Silver Wish

When Kiryu heard those words, he felt his body turn cold, and he trembled. How come? How come? Rosalia told him that as long as he complied with her rules, then his family and Lila wouldn't get hurt. This is the reason why he stayed away from them, the reason he left without explaining. So what is this?

"I don't know what deal you made, Kiryu, but they broke their promise."

So all his efforts this entire time were useless?

"Kiryu, tell me everything now. You went over to their side and helped them, didn't you?"

"I did. But I--"

"I am not going to reprimand you." Eita trailed off. "I would have done the same if your mother was on the line. No, I already did."

"Huh?"

Eita sighed. "One of the main reasons why this went out of control is because I was on their side for a while."

Kiryu couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Is that why their research--"

"I didn't volunteer to help with that. I only joined as a medic, but I didn't help out with the research."

"But just now-"

"They stole some of his research." A new voice interjected. It was his mother, and she returned to the room with two mugs in her hands.

Eita quickly left the monitor area and went over. "Are you still feeling sick?"

Kiryu blinked when he heard those words. "Wait, is she pregnant again?"

"I miscarried the child last year. I fell down the stairs." Asuka mumbled. "But recently..."

"Old man, what are you thinking of during these times?"

What if the infection spreads? The old man is a doctor seeing many patients even now. He is around the infected more than anybody else.

"I don't want to hear it from you." Eita pointed to Lila, and Kiryu flinched.

'I shouldn't have left obvious markings.' But he couldn't help it.

"This isn't the time to argue." Asuka said. "That person is very dangerous, and she is strong."

Not the nicest combination; if mother is saying that Sophia is strong, then it isn't like Rosalia's borrowed strength. Rosalia is only strong because Zane enhanced her ability. The real dangerous one is that woman.

"Shichiro found evidence that Haruka is alive. Can you confirm it?" Kiryu took something out of his pocket. It was the cloth Shinozaki Rika dropped.

Eita examined the fabric and frowned. "If he is alive, then he must be half dead."

"Eita."

"Also, this smell, they must be doing all sorts of tests on him. This is not good at all."

Asuka looked over at Lila. "It must be harsh on her. Kiryu, what happened to her child?"

Kiryu knew there was no longer any need to hide anything, so he explained everything from the beginning.

"Unusual growth? Like what Mamorus son has?"

Kiryu shook his head. "I thought that too, but he keeps reverting back to different ages. One day he will be his normal age; the next, he will be five or seven."

"It must be the infection," Eita concluded. "I know Lila is safe from the infection, but not the child. The child does not have any of the Queen of darkness or the Queen of the worlds ability."

He frowned when he heard those words. He did think as much, but these people know everything already. If he stayed put instead of wandering off, perhaps he would have learned the news too.

"So is the child normal-?"

"No, from what you said there, he has extraordinary powers. It probably came from Karashima."

"Kiryu, do you know what ability Karashima Haruka has?"

"I think Lila would know, but-" Kiryu paused, and the two immediately understood.

With Lilas current state where her memories would fluctuate, Kiryu doubted they would get any answers.

"So the kid right now?"

"Last I saw him, and he was nine. Up till now, he hasn't gotten any older, but if he rushed off on his own, maybe he is a teenager now." Or at least in an age where he can think for himself.

"We should locate him." Eita pointed to the fabric. "This is good evidence but not enough. I am sure his child can detect him better than we can."

Kiryu hesitates to ask what they would do if they found Haruka. He knew there were many people who blamed the man for what happened. He saw the hostile reactions towards Lila, let alone the man actually involved.

Eita didn't reply and went back to where Lila was, and he turned to his mother, who suddenly hugged him tightly.

His eyes widened, surprised at this action. His mother is not the affectionate type. She is stoic, cold, and cool, but right now, he felt nothing but warmth from her.

"We will save your friend and save you too, Kiryu."

"It's already over for me. I won't last long." Kiryu muttered. He looked over at Lila. "I know it is the same for her too."

But he has already found a way to help Lila.

"So you think if you sacrifice yourself, Lila will be happy?"

It does not surprise him that his mother knew. After all, she is his mother; at the end of the day, the same blood ruins through their veins. She is the second person who knows him this well. The first would still be Lila.

But even Lila didn't realize that he said those words for her sake. "I do."

If he disappears from her life for good, then she can finally be happy with Haruka. Kiryu knew that even now, Lila couldn't forget him, forget the relationship they had. He knew that she still has feelings; otherwise, why would she have left Haruka in New York and go to Star town? She only behaved that way because of him.

"It hurts, mother," Kiryu admitted. "I don't want to keep doing this anymore, and it is very painful for me. I love Lila so much, and I care for Haruka.. I treasure the two more than anything in this world; that is why I want them to smile, I want them to be happy."