Chapter 104
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"Kiryu's ...Kiryu is hurt?!!!"
"It happened two days before his birthday, he wanted to surprise you with another visit. Even Hisame-san approved of it. However, we were ambushed. Me, him and his assistant were called to assist with a fight. But it turned out it was from the enemy side. Nobody noticed a thing because of the location, it was one of our territories." Ritsuko explained, "However on the 22nd, they finally dropped the act and.."
Lila froze, the colour immediately drained from her words as she tried to process the girl's words.
"Right now...Kiryu.." Lila struggled to get the words out of her mouth.
Ritsuko shook her head, "He still hasn't woken up."
Her Kiryu, her Kiryu is... Lila felt her vision go blurry, her heartbeat increasing rapidly, her breathing becoming uneven. A swelling pain in her head. It hurts. It hurts. Kiryu, Kiryu...her Kiryu... Why did this have to happen to him?
"Lila-sama, calm down. Calm down."
"No...no.." Lila refused to listen to her.
What has she been doing? Why didn't she notice it? Is it because of Haruka? Because Haruka ... because she keeps paying attention to...Why wasn't she by Kiryus side?
"Lila-sama, you should know better than anyone. He will wake up, and when he does, he will come back to you...and if he doesn't. " Ritsuko paused for a few minutes before she continued, "Before..before it happened. He said to me if anything happens to me. Tell Lila that it's okay for us to break up.."
"His feelings..they changed?" Lila managed to ask.
Ritsuko shook her head, "That's not it, he just didn't want you to wait around. If something bad happened."
Lila was having trouble processing all this information; she wasn't sure what to do. What does she do? Kiryu, her Kiryu is... He's hurt badly because of her. Because she told him to protect her family. What did she do... Why? She felt a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, her eyes widened recognising whom it belonged to.
"Damn, this entrance really isn't good."
"Se--senpai.."
Indeed, the person who was holding her in his arms now was none other than Ichinose Oujiro. Someone who had always held a special place in her heart. In the past, she may have even had feelings for him. No, she definitely did. Ah, he's here. Senpai is here.
"Calm down. Take a deep breath, and relax." He said gently, as he placed a light kiss on her forehead.
Lila does as he instructed, and there was silence for a while.
Ah.
It's getting better, for some reason she's able to breathe now.
_____________________________________________
"He spoilt your entrance," Takeshi commented.
Ritsuko shook her head, "It's fine, like this it's fine. Because we're all here to act as Lila-sama's support."
"Is Kiryu-san really...."
She nodded, her expression grim, "Right now, it looks pretty bad. However, there is still hope.."
That's right, there's hope because...
Ritsuko added, "Today's stage, they made exceptions."
"They got rid of the barriers? The restrictions?"Takahashi asked.
Ritsuko nodded, "So Lila-sama can send her voice better.
"How selfish."
"Yes."
"But something tells me, that she won't need it anyway," Takeshi said.
Ritsuko smiled softly, "That's true. I was worried for a while when I saw that stage. But I realized that was only because I hadn't seen that side of Lila-sama before. It's different now though. Now that I've seen it, I can say for sure that this change is a good thing."
Takahashi nodded but paused, "Think she will still sing for Kiryu-san?" he asked.
"Are you worried?"
"While Kiryu-san had his faults, he's a much better person than Karashima Haruka," Takeshi commented.
Ritsuko smiled softly, he's saying this now? The very guy who was so against him last year."Yes, I agree there. However, the final decision is hers." she replied.
_____________________________________________
"Senpai.."
"Y--yes?" he stammered.
Lila laughed at his reaction and Oujiro murmured idiot. He didn't think he had the ability to stop her tears, but she actually did stop after he told her to calm down.
"The snow globe. Thank you!." Lila said as she took something out her bag. His eyes widened, ehhh? Wait, she has it with her?
"Wa-wait, you carry that thing around with you?"
"Because it's important."
His cheeks reddened, is she an idiot?
