Silver Wish

After that, his mother didn't say anything, and they silently watched until Eita-san finished treating Lila. Thankfully her injuries were not as bad as he thought, and so he could take her back. The only one who was awake was Kotori. Kiryu knew she would be waiting up for them. She always does this, ever since the time he took her away from the hospital.

"Lila-chan, do you think her memories will ever return?" Kotori asked once they put Lila in her room.

"I asked about it, and they told me to give it time. It was caused by her deliberately forgetting not an external factor so--"

"Still, her condition worries me. She only remembers things at night and ends up with violent nightmares. There has to be a reason for that."

"Kotori, have you seen-"

Kotori shook her head. "I thought the same, maybe if we brought the child here."

"Tomorrow, go with Nobu and find him."

"But how do we-"

"I will explain it to her." Kiryu trailed off once he saw the dark circles under her eyes. He frowned as he extended his hand out. "Have you not been getting enough sleep?"

"Lately, I have had a hard time sleeping."

"Since we came to New York?" Kiryu immediately understood. Naturally, she does not want to go back here after what happened before. They came here in a rush after hearing the news regarding Haruka, but he should have been more considerate. "Sorry, but I didn't want to leave you behind."

It did cross his mind then, but in the end, he still chose to take her along.

Kotori shook her head. "It is alright. I would have been uneasy if you just left me behind like that."

"Then I-"

"No. You go take care of Lila-chan and stay beside her. It would be bad if she has another attack, right?"

"Kotori.."

"Now I've seen you both, and I will go back to sleep. If Lila-chan gets hungry, I make some extra food and leave it in the fridge, also take these drinks." She pointed to the two mugs on the counter. "Hot chocolate will warm up your chilled body."

"Thank you."

Kotori nodded, and with those words said, the girl rushed off. Kiryu sighed deeply. If it weren't for him, this girl could have continued to live a everyday life, but because he got close to her, she ended up in that unfortunate accident. The reason he lost control and attacked Kotori that day was most likely due to Rosalia. She is the one who set everything up.

It's because Kotori got close to him and because Rosalia knew how special the girl was to Lila. Whenever he sees her, he always feels guilty, but he knew it only made the girl feel worse, so he pretends to be normal.

But since it is her, Kiryu figured that she already knew. Initially, when he got close to her, it was because Lila wanted them to be friends. Others around him said that Lila is trying to set them up together, but Kiryu knew her intentions were pure. Lila would never do that.

After getting to know Ayase Kotori, he reconfirmed those thoughts. It seems like she has terrible luck with men and always ends up falling in love with terrible people. It looks like one of those awful men was Haruka too.

Despite Haruka being that way, Kiryu understood why so many people like Lila and Kotori would fall for him. At the end of the day, that guy is a nice person.

No matter how cruel he makes himself out to be, those who genuinely have feelings for him can tell those who observe him.

Kiryu took the tray of drinks from the side and opened the door to Lila's room. To his surprise, the girl was wide awake; she had a blanket wrapped around her and was staring at the sky through the window.

"You can't sleep?"

"I feel restless."

Kiryu's gaze fell on the clock. In a few minutes, she will regain some of her memories again. If he is lucky, she won't have a panic attack today, but he never has such good luck.

He took a deep breath and walked over to where she was. Kiryu hesitated but sat down beside her. "I will be here."

In the past, such words would have made Lila very happy, but he knew it was all empty now.

"A few years ago, I met your Mother. During our first year in middle school, before I went abroad."

Lila turned to him then. Her gaze still seemed empty, but unlike before, she paid attention.

"I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you. It was by no means arranged. But an accident. At that time, I was getting ready to go abroad; before then, they sent me away to spend two weeks in Tokyo. Nobody told me the reason why, but I had my duties there. During one of the times I was taking a break, I found myself aimlessly walking around and found her at the central park.

She was alone, and at first, I simply watched her. She didn't seem to notice me either, and I was fine with leaving it that way. Perhaps it was because I was running a bad fever, I desperately searched again, but it wasn't until the day I had to leave before she came to find me. She looked like a complete mess and, unlike the first time, distressed. Then, she told me to give you a gift."

"Gift?"

"The music box you like. She apologized for not coming to see me and how she wanted to take care of me while I was sick. But, 'I wanted to make this for her. Please, make sure she always has it on her.' It wasn't until that incident that I understood what it was for. Didn't it protect you?"

He watched as recognition appeared in her eyes and continued.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry."

"Ah? Um, don't apologize. I get it."

"Lila, don't hate me. The reason why she approached me here despite all her convictions is, that time I almost killed a person."

"You got hurt, Kiryu?!!! Hurt? Where?"

Seeing her frantic and suddenly examining him, his eyes go wide. That's her reaction? He just said those things about her mother. But, right now, she appears genuinely more concerned about his injuries?

Why is this girl always like this? Towards him, she's always so forgiving. No matter what he does. There is so much love in her actions and words, and there is love solely for him.

Kotori is right; perhaps Lila still has feelings for him.. But even if that is the case, he can't do anything about it.