Epilogue 2: To a grand future

Two weeks later

Lila could no longer control herself and decided to sneak out. She has had many visits from her friends, who gave her more updates on what is happening now. One of the news that stood out to her was 'Haruka is helping his friend run a dojo.' That friend must be Ruki. Although Haruka keeps talking about him, she has not met the actual person.

'Apparently, the dojo is not too far from the hospital.' It should be okay if she sneaks out for a bit and returns later.

It did not take her long before she successfully snuck out and walked down a long slope. Her gaze fell towards the ocean on the right-hand side. This is a beautiful place.

According to the others, Haruka chose this hospital to see something beautiful when she woke up. Lila chuckled to herself; it's romantic. To think before, he had to read books on how to be romantic.

Her thoughts broke off when she spotted a man with silver-colored hair leaning against the lamp post.

"Kiryu!"

"Hey, there."

"What are you doing walking around? You should still be in the hospital."

She learned that Kiryu was also staying in the same hospital as her, so she frequently saw him.

"Mm, I'll be transferring hospitals."

"Eh?"

"It's somewhere overseas."

"A-are you hurt that badly?" Lila understood that the hospital they currently stayed at was not a large hospital. Haruka chose it for the scenery and privacy. It seemed the grown-ups also had the same opinion.

If it is in a faraway place like this, the media should not get to them.

Kiryu shook his head. "That's not it." He turned to the view of the ocean. "You see, I was thinking of doing this anyway. It's too painful for me to attend your wedding."

"S--sorry."

'I guess it was insensitive after all.'

Her thoughts broke off when Kiryu brushed his forehead against hers.

"Don't make that face; otherwise, I will get tempted to put you in my luggage and steal you away."

"K--Kiryu I--"

Kiryu laughed. "Your crying again? You really do cry a lot."

She can't help it. Even if Kotori-chan will be there for Kiryu, he has to overcome much grief before he truly accepts her. They were together for thirteen years, even though they only dated for a year. It's not that easy to let go.

When Kiryu cupped her cheeks and licked her tears away, her thoughts broke off.

"Your tears are so salty."

"Wh--where are you going? Can I ask?"

"I'll send you all the details over. I'll call you on your wedding day too. But after that, I may not be in touch for a while."

"Kiryu, at least let me-"

"Don't apologize; you did nothing wrong. If destiny continued on the original path, you would never have separated from Haruka. Even if we met, nothing romantic would have happened. Things are just returning to how it should be."

"I, I was happy, Kiryu."

"Yeah."

"I was truly very happy. You were there for me when mother wasn't by my side. You were there when she was still around, but father wasn't. I have never had a single moment where I was alone. Because of you, I was never lonely. Even when I went to light town, I knew that you would still be watching over me. But now that you're saying you want to go somewhere far away and won't keep in touch, I feel very sad."

Even though she understands why he is doing this, she felt very sad.

"I am being selfish again."

Her thoughts broke off when she felt a pair of familiar lips on hers.

She only cried more when she felt the emotions behind the kiss. He is trying to say 'goodbye.' This is more painful than she thought it would be.

When the world was in chaos, 'I took it for granted, being able to see him every day.' Even though they couldn't be together like before, just seeing him made her happy.

"Let's walk down to the beach and talk?"

"O--Okay?" Lila replied, dumbfounded.

He just kissed her like that, but his reaction was strange. Then again, Kiryu is trying to come to terms with everything. This is truly the end; she can no longer be selfish and cling to him.

"You and Haruka will be traveling for a while after the wedding, right?"

"Ah yes. Initially, we planned to relax and have a nice honeymoon. But," her gaze darkened. "His demon manager side activated. I got invited to several prestigious music events in London and Los Angeles. He said it would be a waste not to go."

"He is right; you could get an award.'"

"But this timing, it just feels like I am only getting it because I happened to save the world."

"Silly girl, you already know that Hyou4 completely suppressed people's memories. They don't remember."