"Senpai, um, why did you appear? Because I thought of you…"
"Quit messing around."
Lila laughed, "Okay, okay.."
She really shouldn't joke about that stuff.
"I came because I was worried. Because everybody is worried about you."
Oujiro decided that there was no use white coating his words and just said it. For a split moment, there was silence and he was worried that he shouldn't have said it so bluntly. But Lila simply nodded.
"I know. I also think there's something wrong… It's gotten better, but I really haven't been able to sing properly…" Lila trailed off, "When I met Kiryu, I was able to sing."
"...You miss him a lot?"
"Not just him, I miss everybody. I miss home. I'm very lonely here. Even though I have people beside me here, everything is still foreign. That's probably why I find myself relying on Haruka a lot. Last year, I didn't speak much with the guys in RAY, and they weren't around as long as Haruka. I can associate home and Haruka together, that's why I feel so comfortable.." She played with her fingers, "There's another reason, I know that too. Does senpai know what my mission is?"
"I'm not too certain on the details, but you're supposed to help him right?"
Lila nodded, "Something like that. But you see, I haven't been able to do anything at all.."
"That's not true you.."
She shook her head, "This entire time I've been by his side and yet, my thoughts have always reverted back to Kiryu. I'm always thinking about Kiryu."
….
She really hasn't changed huh?
_____________________________________________
"Is that really so bad?"
"Eh?"
Oujiro sighed deeply and she felt him flick her forehead, "Ouch, what was that for?" Lila exclaimed.
"For that pathetic look."
"How rude!" Lila exclaimed. Why is he always so rude? Besides isn't he supposed to be comforting her right now?
"What's wrong with you thinking about Kiryu-san?"
Hearing his question, her gaze softened. What an idiot. "That's strangely contradictory coming from you."
He sighed and she laughed, "I know, I do get it senpai."
"It really feels like you don't. You know Lila, I didn't tell you this before last year. But I think you ought to know."
Lila smiled, "Is it when Kiryu scolded you? Because he was jealous?"
"Huh?"
"Eijiro told me that I ought to talk to Kiryu, so I figured that something happened then. Hey senpai, exactly what did Kiryu tell you?"
"He told me that I was you're stumbling block. That even though I'm able to help you, I'm nothing more than a stepping stone.." Oujiro trailed off, "That part I have to agree with, I won't overestimate my own abilities. I know full well that there's a limit to what kind of songs we could create together. Kiryu-san told me straight up. And then…"
Seeing him pause, Lila blinked. Maybe she shouldn't have asked him straight up? But since he brought up this topic, she figured she might as well.
"Ahghhh."
"Senpai?"
Oujiro exhaled deeply, "He told me that you're his only light in his dark world. He made it clear that without you, he wouldn't have been able to escape the demons of his past and walk forward."
"That's so stupid.." Lila muttered.
"No, the stupid part comes after. These were his exact words, 'I wanted to wait until all the obstacles standing in our wat was over. It's because of you I came this far, let's not only compose music together but stand on stage together.' If you two talk it out once he wakes up, and I get kicked out. I'd completely understand."
Lila shook her head, "No, there's no need. Especially after hearing what you said."
"Lila?"
She laughed weakly, "You see senpai, it's true that for Kiryu he may have said those cruel words to you at the time because he was upset that you joined DEVIL before he got a chance to tell me how he felt. But that dream of his has already changed." Lila stood up and walked towards the window, "Kiryu's dream, my dream, even your dream has probably changed by now senpai."
"That's probably the case."
Lila nodded, "Yes. Our dreams have evolved since then. But for me, my dreams will always have Kiryu involved no matter what. I made a somewhat childlike promise with him, but I truly meant it and that has become the centre of my new dream. In this place that I'm unfamiliar with, I can only rely on Haruka. However, even then my thoughts, my feelings towards Kiryu are the strongest."
That's why no matter what happens between her and Haruka, Lila understands full well, where her feelings lay, who her heart belonged to. From the very beginning, it's not her singing that's changed. It's simply her dream that has evolved. The promise she made with Kiryu,
"This is some way to get turned down again," Oujiro commented.
