chapter 34

"We arrived, Akira-kun"

Akira, who look no older than 10, look at the mansion in front of him, and turn his head to glance at the man his hand is holding. The man's hand is a lot bigger than his, the man's gentle grip on his small hand assured Akira that he is safe.

The man lead Akira into the house, a maid stood at the front the moment the door is open. The maid bow her head to the man and glance at Akira. His grip on the man's head become stronger as he tried to hide behind the man's legs.

"Rin, prepare the children's clothes and send it to my room"

The maid nodded in understanding and immediately do her task. The man bring the child into his room and prepare the bath while Akira sat on the big bed.

"The bath is ready. Let's clean you up, Akira-kun"

Akira get off the bed and stiffly walk towards the man. The man scrubbed his body carefully and gently that Akira almost fall asleep. Before he know it, he is carried by the man while wrapped in a fluffy towel.

The clothes that the man asked has arrived, though it was a little bigger. The man coo at how cute Akira is.

"M-Mr Raine?"

Akira speak out. Raine smile gently, showing Akira that he got Raine's full attention.

"Y-you don't h-have to do this"

Akira shuttered. He just lost his mother and somehow encounter this man who wandered in the forest, and immediately but carefully, bring Akira out of the forest. Akira shouldn't have let a stranger bring him anywhere, but he just lost his home and mother while his father disappeared. Besides, he didn't feel any malicious intent from the man, and on their way, they learned each other's name.

"Why wouldn't I? I can't just let a little child wandering alone in the forest"

"But you wandered alone too?"

The man smile awkwardly, he pat the boy's fluffy hair.

"I was different, I can protect myself"

"But i can protect myself too..."

___

From today on, this child will be my son. Therefore you have to treat him as your young master"

"Yes, master"

Raine announce to the servants. The servants bow their head, no one protest at his decision.

Akira look up to the man. The moment Akira tell Raine about what happened to him, they have a heartfelt conversation until the man asked Akira if he want to be Raine's son.

Akira was suprised by the offer, and immediate turn it down. Somehow the man convince and coaxed him to accept. The man immediately gather the servants and announce him as their supposed young master.

___

Akira is not used to being treated like someone of high ranking. He was a small boy from a little village with a simple life. Now, he is at new place with new people. Everything escalated so quickly that he still can't adapted to his new life.

Then, he meet 'them'.

•••

Akira open his eyes and look at the while ceiling. He is laying on a very comfortable bed. He glance around and saw his father sleeping on the chair. 'Father is here', he thought.

Akira noticed the black bangs under the man's eyes and thought that his father must be worried sick about him, he is unable to sleep. 'I probably unconscious for quite a long time.'

The memories from the demon castle hasn't catch up to him yet. Akira look back at the ceiling and thought again, 'maybe i should continue sleeping...' Then he fell asleep.

•••

Akira is alone in a bustling city, he can't find his father or the servant. He tremble in fear of being surrounded by many people. No one give him a glance as they continue with their life.

Akira walk around stiffly and tried to find any way in order to leave the crowd. After a long time, he finally manage to leave. However, he encountered a new trouble. He has no idea where he is or what to do.

'What should i do now?' The 12 years old boy thought. He had never leave the mansion ever since he arrived, and because of that, his father want to bring him outside for sightseeing. He lost his father and the servant when they are walking through the crowds

" Hey, you okay there?" Someone said to him.

Akira turn around and saw a young teen boy, probably one or two years older than him. The boy have a pair of royal blue eyes with neat bright blond hair. He is wearing a lowkey fancy clothes, probably to blend with the citizens which didn't help at all.

"Are you alright?" They boy asked again.

Akira wake up from his trance and reply back, ".....m....os..."

"W-what? Can you said it louder?"

The currently socially awkward Akira blush in embarrassment and try to speak louder, "...l-lost..."

"You're lost?" The boy asked when he manage to hear what Akira said. Akira nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll-"

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud voice called out, "EDWARD! WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!"

The boy's lips twitched in annoyance and mutter, "that loud ass idiot."

"Edward? There you are!! YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID WHERE YOU'RE GOING IDIOT!" A teen boy with dirty blond hair and cold blue eyes appear.

"Shut up! You're attracting attention to us you lousy idiot!"

"HUH?! YOU FUCKER-"

"that's enough Ken. Edward where were you?" Another teen appeared. He have a short white hair that was covered with a hat and a pair of crimson eyes.

"I was looking for you when i noticed this boy. He's lost"

The three boys glance at Akira who watched their interactions. Akira grip his clothes in nervousness when the boys turn their attention to him. The white hair boy come closer and crouch down to Akira's height.

"What's your name, little one?

"..a-aki..ra.."

"Akira? That's a pretty name" He smile.

Akira blush in embarrassment and wish that the ground will shallow him whole.

"How about we help you find your parents? We can buy you something while we're finding them" He hold out his hand, waiting for Akira to take it.

Akira nodded and mutter, "y-you don't h-have to buh me a-anything," before he take the boy's hand.

"I insist," he smile.

___

""Akira!""

Akira turn around and saw Hikaru along with Daichi, who are the same age as Akira, run towards him with three older boys walking behind them.

"" I win! ""

"" What do you mean you win? I'm the one that catch Akira first!""

"Hello Daichi, Hikaru. You three too"

"What are you doing Akira?" Edward asked when they are closer to the younger boys.

"I'm baking cookies for the orphanage," Akira answer while packing the cookies after the two boys release him.

"Can we have some?" Ken asked while secretly taking one cookie.

Akira swatted his hand away while smilling, "don't take that one, it's still hot. Here, i knew you want it so i pack some for you guys," and hand each one of them a pack of cookies.

"""Thank you!!"""

___

"So it was you, Akira!" Ken yelled while looking at Akira with rage.

Akira stand before all of them and Suzie. He knew that he is transforming into a demi-demon, but he didn't care. He just want to see them for the last time.

Who knows that they will stand before each other as enemies. It's as if those happy moments never existed.

If he was given a wish, he will wish that happiness will last longer.

•••

Akira woke up and sit up in shock, he is breathing heavily and his whole body trembling. When his breathing finally stable, he remembered the memories at the demon castle and the fragments of his dreams. Tears comes out, running down his cheeks onto the white blanket.

"Why? Why? why......why me...?"

"Akira..kun?" Raine, who was asleep, was woken up when he heard small sobs. After his vision was adjusted, he saw his beloved son silently cry. He immediately pull Akira into his embrace and caresses his hair.

"Akira-kun? It's alright, I'm here now. Let it all out"

Raine knew that he shouldn't question Akira who was unstable right now. He questioned why the world is so cruel to his child, his child who did nothing wrong become someone who suffer. He blame himself for not being able to protect him, but his child is hurting right now and the only thing he can do is become someone who Akira can lean on.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Akira-kun. For being unable to protect you from this cruel world"

(A/N I'm so cruel  O▽O)