"I know, but it still feels weird."

'Do I truly deserve getting an award?'

"I have always loved your singing."

Lila blinked, surprised at his words, and Kiryu laughed. "Why do you look so shocked?"

"No, it's because you used to insult me a lot--"

Kiryu rolled his eyes and flicked her forehead. "Those were comments to help you improve."

"You and Haruka are so scary."

"I truly love your singing, or maybe it was just me liking your voice. Whether you were singing or not, there was something beautiful whenever you used your voice. Before I understood what was happening, I was drawn to it."

"I--"

"Do you remember the promise we made shortly after you became number one? It was on the rooftop; everybody snuck there to do fireworks?"

"Of course, I remember. How could I forget?" Lila turned to the ocean. "I wanted to see a grand future with you. A peaceful future with no distinction of rank, blood. A place where everybody can be happy. Even if we cannot erase conflict and hate completely, I wanted a better future." Her gaze softened. "In the center, it was supposed to be the two of us."

"Yeah."

"Kiryu, thank you." Lila trailed off. "My wish changed. No, back then, I did not have a wish. I said those words to you, but it was not my wish."

"I know."

"I want to be happy with Haruka. I want to raise our son and have a peaceful life. For me, that is the most important."

"That's good. I am glad you can finally say that. I feel relieved now."

"You do?"

Kiryu nodded. "Before I leave to go on my own journey, I wanted to hear it from you directly. Now I no longer have regrets. Please be happy, Lila, have enough happiness for a lifetime. No beyond that."

"Yes, you too."

Kiryu pulled her into his arms, and he hugged her tightly and leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead. "This is goodbye for real, Lila."

Kiryu was no longer around before she could even react to those words. She saw a faint trace of silver light and realized that he had used his powers. Lila felt the tears falling from her eyes rapidly, but she quickly wiped them away.

The two of them will walk separate paths and have different futures from now on.

This is what she chose, from now on she will no longer rely on him.

"Please be happy and well."

Lila suddenly felt somebody lift her body and realized that Haruka had just appeared and had picked her up.

"Haruka?"

"What's this, are you having an affair in broad daylight?"

Lila pouted. "Your bullying me! I came this way to pick you up."

"Hmmm? After sneaking out of the hospital again?"

"I can't do my wife duties in the hospital!"

How can she lovingly take care of him when she is stuck in a hospital bed?

"Wife duties huh, I guess you can do that."

Lila did not miss his seductive tone. Her cheeks turned red.

"N-not that!!" Lila exclaimed.

"Hmm, I was talking about you cooking for me. What are you thinking?"

"Wahh your bullying me!" Her sentence fell short when she saw the serious look in his eyes.

"Did you cry?"

"No."

"My little liar, the evidence is still here."

"Haruka, I said goodbye to Kiryu."

"Yeah."

"This is the last time." Lila felt the tears fall from her eyes again as she said those words.

'Crying now is far too sly of me. But, I can't help it.'

They were together for a very long, to say goodbye like this. It hurts a lot, the pain probably won't disappear anytime soon.

But, she already decided. Lila felt Haruka brush his hands across her cheeks.

"I'm here for you."

"I-I'll miss him."

Haruka nodded. "I know, but as time passes by the pain will ease and you'll look back on your fond memories. It's alright, Kiryu will always remain important to you. I don't mind."

The person she chose is this person in front of her. Even though saying such words must be painful for him too.

He is truly kind. She has to get a grip. This will be the last time she cries about Kiryu like this. For both their sake.

Her thoughts broke off when he put her down and held her hand.

"What's for supper?"

Lila blinked and then burst into laughter as she nuzzled her face against his. "Omelets."

Can you see it? The star in the center, the first star, is shining brighter than all the others, but in turn, making the other stars radiate more than usual.

The guiding first star, but that star is no longer alone. Beside it, there is something much brighter.