Work Text:
At some point in his life, he would look back at those days and wonder how he managed to go through them without succumbing to the despair of having an empty mind.
They referred to him as the Masked Apprentice, and that was how he came to think of himself. He couldn’t remember his name, or the place where he was from, or anything about his life prior to waking up in that ship, taken by an overwhelming instinct to leave, and the certainty that he needed to get to London, no matter what.
Part of him hoped things would become clearer once he got there, but instead, he only found even more questions. There was a muted but constant feeling inside his chest, like a warning, but he couldn’t tell the reason for it, or who it was directed to—maybe that entire country.
It wasn’t different when he first met Barok van Zieks. His size and cold stare were unsettling at first, but it didn’t take long for the Apprentice to notice a subtle kindness in his words and gestures. In the three months he spent as Prosecutor van Zieks’ apprentice, he came to respect—and even admire—him, to the point of ignoring that endless warning inside his head. Barok was a good man... He wanted to believe that.
The first time he felt anything different toward someone was when that young man in black clothes entered Lord van Zieks’ office, looking at him with widened eyes, as if seeing something unbelievable through his mask. No memories, no name attached to that face... Nothing but a faint warmth in his chest, which let him know that yes, you know him; yes, he is important; yes, you should stay away from him.
The young man left, but not after glancing at the Apprentice one last time. He seemed about to say something, but stopped himself, walking out of the office without another word.
“Who...?”
His thoughts accidentally escaped his mouth, making Barok look at him. “Did you say something?”
There was no problem in asking, was there? “Who was he?”
“A Nipponese defense attorney. His name is Ryunosuke Naruhodo.” Barok furrowed his brow. “Is something the matter?”
Yes… His heart was racing, and his entire body felt cold… Yet, he had no idea of the reason why. “I don’t know.”
Barok thought briefly. “Do you know him?”
“I... don’t know.” It was frustrating how that seemed to be the only answer he could give to anything related to himself. “Ryunosuke...”
A sharp pain on the Apprentice’s head made him groan, shutting his eyes. He brought a hand to his head, trying to find something to use as support when his legs threatened to falter—which came in the form of Barok’s hand on his arm.
“What’s wrong?” Barok asked. “Are you in pain?”
“It’s nothing,” said the Apprentice.
“There is no need to hide it.”
The Apprentice hesitated for a second before answering. “My head hurts.”
Barok observed him for a moment, seeming concerned. “Does the mask not make it worse? It seems heavy.” He reached for the Apprentice’s face. “Please, allow me to…”
The Apprentice tensed up. Lord Stronghart had instructed him to never take off that mask, but… There were just him and Barok in the office. It shouldn’t be a problem, right?
He closed his eyes, allowing his mentor to carefully remove the mask from his face. As soon as he opened his eyes again, he was surprised to see Barok’s startled expression.
“Genshin...?”
That name seemed to ignite a spark inside the Apprentice’s head. Genshin... He felt as if he should recognize it, but there were no memories associated with it.
“Who is Genshin?”
In a moment, Barok’s expression went from shock to something that froze the Apprentice from inside. Yet, he didn’t avert his gaze—his need to know much stronger than his fear of the consequences.
“Who is Genshin?” he repeated.
Barok didn’t respond immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, contained—enraged. “Why are you here?”
Suddenly, that warning—which had almost gone silent around Barok—went off loudly in his head. He took a step back, only for Barok to take two in his direction, closing that distance before he could even think of running away.
“Why did you come here?” asked Barok.
“I... don’t know...”
“Stop lying!” Barok yelled, startling him. “Who are you, and why did you come here?” A brief, but heavy pause. “Did you come to finish what he started?”
Barok reached for his sword. Instinctively, the Apprentice did the same, taking a step back with his hand on the hilt. But Barok didn’t draw his weapon, gritting his teeth as he stared at his apprentice’s face.
“Leave,” he uttered under his breath. “Leave before I end your life myself.”
The Apprentice didn’t question his words, doing as he said, guided by nothing but his survival instincts—he wasn’t sure he could win a sword battle against his mentor.
He quickly left the office, reaching the streets. Only then did he realize that he didn’t know where to go. He spent most of his days in that office, or following Barok around London. Was he supposed to go back to his small apartment and stay there until he ran out of money, or until someone came after him? It certainly didn’t sound like a good option, but… What else could he do?
Suddenly, London felt way too big. Too many people, too much… everything, everywhere. All those stone buildings felt like walls closing around him, filling his chest with an overwhelming urge to leave that place.
