Silver Wish

Lila already figured that there was a reason why her mother spent so long in New York before, but now she understood the entire reason. Kiryu led her to an old yet decent-looking manor at the edge of town.

A friendly-looking old lady seemed delighted when she heard she was mother's daughter and brought her to the lounge area. 'All the residents in this place are people mother rescued.'

Mother is truly amazing; even during a situation like this, she can save people. But what about her? She can't even clear up the bad rumors regarding her husband, let alone save another life. The current her is powerless, but she will not allow that to continue.

The first thing first is to help Haruka; to do that, she needs to understand better what happened in the last few months.

Her thoughts broke off once she spotted a woman with long brunette hair entered the room. It took Lila a moment to recognize her, but after their eyes met, she immediately understood.

'Her hair has grown, and also her eyes it looks like she has suffered just as much as Haruka.'

No, the frightening thing here is her hair color. It is no longer the same bright shade of brown but a dusty brown color. Kiryu told her that Aizawa Mei had been impersonating her this entire time, so those people kidnapped Rikka-san much earlier than Haruka.

Rikka awkwardly walked over, and Lila noticed something. The girl looked like she was struggling to walk. Her gaze fell on the woman's feet and saw the dark markings on her legs.

Lila's gaze darkened when she saw the wounds. She thought she had already prepared for the worst-case scenario, but this was too much. Kiryu briefed her on Rikka-san's mental state during the few days after the rescue.

'We had to call Sumire-san over a lot because none of us could get near her.'

If Haruka had his memories, perhaps he could have helped. Exactly what did they experience? She needs to hear everything.

Even after Rikka sat on the couch, neither of them spoke. Lila didn't know how to face her. The last time they spoke properly, well, it wasn't a very pretty sight. No, ever since she met Shinozaki Rikka, she was always on edge and acted very unsightly.

"You remember?" Rikka is the first one to break the silence.

"Just last night." Lila trailed off. "You were with him then, right?" She carefully chose her words. She didn't want to make it sound like she was jealous. But perhaps her tone came out as bitter since Rikka suddenly kneeled on the ground.

"Wh--what are you doing?" Lila said, startled.

"I'm so sorry...please don't blame him. He indeed slept with me, but in that situation….we were powerless I-Im-"

"Please get up, don't apologise."

'Or rather, her legs are clearly in bad condition.'

"Rikka-san, it's okay. It wasn't your fault." Lila ȧssured her.

No matter how shameless Rikka acted in the past. Lila learned that the woman would never actually do anything. She only led Haruka on to see if he had any more feelings for her, to test him.

Once she found out that there was nothing left but guilt, even Rikka-san would have stopped. This is why, unlike she never stopped Haruka from meeting her like she did with Aizawa Mei or Sophia. A part of her already understood that this person isn't b.ad.

"No, it was because of me because I couldn't let him go. Sophia thought she could use me and she did."

"Please tell me what happened in detail." Lila helped Rika get up and even sat beside her on the couch. Upon closer inspection, Lila noticed how skinny and pale she was.

"...they made me watch every time they tortured him and, every time somebody violated me, they made Haruka watch. They made him feel powerless and guilty. They even sent people after you repeatedly and purposely showed them traces that you were hurt. They instilled fear in his mind that he could do nothing while he was there. They stirred him on and said they would get a group of guys to treat you even worse than they did me."

Lila didn't know what to say.

"Lila-san I really am sorry. Haruka never wanted to."

She shook her head. "Please stop blaming yourself. It doesn't hurt anymore. Do you remember what happened back then? That time he mistook you for me when he was drunk?"

"Yes.."

"I was hurt then, but at the same time, I could not bring myself to leave him. Even though I was the one who said if he cheated, I would leave immediately, I couldn't do it. Deep down, I understood, this man will never do anything that would hurt me."

"He really loves you," Rikka mumbled. "Haruka had the power to escape that situation. He could have just left me behind. But then he said to me that Lila would never forgive him for abandoning somebody like that."

Indeed she said those words to him.

"Even when they tortured him and stirred him on, he did not get angry even once. He told me that as long as he stayed put, they would not chase you; he knew they were bluffing just to make him mad."

Lila clenched her fists when she heard those words. Again it is because of her. Perhaps she should never have shown Haruka kindness. If she didn't, he would never have gotten captured, and even if he did, he would have broken free immediately.

But because she showed him the kindness and beauty of the world, he sacrificed himself to help Rikka-san, to help her.

"It's enough; it's enough. I already understand. Haruka loves only you. I had my chance; that's why Lila-san, please do not leave him. Do not abandon him."

This woman truly loves Haruka. If she had returned to Kiryu, these two would have probably sorted out their differences and gone out again. In another future, perhaps that could have happened.

She took a deep breath before pulling the woman into a hug. Rikka seemed startled. "Lila-san?"

"I truly am sorry for my past behavior. Even though I knew you were different. I still gravely misunderstood you. I regret all of that now."