It was already after work for Hamasaki Hikaru. She received a message from Kazuya who she didn't expect to get back to her today about meeting at a place that was close to her place.

"It looks like his business ended early…" she mumbled to herself as she walked towards the school's gates.

"Excuse me, you are Hamasaki-san are you not?" a rough looking man wearing a suit tried to be polite.

"I am her, may I ask if you want something from me?" she was still in the school premises so she wasn't worried about any trouble.

"The young master Kazuya asked us to pick you up. He asked us to take you to where he is." Mame tried to be as polite as he could. He was a little intimidated by this young teacher's beauty and thought that Kazuya might have been interested in her because never had he asked them to be polite to a lady other than his mother and Kazuno Mei.

Hikaru took another look at the vehicle as well as Mame and his people. They didn't look like any of the Kurogane people she knew. She immediately sent a message for Kazuya to confirm their ident.i.ty in which she received a response that he indeed sent someone to go and fetch her.

"Alright, I'll go with you." Hikaru got in the car. "(Where does he intend to take me?)" Though she was a little nervous, after learning more about Kazuya from his acquaintances, she brushed off the suspicion that he was the same as those Kurogane people she was familiar with and relaxed.

It didn't take long until she was taken to their destination. Both employees of Kazuno tech and Hikaru was familiar with this place. It was a restaurant that usually hosted the pioneer employees of Kazuno tech. they were now leaders in their own rights so most employees that belonged to the teams of these members were taken to this place at some point. It was even said that the CEO herself was taken here by their mysterious president.

To Hikaru, this was a place where she would use her talents as a piano player to sometimes work on weekends. The owner of this place was a musician and was kind enough to offer to pay her after she had frequented this place to make use of the piano that only the owner himself used.

"The young master is waiting at this establishment miss." Mame guided her and entered the restaurant where they instantly heard the sound of the piano playing.

Hikaru couldn't help but stop after she recognized the soft melody that was playing. It was a melodical rendition of one of the songs that Kuronuma Ayame released in her alb.u.m. An alb.u.m that Hikaru herself was very familiar with.

"Oh Hikaru-chan? Have you come by to practice?" The owner immediately greeted her. There was still some time left before dinnertime, so the place didn't have many customers yet.

"Owner?" She blanked out for a second after seeing the person she a.s.sumed to be playing behind the counter. "If you're here then who's the one playing?"

"One of the few people I can say I'm indebted to. He comes here every now and then. He studies in the school you're teaching at. Do you know him?" the owner asked as both of them entered the hall where Kazuya sat and concentrated on the piece he was playing.

"Indebted to?" Hikaru was a little confused, what could Kazuya have done for the owner to be indebted to him?

"Yeah! Do you know the reservations we usually get during weekends? Those employees made my place their usual place because that young man brought them here when that company was still starting out. Not only that, this place is free from trouble too because he brings the young lady of the Akabane group here." The owner proudly told the story. "The only thing I can complain about is that I'm too busy with work during the weekends that I hardly have any time to play any music." He joked.

"(Wouldn't that mean that me getting my part-time job is because of him?)" Hikaru had mixed feelings about the new information she received.

"Looks like you've arrived, Hikaru-sensei." Kazuya turned to her after he finished playing.

"Oh so he is your student Hikaru-chan!" the owner smiled.

"Hmm? You know each other?" Kazuya was a little confused but was informed by the manager about her sideline during the weekends. "(I see… looks like this is a part of history that hasn't changed. Her desperate need of money for her mother.)"

The Hamasaki Hikaru from his past life was a very modest singer unlike her idol compet.i.tors. It was later found out that the money she made was going towards medical bills for her mother who had a terminal illness that was discovered after Hikaru's father filed for divorce.

Kazuya pondered. The illness looks to have been discovered earlier on because from what he remembered, her parents were still happily married when she had her debut. He wanted to find out just what it was that he could have done to affect this person's life so much when they haven't even crossed paths.

"(Could it have been due to technologies that shouldn't have been available until a few more years later?)" Kazuya thought for a moment but shook his head.

"Umm… Kazuykun?" Hikaru felt a little nervous after the owner revealed her activities during the weekend. She felt a little embarra.s.sed because she was a teacher of the prestigious academy but was working part-time.

"I apologize, I was just thinking about something irrelevant. Why don't we take a seat and order something before we begin." He ordered his usual black coffee while Hikaru got some hot tea.

"Are you a big fan of Kuronuma Ayame? The last time I heard you play a song, it was from her alb.u.m as well." Hikaru initiated a conversation. She was the person who asked to meet so she decided to make some small talk.

"No." Kazuya replied without hesitation. "I am a fan of whoever composed the songs that she released. Most of them would be much more suited if they were sung in a much slower tempo because of how meaningful the lyrics are." Pretending not to notice the slight tremble in Hikaru, he continued to praise the composer which was right in front of him.