No, I can’t leave… There is something I have to do here. Something important.
But, what was it? What should he do? Where should he even start? At least when he was working with Barok van Zieks, he felt as if he was going somewhere. But now…
“Kazuma!”
He couldn’t tell if it was the voice or the name that made his heart jump. He turned to face that person, meeting a pair of widened dark eyes. It was him… That boy in black clothes. Ryunosuke…
Before he could say anything, Ryunosuke darted in his direction, throwing himself against him, almost knocking him off balance. He clung to the Apprentice with both arms, burying his face on his chest.
“It’s you…” Ryunosuke lifted his head, looking at him. He raised his hands, cupping the Apprentice’s face, staring into his eyes. “I knew it… I knew it was you.”
It took the Apprentice a moment to realize something: his mask… It was still in Lord van Zieks’ office. Not that it mattered anymore, really… He looked at the young man before him, feeling as if he was about to remember something that was just beyond his grasp. “Do I know you?”
“Of course you do! You…” Ryunosuke interrupted himself. “Don’t tell me… you can’t remember?”
The Apprentice shook his head.
“Nothing…?” asked Ryunosuke.
“Nothing.”
Ryunosuke lowered his gaze with a saddened expression. “It must be because of that accident… You hit your head, so…” He stopped talking, shutting his eyes briefly before continuing. “We are… We’re best friends.”
Best friends… “I see… So, that’s why.”
“What do you mean?” asked Ryunosuke.
“I wanted to see you again.”
For a moment, Ryunosuke didn’t react, simply looking at the Apprentice’s face. Ryunosuke’s lips trembled, then he hugged him tightly, sobbing against his shoulder.
There was something familiar in that embrace… Something that made him feel at peace.
He followed Ryunosuke to an apartment on Baker Street. No one seemed to be home… They walked upstairs, entering a small bedroom, and Ryunosuke gestured toward the bed, sitting by his side.
“This is where I live,” said Ryunosuke. “We can talk properly here.”
The Apprentice nodded. There were many things he wanted to ask… It was difficult to even know where to begin. Before he could, however, Ryunosuke leaned in his direction, looking at his face.
“I still can’t believe it…” said Ryunosuke. “You’re really alive. You…” His voice trembled. “You’re here.”
The Apprentice nodded, a question finally coming to his mind. “Can you tell me who I am?”
“Of course. Your name is Kazuma Asogi.”
Kazuma… Yes, that name meant something to him. It wasn’t difficult to believe that he was Kazuma Asogi.
“You’re a Japanese law student,” Ryunosuke continued, “who was chosen to come here, to Great Britain. I came with you… But on our trip here, there was an accident, and…”
His voice cracked. Those words, however, brought something back to Kazuma’s mind. “Yes… On that ship.”
Ryunosuke nodded. “How did you end up here? Sholmes said…” He stopped for a moment, lowering his voice. “He said your body was sent back to Japan.”
Kazuma told him his side of the story, from when he left that ship to when he became Barok van Zieks’ apprentice.
“If only I knew…” murmured Ryunosuke. “If I knew you were alive, you wouldn’t have had to go through all that.” He clenched his fists, staring at the floor. “I don’t understand… Why would he lie about it? Why would he make me think you were dead for an entire year?”
“Who?”
“Herlock Sholmes…” said Ryunosuke. “A friend of mine. Someone I thought I could trust with my life.”
Ryunosuke looked troubled, but Kazuma didn’t know how to comfort him. Besides, his mind was a mess… So many things that seemed about to make sense, only to fade away seconds later… He needed to know more.
“Ryunosuke…” said Kazuma. “Do you know why I’m here?”
“To study, of course.”
“Is that all?”
Ryunosuke furrowed his brow, confused. “Why are you asking?”
“Lord van Zieks said something before I left…” Kazuma still remembered those words, uncharacteristically filled with hatred. “He asked me if I came to ‘finish what he started’.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know…” admitted Kazuma. “But I never saw him that angry before.”
Ryunosuke stayed silent for a while. “Kazuma… After we left Japan, you said you had something you had to do here. But that accident happened before you could tell me what it was.”
Those words filled Kazuma’s heart with dread. “Do you think it was something bad?”
“Of course not!” Ryunosuke answered immediately. “You are the kindest person I know… When I got myself into trouble, you risked your dreams and future for my sake!” He made a brief pause, lowering his gaze. “No matter what it is you need to do, I’m sure it’s not a bad thing.”
