Silver Wish

Meanwhile, back at the manor, two people sat in the lounge.

Kiryu's gaze fell on his visitor and offered him a cup of coffee, but the blonde-haired man shook his head. "You look exhausted. You should stay over here."

This person sitting on the sofa across from him is Kanehera Kouta.

"I still can't, Yumeko."

"Kanehera--"

Kouta clenched his fist. "Where could they be? I looked all over. They aren't in Star Town Kiryu-san. There are no abnormal space dimensions there. But here in New York, there are plenty of blind spots."

"Is that why you came?"

Kouta looked towards the door. "I want to ask about Lila."

"I see."

"Is she well?"

"I'm sure you received word about her losing her memories?"

"I am not too concerned about that. You see, Kiryu-san, I watched those two for a long time. Even though Karashima-san frustrated me and we didn't see eye to eye. I could see how much Lila liked him. So even without memories, if those two were to meet, she would behave naturally."

'So even Kanehera can say something like that.' Then again, this person was by Lila's side during her journey. He probably saw something he didn't.

One of the things he has learned is that Lila and Haruka only really had issues when they returned to Star Town.

"I came here today to discuss something with you. It was something I only learned about recently. It seemed like that stupid sister of mine, after helping you out that time started to investigate something." Kouta pulled out some photographs from a white envelope. "Have you ever seen this place before?"

Kiryu looked at the photographs carefully. There, in the center of a forest, was an old-looking abandoned clock tower. "No, should I have?"

"It seems whenever Yumeko performed on stage with Lila, she would get a visual image of this place. Like the stage would transform to the rooftop of the clocktower. After looking at her notebook, I noticed how she made a connection between the tower, Lila's powers, and the enemy movements."

"In other words, the enemy is searching for this place too?"

Kouta nodded. "If I thought about it carefully, during the time she was performing in Light Town as Kiku Ari, there was always a disturbance. Anybody could have slipped in during those chaotic times."

Kiryu looked at the photograph carefully. 'I have never seen such a thing while performing with Lila before. But, perhaps--' He turned to Kanehera.

"What about you?"

"Huh?"

"To be exact, what about RAY?" Kiryu referred to the man's group. "You guys performed together at the festival. Did you see anything then?"

'This guy can be loud despite his small size.'

"Now that you mention it…."

"Then let's say your sister was onto something. I think this phenomenon only happened to those who performed with Lila in Light town."

"So that means the Dream star contes-" Kouta's gaze darkened. "Is that why they took them?"

Kiryu nodded. "It seems to be the case."

"Then right now."

"They must be trapped in another dimension. It's like what we thought originally, but this time we know why they are held captive. They do not want to risk recreating that phenomenon since it will interfere with their plans." Kiryu trailed off. "Since ancient times, music has held a powerful influence in society. The power of songs over time has proven to be a powerful weapon."

"With Lila's powers, too, it becomes even more of a threat. Then why don't they just get rid of the others?"

"I think it is more to do with the fact that they can't. I noticed this when your sister helped me before, but there is something special about her."

Moreover, Kiryu doubted that those people would leave them be. Even as he thinks this, they are most likely attacking the dome.

"You should tell that to Hamano too."

Kouta sighed. "That guy is like a zombie right now, ever since Iwa Kasumi vanished."

Right Kasumi, Kiryu recalled that letter. "I think Kasumi found them."

"I also think the same. But if Iwa Kasumi is with Yumeko and the others, what about the other two? What happened to Kira Maaya and Kusaji Rinna?"

At that comment, a complicated look appeared on his face. "This entire time, I thought they were together with Kasumi. But what if they tricked us into believing that?"

"I agree. Actually Kiryu-san has been traces of Kira Maaya. We are unsure if it is really her, though. If it is, shouldn't she have contacted somebody?"

His eyes widened at that sudden revelation. "You found-"

"Takehiro said that when he was in the market gathering information, somebody was stirring an argument with a merchant. Takehiro went over to ease the situation, but he recognized her immediately when he saw who the other party was. It seemed the girl recognized him too since she rushed off very quickly."

"Take me there."

..

The place Kouta brought him to was one of the remaining functioning markets in New York. There appeared to be a tall barrier hovering in the edges, most likely to keep the infected out. The only downside was the security point. It was so easy to go through.

It wouldn't surprise him if a half-infected person slipped in here, but he can save that concern for another time.

There stood a man with spiky red hair, deep midnight-colored eyes wearing a red-colored cloak. "Hey Kouta, Kiryu-san!"

"Takehiro, I said you didn't have to wait."

"Right, right, but I feel like I should explain what happened in more detail. I spoke with the merchant. She was arguing, and several people overheard our conversation. It seems Kira Maaya has been going around gathering rare medical herbs. They said she has plenty of money, but occasionally she would end up getting snappy at the merchants for the price."

Maaya was gathering medical herbs? But that girl has no interest in medication.

"Has anybody seen where she goes off too?"

Kiryu's eyes widened. "Is that hole perhaps-"

Kouta nodded. "It's probably one of the spaces. I don't think this is the one Yumeko is in, but perhaps-"

The blonde didn't have to finish his sentence. Kiryu already knew where he was getting at. Perhaps this hole is where Haruka is. Then maybe the reason why Maaya hasn't contacted them is because of this.

He clenched his fist. It seems like they are getting more clues, but Kiryu doubted that they could just march in.

"Thank you for the lead. You two can return searching for the participants." Kiryu knew they only stumbled on this by coincidence. It would be too much to ask them to investigate it further.

Kouta seemed like he was going to help, but the redhead shook his head. "Remember Yumeko, Maika and Ruka-chan. We can't stop." Takehiro seemed desperate as he said those names.

"Then Kiryu-san, we will be in touch."