Chapter 27: 26. Second Memory

A warm afternoon...

Outside a small house, A man was tending to a child who had sprained his knee

"There...that should do for now. But do your best to stay off that leg for the rest of the day"

"Right...sorry for trouble Uncle Brian"

"It's no problem Raymond" 

Closing his first aid kit, he stood up to put it away

"Still...there's something I'm curious about" 

"What is it?" 

"How exactly did you sprain your ankle today?"

"...Like I said...I fell off my bike"

"You fell off your bike?" 

"That's right" 

"The same bike you've used for the past two years?"

"...Yes"

"And you just happened to get hurt on the day your aunt and two cousins took a trip to that popular tech gallery?"

"..."

"..."

The boy had an awkward look on his face

"Raymond...didn't you want to go with them?"

"..."

"Or could it be something else"

"?"

"Could it be you don't like them and didn't want to spend time with them?"

"That isn't true at all!"

"Oh? If it's not true...then why go to trouble of injuring yourself to avoid the trip today?"

Brian's voice turned stern. He was angry at Raymond for hurting himself. But this anger only came out of concern for his well being

"It's just..."

"It's just what?"

"..."

"Come on. Spit it out!"

"...wasn't enough"

"What?"

"There wasn't enough to get more tickets!"

"?!"

"Aunt Marie only had enough money for three people..."

"..."

"Sarah and Chris were looking forward to this trip for a long time"

"Oh...Ray. So you hurt yourself as an excuse to give up your spot"

"As a guest here, it's not my place to take that from them"

"Guest here..."

Brian made a deep sigh

"Geez. To think a kid your age would be worrying about our budget. When it comes to maturity, you really are just like your father"

"..."

"Raymond, you're far more than a guest"

"..."

"Raymond! Look at me when I'm talking to you!"

"?!"

"Family, that's what you are. And you should never believe otherwise"

"But..."

"No buts! This is as much your home, as it is theirs!"

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"I know that..."

"Then you should know not to do something stupid like injuring yourself!"

"I'm sorry..."

"You'd better be! Try something like hurting yourself again, and I'll knock you so hard your great grandkids will feel it!"

After reprimanding him, Brian sat next to Raymond

"...I won't"

"Haaah. When it comes to kids, it's always the smart ones that tire you out the most"

"...sorry"

"No, I'm not complaining about you. It's just...!"

"..."

"...Look...I know the move here hasn't been easy"

"...mhm"

"Even now, after it happened, none of us can even imagine what you're going through"

"..."

"But we chose to welcome you into our home because you're family. That was our choice"

Brian put his arm around Raymond's shoulder

"The moment we did that, you became a full fledged member of this household. You understand?"

"I...understand"

"Value yourself more. You should have no less self-worth than anyone else!"

"I will"

"Good! Now, you hungry? I was thinking about ordering pizza. You can watch the game with me while we wait!"

"That's way too expensive, I'll just make a sandwich after I do my homework"

Raymond stood up and staggered towards his room

"Oh come on! What did I just say about worrying about money! Hey Raymond! Hold a sec...!"

"I'm doing you a favor uncle Brian. If aunt Marie finds out you ordered pizza, your status in the house will drop even more"

"Wha?! You little! Who taught you such words?! Was it Sarah?!"

"Hehehe!"

"Get back here you little...!"

In a dark lab, a container burst open as a young man fell to the ground struggling to breathe

Gasp! Huff! Puff!

"Uhack! I-I'm...alive? Did...did it work?"

[Phase three is over. Assimilation has been completed. Congratulations Rei, you have succeeded in remaking your body]

Really? I...

Looking back at the glass container, he saw his reflection

[What are you looking for?]

"My appearance hasn't changed...good" (Rei)

[That was intended]

"But I don't feel that different Guide" (Rei)

[Perhaps a test is necessary]

"Test? How would I do that?" (Rei)

[Grab your clothes and head to the basement]

"Huh?" (Rei)

[You're still disoriented, but please try your best. This short campaign of ours is almost over]

"...Okay" (Rei)

After getting dressed, he left the lab

Sigh

[? Is something wrong?]

"...No...it's nothing" (Rei)

[...]

I really should've just eaten the damn pizza

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