Chapter 63: Piece by Piece, Block by Block

When Haru finally woke up, everything was black and blank.

He's encaged in a large room with the walls and ceiling painted with darkness. Even his sight is fuzzy and his memory faltering. It was completely empty. It's strange, he thought.

It felt like he had lived forever and knew the workings of the world, but he doesn't have any recollection of that 'world' or what it means to live. His memories were completely wiped out.

"Your name is Haru, if that's one of the things you're wondering," A voice spoke ubiquitously in the room. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions."

Soon, a golden light appeared encircling a cloak-laden person. It was an old woman, as seen when she removed the hood covering her face.

"Who are you?" Haru asked.

The old woman chuckled, "Who am I? Is that really what you should be asking?"

Haru didn't feel wary or comfortable towards the old woman, so he couldn't decide whether he should put up his guard or open up to her.

"Where am I and who am I?" He finally asked. "I don't have any memories, but I know this isn't where I should belong."

"How did you know that?"

Haru looked down. "I just… felt so."

"You just felt so? How persistent then, your memories, that is."

"Do you know something about this?" Haru neared her. "What am I doing here? What have you done to me?"

The old woman nodded. "It's true that I'm the one who took your memories. And only I have the ability to return it to you and give you back to the world you know. Both worlds, in fact."

Haru's brows knotted, feeling lost. He couldn't understand what she was saying, but he knows that it would make sense if he had his memories.

He began insisting that she should return his memories, but instead, the old woman proposed.

"I can either return your memories or… I could grant you a wish. Actually, 'wishes', if it's plenty."

"Huh? What are you talking about? Wishes?"

The old woman nodded, "In the world you live in, there is something called wealth, beauty, and fame. They have one of the greatest powers in that world, which I could easily grant to you if you want it. Receiving wealth means you can have all the material things that you want and all the services you need. Delicious foods, fancy stuff, and luxurious and comfortable lifestyle. Beauty and fame is having people look at you. These are the powers that people such as you in that world covet the most."

"You'll give me those things if I wish to at the expense of abandoning my memories? Is that what you're saying?" Haru can't feel anger even if he knows what kind of situation he is in right now.

He feels much more indifferent than alarmed, which seems to be quite a surprise to him. He doesn't know why either.

"T-Then what if I still chose my memories?"

The old woman grinned. "You're quite shrewd for someone who lost his memories, aren't you? Somehow, did you feel that not choosing to wish for power had consequences?"

Haru nodded, still unsure despite his confident responses.

"Well, of course, I wouldn't be too happy if you chose otherwise," She said. "I mean, that's just idiotic! Even if I do not return your memories right away, you'll eventually regain them once triggers appear. In fact, there's a lot of triggers in the world I originally kidnapped you from! So you're either choosing power or nothing at all. Don't you think you might as well obtain the power anyway? At least, you have gained something from being trapped in this black room I quickly created."

Haru looked down, as if to contemplate this unfamiliarity.

He admitted that the old woman's argument made sense.

Nevertheless, he still insisted on choosing his memories.

The old woman sighed, completely disappointed and obviously disagreeing with his decision.