Chapter 37: First Friend in Another World

As the last rays of the sun disappeared, night fell over the mansion. Sakura and Hiro came to check on Kai and Ray, relief washing over them as they found the two awake. They exchanged a few words before leaving, reminding them to rest before dinner.

Once they were alone, Ray turned to look at Kai. "Hey…" he began, his voice hesitant. Kai looked at him, confusion evident in his eyes. "Your hair seems shorter now, doesn't it?" Ray asked, an unspoken question hanging in the air.

Kai got alert. He reached up to touch his hair, his fingers brushing against the shorter strands. He remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Ray pulled out Kai's wig from his pocket, holding it out in front of him. "What is this?" he asked, his tone serious.

"Guess it can't be helped," Kai took a deep breath, then began to write in his notebook. "It's a fake hair set, which I use when I go outside or meet new people." He showed the note to Ray, who fell silent as he processed Kai's words.

After a moment for processing what happened, Ray asked, "What do you mean by that?" Kai gave him a small smile, then began to write again. "I was bullied back in the village, since I can't walk nor talk…" He showed the note to Ray, who read the words in silence.

The room was quiet, the only sound was the scratching of Kai's pen against the paper. Ray sat in silence, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend Kai's words. The silence was a heavy blanket, wrapping around them as they each lost in their own thoughts. Ray tried to say something when he saw Kai holding his notebook in front of him, the words "I am just a coward" written in neat handwriting. Ray read it, then looked at Kai who was scratching his head, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes.

Ray just stared at him for a moment, the silence stretching between them. Then, he moved his hand forward with the wig. "Here…," he said, his eyes averted. Kai thought for a moment, before he took his wig back with a small, grateful smile.

Ray tried to find the right words, his voice barely above a whisper when he finally spoke. "You're not a coward…," he started, "If you were one, you wouldn't have jumped to save me back then." Kai looked taken aback, his eyes widening slightly at Ray's words. Ray smiled at him, a genuine, warm smile. "Thank you." He said, extending his hand towards Kai.

"Let me re-introduce myself." He stood up from the bed and looked at Kai, "I am Ray Leonhart, The Crown Prince. But, just call me Ray." He moved his hand forward, "Want to be friends?" Ray waited for Kai's response, his heart pounding in his chest. Kai looked at Ray's outstretched hand, then at Ray's hopeful face. He seemed to contemplate for a moment, before a slow smile spread across his face. He reached out and shook Ray's hand, his other hand holding up a note. "I am Kai Hamade. Let's be friends."

Ray laughed, a light, relieved sound. "I will need to get used to your talking style with the notes." As night fell, the room was filled with the sound of Ray's laughter, a sound that seemed to lighten the atmosphere. Kai couldn't help but smile, thinking to himself, "Who knew he could laugh like that…"

To this, Kai recalled back when Ray was in his room with the worksheet, when he used his powers on him. "Hmm…," what he noticed that was the aura around Ray was dark, a clear picture of his loneliness and wish for a friend.

Back at the present: "Now he seems better," Kai thinks to himself as he watched Ray's aura, which was a bright and clear colour of blue around him. Ray, still chuckling, managed to catch his breath and spoke up. "Now tell me," His voice trailed off as he continued to converse, while Kai responded with his note filling the room with warmth.

Their conversation continued for a while, until it was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in," Ray declared. To his response, a maid appeared, announcing, "Excuse me Your Highness, Young Master. Dinner is ready." Ray responded, "Alright, we will be there shortly," assuring her before she left.

In the dining room, Hiro, Sakura, and Elysia waited for them. Elysia, her eyes filled with concern, asked, "Mom… Is brother alright?" Sakura smiled at her, reassuring her. "Don't worry, he is fine." Hiro added, "He will be here all fine."

Just as he said, the door to the room opened revealing Kai in his wheelchair, with Ray helping him to the table. Ray was animatedly telling Kai about his day-to-day life, to which Kai listened attentively, a smile playing on his lips and occasionally responding in his notebook. Both Hiro and Sakura were stunned at this sight. They exchanged glances with each other, when Sakura looks at them and says, "You two seem to be getting along well!"

At that, both Ray and Kai looked at her. They exchanged glances at each other and smiled. Both looked at her and Ray said, "We are friends now!" while Kai had the same thing written on his note which he showed to her. Sakura and Hiro smiled at their response, as both Kai and Ray took their seats. They enjoyed their dinner with laughter.

In between, Hiro suggested, "Ray, you should head back to the Palace." Ray had a confused expression, "Why so suddenly uncle?" he asked, to which Hiro responded. "While you were resting, I contacted Max and told him about the accident. He and Celestina are worried for you." He stated, "I think you should meet with them to reassure them that you are alright." He looked at Ray, who was thinking of what to do. 

As he was in his thoughts, he noticed a note slipped towards him. He looked to his side, where Kai pointed towards the note. Ray picked the note and opened it, as he started to read. "It's a good opportunity. You should visit them and say everything you told me. I am sure they will understand." Ray looked over at Kai who was smiling at him. Unaware of what to say, he rubbed his eyes as he smiled back at him. "Alright uncle," he looked at Hiro. "I will go back to the Palace tomorrow morning," he replied to which Hiro and Sakura had a reassured smile. The dinner afterwards continued peacefully. 

Ray decided he would stay in Kai's room today, as he wished to know more about him. Kai agreed to it, and went back to his room with Ray. He changed into his sleepwear, as he laid on his bed, lost in thought. "Back then, I didn't think of making any friends in here, but guess it's going to change." He picked up the wig, and stared at it with a smile. Just then, Ray entered the room as well after having some talk with Hiro about the carriage preparation.

Ray noticed Kai looking at his wig. "Hmm," he went up to him as he took a seat. "You should actually stay the way you are now," he stated to which Kai looked at him. He tilted his head in confusion, as Ray continued. "I mean, you have a handsome face. Well, I guess it's a given since you are uncle Hiro's son after all." Kai shrugged, as he chuckled and sat up. He brought out his notebook and started to write. "Looks are not everything, you know," he wrote.

Ray smiled at Kai's mature thinking, "Well, I am sure girls would be all over you if they see you without that thing on the day of banquet." They both shared at laugh at it, before falling into sleep for the night.

Around the same time, in the heart of the bustling capital city, a cloaked figure slips into an inn nestled near the vibrant market. The inn's attendant, a man of warm smiles and welcoming gestures, greets him, "Welcome, sir. How may I assist you today?"

The mysterious figure pulls back his cloak, revealing a mane of untamed brown hair. His voice, steady and calm, fills the room, "I require a room with a view of the horizon."

The attendant nods in understanding, "Of course, sir. Please, follow me." He leads the way, the cloaked figure trailing behind him. They stop before a door marked with the number '07'. "Here is your room, sir," the attendant announces, opening the door for the guest. The cloaked guy enters the room, the attendant shutting the door behind as he goes back to his work.

Inside, the room is a large hall, buzzing with activity. A group of people stand before a board, papers pinned haphazardly across its surface. Others sit in quiet corners, meticulously cleaning their swords and daggers. As the newcomer enters, all eyes shift to him, curiosity piqued. Unfazed by the attention, he strides towards the board, pinning a paper onto it. A knowing smile plays on his lips as he exits the room, leaving behind a hall filled with anticipation and intrigue.