he still saw it. What would happen if Aijin saw more than what he knows? He won't risk it.

So even if he knew the answer, he needed to confirm it. After all, things might change from now on since his father was saved.

Kazuyuki still did not give him an answer. Worried, Nephrite took a glance at him.

Their eyes met. For some reason, Nephrite felt a tension between them.

Kazuyuki moved his gaze away, "She's with the Second Prince right now. When we found her, the Prince was already carrying her, his guards dealing with the abductors."

"I'm sorry but why did the Prince take her with him?" He asked before he could stop himself. He was very curious why they let the Prince take Aijin. If Nephrite will base on the memories he got from Aijin, the moment she wakes up, she will get mad with the Prince. She will also partly get mad at Kazuyuki upon knowing the latter just let someone else take her away.

Nephrite saw Kazuyuki's fist clenched. "Why can't the Prince take her? First, we can not defy the Prince. Second, the Prince is right, Lady Takamine's safety is guaranteed with his protection, and Third," he paused as if he was tired of speaking. He sighed, "It seems like she has some family matters that need to be attended to in the palace."

"Do you think she won't get mad at you for not fighting for her to be with you?"

Kazuyuki stared at him, his eyebrows furrowed. Nephrite added, "I-I mean, it is quite obvious the Young Master has affections for the Lady. If the Lady actually reciprocates your feelings, won't she be sad?"

To his surprise, Kazuyuki laughed bitterly, yet his eyes shouted amusement. "I did not expect Young Master Keisuke to be too pure."

Nephrite raised his eyebrows. What was wrong with what I said? Another thing Nephrite worried about was that he still believes Xei was inside Kazuyuki. He still has no clue as to why Xei lost his real memories. However, considering how Kazuyuki keeps on helping him "by chance" even if the original owners do not have actual connections in their lives, then how can he explain their weird connection now?

"Don't you feel that things were out of place?" Nephrite asked again.

Kazuyuki grew quiet while still staring at him, his eyes suddenly filled with warmth. He pats Nephrite's head, the sudden gesture froze the latter in surprise.

Gazing deeply at him, Kazuyuki answered. "For some reason, it feels like everything was in place right now."

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Nephrite did not have a proper sleep that night. After Kazuyuki left, he had lots of things to think about.

Keisuke's wish was still not completed, however, since his father got rescued, they now have a clue regarding their problem in Keisuke's past life.

In the original plot, after Keisuke's father vanished, everything was framed to him by the people behind Aijin's a*******n. Aijin was blindfolded at that time so she was not able to recognize the person who tried to save her. When she figured it out, it was already too late.

However, even if things change, it just means he needs to be extra careful from now on as what will happen might become different from what he knew.

Another thing was the holder of the memory fragment. Luckily, he got some clues as well for it.

His biggest concern now was Xei's situation. To enter and leave the world, Nephrite could only rely on Xei. However, if Xei can not retain his memories, how can they return? Both of them must fulfill their vessel's wish to return. If Xei doesn't even know his mission, how can he finish it?

In the end, Nephrite could only come up with one solution. He must stay as much as possible with Kazuyuki, observe him and see what he can do with their situation.

With that in mind, he looked for Kazuyuki the next morning for a little friendly chat but he did not expect the elders had arrived earlier and held a meeting. Kazuyuki was called to attend, too. Nephrite knew he was not needed in the meeting. With nothing to do, he asked one of the attendants if he could borrow a wooden sword for practice.

The attendant asked Nephrite to follow. On their way, Nephrite admired the beauty of the garden courtyard. He really liked Zen gardens but he only saw those on anime and the internet before. Seeing one in real life feels calming and soothing.

There was a mini waterfall in the southeast of the garden, igneous rocks were used to make the mini-mountain replica, water flowing under the wooden bridge to a large koi pond on the west of the garden. The other parts of the courtyard have bonsai plants, dry rocks, and other usual features of a zen garden.

Soon they reached another courtyard but unlike the beautiful garden, this one was bare, with training dummies at the far end.

The attendant led him to the storage where the wooden and bamboo swords, wooden staffs, and some practice bows are being kept.

Nephrite took a wooden sword and started practicing on his own, relying on Keisuke's memories.

"Do you always have a problem with your foot coordination?"

Nephrite looked in Kazuyuki's direction. "Ugh, Miyazuya-sama, didn't you just come from the meeting?"

"Yeah, the attendant relayed that you were looking for me." Kazuyuki yawned, his left hand covering his mouth as he walked toward Nephrite. Noticing how Nephrite's eyes were wide open, he added, "If you want to ask why I look like this despite being surrounded by the elders earlier, it was my father's fault. He dragged me out of bed."

Nephrite was indeed surprised by Kazuyuki’s appearance. The latter, though didn't give an elegant aura, his usual look gives off a respectable vibe. However, Kazuyuki's clothes right now were the complete opposite of his usual look. His clothes are disarrayed. His kimono's neckline was loose, making half of his left shoulder, his collarbone, and chest visible. His hair is messy as well. Despite that, instead of making him look untidy, his total appearance just made him alluring.

Kazuyuki stopped two meters away from Nephrite, his right hand rubbing his chin, "I thought it's just my imagination. When you swing that sword earlier, your first foot movement can actually help add stronger force to the sword but your other foot somehow follows late?"

Nephrite smiled at Kazuyuki's comfortable speaking manner towards him. He answered, "My father saw that I am more interested in our business than handling swords so he did not push me in learning it. He only taught me enough to defend myself. However, after what happened, I think it is about time I also learn to fight."

Nephrite walked to the storage to return and hang the sword. He then turned to Kazuyuki and gestured if he could borrow the other training weapons. Kazuyuki nodded.

Nephrite then took a bow and arrow and stood a few meters away from the training dummy. He put the arrow on the center of the bow then this time, he imitated the archery stance he usually sees on TV.

"Wait," Kazuyuki moved near him. "Stand sideways like this, your feet should be in this angle, don't bend your knees or waist. Straighten your back... don't lock up your shoulder, relax..."

Soon, Kazuyuki patiently taught him archery until he was satisfied.

During this time, Nephrite never asked about the meeting as they are still outside. He decided to ask about it later over a meal.

Nephrite returned the weapons to the storage once more. He was about to close the storage door when Kazuyuki asked, "Don't you want to try the wooden staff?"

"Miyazuya-sama, I do, however, I also lack basic knowledge for this weapon."

To his surprise, Kazuyuki flicked the center of his forehead, grinning. "Why are you still so formal to me, Keisuke?" He affectionately pats his head, "Call me Kazuyuki from now on, alright?"