Thank you

Those adults probably used this story to ensure that Lila would not leave his side. They used such sly and sneaky tactics; they did not have to do that. Back then, Lila would never entertain thoughts of leaving him.

"Back then, I was weak, and I struggled alone. I wanted to be loved. I wanted to be happy. But I could not relate with others very well. I didn't understand their emotions. No matter who I spoke to back then, all their words felt empty and meaningless to me. So I subconsciously stopped talking to people. But I felt suffocated living that way, and I was very lonely. But then you appeared before me."

During the time he struggled the most, she appeared before him.

He remembers that innocent look in her eyes when she asked him, 'Is that the sound of stars?'

"You appeared before me and saved me. You taught me how to interact with others and accept other people's kindness. You stopped the growing fears and weakness in my heart. It is because of you that I made it this far; thank you, Lila, for making me human."

He felt like he was running aimlessly with no destination in mind, with nobody by his side. Even though there were people by his side, he did not know how to accept them.

Kiryu watched as the girl cried again, and he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, Lila, for loving me."

"Y-you, if you say that, what am I supposed to say?"

He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Nothing for now. When this is all over, we can sit down and have a talk with Haruka. You promised me that, right?"

"Yes."

…

Kiryu walked down the hallways in the assembly the next day with documents in his hand.

He sent Kotori a message yesterday saying he would be staying overnight and that he talked with Lila.

He figured she was still worried after seeing him cry.

His thoughts broke off when he spotted a certain auburn colored hair girl loitering around by the side gate. Kiryu blinked, he did send her a message, but he didn't think she would come all the way out here.

Kiryu knew that Kotori had a hard time dealing with the other hanyous. However, she is no normal human and has evolved genetics too. There is still a difference between those with powers and hanyous.

He watched her for a few minutes. Kotori was pacing back and forth with a basket in her hands, mumbling if it was okay to go in or not.

"What are you doing?"

When he saw the girl hide the lunchbox, he paused.

"Is that for me?"

"W--well, don't misunderstand. I thought you wouldn't have eaten anything--"

His gaze softened. This girl is truly kind; her feelings are wasted on him. When this is all over, he should find somebody nice for her. Now that she mentions food, however, he realizes that he hadn't eaten since yesterday.

"Correct, I haven't eaten. I'm at my limit." Kiryu slumped on her chest.

"Your helpless Kiryu-kun." Kotori sighed. "Is there a kitchen I can use?"

"Yeah." He quickly got off her and led her inside the building.

The entire time he noticed how the girl was awkwardly looking around. "They are all in a meeting right now; you can relax."

"I wasn't worried."

Kotori behaves the way she does, but he understands her personality very well. She must be traumatized when it comes to hanyous; after what he did to her in his hanyou state, it is only normal. His gaze fell on her leg. Although she can walk normally now, he knew she experienced severe side effects.

Perhaps it was due to the guilt, but even when he was still following Rosalia's orders, he still treated her very well.

"I'm alright now; you don't have to keep worrying." Kotori immediately noticed him staring.

"Sorry, I just want to check. Also, did you get Nobuhiko to check your eye? Is your vision getting better?"

Just the mere mention of it made the girl flinch. Kiryu extended his hand out and patted her hair. "Sorry, I know you don't like me asking about that."

When he was losing control of his powers, it attracted the infected. Right then, Kotori shielded him, and he attacked her right eye.

"You keep apologizing; you must be hungry, Kiryu-kun. I'll warm the food and prepare some extras." Kotori did not answer his question and swiftly entered the kitchen.

'Is it that bad? I have respected her privacy this entire time and just left her to Nobuhiko. But, it concerns me.' Sometimes he sees her struggling to see. When she prepares food, she easily mistakes ingredients.

Kiryu walked over to where she was preparing. "Let me help you."

"I-I'm alright."

"Don't be stubborn over this."

For the next few minutes, neither of them spoke, and he kept himself busy cooking.

"Did you speak to Lila-chan properly?"

"I think I told her what I had to, at least a summarised version for her to understand. That didn't stop her from crying herself to sleep."

It pained him more seeing her cry her eyes out like a child. This is the main reason why he has never told her. He knew she would cry, and that was the last thing he wanted to see, Lila suffering because of him.

"At least you told her. It is important to explain everything; you don't know what could happen. It is better to let the other person know. Otherwise, you will have regrets."

"Are you talking from your own experience?"

Kiryu quickly covered his mouth, but it was far too late; she had already heard him.

"I don't regret anything anymore. You already learned my feelings and I told you everything honestly." Kotori laughed. "I told you already. I never entertained the idea of us two getting together. It is enough for me to let you know how I feel, even that is already too much. I am content."

He does not understand that about her. How can she be happy? How can she treat him like normal? She must be suffering too.

Before Kiyu could say a word, somebody knocked on the door. It was one of the people who guarded the gate. "Kiryu-san, is miss Ayase there with you?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Her sister has come to visit."

"Ah--?" Kotori exclaimed. "I should--"

"I'll keep her company, finish up here and make something for her too."