"Y-you seem to be quite interested in music." Hikaru tried to calm herself. She wasn't credited for her work so there was no way that the boy in front of her could have known the secret that even the performer herself didn't know about. "Do you have any other musicians that you like?" this wasn't a topic that was very good for her so she tried to steer away from it.

"I don't have a specific interest in music." Kazuya shook his head. "The tune and the lyrics caught my attention when I heard it. Other than those specific songs, everything is more or less the same to me." He replied.

Kazuya's focus even from his previous life didn't have much time to spare. His struggles and goals didn't allow him to have the luxury to have that many hobbies. Most of the music he's known through his memories were from the bards and minstrels that performed in the gatherings in Edea.

"Y-you've got to be joking…" Hikaru couldn't believe it. Wouldn't that mean that he's only taken an interest that the songs she composed?

"Hikaru-sensei, what did you call me for? Surely it's not just to chit-chat right?" sensing her chaotic mood, Kazuya decided to move on to the main topic.

"Right…" she tapped her cheeks lightly with both hands before giving a bow. "I want to officially apologize for the way I treated you. It was totally unprofessional of me and because of my misunderstandings, I ended up treating you badly."

"I see…" Kazuya sipped his coffee. "You really don't need to apologize sensei. I too have overreacted as well. I just want to know why you were suddenly hostile towards me."

"It's because… I was once a member of the Kurogane clan." Her statement made Kazuya's eyebrow twitch. He suspected that the connection between the Kurogane clan and Hikaru was as simple as a contract, but it turned out to be more complicated than that.

"What do you mean by—" Kazuya stopped speaking as he felt an unpleasant presence approaching.

"Well what do we have here? Looks like I've stumbled upon a meeting of b.a.s.t.a.r.ds." the arrogant voice belonged to none other than Kurogane Sousuke. Though he was surprised to see Kazuya, his purpose for coming here wasn't to look for him.

"What are you doing here? Weren't you the one who said that we should never meet again?" Hikaru clenched her fists as she glared at Sousuke.

"For a beggar, you're acting quite arrogantly in front of me. Do you really think that things are different now just because you're a teacher in Sacred Forest Academy?" Sousuke sneered. "How do you think your colleagues and superiors would react once they find out that you're the daughter of someone who tried to use a man to raise a daughter that wasn't even his." He threatened.

"You think I'm afraid of your threat? My mother suffered and fell into illness because of you! Do you think you're some saint!? Go ahead and spread the word! I want to see how your esteemed father will react to the secret he tried so hard to keep be known to the whole world. His eldest son, the inferior son revealing his own failures for the whole world to see!" Hikaru stood and pointed at Sousuke.

"You little bit—" Sousuke raised his hand to hit her.

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Hikaru shut her eyes and braced herself to get hit but, other than the wind that made her hair sway a bit, nothing was able to touch her.

"Oi! Do you really think that I don't exist just because I haven't said anything?" Kazuya grabbed Sousuke's wrist and stopped the man's arm completely. "I can pretty much determine the relations.h.i.+p between the two of you from the argument."

"Stay out of this, this isn't any of your business kid." Sousuke glared at him.

"Whether it is my business or not depends on your reason for being here. I don't believe that the eldest son of the Kurogane clan would come to a humble establishment like this. You don't need to make excuses because not only am I a regular here, I am well acquainted with the staff." Kazuya's words immediately made Hikaru aware that she was tracked here.

This wasn't a surprise for Kazuya. Even in his previous life, Lee would show up in randomly just to pick on him. For normal people, if the Kuroganes wanted to know someone's location, it wouldn't be too hard to locate them.

"Let go of my arm." Seeing that his attempts to get out of Kazuya's monstrous grasp was impossible, he tried to demand his release.

"Not until you explain why you're here." Kazuya simply smiled and applied more strength which made Sousuke frown while trying to bear the pain.

"I came to give this beggar an opportunity. The scribbles she dare called music were made into a treasure in the hands of professionals. They wanted something similar so that the artist would not have a sudden change in themes so I wanted to present her a rare opportunity." Sousuke proudly stated.

"Scribbles!? You stole my work as you kicked me and my mother out of our home!" Hikaru hit the table in anger. "Neither was I given any compensation nor recognition for the work I've spent years on making! You can take your opportunity and scram the h.e.l.l away from here!"

Kazuya immediately understood how Hamasaki Hikaru's songs have made it into the hands of Kuronuma Ayame. The name of the man who was married to her mother was hidden from the public in his previous life. This meant that it was probably due to the influence of the Kurogane clan.

"Hmph! I just took back everything that was spent with my money." Sousuke shamelessly shrugged off her claims. "Seeing as you don't want the opportunity of gaining additional funds for your mother's treatment, I guess the hospital won't have to accommodate her very soon." Sousuke grinned. He had his own ways of getting what he wanted.

