Precious memory

"Perhaps it was like that. But Kiryu was the first one to let me go. He sacrificed his happiness for us to be happy. That is why Haruka, you don't have to feel guilty."

"To be honest with you, although I do feel bad for him. It is not to the extent that I would let you go to him."

He does feel bad; how can he not? It is obvious to anybody who watches them how much Kiryu loves Lila. But he is no saint; he does not want to dismiss how his wife feels and push her towards another man just because of some pity.

'I also love her and I am willing to do anything for her sake.' He does not feel that his love for Lila will lose out to anybody.

"I think I like this current you better; you listen to me."

Haruka laughed, and his gaze softened. "Did we ever hold a wedding? I don't see any pictures."

Since they are both famous figures, there should be photos somewhere even if the wedding was private.

"I think you were planning on holding it after our New York trip, but the world was already going into chaos mode." Lila paused. "I have to say the plans you made for me was uh-"

Seeing her cheeks turn slightly red, he asks her what kind of plans he made for their wedding. When Lila calmed down and told him, he raised his eyebrow.

"A church on an island?"

"Mmm, actually, you said it once before. We should move away from the city for a while and live a peaceful life. I think you meant staying on that island after our wedding."

That does sound very romantic, props to the old him. "But, with the state of the world now?"

"I actually checked. That island is one of the places that has remained untouched. Perhaps it is due to the water, but the infected cannot swim. When hyou4 discovered this, they set up a barrier to all those people living on islands. Of course, they are suffering a bit of hardship since they cannot receive any goods from the outside, but they are managing."

Is that how it is?

"The people there are very nice. I spoke to them, and the first thing they told me was 'Don't worry, mam! The church is safe; we won't let them take this place.'" Lila laughed softly. "What a strange bunch of people. But I am looking forward to meeting them."

A wedding on an island, huh? It does sound very nice. He caressed her still pale cheek. "Your still sickly looking."

He thought giving her his blood will at least return the color to her face.

"I am fine now."

"You always say that-" Haruka shook his head. "At least tonight, be honest with me. How do you feel?"

"Like hell." Lila sighed. "I knew it was getting bad, but it did not occur to me how my symptoms would act up after I was no longer pregnant."

"So after you gave birth?"

"Right, I noticed that the state of my body did not recover well even after the pregnancy was over. I think Kiryu realized that too, and that was why he left. He wanted to find the reason." Lila trailed off. "I think my mother would know would know more about this, though."

"Then we can go see mother tomorrow," Haruka said kindly as he stroked her hair.

Lila looked at him with wide eyes before she laughed.

"Did I say something weird?"

"No, but this is the first time you have called her mother."

Is that how it is?

"What Zane said the other day may be correct after all. The best way to recover your memories is the natural way. If that is the case, then maybe before we meet my mother- we should meet your parents, Haruka."

"Are my parents in New York too?"

"Your mother actually lives here. I think you intended to visit her with me to talk about the wedding, and that was why you picked New York."

So it was like that. His mother, huh? To be honest, he does not remember a single thing. But for some reason, he felt warmth in his heart at the thought of seeing her. It reminded him of the first time he saw his wife and then Zane. It seemed like he would naturally react this way towards people he got along with.

His thoughts broke off when he saw her eyelids slowly dropping and chuckled. "I think we have talked enough tonight; you need rest."

"Mm." Lila snuggled her face into his chest. "Goodnight, Haruka."

He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and Lila sighed in content before drifting off. Although he was tired, he had a lot on his mind after their talk.

A wedding on an island, huh?

It seems like they have both gone through so much, and that was why the past him chose an island. A place away from harm and too many prying eyes.

He truly wants to see her in a beautiful wedding dress one day.

It was the last thought he had before he drifted off to sleep.

...….

Haruka did not expect Lila to arrange the meeting with his mother so quickly. He thought, considering the situation, it would take more time, but he found himself in front of a large building the very next morning. Haruka stared at it, amazed; he did not know what startled him more the large building or the fact that this area looked untouched from the infected?

He heard numerous times that New York was in a better state than others, but this was.

Then again, what distracted him the most right now was his wife's current appearance. Sure he knew they had to wear disguises, but he thought it would be the usual. However, today Lila had changed her hair color and wore blue contact lenses.

There was something strangely endearing about this appearance of hers.

"My wife." Haruka stopped her from entering the building. "Before we go inside, can I ask your hair-"

At those words, Lila laughed softly. "It is because we traveled from a longer distance, the risk was higher. Does this look good on me?"

"It does exceptionally good. Sorry I just have to-" Haruka pushed her against the wall and leaned forward to kiss her.

Lila must have understood already since she showed no signs of resistance and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

There must be something wrong with him. Sure, they did do that stuff at the start even when they had no memories. It was very weird, and he knew that, but he wanted to be sure.

He wanted to make sure that she was truly by his side again. Now that they are more familiar with each other, he is more careful with her. He stops mainly at kisses.

It feels like every single time he holds her; she will break; she is so precious to him.