What is your wish?

'I was so stupid, though. Did I truly think I could change my fate? Even if I did not kill anybody, I still did many other despicable things with my own hands over the years.'

Even though Lila accepts everything he did in the past, he cannot erase his guilt. Over the years, he used other women as he pleased to climb the social ladder, and when he finished with them, he tossed them aside like garbage.

'The term monster is fitting for somebody like me.' He used to think of himself as a monster because he killed others, but it turns out Sophia set him up from the very beginning. But even then, he is a monster, a monster in human skin. Whether it was indirectly or directly, he has caused so many people's deaths. He is not free from his guilt.

But for a moment, when Sophia said those words, he felt relieved; all the guilt he felt after staining his hands vanished. 'If I am clean, does that mean I finally deserve her?'

For the first time in so long, he truly felt alive.

But when he realized what Sophia had done to him, he changed his mind. Just now, when she used that jewel, it felt like something was about to take control of his body. Even though he underwent training to control his hanyou side, if she can still control him, then what use was that training?

He should have just used that time to spoil Lila.

His thoughts break off when he hears the sound of a knock.

Haruka tilted his head, puzzled at the noise. He listened closely, and sure enough, he heard the same sound. But there is nothing- Haruka paused when he saw a white-colored door appear behind him.

That wasn't there before; what is going on?

'I should ignore it.' From now on, his subconscious will live in this dark place. Sophia will not reach him here.

In this place, he can have all the time he wants to think about the crimes he committed over the past few years.

"From now on, I will live here alone."

"Is that what you truly want?"

Haruka hears a voice.

"Yes, this is what I want. This way, nobody can control me again, and I won't hurt those who are precious."

"Won't your precious people get hurt?"

"My wife will cry, but she will get over it in time. There is somebody else who can care for her."

"Is that what you truly want?" The voice repeated the question from earlier.

"Yes."

"You're such a huge liar, idiot, stupid, moron, doofus-"

Haruka paused. This way of insulting is very familiar.

"You're a liar. That is not what you want, and you have no right to decide what others want either. You think you're protecting them, but doing this will make them suffer even more. Listen up, and listen well. There is only one thing I want to hear from you. Is there something you desire? Something you want?"

At those words, Haruka felt his heartbeat increase.

It feels like somebody asked him this question a long time ago, who was it?

"Is that your asking me if I have a wish?"

"Yes, tell me clearly. What do you wish for?"

"Even if I tell you, it is already too late." His body has already disintegrated into such a state. If he leaves this dark place, then Sophia will control him.

"Tell me exactly, what is your wish? What do you want?"

A wish, from the very beginning, he has always wanted only one thing. A long time ago, somebody asked him that very same thing. There was somebody who was very persistent about it.

Ah, that's right. She was so stubborn about making him happy, changing him,, and fulfilling all his wishes. That girl who often got sick had a weak body and was a huge crybaby. Despite all that, she did whatever she could to make him smile.

"Lila."

Right, this voice is-

"I want to spend the rest of my life and beyond by your side, to make you the happiest person in this world."

"Right, you finally remember, you stubborn idiot!"

The white doors burst open, and a bright light fills the space.

He extended his hand out, and ,he saw his wife standing there in the next second. Haruka looked at her dumbfounded.

"You-"

Lila exhaled deeply. "I want to lecture you so bad right now. But I guess it can wait."

Haruka noticed something off about her and realized that half her body looked transparent.

"Your, the sphere you have to-" Haruka immediately panicked.

"It's fine." Lila tugged on his arm and pulled him out.

It took Haruka a moment to realize that he had been placed in some type of strange container. No, what caught his attention was Lila's current state. Even though half her body is transparent, she could still grab hold of him.

What is going on?

"A wish. Do you remember what I said back then? I said I would grant any wish you want."

H-huh? Oh, right, she did mention that.

Lila's lips curve to a smile. "I heard it loud and clear, what you want. But before I can fulfill it." She turned to the right. "I have to deal with something else first."

It took Haruka a moment to realize that Sophia was still standing there.

If looks could kill, they would be dead already. There was a monstrous look in her eyes. She looked at Lila up and down and frowned. "You even managed to fight her off in that state. I have to admit I am impressed."

"Didn't you predict I would win?"

"It was a gamble. If Rosalia did kill you, I would have presented your body to Haruka."

Haruka frowned at the thought. He does not like the idea of her death.

"Since you wish to die so badly, then I will grant that wish of yours."

"Haruka, stay close to me."

"I feel like that should be my line."

Lila laughed and bent down to kiss his cheek. "Stay put and just watch me."

It's not like he can do much in his current state anyway. Sophia angrily charged towards Lila, but the moment she got close, white-colored light surrounded Lila's body.

"Didn't I say it before? It is already over."

In seconds, Sophia was on the ground, and she immediately coughed out blood.

Haruka's eyes widened; what did Lila just do? He did not see her move a finger at all. But what is this feeling? Even though he does not understand what is happening, and even though he is worried about her body's current state. He felt like there was hope. If it is her, she can truly do anything.

If it is her, she can truly save the world.