Is this the same thing?

When it comes to illegal training stuff though, the best ones to deal with this are Kazuya's friends. To be precise, the group who came with Kazuya when they first met. As Lyn thought that she noticed someone from the corner watching her.

Her eyes widened when she saw who the person was, "Ah? Rhys?" Lyn called out. The person in question immediately walked over.

"Lyn?" Recognition filled the man's eyes. Rhys laughed, "Fancy seeing you here, then again there are shady rumors about this place. Of course your in a place like this."

This person is Rhys, one of Kazuya's old friends. Also, a member of the Sound Kingdom. In the past people considered him the leader of the group Kazuya brought along when they first met. If Lyn were to describe him, Rhys is the big brother type. He's a good leader and always looking out for those he cares about, and members of his team. It was Rhys who helped her sort her feelings out for Kazuya.

Lyn didn't know what to say to that, after all, she didn't notice something was amiss till the former General told her.

"Kazuya, have you seen him?" Lyn asked.

At her comment, Rhys frowned, "He hasn't gone back yet?"

Lyn nodded, and the man in front of her sighed. He ran his hand through his hair, "d.a.m.n," Rhys cursed, "Actually I was on my way to the Mist Kingdom. I thought he was too busy to reply to my messages after getting back."

Rhys doesn't know; then there's no use in her searching for the others. She only just started this journey to search for Kazuya, and yet she's already met with disappointing news. Lyn looked down at her feet, is it impossible? To meet Kazuya, she wants to see him.

"Do you guys have a place to stay?"

...…..

Hideout.

After sending word to the General and Uncle Adrien, they quickly met up with her and the four of them headed to Rhys base. The base itself didn't look like a base at all, in fact, the large building on the edge of town looked more like a Government official building.

"So yeah, I was with Kazuya. But we got separated around two weeks back. He told me he had a lead and rushed off in the middle of the night," Rhys explained, as he took out some cups from the fridge and a bottle of wine, "So he hasn't disappeared completely. I just saw him."

Lyn nodded slowly, as the General and Uncle Adrien discussed it amongst themselves. Her gaze fell on the surroundings; it smells like Kazuya. So Lyn could confirm Rhys words. He was here in this place till recently. She's relieved, but she still wants to meet with him.

"Little Lyn, why don't you rest for a while?"

"Eh?" Lyn said.

Teo nodded, "I agree."

Rhys looked like he wanted to say something but nodded, "Come, I'll take you out back."

Lyn hurriedly followed after Rhys. He leads her down a narrow pa.s.sageway and down a series of steps. A few minutes go by, and Lyn noticed that they had yet to reach the bottom of the steps. Rhys read her thoughts, "Were not half way yet."

They aren't? They've already walked for at least a good half an hour. Well, it's not like she's tired. She's just curious. On the outside, this place looked like an average building. When Rhys said this was the hideout, she thought he was joking at first.

Lyn blinked, "This place is larger than I thought."

Laughter escaped the man's lips, "Of course, it's Kazuya's style."

Is it? She always thought her husband preferred smaller places. Rhys must have read her thoughts since he added, "At least the Kazuya I knew before he met you. He seemed fidgety and uncomfortable the whole time he was here."

"...Say," Lyn started, but Rhys cut her off.

"He spoke about you every day. He was honestly bugging the h.e.l.l out of me. I didn't need to hear stories about your intimate life. Thank you very much."

Lyn's cheeks burned red, what has that idiot done now?

"Well unless it is regarding you. Kazuya doesn't actually speak much," Rhys sighed, "You know I've always been jealous of you."

Eh? Lyn looked at him surprised.

"Don't look at me like that. I knew Kazuya since childhood. But not only was he an awkward person who didn't talk much. He was a cold guy to everybody," Rhys took a deep breath as he murmured, "He only showed so much emotion when he was with you. That's why when we all realized that, even though it went against the mission. We listened to what he said regarding you. We were supposed to use you and then toss you aside afterward. However, Kazuya kept convincing us you that you were different from all the other n.o.bles."

When f.u.kami, the man who was Kazuya's aide told him that Kazuya changed after meeting her. Lyn couldn't take him seriously. In her whole life, she never thought she would influence or inspire anyone.

Rhys kicked a rock under his feet, and continued speaking, "He said you were different, and yes you proved that yourself when you interacted with us. Everybody knew that you weren't like the others and wavered, deviating from the original plan. It was the same for me, but I tried to convince myself to remain detached. Well, in the end, the one who was attached the most was me."

Lyn's gaze flickered to the scar on his eye, "Does it still hurt?"

"I can't feel movement there anymore, and can't see. Well, it was strange at first, but I've gotten used to it."

"I--"

Rhys laughed, "Don't mind it. I saved the girl I fell for so."

Lyn didn't know what to say; it still felt strange to her that Rhys fell for her. Considering how he treated her before, but, "I'm sorry," Lyn thought she might as well repeat it, to get it out of the way. Or rather she noticed the way Rhys looked at her since earlier. The eyes of somebody still in love with her.

"Shot down again. Hey, relax. I'd never try to take advantage of this moment or anything; I'm not that low."

"..."

"You know Lyn; it's not like I wanted to tell you. But I figured you wanted an explanation to why I saved you," Rhys scratched his head awkwardly, "Your that type of person right?"

"That's true," Lyn said. If Rhys just saved her without explaining, then she would surely get mad. After all, he lost his eyesight in one eye and received such a horrible scar for her sake, she reached over and hesitated before brus.h.i.+ng her hand on his scar, "I really am grateful, thank you for saving me."

"Yeah, your welcome."

....

By the time they reached the rooms, Lyn is certain an hour has pa.s.sed already. Though she could only guess, there was no clock anywhere. The rooms located on the furthest end, even then they had to pa.s.s a series of doors. Indeed, it's very secure. No enemy would go through this much trouble to search this far even if they find the hidden pa.s.sage. Kazuya's style indeed. Lyn observed Rhys movements; she still felt awkward about earlier.

Maybe she shouldn't have commented. But like she did with Allen, she has to draw a clear line. Rhys fiddled around and eventually, the room was lit.

Her eyes go wide, ah.