20 Chapter 16: Kazuya's Rekindled Flame

Suzuki Kazuya had always been in love with the concept of freedom.

He would admire the birds flying in the sky or the fishes swimming in the ocean.

He admired the revolutionaries who fight for their freedom and rights.

He loved how people were able to do the things they love without being demeaned for it.

He loved how writers were able to write about their life and people would admire them for it.

He loved how singers sang about their lives, how dancers interpret their lives with their bodies.

He loved how everyone seemed to be free and unshackled.

But, he hated it at the same time.

If these people were so free, then, why isn't he?

Isn't that a bit unfair?

Why...?

Of all people, why him?

Kazuya had loved the concept of freedom all his life, he was passionate about it more than anything.

So, why can't he have it?

Was it one of those philosophy where a person wouldn't always get what they want?

But, he never wanted anything else in his life. He had only ever yearn for freedom.

Years went by and Kazuya had lost hope of it, that was untill he met another boy who seemed to be captivated by something.

That was when Kazuya met Hiroshi.

Kazuya had always had Jiyuu, but she, as well, had problems of her own.

Kazuya had saved Hiroshi from death, without even knowing.

In Kazuya's eyes, Hiroshi was indeed shackled onto something, however, the boy never once tried to break free from.

He had always wondered why, that's how their friendship blossomed.

Why was the boy not allured by freedom?

Then, Hiroshi told him Kazuya his story, that's when he understood.

His walls shattered down and the flame in his heart began to die out.

All his life, he never actually loved freedom but only the idea of it, because freedom has never truly existed.

He had only dreamt of it because he was chained.

What if he wasn't ensnared, then, would he still be hoping for the so—called freedom?

He had hoped for it to come all his life, but it never arrived.

That's when he understood that no one else but him will ever be able to set him free.

You have to get good grades. They said.

You have to be obedient. The said.

You have to be kind. They said.

If he has to be all these things, would he be finally free?

The answer was no.

He has tried it at some point, and he never felt so trapped in his whole life.

Little did he know that revolutionaries come in groups for a reason.

One person will never be able to attain anything on their own.

His rebellion had caused him many misfortunes in life, but he never felt so free, ever.

He has wished to be free ever since he was a child. Free from all the responsibilities and pressure. But, now that he was an adult, he wanted to be free from something else. He doesn't know what was it yet, but he was certain that he was still bound.

At age ten, his father would beat him up and his mother would not allow him to eat nor sleep, but study.

At age eleven, he was sent to a psychiatric hospital but the there were no major disorders found in him.

Then, at age twelve, he was admitted to a mental asylum, his parents thought that he had finally lost, only ever talking about freedom and its benefits.

He was released, then, after six months. He had made a few friends there, but some of them committed suicide and some of them were never seen again.

At age, thirteen, he was sent to a youth camp, hoping that he'd change and go back to being the obedient honor student who never questions his parents. The one who never questions their way if abuse and discipline.

He didn't change.

At age, fourteen, his parents were tired of sending him in and out of many asylums and youth programs.

At age fifteen,

His father found a solution to his never ending rebellion.

He had created a special room in the basement.

It was called the "Discipline Room".

If one of his children don't listen to his words, he'd shun them.

In that room, there was low oxygen and temperature.

There were only allowed to wear thin clothes.

The food and water will be delivered based on their attitude towards the matter.

Kazuya's eldest brother had died from this, dehydration, hypothermia and starvation. He died from trying to save his suffering younger brother.

Akio had died because of Kazuya.

Kazuya's younger brother had also stoped questioning his parents and started to live the way they wanted.

But, Kazuya, with the concept of freedom still lingering in his mind and the death of his beloved brother had completely took over him.

One day, after he was freed from his confinement, he had gathered dirt about his parents, and if they would try to trap him ever again, he won't think twice to share those secrets to the world.

From then on, he had lived quite the serene life, he don't have to worry about money nor school.

He was finally able to live freely.

He was able to drive a jet and fly with the birds.

He was able to operate a submarine and swim with the fishes.

He was finally able to attain the freedom that he had desperately reached for.

However, there was this hole left in him. A hole that was devouring his body, it started small but now it has spread like a disease.

He had not known what it was until that time.

"You sound like a real philosopher, senpai." He was not able to forget those words of appreciation.

No one had been able to understand his concept of freedom, not even one of his closest friends.

Someone.

Someone, who was also bound to something, and was also trying hard to be free from it.

He had seen someone like him.

It eye opening for Kazuya.

He had gained an ally.

Someone who would understand, for sure, had finally arrived.

He will treasure him.

He will keep him.

He will have him.

That person must become his.

Yamaguchi Yutarou was the fuel to his flame.

The flame in his heart that he thought he has lost, has began rekindling, it makes him alive. It's what makes him free.

And, this flame, he will never, NEVER, let it die out.