"Sorry." Lila apologized, but the blonde shook his head.
"No, I get it too. Do you get it now? You're singing, no matter what shape or form it takes now, will always lead you back to Kiryu_san" Oujiro said
Lila laughed, "Ah-huh, sorry." she apologized, "Sorry for making you sort my thoughts out with me again."
"Lila, I…" Oujiro started, but she interrupted him.
"Yes, thank you. I'm grateful. I've made my mind up, I should have done this a long time ago. But I was afraid people would find out who I was. However, there's no need to hold back now. I'll let them hear loud and clearly." she declared. That's right, she should let them hear it. Her feelings for her most beloved person.
_____________________________________________
1 hour and 30 minutes later
"Number 2000, Kiku Ari."
At that comment, Haruka looked over at the doorway and watched Lila approach the steps.
"It's time," Clara said.
"Let's see how good she is."
His fellow judges were all making comments regarding Lila. However his attention remained fixed on the girl, there's something different about her.
"Looking forward to it?" Itsuki said.
Haruka exhaled deeply, "Quiet."
"Now, now, I'm also looking forward to seeing it. Terashima Lila's stage."
"You knew?"Haruka wasn't at all surprised.
"Somebody had to confirm her entry. And you were busy at the time." Itsuki said.
Well, he figured that was the case. His gaze flickered back onto the stage. Her hands are still in a bad state, her playing will be affected. Seeing the girl approach the piano not the guitar, his eyes widened. What is she doing? Her fingers...
_____________________________________________
Haruka is probably surprised.
Of course, he would be.
But, she will tell him the details later. Her gaze fell on the piano and she closed her eyes. Memories of Kiryu playing flashed through her mind. Kiryu, she made her mind up. She will sing for him. Like she used to do. She always sang for him before, but since it's been a while, she's quite nervous. Lila takes a deep breath, it's going to be okay.
Her feelings may have wavered slightly, but the one person whose hand she wants to hold the most. The one she can say the words ' I love you.' too is only one person.
Her beloved Kiryu.
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"Kiryu's ...Kiryu is hurt?!!!"
"It happened two days before his birthday, he wanted to surprise you with another visit. Even Hisame-san approved of it. However, we were ambushed. Me, him and his assistant were called to assist with a fight. But it turned out it was from the enemy side. Nobody noticed a thing because of the location, it was one of our territories." Ritsuko explained, "However on the 22nd, they finally dropped the act and.."
Lila froze, the colour immediately drained from her words as she tried to process the girl's words.
"Right now...Kiryu.." Lila struggled to get the words out of her mouth.
Ritsuko shook her head, "He still hasn't woken up."
Her Kiryu, her Kiryu is... Lila felt her vision go blurry, her heartbeat increasing rapidly, her breathing becoming uneven. A swelling pain in her head. It hurts. It hurts. Kiryu, Kiryu...her Kiryu... Why did this have to happen to him?
"Lila-sama, calm down. Calm down."
"No...no.." Lila refused to listen to her.
What has she been doing? Why didn't she notice it? Is it because of Haruka? Because Haruka ... because she keeps paying attention to...Why wasn't she by Kiryus side?
"Lila-sama, you should know better than anyone. He will wake up, and when he does, he will come back to you...and if he doesn't. " Ritsuko paused for a few minutes before she continued, "Before..before it happened. He said to me if anything happens to me. Tell Lila that it's okay for us to break up.."
"His feelings..they changed?" Lila managed to ask.
Ritsuko shook her head, "That's not it, he just didn't want you to wait around. If something bad happened."
Lila was having trouble processing all this information; she wasn't sure what to do. What does she do? Kiryu, her Kiryu is... He's hurt badly because of her. Because she told him to protect her family. What did she do... Why? She felt a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, her eyes widened recognising whom it belonged to.
"Damn, this entrance really isn't good."
"Se--senpai.."
