Silver Wish

"So, Lila, do you think I will touch you here?"

"Ah, um, no?"

That was the wrong response and the opposite of what she thought since Kiryu suddenly pinned her hands back.

"Now then, can you escape me when I'm like this?"

"Escape," Lila repeated.

"Mmmm, I know you want to. But I don't want that."

Uwaah--Uwaah? Wha? Wha? What does she do?

B--but, does she want to escape? She said she doesn't. But, when he's like this. She doesn't know how to react. Her thoughts broke off when she noticed him gradually getting closer. "Kiryu?"

In the next second, she felt a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I better stop teasing you."

"Ah, you were bullying me?"

Kiryu did not reply, but she already understood from his facial expression.

"Meanie!"

Kiryu laughed. "Don't be angry."

She puffed her cheeks and pouted as he gets off her and sits up. Lila does the same. He is always bullying her these days.

Kiryu suddenly sat up, and Lila sighed. She was going to say something when she hears a click sound. She glanced over and saw him take out a box of sparklers. Ah! She quickly goes over, and Kiryu chuckles.

"That was fast."

"I want one."

"Mm. Hold on a second." Kiryu passed her the one he had. Soon the familiar small sparks appeared.

"It's so beautiful, Kiryu!"

"Like you, my Lila."

Her cheeks redden at his words. He says that so casually. How can he say that about her? Lila did not think there was anything special about her appearance. She was pale, and her skin color looked similar to a ghost at times.

"M--My Kiryu, could you stop being so handsome?"

"Pfft, is it an issue?"

"Ah-huh, it's bad for my heart."

"Well, all that aside for now. The year has really gone by quickly, hasn't it?" Kiryu suddenly said.

"Ah, Kiryu, I just remembered something."

"Hmm?"

"Amusement park! We haven't gone yet."

"You know, I've been thinking about this since the start of the year. But you've been hinting the amusement park for a long time, why?"

Why.

She recalls what Miu said and frantically shakes her head. She can't tell him.

"That's a secret!"

"Well, a secret is fine and all. But do you want to stay overnight?"

"Um..." Lila shyly nods, "It's okay to do that?"

"It's fine. I doubt our parents really care at this stage."

"But, um, work."

"I'll handle it."

"O-okay."

"In this past year, I grew to realize how much more I love you."

"Ah, me too, Kiryu!"

She answered by instinct, but the past year huh? They've indeed gone through many trials together. So many trials and to think they ended up like this.

"When you're in that place. I'll be here, protecting the school. That's how it will be."

"Kiryu, is there anything else you want to do?"

He seemed a bit bothered that Kasumi decided things like that.

"Do you remember when I decided to return to playing the piano?"

"Ah-huh."

"They gave me a good offer. I can still attend Universal S, but, they will give me the same privileges, lessons as those in the elite music school. In that place, there are all sorts of people; it's an international program. Ever since I received the offer and paid a visit, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it."

"....."

Oh, that look in his eyes.

He's always been like this, from the very beginning. Kiryu always thinks about others before himself. From now on, he'll show that kindness more openly, but it will surely hurt him.

"My Kiryu, I have a request."

"Hm?"

She leans forward and whispers in his ear.

"You know, we're both going to get in trouble if they find out."

"It's okay, Kiryu! We can do it."

Kiryu laughs. "Well, it does sound interesting, and I do like the idea that I'd have an excuse to go see you. I already have loads anyway. But one more, that even benefits me, helps too."

Ah, she knew it.

"Kiryu, I'm sorry. Because of me, you--" her sentence fell short when she notices the sparkler shine fall, and Kiryu's gentle hand was on her cheek.

"Mm, very pretty."

"....."

Lila is speechless and embarrassed. Whenever Kiryu touches her, she always feels strange. Even if it is just her cheek, his hands are so warm; it's so comfortable. Kiryu smiles, and suddenly let's go. She felt cheated since it was only for a short while, but then he points to his ŀȧp.

Ah! They can get closer!!! Lila immediately rushes over and sits, Kiryu wraps a purple blanket over her, and she laughs softly. He really is prepared. He must have known that she wanted to spend some time with him, alone, after the show was over.

"Kiryu, it feels like I lost to you."

"Mm? But, we got the same score, didn't we?"

And yet, even then. Lila, understands full well that she can't match Kiryu. She can still improve.

"I understand. But, you'll improve and be better than me in no time."

"It's not that I want to beat you Kiryu, I just want us to be equal."

"Equal, eh?"

Hearing Kiryu's sudden seductive tone, Lila is on her guard, and she's right to be. When she feels his lips graze her neck. Wahhh, wahhh, what is he doing now? Can't he stop being silly for even a few moments? It's bad for her heart.

"I want that too. I want us to be equal. Whether it's music or anything else, I want us to continue getting closer and closer. To learn more about each other."

...' the two of you, surely share the same feelings.' Her mother's words echoed in her head.

That's right, mother said it too.

"En, okay!!!"

Who would have thought that Kiryu would want that too? But ah."Kiryu, Kiryu, I want you to promise me something else."

"Before that, don't you think your being unfair?"

"Unfair?" Lila repeated, confused.

"I want to ask you for a request too."

Lila looks back at his expression and laughs. He is sulking, almost like a little child. "Aha."

"Don't laugh, I've been seriously holding it back." Kiryu sighed.

"Um, so your request is..."

"Before you leave, let's have a concert together."

Lila tilted her head, confused for a moment. "A goddess4 and god5 one?"

"No."

"Um, then, top-ranking members." She looked at him, puzzled. Why is he saying no? She says a few more things, but Kiryu kept shaking his head.

Kiryu flicked her forehead. "Silly girl, I said together. Meaning just us two."

A concert with Kiryu. Her eyes widened. It seems like they thought of the same thing.

"Kiryu, it really must be telepathy."

"Huh?"

Lila explains how she already booked a venue and made the arrangements a month before, and he looks at her in disbelief.

"-How did you...? Or rather, when I said all that about the piano school. And the program..."

Laughter escapes her lips, "How long do you think I've known you, Kiryu? I know everything, just by looking at you. It was a revelation! We both have to make our new dreams come true."

After all, if it weren't for him, she would not have made it this far. It was only because they were together.

She leans forward and lightly kisses his lips, cheeks red with embarrassment. "I want to see a grand future with you."

"The future?"

"A peaceful future. With no distinction of rank, blood. A place where everyone can be happy, but even I understand the existence of conflict cannot disappear completely." Lila shyly plays with her fingers. "So, um, in that future...I want us two to be ...at the center."

After the discussion with mother earlier, what she had been holding back was finally unleashed. Her thoughts break off when he intertwines their hands, "That sounds nice, a future with you."

"Kiryu, don't just pay attention to that part."

"I know."

"You know, this is my favourite time of day. You can't see them usually. But they're always there. The stars fade away, and morning comes, telling you that there's no need to worry. That everything will be alright. I can feel people's no your kindness and warmth in the stars. I love you, Kiryu."

"I lost."

"Eh?"

"I know it's like you, but still. This time, I lost to you."

She tilts her head in confusion, and Kiryu turns her around. He cups her cheek, "I lose, Lila. What do you want as a reward?"

"Kiryu?"

"Correct answer."