The state of the world

After seeing Lila in that state, he thought long and hard about what he could do for her. 'I know just spending time with me makes her happy. But that isn't enough.' Moreover, after hearing that story from her, how could he possibly just sit back in the manor all day and do nothing?

So he asked the one person in the manor who genuinely cared for his wellbeing. He asked Austin Kiryu to help him leave the house. Kiryu said it was dangerous to go alone, but it should be fine as long as he was there.

That was easier said than done. It seemed like he resembled his wife a lot, since the first sign of a scream, he ran towards the source. Now Kiryu was nowhere in sight; moreover, he hadn't found where the screaming came from.

Haruka awkwardly walked around the alleyways and made sure to keep his hood down. What should he do? He doesn't know his way around here. However, New York is supposedly safer than all the other places. It was still a dangerous place.

'Kiryu said it would be bad to use his phone in a public place too. Then that means I can only use that.'

Haruka tapped the bracelet on his arm, and the center part glowed. It was a faint glow, but it was enough since he heard a familiar voice.

"Haruka, where are you?"

"In an alleyway- that is probably not helpful."

"No, it's more than enough. Just wait there, do not move, alright?"

Haruka mumbled yes, and with those words, the light from the bracelet faded. It disappeared so quickly one would not have had time to detect it. He looked around for a place to sit and found nothing, so he crouched down on the ground and leaned his back on some large boxes.

It was anything but comfortable, but he knew it would have to do.

'I wonder what I am even trying to do. I know this is the first day, so it is far too soon to be faint-hearted, but the people on the streets do not talk.' He tried to approach a few, but everybody scurried away, frightened.

Of course, who would not be cautious when approached when the world is like this? The other person has ulterior motives. He indeed has motives, but they were not bad ones.

'I only want to regain my memories.'

Or at least learn more about the current situation. However, when he saw the world's state with his own eyes, he felt this was enough, at least for the day. He ought to head back with Kiryu once he gets here.

If he regains those memories, would Lila be happy? Even though she told him she did not want him to remember. Haruka felt that she only said that for his sake. It would not surprise him with her personality if she said those words to convince herself.

It is clear to anybody what she is doing. If he remembered everything, it would mean recalling the torture he went through. He would have to relive those experiences a second time. She does not want him to be in pain.

That girl will truly do anything for his sake, huh? Even if it means sacrificing his own smile. It still felt overwhelming for him to be loved this much.

'I have no memories, but I can tell that I do not like myself very much. It would not surprise me if I disliked myself.'

When he saw those scars on his body for the first time, he thought nothing of it instead of freaking out like a normal person.

When Lila cried when she saw those scars, he did not understand the reason for those tears.

No, he understood the logic behind it; she cried because she did not like seeing him in pain. But it still felt unusual for me, the wounds did hurt a little, but he felt no emotion other than a bit of pain.

Lila hates it when he says stuff like that, but he often did that in the past, according to her.

She often reminisces with him for somebody who keeps saying she does not want him to remember. A deep sigh passed his lips; it was hard for her. It must be painful for her knowing that he does not recall all the memories they share.

The one memory he wants the most is how he fell in love with her?

It is easy to understand after spending some time with her. Lila is kind, gentle but she also has some strong traits. She has a strong sense of justice and seems to see people's good side before their bad one.

Moreover, anybody would fall for her when she looks at you with those eyes. It was something he noticed even before the girl got her memories back. Why does she look at him like that?

He found it unusual, but at the same time, he felt happy. If it is her, he may accept even the ugliest sides of himself that he does not know about.

Haruka suddenly felt a chill and the sound of a splash- he opened his eyes and found somebody looking down at him, sniggering. The man had just finished tossing a bucket at the side.

"Tsk, I knew it. Hey guys, I found one. A good-looking man."

"Oh wow, you're right. He is. Hey girlie, what do you think?"

Haruka looked towards the group of people and saw a timid-looking girl with short dusty grey colored hair and blue colored eyes. Despite her hair color loss, those eyes looked like a jewel. It was easy to understand the situation.

'Human trafficking is it?' To think there are still scoundrels who will do that during this time. The world has already turned upside down, isn't the best solution to stay in hiding until the situation returns to normal?

"I--"

"You better say something. If he isn't to your liking, we can just find some old guy for you."

"I--I like him!" The girl immediately exclaimed.

Haruka could sense the fear in his tone and see her trembling.

One of the guys grinned and took out a camera. "Then I suppose we can start the show now."

They pushed the girl towards him.

Haruka assessed the situation. Seven guys, a camera, and there are these large boxes he was leaning on. Human traffickers were most-likely hunting for other girls to sell-off.

His wife explained to him several times that those who are not infected tend to live secluded lives. However, occasionally they would venture into the city to try and obtain what they needed. There are still shops that are open for business inside the safe zone. But there are no residential areas in the surrounding area.

People have to face danger to get food; they have to pass through the infected.

'I thought I already understood from her explanation, but this is far worse than I imagined.'