Everyone's feelings

"Mother!"

"Aha, silly child. Were you worried? Scared?"

Lila nodded and held on to her tightly. "Mother, where um, are we?"

"Hmm? I've never really understood it myself. But from what I can see, it's a space only those who have obtained the kami idol status can enter. Even then, there are restrictions. Lila-chan, you shouldn't have been able to get this far, but hmmm..." her mother scans her up and down and chuckles, "Well, you did go ahead and unlock that dress at your age, so isn't it understandable?"

Right, the dress. Lila looks down, but her vision only made it blurry for some reason. Everything else was fine, but when she looked at the dress.

"Tell me something, Lila-chan, what made you decide to become a top idol?"

"Ah, um--because."

"The reason I'm asking you is because I've never really heard the answer. But, I've always understood that it was for something serious. After all, you're my daughter. You wouldn't make this decision, knowing how drastically it could change your life. As you know, a top idol isn't a normal idol. There's a reason why many fantastic idols stopped at being a top idol; it was because becoming a top idol meant sacrificing something. But, what people don't know is that a sacrifice is only a test."

"A test?"

"To come here, was there something you tried to sacrifice?"

"Haruka's love for me," Lila spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully,

"I'll always love Haruka, Mother. That's something I can say for sure; it won't ever change, no matter how many people I meet. However, I don't think it's right for me to keep Haruka on a leash. Many girls out there can love him just as much as me."

"So, you would have sacrificed it?"

Lila nodded, and for some reason, her mother bursts into laughter. Eh?

"That mindset indeed belongs to someone in the Terashima family. I wonder how you got it. Even with your father like that and me not being fit to raise you properly."

"Mother, um, so I'm the same as you and father?"

"Yes. I always thought so before, when you were first born and when you were still in my stomach, that it would be split. I'm half with you. Kyoko is more like me and doesn't resemble Yuhi in any way. But, it's different with you. I don't love Kyo-chan any less. However, when I look at you, Lila. It feels like I have returned to the past."

The past. But, Mother's past was very sad. Lila holds her tightly before the disaster happens; she won't let Mother talk about her painful experiences anymore.

"You really are a very kind child. I love you a lot."

"Me to Mother! I love you!"

She loves her mother so much. However, her relationship with her father has gradually improved. For her, the second most important person in her life is this person. It's her mother who raised her so preciously and carefully for the first four years of her life.

She indeed missed out on seven years of her life. But considering how preciously she treated her for four years. Lila did not mind at all. It is not like she does not understand why her mother left.

Sumire chuckles softly, "Really, did you get that from me or him? Well, either way, I really am glad that you realized it. Even without me, even without Ren and even your father, there will always be love beside you."

"But, I need you three also!"

"I know, that's probably why. Even during the harshest circumstances, I came back. Say, Lila-chan. Do you like stories?"

"I love them! I especially like them when Haruka reads it because --he always whispers in my ear and gets all cuddly with me."

"I see, and you wanted to sacrifice his love?"

"I feel bad now that you repeat it, Mother."

"As you should."

Lila bursts into tears then, but her mother reaches over and wipes her tears.

"Lila-chan, I told you before, didn't I? How it's the same for me. There was someone's voice who inspired me and moved me to tears. Someone who was able to bring out a side of me that already broke."

Ah, that's right.

"It was fate, and I understood that a long time ago, and that's why it was painful for me. Because I understood."

Oh, that sounds like her and Kiryu.

"Lila-chan, the current you have many things you are worried about. But it's okay now. Because you understand that you have love right beside you."

Several images float in the background, and Lila realizes that it's of her and everyone. Seeing them, she got excited and started telling her mother.

"I love everyone to Mother! Being with them all makes me happy."

"Yes, I know."

Ah, she got too excited even though Mother is in the middle of her speech.

"What is true happiness?

Everyone seems to be using true happiness as a goal to move forward.

But you know anyone will have times when they feel tired

Only because of that there can be real stories

As long as you flip the correct page, anyone's dreams can be met

If you feel lonely, go grab a book to read

What is that person thinking?

What is he trying to say?

Try thinking about it. If you do, you might just be able to get some wonderful inspiration.

The books and imagination in this world are as countless as the stars." He mother walks over to her and extends her hand out, and Lila reaches over too.

"There is still a fine line that separates the two of us. But it's only a line now. It's no longer a huge wall. That's why Lila-chan. I'll entrust it to you, the future."

"The future."

"As a kami idol, and number one star. What is it that you want to do?"

"To make everyone shine together."

"That's right, now go. Towards the light, and don't look back."