Indeed, the person who was holding her in his arms now was none other than Ichinose Oujiro. Someone who had always held a special place in her heart. In the past, she may have even had feelings for him. No, she definitely did. Ah, he's here. Senpai is here.
"Calm down. Take a deep breath, and relax." He said gently, as he placed a light kiss on her forehead.
Lila does as he instructed, and there was silence for a while.
Ah.
It's getting better, for some reason she's able to breathe now.
_____________________________________________
"He spoilt your entrance," Takeshi commented.
Ritsuko shook her head, "It's fine, like this it's fine. Because we're all here to act as Lila-sama's support."
"Is Kiryu-san really...."
She nodded, her expression grim, "Right now, it looks pretty bad. However, there is still hope.."
That's right, there's hope because...
Ritsuko added, "Today's stage, they made exceptions."
"They got rid of the barriers? The restrictions?"Takahashi asked.
Ritsuko nodded, "So Lila-sama can send her voice better.
"How selfish."
"Yes."
"But something tells me, that she won't need it anyway," Takeshi said.
Ritsuko smiled softly, "That's true. I was worried for a while when I saw that stage. But I realized that was only because I hadn't seen that side of Lila-sama before. It's different now though. Now that I've seen it, I can say for sure that this change is a good thing."
Takahashi nodded but paused, "Think she will still sing for Kiryu-san?" he asked.
"Are you worried?"
"While Kiryu-san had his faults, he's a much better person than Karashima Haruka," Takeshi commented.
Ritsuko smiled softly, he's saying this now? The very guy who was so against him last year."Yes, I agree there. However, the final decision is hers." she replied.
_____________________________________________
"Senpai.."
"Y--yes?" he stammered.
Lila laughed at his reaction and Oujiro murmured idiot. He didn't think he had the ability to stop her tears, but she actually did stop after he told her to calm down.
"The snow globe. Thank you!." Lila said as she took something out her bag. His eyes widened, ehhh? Wait, she has it with her?
"Wa-wait, you carry that thing around with you?"
"Because it's important."
His cheeks reddened, is she an idiot?
"Senpai, um, why did you appear? Because I thought of you…"
"Quit messing around."
Lila laughed, "Okay, okay.."
She really shouldn't joke about that stuff.
"I came because I was worried. Because everybody is worried about you."
Oujiro decided that there was no use white coating his words and just said it. For a split moment, there was silence and he was worried that he shouldn't have said it so bluntly. But Lila simply nodded.
"I know. I also think there's something wrong… It's gotten better, but I really haven't been able to sing properly…" Lila trailed off, "When I met Kiryu, I was able to sing."
"...You miss him a lot?"
"Not just him, I miss everybody. I miss home. I'm very lonely here. Even though I have people beside me here, everything is still foreign. That's probably why I find myself relying on Haruka a lot. Last year, I didn't speak much with the guys in RAY, and they weren't around as long as Haruka. I can associate home and Haruka together, that's why I feel so comfortable.." She played with her fingers, "There's another reason, I know that too. Does senpai know what my mission is?"
"I'm not too certain on the details, but you're supposed to help him right?"
Lila nodded, "Something like that. But you see, I haven't been able to do anything at all.."
"That's not true you.."
She shook her head, "This entire time I've been by his side and yet, my thoughts have always reverted back to Kiryu. I'm always thinking about Kiryu."
….
She really hasn't changed huh?
_____________________________________________
"Is that really so bad?"
"Eh?"
Oujiro sighed deeply and she felt him flick her forehead, "Ouch, what was that for?" Lila exclaimed.
"For that pathetic look."
"How rude!" Lila exclaimed. Why is he always so rude? Besides isn't he supposed to be comforting her right now?
"What's wrong with you thinking about Kiryu-san?"
Hearing his question, her gaze softened. What an idiot. "That's strangely contradictory coming from you."
He sighed and she laughed, "I know, I do get it senpai."
"It really feels like you don't. You know Lila, I didn't tell you this before last year. But I think you ought to know."
