The reason

"She wasn't hurt, but when I heard it, I was terrified," Mayu said, "It sounded like something was tearing her to pieces."

"The person who protected you- was he -" Kiryu did not know how to phrase it. He does not want to sound insensitive.

"I believe so. The day before the recital, he told me he's finally going to work up the courage and ask the girl he likes out. That girl was most likely Kotori-chan. Kotori-chan was always more interested in singing and dancing rather than love. But she always had a soft spot for him, that's why I knew -- I destroyed it. Not only my happiness but the happiness of those around me. Afterwards, I became too conscious of being in public. I kept hiding away, but I would hear the maids and servants talk in the mansion. I couldn't remain there. It was in my best interest to leave, even though Father didn't want to send me away. Kotori-chan misunderstood it as me our father abandoning me, though."

So it is not like her parents abandoned her. It was because Mayu herself chose to leave and not associate herself with the Ayase family name anymore.

Kotori had somebody important, but she lost him? Then he wonders when did the girl start to like him- unless even back then she liked him already. Would she have turned that guy down?

"In that situation, it's only natural. Even if you were afraid, your parents should have found a way around it."

They could have easily moved as a whole family and lived without servants. It's not like their family needs it in particular.

"That's true. I wonder why I didn't realize it then, why I didn't say, ' I still want to live with everyone. ' I destroyed everyone's happiness. But I don't want things to remain that way. I will truly be glad if Kotori-chan can find somebody else to love. "

He remained dumbfounded. The entire story was hard to digest, and he was at a loss for words. He could hear Mayu crying, and he cursed.

'I'm such an idiot,' Was this story worth causing another girl's tears? Is it not enough for him to hurt Lila?

He thought of but could never truly imagine how traumatizing the entire event must have been. So that's why she is so stubborn when it comes to receiving help from people. Kotori, how much suffering have you had to endure this entire time?

Kiryu's thoughts broke off when he realized that she turned quiet. He looked over and noticed that the girl had fallen asleep. Right at that moment, somebody wrapped a blanket around her.

"Kotori."

"She came all this way, but she ended up falling asleep."

"Sorry, I was being nosy. It's just recently I've been worried about you."

Kotori laughed. "Only recently? Kiryu-kun, you can be surprisingly harsh."

"Uh that's not-"

"But even that side of you is filled with warmth and kindness." Kotori trailed off. "That guy was our childhood friend. Back then, I already liked you."

'I thought as much.'

"However, even if I didn't, I wouldn't have accepted his confession. After all, I knew Mayu liked him. It was impossible from the beginning."

"The reason you push people away is this?"

"Yes. Kiryu-kun, your very kind to me, even when you discovered my feelings for you. Even though you caused damage to my right eye, almost blinding me, and injured me so badly- I still couldn't resent you. I knew your kindness was mainly due to the guilt of you hurting me. But for me, that was enough."

'It's enough if I can stand by your side.' His own voice replayed in his head, and he clenched their fists. They are far too simple; they are fools who are pushing aside their own feelings just to make the one they love happy.

But where does that leave her?

"Anyhow, do you want to eat? We can't let my cooking go to waste."

"Sure."

..

After the meal, he briefly left to attend a meeting, but he immediately went to look for Kotori when the meeting finished. 'She doesn't like hanyous, and with the end of the meetings, his fellow hanyous would surely lurk around.' Kiryu returned to Mayu-san's room, but the guard said that Kotori had already sent her home.

Where did she go?

Kiryu recalled the other basket in her hands. Perhaps she went to see Lila? Right at this time, Lila should have some free time. She didn't attend the meetings earlier, so Haruka most likely made her rest.

After debating on a destination, he eventually made his mind up and headed in Lila's study.

It did not take long before he arrived, only to see half-open the door. Kiryu peered inside. He saw Haruka on the couch typing away on his laptop and Lila fast asleep on his lap.

Kotori was there too; it seemed she entered from the other door.

"Hey, sorry she is sleeping."

"Oh, it's alright. I just came by to drop something off." Kotori placed a basket on the side.

"It would be nice if Kiryu fell for a girl like you."

Kotori exhaled deeply. "Don't try to push us together; that's insectivores."

"Sorry, I don't mean it that way. I just want Kiryu to be happy."

"If you give up Lila-san, he might."

"You think so? I think it will make him angrier."

Right he would be angry. After all, it is no good if Lila returns to him out of guilt. Or Haruka randomly gives her up. The restless feeling in his heart will not settle unless Lila comes to him on her own. But neither of those scenarios will happen now.

"Recently, Lila-chan seems weird around you. Haruka-san, did you do something to her again?"

Haruka awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not like that, I just-"

"Well, I can't say it was the best way to go about showing your desires towards her. But I can tell if you're thinking of her to that extent where you start drawing her unconsciously. You must really love her a lot."

Did he draw Lila? Kiryu paused. 'That surprises me; such a pure and innocent reaction like that does not suit Haruka.' Ever since Haruka's personality merged, he has had a kinder aura.

It is like the turbulent emotions Haruka felt before have vanished.

"However, Lila-change is very delicate. She is only starting to understand how much you love her. She's very happy about it, yes. But that's precisely why you have to be careful. She still feels overwhelmed by all the changes since she always felt that you would be better with another girl. It's not my place to talk to you about that; you can ask her when you get the chance. But I want you to understand that since right now, she's still adapting to being loved so much. She may act strangely at times, like just now. "