My Level Zero System

The streets of Esten were still bustling and noisy, because it was already noon, so the flow of people was also relatively busy.

Mera took his hand and weaved through the crowd, talking as she walked.

"I know a great place to eat, you should definitely try it."

"Yeah."

Kain nodded in agreement, but a different thought flashed in his eyes.

However, Kain said nothing and just followed Mera.

Because it wasn't their first time hanging out together, the two of them went out to eat, went for a walk,... all of which went smoothly. It continued like this until the evening sky turned dark and dusk fell.

Because this city was built at a high altitude, this place witnessed the sunset a little later than other places. The lights that emitted were starting to be turned on, but those lights could not cover up the magical color of the sky mixed with purple and yellow.

In the familiar park, Mera slightly raised her head to look at the sky, she appeared a bit absent-minded.

Until, a hand touched her shoulder.

Not only was Mera not startled, she also raised her hand and placed it on the back of his hand.

It seemed that only then could she feel a little safe.

Mera turned to Kain, what she saw was his golden eyes, clearly very deep and sharp, but because of the coordination with the facial muscles and eyelashes, they were now filled with gentleness.

"I'm here, Mera."

Kain said softly.

Suddenly, Mera replied.

"Can I lie on your lap?"

"Lying on my lap... sure."

Kain then changed his leg position, letting Mera rest her head on his thigh. Furthermore, he controlled his muscles so that they wouldn't tense up, making Mera feel like she was resting her head on a rock.

But Mera didn't seem to care too much, she was lying on her side, her body not stretched out but curled up, in Kain's eyes, this was a sign of a lack of sense of security.

This is the sleeping position of people who are in a state of fear or denial of factors from the surrounding environment.

However, Mera gave him her most important part, her head, which was a manifestation of reliance and trust.

In fact, Kain had noticed Mera's strange mood from the very beginning.

More precisely, since she first woke up the second time.

Although Mera still tried to act normal, the frequency of her expressions had become much less than before, and at the same time, there were many times when Mera would become absent-mindedly staring into space and losing connection with the world around her, as if she was thinking about something extremely important.

Inexpressiveness is also a form of implicit expression, if a sentimental person like Mera becomes inexpressive, it is probably because she does not dare to reveal her true feelings.

Then, she was so lost in thought that she lost consciousness.

At least Kain could confirm that he understood Mera, he knew that she had always known that she didn't like to think too much about a troublesome problem, so if she couldn't think of it for a long time, she would temporarily keep it in the bottom of her heart. Or she would discuss it with him.

But, Mera chose to keep it to herself, proving that this was a secret, and moreover, a secret that Mera felt ashamed to know about, or even think about.

Next, it was the time when they returned to Esten, back to Kanzax Academy.

Mera, somehow, she had become too hasty.

She dragged him out, but it was more of an emotional diversion.

At the same time, Kain could also feel Mera's emotional balance now tilting towards him instead of Myra. The interaction between the two sisters momentarily decreased.

This doesn't mean that Mera became distant from her sister, but rather that the secret that made Mera so distraught was something that Mera couldn't share with Myra.

Thinking up to here, everything was basically clear, without even needing Mera to say it, Kain already knew the reason, at least a rough idea.

But Mera, perhaps thinking that he already knew, so she just said it, even though her words were incoherent.

"Kain, do you think I'm mean?"

"Mean? Hmm..."

Kain looked thoughtful, then joked.

"I guess everyone would say that, wouldn't they?"

"... You are so..."

Mera's tone became unusually weak. But Kain was not finished yet.

"But I know, Mera is a very kind person."

"..."

Across the park, the melodious music of a busker echoed, entwining with this lyrical moment.

"So no matter what you think, I know your heart will not change."

Kain spoke softly, then he slowly lowered his upper body, his arm gently brushed away the hair that was covering Mera's eyes, revealing a pair of red eyes.

"Kain, while I was unconscious, I dreamed of moments from the past."

Memories.

This should have been a happy thing, but it left Mera feeling suffocated.

"I dream of... the old days, when our family was still there, complete and whole."

"My dad was there, my mom was there, my sister was there... I..."

Mera's voice paused.

"It's been a long time since I dreamed about them."

"But, I also remembered, why I haven't dreamed of them for a long time."

"Because I'm afraid, afraid that all my memories... my most beautiful memories are just an illusion, a play... created by my mother."

Speaking up to here, Mera's voice choked as if her throat was blocked by a rock, to the point that she needed great willpower to be able to speak.

However, Kain's expression, other than becoming silent, contained no surprise.

Obviously, he had already guessed it early.

It wasn't something too profound, it was just the contradiction in Mera's mother's temperament and actions, along with her circumstances, that made Kain think of a possibility. That was, Mera's mother didn't actually love this family, she was just acting to deceive her husband and daughter. All of this was also to create a "copy" of herself, Mera, to use her to divert her enemy's attention to her daughter.

A truth so painful that it is beyond description.