Silver Wish

Those were the last words before the recording ended, and Lila fell to the ground. Her heart so much due to the knowledge of her friend's passing but even more than that.

'Please be happy.'

Yori always knew from the very moment they met again. Her friend always knew that the one she loved was Haruka. Even when her feelings were a mess, and she was trying to figure things out, Yori knew that all she wanted was to be happy with Haruka.

"Mikami-kun, meet up with Kouta-kun and head back to Japan. Go to my mother, and I am sure she can secure a path for you." Lila instructed as she walked over to him. "You have to do well."

If Ray fails, it will be hard for Yumeko and the others to return. Lila knew with Kasumi's personality; she didn't just say that to appease Mikami; only RAY can open up the path for their return.

Her thoughts broke off when Mikami suddenly pulled her into a hug.

"I have always wanted to thank you for taking care of Kasumi, no for making her smile. I was the one who caused her to suffer in the first place, so it may be strange to say this but thank you for being her friend. I will make sure she gets back to you safely."

Her gaze softened when she heard his words. This person and Kasumi are more alike than they think. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"I think you forgot something, but you're also my friend. I want you to return unharmed too. Please stay safe, Mikami-kun, and thank you."

"Are you thanking me?"

"Mm, when I first went to Light town, there were many things I did not understand. But you stood by my side and patiently explained things. You didn't question my decisions, but you offered me sufficient advice. Because of that, I was able to convey my feelings to Haruka."

"Heh, you know that caused me a lot of trouble. Let me tell you now. I was always unsure if I should have pushed you to senpai's side. But once I saw the two of you together chatting and laughing happily together, I realized those thoughts were unnecessary." He stopped hugging her and kneeled down.

"Terashima Lila, from this moment onwards, I swear an oath of loyalty."

Her eyes widened when she heard those words.

'An oath of loyalty is similar to what they did in the past when a knight swore an oath to protect their master.'

There is a similar tradition with hanyous. Up till now, Lila did not think to imprint her mark on anybody because she did not want to bind anyone. However, for Mikami-kun to say this must mean he has thought it through.

Lila placed her hand on his forehead, and a bright light appeared from her palm and soon surrounded Mikami. She closed her eyes and mumbled a few words before opening them again. There was a small mark on his forehead. It was a mark only certain people would be able to see.

'With this, people should rethink before attacking him. It will keep him safe.'

….

When Mikami-kun left, Kotori and Kiryu moved Rinna to a guest room. Lila remained in the living room sat on the couch with a dazed expression on her face.

'That information was a lot to take in.'

The death of her friend and everything Kasumi and Yumeko discovered. The thing Yumeko is working on is, 'My husband should know what it is.' It would be nice to get more details, but that would mean restoring his memories. She does not want to resort to that.

Yori worked so hard to protect everyone, no to protect Yumeko. Yori must have known something about what Yumeko and Haruka were doing.

'There were signs before, but instead, I focused on my jealousy.' That time where Haruka suddenly started acting kinder to Yumeko. Yori kept saying that she shouldn't jump to conclusions. Hah, really, what on earth was wrong with her?

If she truly trusted Haruka, she wouldn't have been so paranoid. The truth is a part of her has always doubted him.

'I doubted his feelings and his love for me.' That was why when another woman appeared remotely close to him, she would become jealous.

She did not doubt his feelings because of the bad rumors surrounding him; in fact, it was the opposite. Because of those rumors, she trusted him more. She got a glimpse of the world he has lived in and understood that doubting him for those things would make it worse.

But she found it hard to believe that he loved her so much, loved somebody like her. She has always doubted her self-worth as a human being, not so much as her mother did. But there was still something there—a seed of doubt and loathing towards herself.

How could Haruka like somebody like her?

Her thoughts broke off when she heard the sound of somebody pulling up a chair behind the couch. Lila did not have to turn around to know it was Kiryu.

"What about Kotori-chan?"

"She decided to take care of Rinna. She also called your mother, so I am sure she will be here soon."

"I see."

"You're not going to say anything?"

Lila sighed deeply. "What can I say? Kasumi already said everything. But Kiryu, you also knew already, didn't you? What Rosalia gave you wasn't medication but poison."

"Yeah."

He admitted that far too easily.

"Before this, I spoke with Haruka, and I strengthened my resolve more. Kiryu, I want you to give up on me."

"Hah, you finally said it."

"Mm, it took me a long time."

Not once since they broke up did she tell Kiryu to give up on her; she said it indirectly. But she has never directly told him. However, now that it has come to this. No a part of her already knew a long time ago; they can't return to how things were.

"We only dated for a year, but we both had feelings for each other for so long. So while the other years weren't official, those memories with you are ones I will treasure forever."

"You know I already knew you would say this." Kiryu trailed off. "This is probably one of the reasons why I left and said those cold words to you. I thought if I distanced myself from you, then everything would work out."

"You mean dying?" Her tone turned cold when she said those words. "I can't believe you thought that was a good idea."

"You know how things are, Lila. We don't exactly have the time or luxury to be picky about our methods." Kiryu trailed off. "The day after we broke up, no, the day you left for Star town. I was searching for a way to get rid of your illness, no your curse. I wanted to find a way for you to survive. After looking for a long time, I finally found the answer.. If I die, then you could take my powers, and it will stabilize your ability."