I remember

This person does not change either, no matter how much time passes by. He still has such a short temper. But she already understood something. No matter how angry he got, Soichiro would never hurt her.

As strange as it is, the feelings he has for her are genuine.

She was quick to misunderstand him in the past, but this person has also done a lot for her sake.

"Well, you should at least let me finish my story."

"I'm getting annoyed."

"You're far too impatient." Lila trailed off. "I was always afraid of being abandoned. After my mother left, I clung to my friendships and the people around me like a child. I behaved childishly just so they would not leave me. When my mother was around, I always tried to act like a grown-up with a good head on my shoulders. But doing that was stupid of me."

It was stupid of her trying to act so strong. It was because she behaved that way that her mother decided to leave.

'Lila-chan is so strong; you're not like me. Mother is very weak. I am so sorry.'

Even now, her last words before her mother pushed her away remained firm in her mind.

Now that she thought about it, ever since mother returned, they have not spoken about that time. So much happened when mother came back, so she didn't want to disturb her. But perhaps they can have a proper discussion about what happened then.

"It was stupid; my bravery only led to her thinking I would be okay even if I am on my own. Because I was afraid of being abandoned, I did such stupid and foolish things. I noticed Kiryu's feelings for me a long time back, but instead, I proposed a different type of relationship with him. When we first slept together, it was a mistake after I lost control of my powers. Kiryu tried to apologize, but instead, I broke his apology by kissing him." Lila laughed weakly. "It was cruel of me, even though I knew how he felt."

Soichiro did not say anything. She thought he would criticize her, but he didn't. It seemed like he was listening to her story properly.

"Deep down, it always felt like I was waiting for someone. When I first met Haruka in light town, it felt like fate. I didn't know what it was, but I kept wanting to meet him. When he kissed me, I was very overwhelmed. But it made me happy. A year later, when we met again, it was in star town; he came to do some work. We got into a relationship."

"Do you remember everything?"

"I do now," Lila mumbled. "But he doesn't know that."

She remembered everything; she remembered how angry and frustrated she was with him. Even when they were together, he still slept with Sophia because he persuaded himself that she was only messing with him.

"I encountered him three—no four times. But every single time, I fell in love with him. Every single time I learned more about love. There have been so many people who were good to me. After my mother disappeared, the adults around me pitied me and tried to spoil me whenever they could. But it did nothing to fill the void and loneliness in my heart. I still felt alone; it was the same even when I was with Kiryu. However, every time I met Haruka, those feelings vanished."

When she looked back on it, her meetings with Haruka were short and abrupt. She did not spend as much time with him as she did with Kiryu, but it was more than enough for her. Those small moments with Haruka were enough.

"That guy has harmed you too. Do you not remember how many times you cried because of him?" Soichiro spoke up and reminded her of the times she came to him.

When she first started dating Haruka and had all those problems, she still consulted with Soichiro. Each time he would get angry and scold her. How many times did Soichiro tell her to leave Haruka? She has already lost count.

"I remember. But a relationship isn't perfect. A perfect couple is not one that does not fight. There is a saying that fights are a sign of a healthy relationship. But back then, I was far too immature to realize that. My emotions are clearer now, and so is my mind. Haruka treated me very well; he shielded me from harm and protected me from my enemies. He sacrificed himself and endured so much hardship just to keep me safe."

Lila closed her eyes as she recalled when she first found out why Haruka signed with that company. Why Haruka became Zane's lackey, she felt angry; why? Why would he do that?

"Haruka thought I didn't care about him. He thought it was okay to sacrifice himself because I did not care. Zane told me that Haruka said this to him, 'I already entrusted her with someone else. She will grow to love him more than she did me. That is why you can use me as you wish.'" Lila laughed again. "He truly is foolish. He did so much for me even when I didn't remember him. How could I possibly toss away him away after all this?"

"Isn't that just gratitude?" Soichiro genuinely seemed confused.

Lila shook her head. "If all I wanted to do was repay him, then our relationship would be similar to the one I have with you. He treated me well, kept me safe, and made me feel so loved and wanted. I had a lot of fears when we first started dating. But when I look back, I was confident that Haruka would never abandon me like mother did."

Despite all those fights and misunderstandings, she understood that ,this person would never leave her deep down.

"Hah, is that all?" Soichiro said sarcastically.

Lila looked at him, irritated. "I poured all my feelings into that speech! How could you disregard it that quickly?"

"All your feelings? My dear, your feelings sure are shallow."

Oh god, this guy is truly brainless. He has no IQ whatsoever. How could the King of the underworld be this stupid?

But even though he is like this, this person listened to her. He listened to all her ramblings the past few years.

"I am grateful, Soichiro."

This only seemed to make him angrier. "No matter what you say, it's not over between us."

"There was never anything between us!" Lila yelled.

"My dear, are you truly saying that? Look at these marks of love." Soichiro pointed to his neck.

"You know people can hear you two shouting from a mile away."

Lila looked over and spotted a man with blonde hair approaching them. "Kouta-kun."

"Let's talk over a meal; otherwise, she will get cranky," Soichiro commented.

"Your right about that."

"Hey!" Lila exclaimed.