Lila smiled, "Is it when Kiryu scolded you? Because he was jealous?"
"Huh?"
"Eijiro told me that I ought to talk to Kiryu, so I figured that something happened then. Hey senpai, exactly what did Kiryu tell you?"
"He told me that I was you're stumbling block. That even though I'm able to help you, I'm nothing more than a stepping stone.." Oujiro trailed off, "That part I have to agree with, I won't overestimate my own abilities. I know full well that there's a limit to what kind of songs we could create together. Kiryu-san told me straight up. And then…"
Seeing him pause, Lila blinked. Maybe she shouldn't have asked him straight up? But since he brought up this topic, she figured she might as well.
"Ahghhh."
"Senpai?"
Oujiro exhaled deeply, "He told me that you're his only light in his dark world. He made it clear that without you, he wouldn't have been able to escape the demons of his past and walk forward."
"That's so stupid.." Lila muttered.
"No, the stupid part comes after. These were his exact words, 'I wanted to wait until all the obstacles standing in our wat was over. It's because of you I came this far, let's not only compose music together but stand on stage together.' If you two talk it out once he wakes up, and I get kicked out. I'd completely understand."
Lila shook her head, "No, there's no need. Especially after hearing what you said."
"Lila?"
She laughed weakly, "You see senpai, it's true that for Kiryu he may have said those cruel words to you at the time because he was upset that you joined DEVIL before he got a chance to tell me how he felt. But that dream of his has already changed." Lila stood up and walked towards the window, "Kiryu's dream, my dream, even your dream has probably changed by now senpai."
"That's probably the case."
Lila nodded, "Yes. Our dreams have evolved since then. But for me, my dreams will always have Kiryu involved no matter what. I made a somewhat childlike promise with him, but I truly meant it and that has become the centre of my new dream. In this place that I'm unfamiliar with, I can only rely on Haruka. However, even then my thoughts, my feelings towards Kiryu are the strongest."
That's why no matter what happens between her and Haruka, Lila understands full well, where her feelings lay, who her heart belonged to. From the very beginning, it's not her singing that's changed. It's simply her dream that has evolved. The promise she made with Kiryu,
"This is some way to get turned down again," Oujiro commented.
"Sorry." Lila apologized, but the blonde shook his head.
"No, I get it too. Do you get it now? You're singing, no matter what shape or form it takes now, will always lead you back to Kiryu_san" Oujiro said
Lila laughed, "Ah-huh, sorry." she apologized, "Sorry for making you sort my thoughts out with me again."
"Lila, I…" Oujiro started, but she interrupted him.
"Yes, thank you. I'm grateful. I've made my mind up, I should have done this a long time ago. But I was afraid people would find out who I was. However, there's no need to hold back now. I'll let them hear loud and clearly." she declared. That's right, she should let them hear it. Her feelings for her most beloved person.
_____________________________________________
1 hour and 30 minutes later
"Number 2000, Kiku Ari."
At that comment, Haruka looked over at the doorway and watched Lila approach the steps.
"It's time," Clara said.
"Let's see how good she is."
His fellow judges were all making comments regarding Lila. However his attention remained fixed on the girl, there's something different about her.
"Looking forward to it?" Itsuki said.
Haruka exhaled deeply, "Quiet."
"Now, now, I'm also looking forward to seeing it. Terashima Lila's stage."
"You knew?"Haruka wasn't at all surprised.
"Somebody had to confirm her entry. And you were busy at the time." Itsuki said.
Well, he figured that was the case. His gaze flickered back onto the stage. Her hands are still in a bad state, her playing will be affected. Seeing the girl approach the piano not the guitar, his eyes widened. What is she doing? Her fingers...
_____________________________________________
Haruka is probably surprised.
Of course, he would be.
But, she will tell him the details later. Her gaze fell on the piano and she closed her eyes. Memories of Kiryu playing flashed through her mind. Kiryu, she made her mind up. She will sing for him. Like she used to do. She always sang for him before, but since it's been a while, she's quite nervous. Lila takes a deep breath, it's going to be okay.