"You…" Hikaru couldn't stop her trembling. She glared at him as if wanting to kill which surprised Kazuya. She must have gone through a lot because of Sousuke to be able to project that amount of hatred.

"Hey 'uncle'" Kazuya once again joined the conversation.

*BAM* Kazuya pulled Souske's wrist towards the table and slammed it hard.

"I thought I told you before…" he grabbed the bread knife from the side and spun it on his free hand for Sousuke to see. "… Never mess with people I care about."

*STAB!* it was a quick motion but to Sousuke, Kazuya made it seem like he was staring at it the knife's descent for a few seconds.

"AHHH!!!!" Sousuke screamed. Kazuya was not done and used the table napkin under Sousuke's hand and tied it tightly. This made the arrogant Sousuke writhe in pain as the blunt knife sank deeper into his hand.

The bodyguards who came with him were stunned. When they started to move in and help, they were blocked by Mame and two of his subordinates.

"We can let you people pa.s.s and help that arrogant p.r.i.c.k. Just remember, the young master is very close to your clan head and the old man wouldn't like it if you hurt the precious grandson who just won him multiple awards." Mame stated confidently.

The bodyguards hesitated. What Mame said was correct. This was the young master that Tenma had doted on the most. They would much rather be punished by Sousuke than face the wrath of the man who could make them disappear with a mere sentence.

"Current events have made me a little more overprotective to those I care about so this is the last warning I can give you." Kazuya made sure that his voice was heard by the guards that came with Sousuke. This was to make sure that it would be included in the report that would reach Tenma's ears.

"Hamasaki Hikaru is under my protection so it would be in your best interest to keep your head down and scram whenever you see her. If not, hehehe…" Kazuya gave Sousuke a sinister look that for a brief moment, made him forget about the pain in his hand. "it would not end with just a simple wound." He whispered.

"Get him out of my sight." Kazuya pulled Sosuke's arm and threw him towards the hesitant guards. "Inform grandfather about what happened after you send him to get treated. Don't forget to pay the restaurant for the damages and the stuff you will be taking with you." Kazuya gave an apologetic look towards the owner before signaling Mame to see these intruders out.

Hikaru was already sitting down but she was still stunned at the event that just transpired. She saw a vague image of someone overlapping with this amazing student of hers after hearing what he said and witnessing his actions. Her rage towards Kurogane Sousuke had been replaced with slight pity after seeing him writhing in pain. They may have been at odds now but there was once a time where this man had treated her kindly and she thought of him as her father after all.

"Thank you Kazuykun." Hikaru expressed her grat.i.tude. She couldn't imagine what would have happened if she was approached by Sousuke if it were any other day.

She appreciated being called one of the people this amazing person cared about even though it was just because of the situation. She couldn't think of any reason why he would say so otherwise. Just from the exchange between Kazuya and Sousuke earlier, she knew that they didn't get along and it wasn't the first time that Sousuke had threatened him either.

"So what you were meaning to tell me earlier was that you were once called my so-called uncle's daughter?" Kazuya sat back down and didn't forget to cover the bloodstain on the table.

"Yes…" Hikaru felt a little ashamed. "I didn't know about it and treated him as a father until one day, Kurogane Sousuke attacked my mother while showing her DNA results that stated that I was not his daughter." She clenched her fists. "My mother and I were immediately cast out by both the Kurogane family and the Hamasaki family and we were erased from both family registries."

"Your father?" he couldn't help but ask.

"My mother told me that he disappeared just after she had chosen him over Kurogane Sousuke. She never heard from him again." Hikari shook her head.

"I see…" Both of them knew the kind of people the Kurogane clan was so it needn't be said what her father's fate was.

"A few years after that happened, I heard that an illegitimate child was accepted into the Kurogane clan. You should already be aware of the rivalry between Kurogane Sousuke and his younger brother. Because of the trouble this illegitimate child supposedly caused the clan before being recognized, Kurogane s.h.i.+s.h.i.+o dug up my mother's past to fight back against Sousuke."

This was the answer that Kazuya had been looking for. This was how he affected Hamasaki Hikaru's fate. Though he didn't know much of the details in his previous life, the fact that she had been successful despite her parents' separation meant that the fact that she wasn't blood related to Kurogane Sousuke proved that it was never discovered.

He felt guilt. Though there weren't many people he felt indebted to in his previous life, this person's life had been ruined by him even if it had been unintended. He vowed to make the people he cared about live better lives without tragedy when he realized he had been given a chance to relive his life. Learning that he had caused Hikaru to suffer hit Kazuya hard.

"This was the reason I was hostile against you when we met. All the people from the Kurogane clan are very similar due to the education they receive when they are young. I was saved from this because I had been very sickly when I was young but I mistakenly a.s.sumed you would have the same disposition as every young person in the Kurogane clan due to my resentment towards them." Hikaru's voice slowly softened as she looked at Kazuya's grieved expression.

