Our Dream Part 3

"When you first heard the news, you felt differently, correct?"

Yumeko nodded. "I was relieved and happy. Although the first thing that came to mind when I heard his actual name was 'oh, he has a fiance he is about to marry.' I was just happy to see him alive and healthy. When I thought that way, I realized how long I had been deceiving my own heart."

"I'm relieved that you reached that conclusion. But, if all you two needed was to get together. Then you could do that a long time ago. Hey Yumeko-chan, won't you tell me what the problem is?" Kumi smiles weakly. "I understand it is not easy for you to talk about. However, Huan has waited for you this entire time. Don't you think he deserves to know what's going on?"

It's not just Kiryu who deserves an answer. Yumeko thought of her friends and her brother's worried expressions. She can no longer continue to behave this way. "I think I'm afraid. "

"Afraid?" Kumi repeated.

Yumeko nodded. "I am afraid f becoming too attached. I will eventually have to leave Kiryu. Even if Mother didn't return, the powers inside me would have continued growing stronger. I kept pushing myself regardless because I knew it would make no difference. I heard stories from some of the grown-ups in Sumire-san's generation. They used to tell me that even after the big battle ended, they couldn't remain near Mother for long since their powers contradicted each other."

One of the first things they discussed as a couple had 'supernatural powers.'

"Those two powers, despite working side by side, contradict each other."

Huan probably doesn't realize it just yet. This was one of the other factors she considered when she learned more about her powers after the accident. If he has the sonic ability, their powers are bound to clash one day.

"Eventually, one of us would have to leave. So there was a time where I thought that outcome was for the best."

"That's simply too cruel."

"Ahoji-san?"

"Are you going to accept that sort of fate Kanehera Yumeko? Huan loves you, he's always loved you, and you --- have always loved him, haven't you? From the start, you already understood. Even though you couldn't put it into verbal words, you knew that you loved him."

Yumeko's cheeks colored, and Kumi's serious gaze was replaced with a smile.

"Wah-- um, how did you? "

"Oh, was I right?"

"Wah--- was that a trick?"

"Yes. The atmosphere was getting way too heavy, but my reaction to what you said helped contribute. " Kasumi trails off. "You know this reminds me of a conversation I had with Lila-chan."

"With Lila-chan?"

" ' I just remembered. I got that sparkling feeling when I first wore a dress as an idol. It felt like there was so much more I could be that I could shine from deep inside my heart! My most precious feelings. I want not just me but everyone else to shine as brightly as they can. Wings of Love is meant to bring out not only feelings of love but the best and brightest in everyone. ' "

Yumeko's eyes widened when she heard Kumi reveal part of her conversation with Lila-chan.

'I'm so glad all of the audience left with big smiles. My feelings got across to them, and that made me happy. Even if I haven't reached the level of upgrading Wings of Stars yet, I still feel like I've gained something important. I can't contain my excitement, realizing that I can do so much more! '

Now that she thought about it. After their first stage, Lila-chan said something like that, didn't she?

"You and Lila-chan are similar, so I will repeat my words to her. Every single time, you were thinking more about other people's feelings before your own. You saw their bright smiles and the radiance behind every single individual. I can't explain it properly but for you, Lila. You've never been alone, whether you sing on stage or your feelings of love. Your brand, the message is not just to convey feelings of love. But to soar through the skies, spread radiance, and bring out the inner radiance in people."

Ah, that's right, the times when she enjoyed singing the most. It was when she sang with Lila-chan and when she was with Atsuya. After their studying sessions, Atsuya would get tired and ask her to sing a song for him to sleep. It was during moments like that where she truly enjoyed singing.

If her voice can reach the people she loves, she wants it to reach much further. She wants to see people smile. She wants to give the feelings Lila-chan gave her to pursue her dream one day.

'I want to inspire people and become their ray of hope.'

Her thoughts broke off when she noticed that Lila-chan had stopped singing. The background music that played currently was not one of the goddess4 songs. This melody-

The first time she met Atsuya was during a time when her mother frequently came to visit. At that time, she worked hard to please the mother who abandoned her when she was younger. But it was futile.

'I was right to abandon you.' Yumeko clearly remembered how her world seemed to turn pitch black, and yet the second she heard that he had been there to check on her. The second she heard that he came to see her, she found her strength to stand up.

She didn't think he would show up when she received that note. But he did and spoke quite a bit, and when it was time for them to part. He slyly whispered in her ear, ' I'll be going to the same school as you; let's get along, Yume-chan.''

Like a fool, she completely fell into his pace.

Had she not gone. Would things have been different when they met? Would these feelings that she could not tell him back then have disappeared? Yumeko already knew what the answer was, no. Even if she didn't go, these feelings would not have disappeared. But more people would have been hurt.

"Huan"

Indeed there he stood bellow, the markings clearly taking over his face. She pulled out the hairpin from her pocket and got ready to jump.

____

It took him time to decide; no, he already knew who he would sing for. But even then, he waited. He thought that Yumeko would react more to his sister. But when he realized after several songs how that wasn't happening, he decided to go for it. Sure enough, he saw the pathway open up, and Yumeko was inside.

He didn't actually think she would jump.

But more importantly, his eyes went wide, spotting the battered old hairpin in her hands. That's --!

"You said you would make me your bride, you promised didn't you?"

'I know it will take some time, but I promise I will become your wife.

I promise you Atsuya '

Yuhi immediately extended his arms out, getting ready to catch the brunette.

This girl is so silly; why did she keep that old thing? He had already told her that he had bought it at a cheap twenty yen shop, yet she treasured it. For the longest time, he was afraid of one thing. 'I was afraid to see her get together with Haruka after my accident.'

He thought that with nothing stopping them anymore, the two would get together. But it was not like that at all; he was so wrong.

Despite the difference, we were able to meet each other again anyway. It did not take long before Yumeko landed in his arms.

"Show me." Her gaze brightened up. "The marks are disappearing."

The things he couldn't say back then, there are so so many. But from now on, he wants to convey these feelings properly.

"Huan, who am I?"

He leaned forward and briefly kissed her before answering. "Yumeko"

"That's right."

The extent to which he loves her, he will tell her all the time. He will make sure that he never lets go of her hand from now on.

The girl seemed very embarrassed to be in his arms and hit him, but he would not let her go.

"You're so foolish. You really picked me." Yumeko sobbed.

His gaze softened. Did she truly think he wouldn't choose her? The day he decided to reveal his identity to her, he had already decided who he chose in his heart. His thoughts broke off when he spotted pale blonde hair looking over at them with a pained smile.

'I'll talk to you afterward.' He hears a message in his head before watching the girl walk away.

This is the path he chose; he cannot regret it.

His thoughts broke off when he heard approaching footsteps.

"Yumeko!"

"Onii-chan!" Yumeko trailed off. "Were you crying onii-chan?"

"S-stupid, I wasn't crying. You took your time." Kouta trailed off. His gaze fell on him, and he sighed. "You better take care of her this time; otherwise, I won't let you off."

"That doesn't suit you."

"Oi."

"Thank you for working so hard for me."

As Huan watched the two siblings, his gaze automatically fell onto Lila, who returned to the center of the stage. The path didn't open for Yumeko despite Lila singing is probably because one person is missing.