Her feelings may have wavered slightly, but the one person whose hand she wants to hold the most. The one she can say the words ' I love you.' too is only one person.
Her beloved Kiryu.
"Kiryu's ...Kiryu is hurt?!!!""It happened two days before his birthday, he wanted to surprise you with another visit. Even Hisame-san approved of it. However, we were ambushed. Me, him and his assistant were called to assist with a fight. But it turned out it was from the enemy side. Nobody noticed a thing because of the location, it was one of our territories." Ritsuko explained, "However on the 22nd, they finally dropped the act and.."Lila froze, the colour immediately drained from her words as she tried to process the girl's words."Right now...Kiryu.." Lila struggled to get the words out of her mouth.Ritsuko shook her head, "He still hasn't woken up."Her Kiryu, her Kiryu is... Lila felt her vision go blurry, her heartbeat increasing rapidly, her breathing becoming uneven. A swelling pain in her head. It hurts. It hurts. Kiryu, Kiryu...her Kiryu... Why did this have to happen to him?"Lila-sama, calm down. Calm down.""No...no.." Lila refused to listen to her.What has she been doing? Why didn't she notice it? Is it because of Haruka? Because Haruka ... because she keeps paying attention to...Why wasn't she by Kiryus side?"Lila-sama, you should know better than anyone. He will wake up, and when he does, he will come back to you...and if he doesn't. " Ritsuko paused for a few minutes before she continued, "Before..before it happened. He said to me if anything happens to me. Tell Lila that it's okay for us to break up..""His feelings..they changed?" Lila managed to ask.Ritsuko shook her head, "That's not it, he just didn't want you to wait around. If something bad happened."Lila was having trouble processing all this information; she wasn't sure what to do. What does she do? Kiryu, her Kiryu is... He's hurt badly because of her. Because she told him to protect her family. What did she do... Why? She felt a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, her eyes widened recognising whom it belonged to."Damn, this entrance really isn't good.""Se--senpai.."Indeed, the person who was holding her in his arms now was none other than Ichinose Oujiro. Someone who had always held a special place in her heart. In the past, she may have even had feelings for him. No, she definitely did. Ah, he's here. Senpai is here."Calm down. Take a deep breath, and relax." He said gently, as he placed a light kiss on her forehead.Lila does as he instructed, and there was silence for a while.Ah.It's getting better, for some reason she's able to breathe now._____________________________________________"He spoilt your entrance," Takeshi commented.Ritsuko shook her head, "It's fine, like this it's fine. Because we're all here to act as Lila-sama's support.""Is Kiryu-san really...."She nodded, her expression grim, "Right now, it looks pretty bad. However, there is still hope.."That's right, there's hope because...Ritsuko added, "Today's stage, they made exceptions.""They got rid of the barriers? The restrictions?"Takahashi asked.Ritsuko nodded, "So Lila-sama can send her voice better."How selfish.""Yes.""But something tells me, that she won't need it anyway," Takeshi said.Ritsuko smiled softly, "That's true. I was worried for a while when I saw that stage. But I realized that was only because I hadn't seen that side of Lila-sama before. It's different now though. Now that I've seen it, I can say for sure that this change is a good thing."Takahashi nodded but paused, "Think she will still sing for Kiryu-san?" he asked."Are you worried?""While Kiryu-san had his faults, he's a much better person than Karashima Haruka," Takeshi commented.Ritsuko smiled softly, he's saying this now? The very guy who was so against him last year."Yes, I agree there. However, the final decision is hers." she replied._____________________________________________"Senpai..""Y--yes?" he stammered.Lila laughed at his reaction and Oujiro murmured idiot. He didn't think he had the ability to stop her tears, but she actually did stop after he told her to calm down."The snow globe. Thank you!." Lila said as she took something out her bag. His eyes widened, ehhh? Wait, she has it with her?"Wa-wait, you carry that thing around with you?""Because it's important."His cheeks reddened, is she an idiot?"Senpai, um, why did you appear? Because I thought of you""Quit messing around."Lila laughed, "Okay, okay.."She really shouldn't joke about that stuff."I came because I was worried. Because everybody is worried about you."Oujiro decided that there was no use white coating his words and just said it. For a split moment, there was silence and he was worried that he shouldn't have said it so bluntly. But Lila simply nodded."I know. I also think there's something wrong It's gotten better, but I really haven't been able to sing properly" Lila trailed off, "When I met Kiryu, I was able to sing.""