Silver Wish

'Even if it means sacrificing my own life. I will transfer my life force to save Haruka.' The resolution and conviction behind her eyes then were apparent. So even if she is saying all this about still having lingering feelings, Kiryu knew that nothing else would come out of this conversation.

He took a deep breath as he looked at her seriously. "There is no doubt that I still love you, Lila."

The feelings he has for had increased even more after their break up. Even though he could not see her as often as before, his feelings for her would increase whenever they met.

"Then-"

"But you know I am not the type of person to break up a good relationship. You and Haruka may have had issues, Lila, but they were not problems that you could not overcome together."

He recalled the conversation he had with Kotori and continued. "I think deep down you understand that too. Whenever you watch those videos and see the photographs, you start crying. Deep down, the feelings are still there even if you do not have any memories."

Lila slumped her face in his ċhėst. "But then, Kiryu, what about you?"

His eyes widened when he heard those words. So it is not like she didn't understand. It is more like she had a great understanding of her feelings. But when she realized that she couldn't be happy because then where would that leave him.

"Me? I will love you forever and watch over you from afar. Well, I might have a hard time attending your wedding ceremony and watch you walk down the aisle for another man, but I will get over that in due time."

Lila hits him lightly. "It is unfair. I should at least be able to give you this time since I have no memories. But you're right. I can't do this. I still don/t remember my husband well, but my heart cries out for him. I can tell I have very deep feelings for him. Even if it is unfair for you."

Kiryu's gaze softened when he heard those words. It seems she struggled hard before making this decision. That is why even though it hurts, he truly has to let her go. The moment they find Haruka, he will let her go. Before then, there is still time for him to settle his feelings.

The two of them did not return to the kitchen and simply sat down on the ground deep in thought.

Eventually, Lila broke the silence and asked a few more questions regarding Haruka. Now that it has gotten to this point, Kiryu no longer saw the need to hide things. Besides, he checked on that flower that Atsuro-san gave her; the last petals have almost fallen. When that happens, she will remember everything from the past year.

He still wanted to tell her to see how the current her without memories would react. To his surprise, he saw the tears in the girl's eyes. Kiryu extended his hand out to wipe her tears away.

"H--hey Lila?"

"O-h, I'm sorry. I just-"

"The whirlpool of sound overflows. I reach out a hand

I find you drowning.

"I've missed you all this time."

"I'm glad I met you."

"I've missed you, I've missed you."

"I'm glad I met you."

Let us end our days of fighting alone

Let us take hold of this sound flowing forth

"Together"

My aim is the moonlight I see faintly in the distance

I take your hand and stomp my feet; the light points the way

Let us softly kiss this patchwork of music notes

As long as you're here

I can make it." Lila sang.

Kiryu paused when he heard her singing. Quite some time has passed since he last heard her sing. He knew Lila refrained from singing because she knew what power her voices posses. She does not want to attract the forces of darkness. But for the first time in so long, she is singing, and the reason being Haruka.

"I wonder if Ichinose will appreciate you singing his song for somebody else."

"Che, should I sing the song you wrote for me for Haruka then?"

"Oi, don't do that." Kiryu genuinely felt offended, and the girl laughed.

"But Ichinose songs aren't?"

"Mm, senpai wrote me those songs so I can breathe. It wasn't specific; it depended more on my current feelings."

So that means in the past, when she sang those songs, it was for him, huh? A deep sigh passed his lips. Even though he understood already, it still doesn't stop his frustration.

A long time ago, though, she sang this same song for him.

He remembers it clearly, how she sang for Ichinose, but somehow it ended up being for him.

…

The Year 20

"Kiryu, Kiryu! I let out such a pretty voice. Ah, next time when we perform together, I can sing using this pretty voice." The excitement had yet to leave her; he could see that much from her bright colored eyes and her unusual amount of energy.

Why did she run to him?

He felt her gentle hand on his cheek, and the crowd around them was watching in awe.

"My Kiryu? Um um! Would you mind telling me your opinion? Ah, was it not good? But I thought it went well. "

Hearing her pretty voice, so close to him and even her scent is driving him crazy.

Kiryu grabs hold of her hand and takes her backstage. Once, they were finally alone. He pulls her into his arms. His Lila.. Even though she just sang for another person. She still came back to him.

It's like that with Karashima. Lila still returned to his side. How is it possible? Is he dreaming?

'Even after all that, you are telling me that Lila still loves me? Really? I still the one? Why? He doesn't get this at all. Why is it him? Is she crazy? Even though she's able to sing with such a voice when it comes to Ichinose. Isn't music the most important thing to her? How come she ran to me?'

..

Kiryu's thoughts broke off when Lila suddenly mentioned Haruka's name.

"I want to remember Haruka as soon as possible. I feel like there was something I never got around to telling him. I want to remember and then search for him."

Even though she cried at the possibility of him being dead and broke down, it seems something has changed.

"I do." Lila nodded. "I do not understand these emotions very well, and with my memory in this state, it is hard to express how I feel. But I can confirm one thing. For that person who has sacrificed so much to be with me, I want to be able to convey these deep feelings that linger even when I have no memory. Do you think he will appreciate it?"

'What a stupid question.'

"Haruka will appreciate everything about you, not just your words but other things."

At that comment, Lila's cheeks colored, and she laughed. "Uh right, from the stories you told me, it seems he is very needy." She trailed off. "Did I do such bold things?"

Kiryu rolled his eyes. "Are you going to ask that?"

"I truly have no memory of it!"

There was a time where she got embarrassed and shy like this whenever he did anything intimate with her. But that is no longer the case now. All of these things will remain in his memories, but she will gradually bury them away for Lila.

She may still have something lingering now, but it will not last long. The importance in his heart will diminish.

This is fine; he should be satisfied with this.