50 Birthday and Confession (1/2)

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Mei was shaken. She immediately looked towards Kazuya who was already fully concentrated in playing. This was when she realized that this was what he was nervous about. From her knowledge, this boy never had any lessons when it came to music because Kyouko didn't want to force him to learn things he didn't want to.

Yet here he was, playing music using a grand piano. Each note seemed to resonate with her deeply. She was not the only one, the ones listening in on the performance from the guild despite being muted were silent behind their keyboards.

They had the same reaction as Kazuya did when he first heard this song. This is the tune that helped him struggle with his fate. He looked forward and not backwards. He did not let his unknown past get in the way of what he had to do. In front of him, was the most important person in this world in his past life.

Kazuya concentrated his mana and used it to help project his voice. He couldn't copy the exact version in his memories so he tweaked the song to fit what he was capable of. This was the song that told of the artist's hardships and to encourage those who were on the verge of giving up trying.

[This melody is for the stronghearted you

Who held on and remained true

Here I am knowing how hard you've fought

Telling you that it was not all for naught

You are not on your own

I stand seeing how much you've grown]

Kazuya didn't expect it himself but he felt very emotional. Slowly discovering his own history made him feel like his past self was like shell that had no soul. Like a puppet that looked for a soul, he wanted a place that he would be able to belong.

Now here he was, slowly but surely getting attached to how things should have been. He not only wanted to protect what mattered to him in his previous life, he also wanted to prevent what would happen to the people he started to care about.

His memories on earth wasn't the only thing on his mind. Various people that died because of him showed up as his eyes remained closed. The true people who stayed by his side that ended up being casualties without his knowledge still weighed heavily on his mind.

Even though he was busy with business on earth like school or the company, Kazuya still never failed to continue improving himself. Every second he spent after he realized he had returned was dedicated into improving himself. Even though he had every intention of protecting the people close to him like Mei and Kyouko, his main purpose remained never changed.

He wondered if the him that died was watching him now like he watched his old self before he died and wondered what he would have thought. This put a smile back on his face as Kazuya imagined his older self mocking his current for being too emotional or cursing him for having achieved what his older self couldn't even dream of.

Kazuya opened his eyes after hitting the last note. He quickly grabbed his phone to log himself off from the eavesdroppers without even looking at the comments and messages that were flooding in.

”Kazu…” he turned towards the tears filled face of his 'big sis'.

”Happy Birthday big s—” he got pulled into a tight embrace by a sobbing Mei.

She herself didn't understand why but after hearing the song she knew she heard for the first time, her tears couldn't stop falling. This little guy was indeed too much. He not only named the company that was supposed to be his after her but he also seemingly made a song just for her on the birthday that seemed to have slipped her mind.

”You can't keep doing this to me Kazu, you just can't” she continued sobbing. She tried to hide her face but he could feel the top of his head slowly getting wet.

”Huh?” he was genuinely confused. ”Keep doing what?”

”Uuu… some genius you turned out to be… hmph!” she refused to answer his question.

Mei couldn't really blame him. To her, Kazuya only did whatever he could to make her and Kyouko happy. In her eyes, he was just a child who was naïve and selfless but she couldn't help but be moved and hoped that he wouldn't change even if he grew up.

Things were definitely changing and she was aware of it. She was starting to see this little boy not just as her benefactor's son. He was slowly becoming an existence that was slowly growing close to Kyouko in Mei's heart.

”I'm so—”

”Don't you dare apologize!” he got scolded. ”If you haven't done anything wrong, don't ever apologize!” She cut him off and held him tighter.

Mei had long been thinking about it. Today pretty much already proves her suspicions. Kazuya had been too good to her. She didn't understand nor could find any reason why he would go so far. It was understandable if it was Kyouko but all she had been was just an assistant who happened to like him because he was her benefactor's son.

She felt guilty, Mei had never done anything for him but here he was giving everything to her. Even though the company got started because of the lottery, she knew that he would have found a way to start it and still get to where they were today.

”Okay… I won't” he didn't really expect her to react this way. He really couldn't think much about why she would because he was currently having a hard time to breathe.

It took a little while before Mei could finally calm herself down. She retreated to the ladies room to fix herself up without letting him see her in her current state. This embarrassed side of her was also new to him so Kazuya couldn't help but smile as he sat down to wait for her.

”I must say, that was a brilliant performance young man” the polite manager approached him while carrying the several food samples and served them one by one.

”Thank you. Though I'm still nothing compared to you. People who I saw give reviews about your place always mention how it was always a treat to hear you play”

”Shall I perform if the young lady decides to book our place for the event then?” he tried fishing for information.

”That would be much appreciated. It's a pity I won't be able to attend because of my age. Rest assured, I've already decided to use this place. If the employees like it then we shall be your regulars” he replied.

Kazuya was thankful towards this person so he decided that he should at least help him out since he has the chance to. Because of the numerous changes their town would go through because of the development, this restaurant would have less and less people visiting it. Having his company be a regular was a good way of helping out.

Mei returned and found the two talking. She was a little relieved since she felt embarrassed about crying in public like that. She silently took a seat and got an introduction of the sample meals provided.

”These are samples of the food currently available in the menu. Please enjoy and do not hesitate to call my attention if you have any questions” he bowed and excused himself. He didn't want to mention it to embarrass Mei but he saw what happened and wanted to give them their privacy.

”Kazu… I have a question” Mei broke the silence as the two continued to try the samples.

”The bbq here is nice. There's also—”

”Not that! I really want to know why… why are you so nice to me when I haven't even done anything for you. I don't think I can accept your gift unless you can tell me why. I don't think I deserve any of this because I'm just your mother's assistant” Although she was confident, she still thought that even though people resented her, those who do have the proper credentials have the right to do so.

This was why she didn't retaliate against them other than just treating them coldly. They had the right to be critical of her since they spent their time in universities while she skipped the years they spent getting the proper credentials for their occupations. She worked flawlessly to prove herself but that fact never left her mind.

”You wouldn't believe me even if I told you. In everyone's eyes, I'm just a kid who seemed to have matured because of what I've experienced” he bitterly said.

”I will believe it even if it was a lie. Otherwise there would be no explanation about why this unbelievable thing is happening. No matter how I think about it, you simply being fond of me doesn't explain this much favor” Mei pushed. She wanted a clear answer.

”You will think I'm crazy. Any sensible person would”