He spoke with so much certainty that it made Kazuma want to believe him. Still… “I wonder why he was so angry, then…”
“Isn’t that Prosecutor van Zieks usual mood, though?”
Kazuma shook his head. “He is usually a kind man.”
Ryunosuke slightly widened his eyes. “I see…”
He couldn’t understand why Ryunosuke sounded so surprised… But there were more important things on his mind at the moment. “Ryunosuke… Do you know someone named Genshin?”
“Genshin…?” Ryunosuke thought briefly. “I’m not sure. Why?”
The problem was, Kazuma wasn’t sure of the reason himself. Before he could try to explain, however, the doorbell rang downstairs, startling both of them.
“Ah…” Ryunosuke glanced toward the bedroom door. “I should go see who it is.”
“Should I stay here?” asked Kazuma.
Ryunosuke nodded. “I’ll be back soon.”
Kazuma watched as he left the bedroom, going down the stairs. He glanced around the room, noticing the small trinkets Ryunosuke kept around. They could probably tell him more about his friend’s personality… He had no time to pay much attention to either of them, though, since soon a familiar voice echoed on the lower floor. Without thinking, Kazuma jolted up, dashing downstairs, only to see Barok at the door, standing in front of Ryunosuke. Both of them looked at him, and, in a second, Kazuma approached Ryunosuke, pulling him away from Barok, reaching for his sword without breaking eye contact. Barok, however, didn’t do the same, simply looking at Kazuma for a moment.
“I thought you would be here,” said Barok. “There is no reason to worry, I will not harm you.” He glanced at Ryunosuke. “Either of you.”
Kazuma hesitated briefly, then let go of the hilt of his sword. Despite what had happened before, he didn’t see that man as someone who would trick his opponent to stab them in the back.
Ryunosuke looked from Kazuma to Barok, then gestured inside the apartment. “Come in… I think we need to talk.
He agreed with a nod. Ryunosuke indicated the couch, but Barok chose to stay up. “I won’t stay for long.”
“I see…” Ryunosuke took a deep breath, then met Barok’s gaze. “Prosecutor van Zieks... Do you know anything about this?”
Barok brought a hand to his face, shaking his head. “I was hoping you would be able to shed some light on the matter. Do you know him?”
“Yes...” Ryunosuke glanced at Kazuma as he spoke. “He is my best friend. I thought... I thought he died on our trip here.”
“What is his name?”
“Kazuma Asogi,” said Kazuma.
Barok lowered his gaze. “Asogi... So, I wasn’t wrong.”
“What do you mean?” asked Ryunosuke.
“Kazuma...” Barok repeated. “That’s the name of his son.”
Kazuma’s heart jumped. “Who?”
“Genshin Asogi,” he said. “A foreign student who died here ten years ago.”
Genshin.
There was a sharp pain in his head. Kazuma brought a hand to his face, a small groan leaving his lips.
“Kazuma?” Ryunosuke moved closer to him, looking at his face. “Are you alright?”
Genshin… Genshin… Something about a letter… Murderer… Genshin Asogi… Five people… Curse the Asogi name…
“Lie...” Kazuma muttered. “It’s a lie...”
“What are you talking about?”
Ryunosuke’s voice brought him back to reality. Whatever it was, had once again lost itself. Kazuma sighed, unsure if it was out of frustration or relief. “I don’t know...” he said. “There is something I should...” He made a pause, furrowing his brow. “Genshin...”
“Kazuma, don’t push yourself,” said Ryunosuke in a gentle tone.
Kazuma looked at Barok. “How did he die?”
“Sickness.”
No... He’s lying.
“How did he die?” Kazuma repeated.
Barok didn’t answer for a while. “It would be for the better if you simply accepted my answer.”
“How did my father die?”
“I cannot talk about this.”
“Answer me!”
His loud voice made Barok’s expression darken. “Or you will kill me?”
“Kazuma, stop!” Ryunosuke held his arm. “You... You’re not like this.”
Ryunosuke’s touch helped him stay calm. As angry as he was at the situation, he had no intention to harm his mentor… Despite everything, that man had been nothing but kind to him when everyone else stared with suspicion at his masked face. Still… He was hiding something.
But, why…?
“All this time,” muttered Kazuma, “I’ve been looking for something here in London. You...” He met Barok’s gaze. “You have the answers, don’t you?”
“It would be for the better if you never heard them,” said Barok.
“How could you possibly know?”
