Memory loss

Haru's POV

Although I managed to went outside of that underground abandoned laboratory, to think that I would saw some kind of fight above.

I saw a woman, whom I felt I'm familiar with, and she's about to be hit by an ice like attack, so I didn't hesitate to throw my sword to block the attack.

But this silver haired girl...

"So, why are you here? Depending on your answer, I'm afraid you might get to prison, or worse, we might sentence you to death."

"Huh, what.."

Then that woman who I saved earlier quickly teleported beside me.

I didn't see nor sense her movements... just how fast can she move?

She has a long blonde hair, it's flowery smell being drifted by the wind towards me, her eyes as blue as the sky, and she wear a clothes that complements well with her tall height, which gives me a rich woman vibe.

Before I could process that lovely introduction, the blonde woman raised a hand.

"Stop, Yakumi. I know this boy."

Yakumi raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Even your family isn't exempt from breaking the law, Ayase. This area is restricted under ARCA."

Ayase? That name felt... familiar.

"Yes," she replied smoothly. "But this boy is a legitimate property of ARCA."

Property?

Yakumi scowled. "The hell does that mean? Is that true, uh... what's your name?"

I hesitated. Should I trust this woman?

No. That would be stupid. But contradicting her might be worse.

I exhaled. "...I'm Haru. And yeah. Sure. I'm ARCA's property."

Play it safe. Adapt to the situation.

Ayase studied me carefully, as if she saw right through me. Then she turned back to Yakumi.

"Now, are you convinced?" she said smoothly. "As a sign of gratitude for your cooperation, I'll be taking my leave. You can investigate this place on your own."

Yakumi scoffed. "Tch. If you were just gonna run, I wouldn't have wasted my Aether Pulse on you!"

Aether Pulse?

I stored that away for later.

"Lets go now. I know you have some questions, I'll answer it once we went back to my place."

She held my hands and dragged me away from Yakumi.

"Uh, where's your place if I may ask?"

"Its in Nagoya."

"Oh, so we're near Nagoya? Because I noticed that we will only walk."

"No, we're in Yokohama."

What!

"Haha, I noticed your surprised face, but calm down, in a few minutes we will there."

"Huh, what do you mean?"

She then leaned down, and point her back.

"Ride to my back."

"Wha- no that's embarrassing!"

"Come on don't be shy~"

"But.. "

"Or do you really want to walk from Yokohama to Nagoya?"

"Did I really want to let a complete stranger carry me across the country at impossible speeds? Every part of me screamed no. But the part of me that wanted answers—wanted to survive—forced me to nod."

She left me no choice so I just accepted her offer.

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah."

"Time alter: Self acceleration 100."

Wha— we're moving so fast! It seems that the world slows down!

"Uh Time acceleration? So you control time?"

"Yes, this technique makes the time passes to myself and in every particle that I touched 100 times faster. But it drains my energy."

"Oh will you be fine?"

"Of course! I've done it earlier when I go to that area where we met, I used a different technique though, which is more energy efficient."

So magic and powers now exist in this world huh. I have so many questions, but I should just wait until we arrive at her place. I don't want to be a distraction to her while she's carrying me.

I also noticed the unfamiliar things that an advance civilization would only have.

Floating cars, roads that emits light on itself, and robots that casually walking outside, disposing trash.

"The world had moved on. Whatever life I had before—if I even had one—was buried beneath this neon skyline, lost to time like the ruins of a forgotten era. And yet, here I was, a relic of a past that should be no longer existed."

10 minutes have passed and we arrived at a hotel.

"Um, are we here now?"

"Yes, I own this whole place. Make yourself comfortable."

This woman.. she looks like a big deal but she's kind to me.

As we arrived, the staffs at the building lined up to welcome her.

"Good evening Ayase Tenka-sama."

So her surname is Tenka huh.

"Thanks for your greetings. Kindly prepare an exquisite dinner for two and deliver it to my room."

"Understand, Tenka-sama."

Then we left.

"Uhm, this building has so many floors. Which floor is your room? Tenka-sama.

"Tenka-sama? Haha just call me Ayase. And my room is on the highest floor."

Now, she's being casual to me. What's the deal with this woman. Her kindness is too suspicious.

We rode a machine, that instantly teleported us to the top.

"This machine is so efficient, uh Ayase-sama."

"I told you, just Ayase. Anyways, you addding -sama honorifics to my name isn't that bad I guess"

She's weird.

We entered her room, and it's so luxurious.

A queen size bed, floating lamps, a hologram projector screen and a windows that let us see the lights of Nagoya.

"Do you like it? My room?"

"Uh yeah, thanks for having me."

"Kindly sit here, I'll just prepare a tea." She said as she point to a sofa near her bed.

Ayase's POV

Haru, it seems that he doesn't remember me. What should I do?

If I reveal my true identity to him, he might not believe it. Worst case, he'll think of me as a woman who craves for young men. I invited him to my room after all.

To think that a cryopreservation could also erase someone's memory.

No wait, that's scientifically impossible.

I should consult Kiriya for this.. he's the expert for this kind of stuff.

"Haru, can you wait for a little bit, I will just call one of my employees real quick."

"Is that so? Sorry for intruding, you're probably busy."

"No, no don't feel bad, I'm the one who invited you here."

I quickly went to my office, just beside my room.

Then, I grabbed my hologram transmitter, and contacted Kiriya.

He didn't respond immediately, is he busy?

After a while, he answered.

"Kiriya, sorry for interrupting."

"Ayase-sama? Good evening, pardon my late response, I'm currently analysing the Aether incident earlier."

They're still at it?

"No, kindly abandon that investigation, I already know the cause."

"Oh, as expected of you Ayase-sama."

"Instead, I have something to ask to you."

"I'm delighted to help. Please state your inquiry."

"Is it possible for a human to lose his memory if he undergo cryopreservation?"

He paused for a while to gather his thoughts and then answered.

"I think it's impossible. Cryopreservation just stop the metabolism of the body, memory on the other hand, was discovered to be a part of human's aether system right? It's independent to our physical properties, which is why outside stimulus like cryopreservation couldn't affect memory."

I knew it.

"Thanks for your answer Kiriya, I knew I can count on you."

"Its my honour to be in your help Ayase-sama. By the way, may I ask the reason why you suddenly asked that kind of question?"

"No particular reason. I just remembered an incident a while ago where cryopreservation is involved."

"Yes, but now, cryopreservation is already abandoned, thanks to the discovery of Aether pulses and technology advancements."

"Thanks again Kiriya. I'll hang up now. Please take a rest."

"You're welcome, Ayase-sama."

Now that my question was answered, I should now analyse the reason why Haru's memory was lost.

Maybe he hit his head? Or because of the torture and experiments he undergo?

Or worst case, someone stole it using an Aether technique.

I should get back now. I have no choice but to watch him closely, and help him gain knowledge about this world.

The revelation of my identity should come soon. Given the chance of Aether abilities being involved, I can't risk the possible dangers if his memory suddenly came back.

Damn it. To think that there still would be an obstacle that will separate us.

But unlike before, I will promise..

No matter who they are, I will surely protect you, Haru.