Silver Wish

"You seem a bit different."

Lila nervously averted her gaze. Is it that obvious? More importantly, she can't believe how shameless she was when she lost her memories. How could she..

"Is it me? Did it…"

"N--no that's not it."

Haruka cupped her cheeks. "I'm sorry if I did something wrong. Lately, they say you're not in good condition, so maybe I should refrain from touching you."

"I--I am fine."

Lila hesitantly extended her hand out. "Are you okay?"

"A little painful." He points to his shoulders. "The pain doesn't go away even though we already treated the wound."

Lila bit her lip. When she heard the story from Kiryu yesterday, she was horrified. Her petty jealousy was nothing to the pain he experienced. She also heard that the Rikka-san Haruka was with was Aizawa Mei. It took her time to even remember who that was; the woman was so insignificant like an ant in her mind.

"Can I have a look?"

She didn't look properly last night since she was emotional. For her, who just regained her memories, last night was the first time she saw her husband in so long.

"I don't mind, but you usually cry seeing the scars."

It seems even without memories; she reacted emotionally. Lila watched as Haruka took his shirt off and her first reaction was to blush. It was very stupid, but seeing his bȧrė skin made her heart race. But that innocent reaction faded when she saw the new black/grey colored bruises all over his skin. The tattoo he had altered; she now saw a large nail-like scratch mark.

Haruka brushed his fingers across her eyelids. "Don't cry again."

"B--but.."

Her thoughts broke off when he kissed her. "At some point, I stopped feeling pain, so it doesn't matter."

Stopped feeling pain?

"Lila." He mumbled against her lips. "My wife, don't cry."

Look at him trying to comfort her even though he has no memories. Hearing him affectionately call her his wife too. Her gaze fell on the scars again, gaze dimming. It seems she should no longer be lenient. Sophia did this to him. Despite the girl claiming to love Haruka, she did such a cruel thing to him. She won't let that woman escape anymore.

"Kiss. If you kiss me, I will stop crying."

...…

Lila waited until he fell asleep. It surprised her how quickly he fell asleep after kissing her. But then again, the current Haruka is a lot weaker. She reluctantly exited the room. When she saw him struggling in his sleep, Lila used her powers, and he eventually relaxed.

Kiryu grabbed her arm. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Out."

"Lila, you can't just--"

"I know I won't charge head-on. But if I stay cooped up here, how can I take action?"

Kiryu looked very troubled. He placed his hand on his forehead. "Lila, I knew you would act recklessly like this if you found out."

"It may be reckless, but how can I just stand by and allow this?" Lila didn't know the full details just yet, but she could more or less understand from Haruka's wounds.

How dare they? How dare they do something like that to Haruka? Her thoughts broke off when Kiryu staggered forward and landed in her arms.

"Kiryu?!"

"I've been so restless for so long...just give me a few minutes."

"I'm sorry." She mumbled. "I must have worried you a lot."

"Tell me about it. When Haruka came here with no memories, I was even more confused. He was in such an awful state, but he reacted to you, so I thought the best thing to do was leave you two together."

So that's how it was.

"Thank you because you did what I remembered."

Kiryu nodded and pulled away from her. Lila looked at him, puzzled. Didn't he say he needed a few minutes?

"I wonder why it isn't working on him, though. I know they tortured him, but it's not like he is emotionless now. He has gradually regained his emotions; his mental state should be fine."

"Haruka was with Rikka-san right?" Lila asked. "Perhaps she can tell us."

Kiryu nodded. "Right, but let me explain things to you. The Shinozaki that was living with Haruka is Aizawa Mei."

Lila blinked at those words. Aizawa Mei? It took her a moment to recall who that was, and she was speechless when she did. She did think there was something unusual about Rikka-san's voice, but who would have thought it was because of this.

Kiryu explains how when Rikka-san got into an accident, Sophia sent people to kidnap her and replace her with the plastic surgery Aizawa Mei.

"So I was getting jealous and acting unreasonably for nothing?" Lila concluded.

At that comment, Kiryu awkwardly looked away, and she sighed deeply. She placed her hand on her forehead. 'What on earth have I been doing?' To think she behaved so carelessly. It was because of her behavior that Haruka even got into an accident. He only rushed off to meet the fake Rikka-san because she ignored him.

This is just one of her many sins. Haruka has suffered so much since he entered a relationship with her. He even has to fight against his benefactor. Lila noted the expression on his face whenever he spoke about Zane.

'There was a time where we were very close.' Even though times have changed, Haruka most likely still saw Zane as his important friend.

But even though he feels so strongly, he still chooses to go against him for her.

"Haruka has already sacrificed too much Kiryu, so I have to do something for him."

"Your condition."

Lila closed her eyes. "I understand the state of my body very well. I can feel it eat away pieces of my soul every single time."

"Then-"

"But Kiryu, look at the state of the world right now. Everybody is suffering; the beautiful sight we once saw has turned into ashes. The skies are polluted, there are no decent homes, there are people reduced to poverty and living in the streets. The sparkling and beautiful world we once saw and that grand stage are no more." Lila trailed off. "I want to bring it back, Kiryu, that world. Hoshiko is still young. My little sister shouldn't live under such times. That girl also has a grand dream."

A deep sigh passed Kiryu's lips, and he slumped to the ground. "You are making this difficult for me. You know how worried I am, Lila."

Her gaze softened at those words. Indeed this person will always remain this way; even if they can't be together anymore, he will still love her like this. If only there was something she could do for Kiryu too. If there was a way to ease his pain, ease the pain of no longer having her, then she would do so in a heartbeat. But she can't help them both.

Right now, Haruka's condition worries her.

"Did mother take Rikka-san?"

Kiryu nodded.. "Right, you should meet her."