69 Peace (1/2)

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Kazuya lazily sat in the living room of the Kouzuki household. He had just finished his training and was watching TV while trying to recover. He switched the channels until he finally found the news where he was waiting for a certain report that he had been worried about.

”[A boy is currently missing who is about the age of 18. Here is his most recent photograph, please inform any of the authorities if you have seen or have any details about his whereabouts, his name is…]” Kazuya continued watching the news and breathed a sigh of relief.

”[Good news for all those who thought that artificial intelligence will never be available in this generation! The innovative and mysterious company has just released their demo for an artificial intelligence network that will allow users to interact with the company's main mascot Rucy!] The male announcer said.

”[Wow, you sure are fired up for this invention]” The female announcer giggled.

”[Of course! I went to the technological expo myself and was quite skeptical after their announcement. Kazuno Technologies have been slowly gaining recognition with the numerous number of useful programs that we never even imagined would be useful. Who knew that everything was a prelude to something like this?]”

”[What exactly did you see?]”

”[It was exactly as they advertised it! Rucy-chan was so cute and even responded to anything I could think of perfectly! She also has the ability to connect herself with all the programs that Kazuno Technologies have collaborations with to even be more useful to their masters! Such a masterpiece]”

”[Wow, a complete virtual assistant that responds to voice commands? Are you sure about this?]”

”[I'm sure. Some may think that I'm being paid for advertisement but I assure you I'm not. I was the one who shamelessly used my identity to spend more time with Rucy-chan in the demo room just so that I could confirm more of my suspicions on my own. This just might be the invention of the year… no the century!]”

Kazuya couldn't help but give a bitter laugh after hearing the excited news reporter. He was present at the technological expo that was held in their prefecture and was the one who permitted the journalist to extend his time with the demo. This was because this announcer was later revealed to be a closet otaku in the future.

It turned out to be more than he expected as the company got free advertisement in the news because of him. Both him and Mei couldn't show themselves to the public yet so he let the inventors themselves led by Void Android and Squid Buddha to present and supervise the demo for their company.

This was one of the promises he gave his employees when he first tried to get them to join. They would be recognized for their inventions if they do so wished. It was because of this that made majority of them think that the strict contract wasn't really a bad because the company was also risking itself for the sake of their seemingly hopeless inventions.

”Kazuya! Where are your glasses?” Kyouko walked inside and immediately noticed the absence of the glasses she bought for him.

”Err… I just finished training so I haven't worn them because of the sweat” he glanced around and found it sitting near the window.

It had been a little over two years since the incident with Lee in the national tournament. Kyouko had become more overprotective of her son and would get him anything that she thought would protect him from any kind of harm. She recently watched a documentary about the dangers of radiation, hence, the presence of the glasses she always wanted him to wear.

”(Mom… even if it was severe radiation, that wouldn't even faze me)” he thought in his mind before moving to get the glasses.

”Good! Have you seen Mei?” She was looking for her assistant who was supposed to be slacking off.

”Nope. She left early with Yumi-nee-san in the morning” Kazuya pretended not to know what they were up to.

”Seriously… she's taking Yumi-chan's mentoring too seriously. She's been doing that ever since she started college and she's already working now!” Kyouko complained.

Yumi was hired as one of the assistants under Kyouko. No one complained as she was a Fujiyama and she directly learned from Mei which made her showcase her talents to convince everyone of her position. She was known as the Ice Queen's successor or the Ice Princess.

”Don't worry about them too much mom. I'm here so I'll play with you, okay?” Kazuya held her hand. He didn't want her to worry about Mei and Yumi too much because everything they were doing was going to help her in the future.

”Really? You've been really busy with your friend Takaya-kun lately so I thought it would just be me today” she snuggled up to her son. This would always calm her down and relax her especially whenever she's anxious.

She was happy. What Mei told her was correct. All her son needed was time. Because of the message Kazuya said at the end of the video when he was with Lee, Kyouko decided to let go of wanting his memories to return and just accepted him as he now was.

As time passed, her decision yielded fruits as the usual Kazuya began to smile more and more and even let her spoil him like she used to. He was no longer the moody child he once was.

”Mom, I'm still covered in sweat so let me change okay?”

”Don't worry about it. Your scent soothes me you know. It may not be long before I won't have the privilege to hold you like this you know”

”Hmm? Why not?” he tilted his head looking confused.

”Silly boy. Won't you be embarrassed to be seen by people, especially girls to be spoiled by your mom like this?” Kyouko giggled at her son's surprising innocence.

”Why would I be? My mom the best among all the other girls. I wouldn't be embarrassed by such a thing”

”You promise?”

”In the name of the Kou—” Kyouko put a finger on his lips. ”You shouldn't say that so lightly. The future is still far ahead and you might regret making such a promise” she appreciated the thought but she didn't want her son to be bound by such a promise once he starts to chance when he hit puberty.

”You worry too much mom. I'll always be your son and you'll always have the right to give me a hug. I'll just show you instead of being bound by a promise” Kazuya gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. He grew a lot closer to Kyouko especially after Mei had gotten a lot busier. He finally understood how it was like to have a mother care for him so he made sure to let his mother know how she was loved.