The same

She could only watch as the entrance door shut, as she, Kotori, Kiryu, and her brother descended down the long staircase.

"Brother, did you decide to show us the way because you want to see Yumeko-chan?"

"Yeah, I want to tell that fool that I still love her."

"Then what about Kumi-senpai?"

Huan laughed weakly. "I have to break up with her. It wasn't easy to decide this. Kumi has been there for me this entire time. I planned to spend the rest of my life with her. But before the world turned crazy, Yumeko finally discovered who I was. When I saw her tears then, something inside me clicked. It was like a box that I kept sealed away finally opened. The one I still love is Yume-chan."

Her gaze softened when she sensed the determination in his tone. Even though brother sounds determined, how much pain and conflict did he have to experience before reaching this choice? Brother has not had it easy.

Her thoughts broke off when Kiryu appeared beside her.

"I am just going to say this now. But don't freak out when your hand starts disappearing when you start singing."

"I won't."

'I already did it in front of mother- I won't break down again.'

Kiryu looked troubled but nodded. "Lila, you have to be very careful. You warned Haruka just now, but your are the one who is on the verge of disappearing. No matter what you hear in your head when you sing, do not follow those voices. Concentrate on the song."

"Is-something going to-"

"It's just a theory. Just remember, okay?"

"Okay." Lila looked towards Kotori-chan. "Kiryu, you should go over there."

"Kotori, Lila is trying to be considerate again."

The girl caught up to them and hit her head with a paper fan at those words. "Don't do that. I told you it is okay already."

"Ah, Kotori-chan, your confident because Kiryu said he would try!"

Kotori hit her again and coughed. "You don't have to repeat it."

"Hey, are you that ashamed?" Kiryu spoke up. "I was serious-"

"That's not it."

Lila looked at her friend with sparkly eyes, and she watched the exchange with great interest. These two get along better than she thought. This is good Kotori-chan is a good friend of hers, and Kiryu is like her family. She wants the two of them to be happy.

It did not take long before they reached the surface. The tunnel was oddly bright, so the moment they stepped out, she saw darkness again. It took time for her eyes to adjust. The journey to the clock tower was short; her sister was right that it was connected directly.

RAY was just getting on stage. Akari and Rinna were on the side,, but a few others were too.

"These people?"

"We managed to recruit some others to sing." Rinna sighed. "It wasn't easy, though. Although we are the main singing force, we have to have breaks too."

Lila looked towards the crowd, and her eyes widened when she saw somebody familiar. Isn't that- Linda?

The girl turned around and saw her. She looked troubled but nodded. "I came to help."

After what happened with Haruka, she was abandoned and left to fend on her own. This meant she dropped out of the dream stars tournament. Lila always thought it was a waste; the girl could sing quite well.

"Um-"

Linda sighed. "Don't look at me like that. In the end, it was exactly like what you said. I didn't start singing for Haruka. I started because I love to sing. After we talked that day, I went home and thought things through. At first, I was still bitter and blamed you, but it did not take long before your words started to get to me." Her gaze softened. "My dream was to become an idol, somebody who could bring smiles to people's faces, and the one who inspired that dream was your mother."

Lila's eyes widened when she heard those words. Does that mean they are the same?

To her surprise, a bright smile appeared on Linda's face. "I'll enter the tournament again next year. I hope to see you again, maybe as a judge? It would be nice to hear your input on my singing."

"Sure, I would like that."

After she chatted with Linda, she went over to Rinna and Akari, who had been looking over. "We weren't sure about that one since she used to be on that side. But Asuka-san gave the heads up that she was safe."

"Another one who has been charmed by you, Lila-san. I think your husband will have a hard time fending off both females and males." Akari commented.

Her sweatdropped at those words. She is quite sure that won't happen. Haruka isn't even jealous of Kiryu anymore, so she doubted he would be interested in random people.

"Akari, are you alright?" Lila noticed that her complexion seemed off. Even with her help, she knew the girl's condition was still bad.

"I am alright."

"She won't kneel over and die for one," Kiryu commented.

Lila glared at him, but Akari shook her head and whispered in her ear. "He is the one who is the most concerned for me."

Her eyes widened when she heard those words. She did hear that Kiryu has been visiting her a lot recently. But she thought he would continue to belittle her. It seems Kiryu is truly trying to move forward and change his life now.

"Right during the chorus of Ray's song, we will cut in and start our song." Rinna went over the plan. "But is it okay? Shouldn't we let them finish?"

"No, it's better this way. We have to create a large opening, energy from five voices will be better than just three."

Moreover, she doesn't want to completely leave saving Kasumi in Mikami's hands. She still has her selfishness as Kasumi's best friend.

Her thoughts broke off when Kiryu suddenly grabbed her hand. "Meeting adjourned; let me borrow her."

Lila blinked, confused but followed Kiryu. He leads her to an area slightly away from the tower. "Kiryu, what's wro-" Lila paused when he slumped his head in her chest.

"I am going to ask you one last time. Lila, do you truly want to do this?"

It was then Lila noticed his fearful tone, so this was why he was acting so weird earlier.

"It's okay, Kiryu. I will be fine."

"Lila-"

"I know you are only worried about me. But, you saw back what was happening in town, right?"

The image of the gunfire remained firm in her mind. How could she possibly ignore it?

Kiryu looked frustrated, and he raised his head. "I knew you would say something like this, and that is why I refrained from saying anything before. But when I saw the stage all set up, I was frightened. Lila, even if we can't be together. I want you to survive."

"And I will," Lila recalled her son's words. "I have a family that is waiting for me."

"Did he talk to you?"

"Mmm." Lila paused. "He consulted with you?"

"You already sound so scary. No, he went to find Kotori. I just happened to be there and heard it too."

"That boy, I wonder who he takes after?"

"Personality-wise he is like you, and appearance-wise he is more like Haruka. But he does have your eyes, so I guess there is a bit of both."

Kiryu must have spent a lot of time with him. Lila found it very odd that Kiryu is her ex, yet he spent the most time with her child.

Her thoughts broke off when Kiryu extended his hand out and ruffled her hair. "Alright, I understand. I will just have to do a good job keeping an eye out on you while I protect you."

"Mm, I will leave it to you."