the river

When Roland saw Liam focusing he asked:

(Now then, can you see it?)

(yes, I'm watching the river right now!)

(Then, follow it with your sense toward my direction, what do you see?)

(umm... it's entering your body from more than one place...?)

(yes, you are great, Liam! to see the lines from your first try... now then, you see, the line that's flowing into my head? follow it inside!)

(is this okay? I won't hurt you?)

(how kind of you, sweetie, it's okay, no one would get hurt if you just follow the flow, though don't try to cut the lines... normally, no one can do that, even those who have powers like us... but I can, so you absolutely can too.)

(O...Okay, I'll be careful...)

Liam could see the flow that he usually watched alone for fun before... he did ask his parents about it before.

But, they listened to him as parents listening to their child telling a story. And he could feel they didn't believe him, so he stopped asking...

Liam was so happy to talk to someone who sees the world the same way he does. So, he obediently followed Ronald's instructions.

Then, he really started hearing Roland's thoughts.

''can... hear...?''

(Eggh!!... I can, but it's unclear, as if I was listening to mom and dad's voices...)

(That's because you're following it with all your senses... try dulling all your senses and only leave your listening and sense the flow with it)

(eh...?)

(ah, sorry, sweetheart, that was unclear, wasn't it?)

(...a little?)

(Haha, okay, I meant to only listen to the line entering my head, don't try to watch it, feel it, or anything else... only listens.)

''Normally, it would take people years to do that. But I know he can do it in one try. he had done that before. and I don't want anyone to listen to what he is thinking without his permission...''

(Oh, uncle, I'm hearing you!)

(...Wah! that was fast, great job!)

(umm... uncle, what did you mean about what you were thinking? I heard but couldn't understand...)

(I will teach you something fast and then tell you, is that okay?)

(eh... hmm... yes? I don't mind it if that's what you want, uncle... I... I'm fine if you don't want to tell me...)

(no, that's not it, of course, I will tell you, and if there is something you want to know, just listen to what the other person is thinking. no one can prevent you from doing so.)

(I get it...)

Liam said that but his thoughts were different...

''I won't listen if the other person doesn't want me to though...''

When Roland heard Liam's though he said:

(you really haven't changed..)

(eh?)

(Liam, You can prevent anyone who has a weaker power than you from listing to what you are thinking, and that's practically everyone)

(w..what?)

(I know it's hard to understand now, I promise to probably tell you everything slowly, but please listen to me now, so that no one would listen to your thoughts when you don't want to...)

(ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ME WHEN YOU SAY THAT~?)

Suddenly, a handsome old man with a good build, white and neat hair, and a beard appeared out of nowhere and said so.

Ronald stood up as if hiding Liam behind him, and glared at the old man

(Hay~! aren't you being a little so cruel towards your own father?)

(You said you'd wait...)

(You took too long~)

Liam fidgets around, looking cautiously from behind Roland.

(Hello, little one!)

The old man said to Liam.

Liam was shocked and nodded awkwardly.

(sigh...)

Roland signed as if giving up, then looked down at Liam, smiled gently, then picked him up and said:

(This old man is your grandpa you can say hello to him IF YOU WANT TO, sweetie.)

(haha! your attitude never changes, does it, son?)

(humph! and your bad personality never changes, does it?)

Liam was surprised at how Leonard changed his attitude but still greeted his grandfather timidly.

(hello, grandfather.)

(Yes~ hello to you too, grandson!)

(you see, my dear grandson, your uncle is a horrible man, keeping you all

to himself when we all want to see you~)

Roland was about to talk in annoyance after the old man said that, but suddenly the surrounding atmosphere changed...

When Liam heard Roland being called horrible, even he did not understand why. But, massive energy waved out from his body. And hit the old man sending him several steps backward...!