Our responsibility

Although he had improved when it came to being honest, he still struggled with it.

Before he could say anymore, he heard approaching footsteps and sighed. So much for having a relaxing moment with her after they finish their serious talk. It was not Nobu, knowing that guy he would coincidentally stall for as long as possible.

The person that just appeared was a woman with mid-length purple-colored hair and silver-colored eyes. It was Austin Asuka, Kiryu's mother. However, she was in the middle of divorce procedures with her husband, Austin Hisame.

Right now, it would be better for those two to stay together.

Lila glanced over and immediately stood up.

"Asuka-san!" Lila said brightly.

"It appears as though you are doing well. I apologize for disturbing you."

At those words, his wife's cheeks colored, and she laughed softly. "It's okay; we haven't started flirting yet."

Haruka raised his eyebrow, amused at her words. So, she planned to flirt with him after the serious talk?

"I know you have not met up yet, however." Asuka placed a stone in Lila's hands. "Please give this to Akari."

"Ah this stone?"

"It's mine. I do not know if it will work well, but it is better than nothing."

The current situation with Austin Akari was grim; according to the report from Kanehera Kouta, the girl was like a lifeless doll. When he heard the report, he discussed things with Zane, who told him.

'That is not supposed to happen.'

He also found it strange, that drug. The drug they worked on together has hallucination effects, but it is not supposed to damage a person's soul. But there is no doubt Austin Akari is in that state. It would be better for Zane to look at her; however, they will need permission first.

"About your daughter," Haruka interjected. "Would you allow Zane to examine her?"

He knew asking this directly could possibly cause conflict. But it would be far too dangerous leaving the girl in that state.

"As a parent, I have personal conflicting emotions on this. But, as a member of Hyou4, I understand that man is not the enemy anymore and that we should make use of his knowledge." Asuka trailed off. "If Zane examines her, please make sure Sumire or Yuhi is present ."

Haruka looked towards his wife.

"That works; mother said she would drop by soon. I can ask her to fetch Akari from the tower and bring her over."

Asuka nodded and suddenly pulled Lila into her arms. "Please take care of Kiryu too. That kid, when I last saw him, he was suffering so much. But as his mother, I am unable to do anything."

"Don't worry! Taking care of Kiryu is our responsibility."

Haruka blinked when he heard the words 'our.' She doesn't have to include him in everything. But, she is probably trying to avoid any type of misunderstanding right now.

"One last thing, please take care of yourself." Asuka's gaze softened. "You have to make sure to send me a wedding invite once this is over."

"Ah, you will come?"

"Of course, I will drag Kiryu along too. Please be happy, Lila."

With those words, the purple-haired woman walked away. Once she was no longer in sight, he felt Lila cling to his arm.

"Are you surprised?"

"Just a little," Haruka admitted. "For the longest time, people have been against our relationship; they said many cruel things. But ever since I regained my memories, one by one, I have heard words of acknowledgment from people who were against us."

He found it very strange; he knew that many people blamed him for this situation. Some looked at him in contempt and wanted him to take responsibility for all the deaths.

It is normal for him to be the target of people's hate right now. So to hear people accepting him like this was very weird for him.

Perhaps, he can turn over and start a new page in his life?

A thought like that would not have crossed his mind at all in the past. But now the situation has changed.

…..

At Star Church

The negotiations were a success, and Nobuhiko persuaded Hyou4 to go along with their plan. Then again, with Kiryu's mother being present, he doubted the other people could refuse. There was not much they could do for the rest of the day, so they headed to the base.

When Zane brought up a good place for their base, Haruka didn't think they would use this place. However, he understood the reasoning behind it. It is a place of worship, so the infected should stay away.

The others seemed to be busy, so nobody noticed when they entered the room. Nobuhiko said he would join Kiryu and Zane, who discussed the sphere again. He could hear humming and the smell of food from the kitchen area and assumed that Ayase was cooking.

Since earlier, Haruka silently led her up the stairs, noticing how quiet she had been since earlier.

Tension filled the air for the first few minutes since they arrived inside the room.

But he easily broke that by walking over to her and kissing her.

Before he knew it, he was all over her. His clothes were flung aside, and the girl wore nothing but her undergarments. Since the nightwear looked pretty on her, he decided to keep it on. He somehow managed to get her onto the bed while continuing the deep kiss.

'No matter how much time changes, this never gets old. Every time I touch her, it feels like a new experience.'

Why is he like this when it comes to her? Even now, he does not understand it very well. If he understood, then perhaps he would have controlled his emotions better.

His gaze fell towards Lila, whose face was bright red.

Her reactions always surprised him. Why does she get embarrassed after everything? These fresh reactions only spur him on.

But unlike before, whenever he took her, there was something different about this.

"Lila," Haruka whispered. "Show me everything."

How many times did they do this before out of desperation? How many times did he conceal his emotions from her and do this? So many times. She always disliked it when he used physical means to convey his emotions.

Haruka broke the deep kiss when he felt her hit his chest with her hands. "What?"

"H-hold on," Lila exclaimed. "That is, before we do this, I have to say something."

She still has more to say? Didn't she say it all earlier? She even made plans to flirt with him. A grunt escaped his lips, indicating he was not happy that they had to stop.

"Don't tell me you're going to refuse?"

To his knowledge, he has not held her in months; before then, he was restraining himself due to the deal he made with her parents. Moreover, his body showed no signs of cooling down. Why would it? This woman underneath him is far more beautiful than the last time.

Most people would argue that Lila was not all that beautiful; indeed, her beauty does not fall under the normal beauty standards. But, Haruka liked this about her. He likes how people do not realize her beauty at first glance.

'I do not need any more pests gathering around her.' He likes that only he can see this about her.