The Champion's Story

|TWO|

|WAKIYA|

I gritted my teeth in frustration as Naoki connected all sorts of wires to a sleeping Lui, whom was laid onto a metal cushioned bed.

Since I couldn't really go anywhere, I chose to sit on the ground amongst Daigo and Shu. How dare that wannabe Naoki just take all of us hostage, then use Lui as a test subject?! That's just wrong!

"This isn't right...," Shu said, my gaze softening a bit after realizing something. "He simply can't do this unless he has Lui's consent."

Everyone nodded agreeingly. Valt yawned tiringly and grinned. "But aren't you guys excited?"

I internally yearned to strangle the life out of that boy, but sadly I couldn't.

After a bit of rummaging Ken did around the room, he found a few of those foldable chairs for us to sit down and (forcefully) watch a sleeping Lui.

It was so strange to see him like this. Although..he did look kind of cute, in a smol bean kind of way.

Finally, after what seemed like eternity,  Naoki had declared, "I'm done."

He flipped a switch besides a computer screen and tapped a bunch of on screen buttons as it flickered to life.

[ ] = memory

"Wow," Valt said. "That was thoughtful of the author to let them know that."

"Hey, stop breaking the fourth wall," I yelled angrily as Naoki coughed and got our attention.

He smirked and said, "Gentlemen, may I present the Memory Retriever experiment #1!"

The screen began projecting an image of some sort.

[ Shirahama Beach, Shimoda : March 19th, 2006

The sun beats down on one of Japan's beaches as the tourists and locals enjoy themselves. Children run around laughing happily as the adults walk along the water or watch the crystal ocean from afar.

Digging around in the sun surrounded by other children is a young boy with baby blue tussle hair and violet eyes that sparkled with mischief. ]

Rantaro and Valt bit their lip in an attempt to hold back their laughs. Shu nuetrally said, "Is that Lui as a kid?"

Naoki nodded. "It would appear so. Seems strange he's surrounded by other kids as well."

[ The small Lui sticks his tongue out from the side of his mouth as he furiously digs through the sand with a plastic shovel. The children surrounding him stare in awe, completely immersed in Lui's scavenger hunt.

He hits something and digs it out. Everyone gasps as he pulled a golden trinket, perhaps a antique pocketwatch.

Little Lui smiles pridely as he gestures for the kids to follow him. They run after him as he runs off towards a shack with an ice cream sign. He holds up the trinket and asks with a smile, "Do you accept pirate treasure?"

A woman in a apron looks surprised, but gladly accepts the trinket. "How many ice creams would you like?"

Lui gestures towards the kids. "Enough for everyone!"]

Ken squealed and let out a small, "Aww," before blushing and laughing to himself. What a weirdo.

[Everyone happily eats their ice cream as Lui smiled widely. The sun gradually begins to set as one by one the kids leave off with their parents. Not long afterward Lui is left with another small boy of about his age whom he does not know.

The boy is really quiet. He has a slight tan and and reddish short hair. His clothes consist of a pair of brick red trunks tied by a red, along with only a black vest on.]

I hummed in thought. That boy must've been Gou, but the child version. I thought those two had met in school..

[Lui and Gou walked together along the beach looking for seashells. The people on the beach are leaving faster now, as the dark of night approaches. Gou stares off into the distance, a faraway look in his eyes. He turns towards Lui and hands him a white conch shell. Before running off, the red headed said, "Be strong." He sprinted towards the beach exit and dissapeared.

Lui tilted his head in curiosity. That would be the last time he would see the mysterious boy.

Or so he thought..]

Everyone had their jaw open in surprise. Valt did a time out gesture with his hands.

"Hold on, Lui was...social?"

Question: Do you think Gou impacted Lui with that one statement? If so, then how?