“The memories from ten years ago...” Barok made a brief pause, averting his gaze. “They are better laid to rest. If I could choose to forget them, I would.”
“It’s easy for you to say that.”
“Not as much as you may believe.”
Part of Kazuma wanted to yell at him, reach for his sword, do anything he needed to, so he could get those answers. Yet, something in Barok’s expression made it difficult for him to do any of that. His chest weighed—he was so close… Why wouldn’t Barok help him?
“Lord van Zieks…” he muttered. “Please.”
Barok kept his gaze low, a shadow of guilt covering his face. “If I told you the truth, I would be ruining your life in more ways than you can imagine. Regardless of how I feel about your father, I do not wish such a fate upon you.” He briefly closed his eyes. “Forgive me, but I will say no more.”
Kazuma didn’t say anything. He moved away from those two, sitting on the couch, burying his face in his hands.
“I know it is difficult,” Barok proceeded, “but you should go back to your homeland. Live your life, forget about him. He...” A heavy pause. “He does not deserve your pain.”
Kazuma’s chest tightened. “No… That’s a lie... My father isn’t...”
What was he even talking about…? His father wasn’t what?
Ryunosuke sat beside him, placing an arm around his shoulders. “Kazuma...”
That kind gesture only seemed to make everything hurt even more. “Why can’t I remember...?”
“Just give yourself time,” said Ryunosuke.
“I don’t have time!”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know…” He gritted his teeth. “I don’t know.”
Silence filled the room for a long while, only being interrupted by Barok’s low sigh. “Mr. Naruhodo, I’ll leave my apprentice in your care for the time being.”
“Of course,” said Ryunosuke.
Without another word, Barok walked away, leaving the apartment. Kazuma wanted to stop him, but… Why should he? What difference would it even make?
It was so frustrating…
“Kazuma…” Ryunosuke gently rubbed his back. “How are you feeling?”
Kazuma simply shook his head in response. Ryunosuke didn’t speak for a while, seeming lost in thoughts.
“About what you said before,” said Ryunosuke, “that you have something you need to do here... You want to know what happened to your father, don’t you?”
“I think so.”
“I will help you, then.” His words made Kazuma raise his head and look at him. “If we can’t convince Prosecutor van Zieks to tell us the truth, we will find it another way.” He made a pause, his expression suddenly taken by concern. “Kazuma?”
Something stronger than him made Kazuma move forward, throwing his arms around Ryunosuke’s neck, burying his face on his shoulder. Ryunosuke didn’t react for a moment, then raised his arms, pulling Kazuma closer into a tight embrace.
“It’s alright,” Ryunosuke whispered. “Everything will be alright.”
Something inside him said he could believe those words—that he could believe Ryunosuke. The warmth of those arms made Kazuma relax little by little. Best friends… Yes, he could feel there was something there… Something deep—something that made him hesitant to let go of Ryunosuke, to the point of having to force himself to do so.
Ryunosuke offered him a sweet smile, then widened his eyes, as if something had just crossed his mind. “Oh, right... I almost forgot.” He reached for his katana, offering it to Kazuma. “This belongs to you.”
A better look at that weapon seemed to awaken something in Kazuma’s head. “Karuma...?”
Ryunosuke stared at him, then widened his smile. “Did you remember something?”
Kazuma held that katana, observing it attentively. “No...” he finally said, resting it on his lap. “The name just...”
Ryunosuke reached for Kazuma’s face, touching his cheek. “But that’s a good sign, isn’t it?”
Before Kazuma could say anything, however, a dark red flush covered Ryunosuke’s face.
“Ah, sorry…” Ryunosuke pulled his hand back. “I didn’t mean to—”
Without thinking, Kazuma held Ryunosuke’s wrist. After a moment of hesitation, he pulled Ryunosuke closer, looking at his face.
“Kazuma…” Ryunosuke whispered.
It was like an old instinct… Kazuma closed his eyes, leaning forward until he finally felt Ryunosuke’s lips against his. Instead of tensing up, Ryunosuke’s entire body seemed to relax against Kazuma’s, only confirming that it wasn’t just an impression… They had done something like that before.
His warmth, his smell, the feeling of his lips… It was all too familiar, like something Kazuma had been craving for since he could remember, without even realizing it. And now… Now it was there, finally within his grasp.
Ryunosuke broke that kiss, only for long enough to whisper: “I missed you.”
Kazuma had no memories of them together, and yet, somehow, he had missed Ryunosuke too.