"I'm sorry… I've caused you to suffer. If I hadn't…" he couldn't continue his words. He meant to say that if he hadn't revealed himself it wouldn't prompted the intensified sibling rivalry but that would have meant more danger for the Kouzuki clan. Thus Kazuya couldn't think of anything to say.

"None of this is your fault!" Hikaru raised her voice. She knew that Kazuya had started blaming himself for what happened to her. How could she let him? It was not his fault that he had been so outstanding that he attracted the eyes of the greedy Kurogane clan that wanted his talents for themselves.

In Hikaru's mind, they were both victims. Kazuya's peaceful life with the Kouzuki clan was suddenly intruded upon by a person who played no part in raising him to be the amazing person that he was. The only choice he had was to play along with them or risk chaos to wash over his peaceful life.

"Our troubles and problems both have the same roots so it would be useless for us to start blaming each other." She gently placed her hand over Kazuya's and gave him a warm smile. She was touched by how kind he had been despite his scary appearance earlier. She felt stupid for actually trying to think that Kazuya was like his father.

"I swear. I will make it right. Please allow me to make things right!"

-

Meanwhile, at the technological expo that was started by the rising Kazuno Tech, many people antic.i.p.ated the main presenters. This included Stockton International's head who was attending the event with his daughter. Kurumi wanted her father to be here because one of the things Kazuya told her was that some of the devices he was testing was going to be announced here.

"Are you sure that your little boyfriend said that he was testing devices for his family's company?" Jonson teased. The main event was about to start but there was still no sign of the presentation from the Kouzuki Corporation.

"He's not my…" Kurumi immediately blushed. She saw the mischievous grin on her dad's face and puffed her cheeks in irritation. "Stop teasing me! Kazuykun already says he—"

The lights went dim around the stage as they were talking. Exciting music started to play as two company logos appeared on the screens on the stage above. This event was attended by various media as well as leaders who were well acquainted in the business scene so the two people that walked out of the stage together shocked them.

Everyone who was informed had been speechless when they saw the two who were once unparalleled partners walk out together as if nothing had happened to them for the past few years. The current head of the Kouzuki clan and the CEO of Kazuno tech stood on stage together with smiles that made everyone who paid attention to them unable to take their eyes off.

"We would like to thank everyone for attending this event. I'm sure the two of us coming out together like this is a big surprise." Kouzuki Kyouko began to speak as soon as the music died down. "Today, we will be unveiling some of the projects that both of our companies have worked together to develop!"

The father and daughter pair who were in the audience were both surprised. Of course it had been for different reasons so the curious Maron who had tagged along turned to her cousin and immediately understood that she got the answer she was searching for when she stated her desire to attend this event with her father.

"So? Did you figure it out yet? Kkun should have just answered your question. Why did he have to make you come all the way here?" Maron complained.

"I see!" Jonson who was aware of that matter realized something. "Looks like the kid has been planning this all along." He looked at the two ladies who were supposed to be at odds with each other and thought that the only reason they needed to be seen like that was so that the Kurogane clan wouldn't see them as much of a threat. The two of them appearing on stage together like this without any hint of their collaboration strengthens his belief that they were not at odds with each other to begin with.

"What do you mean uncle? Did you figure out who Kkun's engaged to?" Maron who was also curious about this immediately asked. She was annoyed at how secretive he was being despite the fact that Kurumi and him have already started becoming friends again.

"If I'm not mistaken. It should be the mysterious little sister of Kazuno Tech's CEO. They have that girl quite well protected that she rarely makes an appearance.'" He was sure of his answer.

""Kazuno Kaguya!?"" the cousins were shocked. They were not strangers to the name, rather they would consider themselves her fans. Ever since they witnessed Kazuya's performance in Kendo, the girls have taken an interest in watching dramas that involved sword fighting. They always liked the character Kazuno Kaguya portrayed because of her cold and cool roles.

What the three were unaware of was that Kazuya's vague answer was because he wanted Stockton Jonson to be in the audience once the collaboration between the Kouzuki Corporation and Kazuno Technologies was announced. He never knew that hinting Mei as his fiancé would cause them to misunderstand and direct their suspicions on his other ident.i.ty.

Despite this misunderstanding, all of the people were once again impressed and excited upon seeing the joint demonstration the two well known CEOs. They even went as far as thinking that the devices that were presented would soon take over the market as the standard for all new gadgets.

One man who stood behind the crowd smiled as he watched the presentation. He was invited as a guest but chose to watch from the sidelines.

"Looks like the Kouzuki family is more impressive than I thought." The man smiled. "I'm looking forward to meeting the person who put into action the utilization of modern technology with some help from magic formations."

.