Inner fears

"Lila. You're very weird."

"I'm weird, Kiryu?"

"Yes, very."

"Well, it's not like I didn't know about it already."

Huh? It has weighed heavily on his mind this entire time, and she knew already? And she hasn't been acting differently at all?

"Ah um, it's not like I knew exactly. But, at some point when you were abroad. A guy covered in injuries would drop by and apologize. I didn't know it was for you at first and thought father did something. However, he started writing several letters and said to give them to you. I opened them, and they all expressed their heartfelt apology and gratitude for saving his girlfriend from him."

"Even though I did that. Why would you…"

"Evidence aside. I love you Kiryu, I'll believe anything you say."

For a moment, he froze when he heard her admit that she loved him but quickly realized something. The only reason she can say that easily is because he admitted the truth to her recently. The current Terashima Lila may have feelings for him, but the most important thing for her is to search for the feelings she has lost.

"Isn't that too careless?"

"Ah-huh, probably. But, even if I didn't find that guy loitering around, and you told me, I'd say the same thing. How to put it, Kiryu? You were the first person to accept me for who I was. Even back in front of Mother and Ren-san, I always held something back. It weighed down in my mind that something's wrong. This isn't right, and before I could tell them, they both left. Even if we met at a different time or different place, it would still be you for me, Kiryu."

"Are you cheering me up or confessing?"

"Aha." She laughed lightly. "Uh, I wonder which one it is?"

He leans over and lightly kisses her lips.

"Thank you for believing in me, Lila. I've been worried about it for so long, and while I do understand that it wasn't completely my fault. All I remember was the feeling. I kept punching and punching him. It felt like a monster was born inside me; no, it was my inner monster. When I realized that my violent nature was to that extent, I became afraid that one day I'd hurt you."

Lila shook her head, "Kiryu, even if you're afraid. I'll always be here. Besides my Kiryu, it's not just you. Inside me, there's such a nature due to the Queen of Darkness powers. I'm sure you've heard already. But I want to regain it now. The memories I lost because of the incidences of the past."

But, if she regains them. No, even if she does. She'll probably still accept him, she's that sort of person after all.

…..

Kiryu rose from his futon covered in a cold sweat as the images from his nightmare remained firm in his mind like a curse. But those thoughts broke off when he saw Lila fast asleep in his arms. Lila.....he wants to hold her so close. So so close that she doesn't even think of anybody else's warmth but his.

It's not uncommon for him to have nightmares. After all, before he met Lila and their acquaintance, he got them every day. However, after he got accustomed to having her beside him, such thoughts vanished into thin air. All those dark and painful thoughts vanish.

For those nightmares to start up now, he hopes it's not a sign of a bad omen.

Then again, since he decided to let Lila go to Haruka's side, the day he let go of her hand. He often went on walks at night or jogged around the city until he threw up.

His thoughts broke off when the doors opened, revealing Nobu. Kiryu blinked when he saw his friend. "Did Kotori not tell you?"

"She did, but your friend who came by the other day said he would go along too. I figured it would be bad moving around in a large group, so I decided to stay behind."

Shichiro is strong but--

"Don't make that face ringo, and your friend is better than I thought."

It was then Kiryu noticed the injury on Nobuhiko's face. He blinked in surprise. "Did Shichiro do that to you?"

"Naturally, I challenged him."

Naturally, he says, this guy needs to stop picking a fight with every single person he sees. Kiryu watched him rummage through the cabinets and frowned.

"Does it still hurt?"

"Yeah, on some nights, I have terrible cravings."

"I will get more medicine for you." It would mean making a trip back to the enemy camp and running into Rosalia again, but he has to risk it.

"It's fine. I almost have the ingredients to make our own." Nobuhiko trailed off. "Besides, I know you don't want to face that woman anymore."

".."

Nobuhiko looked at Lila and sighed. "That girl must be the one Zane mentioned before."

"Zane mentioned Lila a lot?"

"All the time, whenever we had morning assemblies. He often spoke about the chosen one who would solve everything for us."

The chosen one, Kiryu, recalled the time on the island and frowned. Now that he thought about it. Those people who attacked him last year, and Lila showed up to save him referred to Lila as the chosen one. Back then, he did not think much of it but now that Nobu is mentioning this. Perhaps he ought to look into it more.

"Anyhow, I will get going." Nobuhiko took out some bottles from the cabinets. "Like I said, I almost have the antidote worked out, and I want to examine the samples from yesterday."

The samples Nobuhiko is referring to are most likely the evidence that Haruka is alive.

"Alright, tell me if you learn anything."

After a few more words, Nobuhiko quickly left. For the next few minutes, all he did was stare at Lila. He lifted her wrist and sighed deeply when he saw the fresh scar. She must have woken up after he fell asleep and hurt herself. How careless of him to sleep like that.

Normally he has no problems remaining awake, but he ends up falling asleep rather quickly whenever he is beside Lila. He wonders why, whenever it comes to her -- his thoughts broke off when he hears the sound of Lila's phone.

For a moment, he froze before he recalled something. Right, they gave Yan this number to ring them on. He almost thought it was one of their enemy's calling. Kiryu took a deep breath before he answered.

The voice on the other end of the phone, however, did not belong to Yan.

"Soichiro?"

The owner of the voice deeply sighed. "Put Lila on."

"She is sleeping."

Soichiro sighed again. "What? You are fooling around with her just because she lost her memories?"

"Of course not! I don't know how much you have heard. But," Kiryu then begins to tell him the details.

"Even then, Kiryu, your actions towards her will not make the situation better. Besides you, didn't you tell her to stay away from you? What are you doing by her side again?"