Chapter 14: Encounter

In all the months that had passed without being able to see Riochiro, let's say that there were some incidents related to my grandfather's funeral.

The first one was the most complicated for us, but at the same time it was the easiest to solve. When the head of the main family died, all the main leaders of the branches of the family rushed to us to take over.

Hungry for power and with an unquenchable thirst for prestige and privilege, they appeared like a mass of ferocious animals in front of the mansion.

Apparently rumors run like water, but clearly essential information does not, so it was easy to get those cockroaches off our backs just by showing the will that grandfather left, where he claimed that the power of the family was clearly going to be passed on to my father.

The complicated part of the matter came when the Gahelachs showed up at our house, with their haughty and shameless attitude and not at all disguised, they brought an army of lawyers and even a prosecutor.

Their circus did not last long, we showed them the will and then called the same law enforcement agency to clarify the legal terms and voila, the clowns went home.

The second incident was related to the will itself and the small inheritances that my grandfather had left to the main members of the family. This is the one that may affect Riochiro himself the most.

My grandfather inherited power of attorney to my father, 2 personal condominiums to my mother, my sister curiously received a golden comb, which bore ruby, sapphires and translucent jade stones of a beautiful emerald color.

Although it may not look like much, that comb was one that grandmother used to wear, an object of great sentimental importance and the only thing left of grandmother in this world. Among all the things mentioned above, for my grandfather, this was his most precious inheritance, now in my sister's hands. Who better to carry such a souvenir than the most cautious member of the family?

To me, he gave me a mountain of old books, which were all his diaries written so far, inside them, all the stories and personal accounts that grandfather had told me throughout my life. That mountain of old books became my most precious belongings.

And then comes what he left to Kyouka...

Among the documents and things that grandfather had left in his will, there was something saved for Kyouka, some enrollment papers for The Third Academy, the largest and most prestigious educational and student body in the world. An entire continent dedicated solely to education and student life within its walls.

Among the enrollment papers was a note from grandfather that read:

 "Give this to the child and let her do with them what she wants."

 At that moment my heart skipped a beat.

 What was my grandfather doing with that there?

 It turns out that my grandfather pulled a few strings after Kyouka finished his training, which lasted 4 years. Although this is usually impossible to get for someone with no school record, here it was, right in front of us.

 It was a great opportunity for Kyouka to go there, to grow as a person and meet new people. Not only that, as smart as the girl is, she was surely going to find her way as a person in this place.

 But accepting this condition came with a great pressure ahead, both for her and for Riochiro. They were not going to see each other for a long time.

 Much longer than 5 years.

 The decision was difficult to make, I understood that Kyouka wanted to think about it before accepting or rejecting this opportunity.

 To my surprise, the short-haired girl accepted without even hesitation. Just at that moment, my organs were stirred by exaltation and my eyes widened.

 I felt likewise an inner displeasure, a feeling that something was wrong took hold of me. My thoughts rose like a vortex in my brain, but among them one question was the loudest of all those internal cries.

 "How do I explain this to Riochiro?"

 ***

 I crossed through the long corridors of the labyrinth, following the same pattern that grandfather had taught me. Left, right, right, right, right, left, left, left.

 Once in the center of the maze, I could see him there after a long time. My gaze focused on him at lightning speed, as a sort of mixture of nostalgia and joy came over all my feelings.

 It was Riochiro, after such a long time I saw him again. His white hair that now lay long almost reaching his waist, his muscular and slender body. Now he looked taller, much taller, almost as tall as an average adult.

 Although I couldn't see his face since his back was turned, I was sure it was him, there was no one I could confuse him with even though he was now so changed.

 I couldn't stand the shout of joy.

 -Rioooooooo!

 Suddenly my scream was interrupted by another one more powerful than mine, coming from the other side of the quadrant in the center of the labyrinth. It was Mr. Kawashima.

 -Don't get distracted!

 Suddenly, at lightning speed, Riochiro was rammed by Mr. Kawashima, sending the vampire-eyed boy flying away accompanied by a loud scream of fright.

 Time seemed to run in slow motion as I watched Riochiro sneak through the air with his eyes clearly blank with a blank stare.

 It had been a K.O. without a doubt.

 Riochiro quickly got up from the floor and shook off his back and knees before getting into his lair again. Mr. Kawashima looked at him in confusion.

 -What's wrong Takanashi? In the other fight you managed to last four and a half minutes. What is it that distracts you so much lately?

 Riochiro lowered his guard stance and raised his right hand upwards, dropping his sword, symbolizing that the duel was over for the moment.

 Then, he dropped to the ground, sitting down with a slight impact as he crossed his legs and looked crestfallen.

 -Nothing, it's just that Rikka hasn't been here in a while....

He paused and then continued.

 -I'm worried about her.

 Mr. Kawashima put his hands on his hips, taking a carefree stance.

 -I told you she was going to be preoccupied with some important matters, so she was going to be delayed for a few days.

 Riochiro looked at the gardener with a complicated expression on his face.

 -Days? It's been more than 2 months since I haven't seen her, that's why I'm worried.

 The gardener closed his eyes and scratched his mustache a little anxious and dismayed, they seem to have had this conversation several times.

 -Do you miss her? he asked.

 -Of course I miss her, she is the first person who comes to mind when I think of my loved ones, apart from my sister and my mother of course.

 Mr. Kawashima looked at me, blushing because I overheard his little conversation. The gardener smiled in a mischievous way and then turned to Riochiro as he tapped him on the shoulder and pointed in my direction.

 -Hey, kid. Looks like you're in luck today.

 Riochiro raised his head and then....

 Our eyes met again.