My heart felt empty

Right, that time, all she thought of was protecting Kiryu. She has to protect him, just like he has been protecting her.

"You always helped me, but I could never do anything for you in return."

"That's not true!" Lila exclaimed.

"Don't get worked up; let me finish." Kiryu paused. "You were always there for me, even though you didn't realize it. You probably had no idea how badly I was falling for you either. In middle school, when we first started doing those intimate-like things. I was a nervous wreck, but I was never going to turn you away. I understood very well why you even suggested it. You were lonely, even though I was beside you for so long. I could not fill the gap your mother left and your longing for somebody you did not remember."

Back then, she was lonely; she was dying of loneliness. But she did not understand the reason for her loneliness. Why did she feel like this? Kiryu has always been by her side, and she has made many good friends. But her heart felt empty.

She longed for her mother, Ren-san, and another person. There was another person whose face who she could not remember. That person turned out to be Haruka.

"My memories are still blurry even now. But I remember more than I did before. I understand who the person I was waiting for was Haruka."

"Yeah." Kiryu looked pained. "You know, when we first met, I noticed it too. But because I was so attached to you, because I noticed that there was something wrong with your mark. I decided to conduct the ceremony with you anyway."

"Why?"

"I was attached, and when I first saw you. It looked like you were on the verge of tears. You greeted me cheerfully, but for me, it looked like you were concealing the pained emotions in your heart."

"As expected, Kiryu. You really do know me very well." Lila trailed off. "Kiryu, I really am-"

Kiryu shook his head. "Don't apologize. It will make me worse. Besides, it's not like I didn't know. I knew that one day you would return to his side. If you two are fated to meet each other again, then there is no doubt the day would come where you would leave me alone."

"Then why-"

"Because even if it is for a short moment, I want to protect this beautiful and fragile-looking girl." Kiryu laughed. "Maybe it was wrong of me."

"No, I truly am grateful." Lila paused when she saw him swaying sideways. She extended her hand out and briefly touched his forehead. She frowned. "Your fever is rising."

"Yeah, it's a miracle I managed to get here."

Now that she thought about it, Soichiro said Kiryu would be out stationed for a few days. Could it be he came back because he was unwell?

Lila managed to get him to lie down on the couch. She looked around her surroundings. This is the room with the attached kitchen, isn't it? Lila walked over and slid open the sliding door to confirm her suspicions. Right, she does not understand what kind of fever Kiryu has. But any sickness can be cured with good food.

She found a basin under the sink, filled it with water, and walked back over to Kiryu. She found a towel, dosed it with water, and placed it on Kiryu's forehead.

"Lila?"

"Get some sleep. I'll cook something and wake you up."

"Yeah, that does sound good."

She watched as Kiryu gradually fell asleep. He must have been very tired. She slowly parted a strand of his hair away from his face.

This person will continue to love her for a long time; she understood that very well. The reason why he made that decision to let her go to it was all her for her sake. He would rather be the first one to abandon her than be the one who ends up abandoned.

'It took me so long to realize this; no, deep down, I understood it. Kiryu and I are similar. We both feared being abandoned by our loved ones.'

She truly is sorry, Kiryu, but the person she has in her heart is Haruka.

Lila stood back up, walked over to the kitchen, and quickly started preparing a meal for Kiryu. It did not take long before she heard the sound of footsteps approaching and a voice at her ear.

"I'll help."

She turned around and saw Haruka. But, she frowned when she saw the injuries on his face. However, before she could get a word out, Haruka leaned down and kissed her.

"Oh stupid, what were you thinking?"

"How to save a damsel in distress. I didn't want you to go, Lila. Your already busy enough." Haruka mumbled.

"Don't try to put it nicely. Those people from the assembly must have pressured you and said something along the lines of 'This is another way for you to prove that you did your training?'"

"My wife, your so smart; that is exactly what they said."

Lila sighed deeply. Those people are all smiles in front of her, but what sorts of things are they doing behind her back? But her mother had already warned her.

'Our fellow hanyous have a twisted mindset because they have had to live in hiding for such a long time. Deep down, they are not bad people; they are simply afraid.'

Even though her mother said they aren't bad people, she doesn't like the idea that they are using Haruka as a pawn. They indeed have every right to be suspicious of Haruka. But there is a line they shouldn't cross.

"Does it hurt?"

"It did, but it just got better."

He is so foolish, Lila gently caressed his cheek, and a content sigh passed his lips. "Haruka, our son. He hasn't been talking to you, right?"

"Yeah. I think the kid is scared of me."

"He doesn't talk to me much either. I think he finds it weird since he is practically the same age as us due to the unusual growth."

"If you're putting it that way, we both know it is my fault."

"That sphere of dreams thing, when were you planning on telling me?"

Haruka's sweatdropped. "Well-"

"You weren't going to tell me?"

"No, no. I was just waiting for the right moment. It's not exactly the best topic to approach, especially with you. I saw how important your dreams were to you. You always spoke of your dreams and dreams in general as something special, something beautiful. If you learned that I was using other people's dreams like that, I thought you would hate me."

Lila sighed when she heard those words. "I understand where you are coming from. But didn't you realize? You did so many bad things, but I always forgave you without fail. Do you truly think of me as a person who would judge you like that?"