...You miss him a lot?""Not just him, I miss everybody. I miss home. I'm very lonely here. Even though I have people beside me here, everything is still foreign. That's probably why I find myself relying on Haruka a lot. Last year, I didn't speak much with the guys in RAY, and they weren't around as long as Haruka. I can associate home and Haruka together, that's why I feel so comfortable.." She played with her fingers, "There's another reason, I know that too. Does senpai know what my mission is?""I'm not too certain on the details, but you're supposed to help him right?"Lila nodded, "Something like that. But you see, I haven't been able to do anything at all..""That's not true you.."She shook her head, "This entire time I've been by his side and yet, my thoughts have always reverted back to Kiryu. I'm always thinking about Kiryu.".She really hasn't changed huh?_____________________________________________"Is that really so bad?""Eh?"Oujiro sighed deeply and she felt him flick her forehead, "Ouch, what was that for?" Lila exclaimed."For that pathetic look.""How rude!" Lila exclaimed. Why is he always so rude? Besides isn't he supposed to be comforting her right now?"What's wrong with you thinking about Kiryu-san?"Hearing his question, her gaze softened. What an idiot. "That's strangely contradictory coming from you."He sighed and she laughed, "I know, I do get it senpai.""It really feels like you don't. You know Lila, I didn't tell you this before last year. But I think you ought to know."Lila smiled, "Is it when Kiryu scolded you? Because he was jealous?""Huh?""Eijiro told me that I ought to talk to Kiryu, so I figured that something happened then. Hey senpai, exactly what did Kiryu tell you?""He told me that I was you're stumbling block. That even though I'm able to help you, I'm nothing more than a stepping stone.." Oujiro trailed off, "That part I have to agree with, I won't overestimate my own abilities. I know full well that there's a limit to what kind of songs we could create together. Kiryu-san told me straight up. And then"Seeing him pause, Lila blinked. Maybe she shouldn't have asked him straight up? But since he brought up this topic, she figured she might as well."Ahghhh.""Senpai?"Oujiro exhaled deeply, "He told me that you're his only light in his dark world. He made it clear that without you, he wouldn't have been able to escape the demons of his past and walk forward.""That's so stupid.." Lila muttered."No, the stupid part comes after. These were his exact words, 'I wanted to wait until all the obstacles standing in our wat was over. It's because of you I came this far, let's not only compose music together but stand on stage together.' If you two talk it out once he wakes up, and I get kicked out. I'd completely understand."Lila shook her head, "No, there's no need. Especially after hearing what you said.""Lila?"She laughed weakly, "You see senpai, it's true that for Kiryu he may have said those cruel words to you at the time because he was upset that you joined DEVIL before he got a chance to tell me how he felt. But that dream of his has already changed." Lila stood up and walked towards the window, "Kiryu's dream, my dream, even your dream has probably changed by now senpai.""That's probably the case."Lila nodded, "Yes. Our dreams have evolved since then. But for me, my dreams will always have Kiryu involved no matter what. I made a somewhat childlike promise with him, but I truly meant it and that has become the centre of my new dream. In this place that I'm unfamiliar with, I can only rely on Haruka. However, even then my thoughts, my feelings towards Kiryu are the strongest."That's why no matter what happens between her and Haruka, Lila understands full well, where her feelings lay, who her heart belonged to. From the very beginning, it's not her singing that's changed. It's simply her dream that has evolved. The promise she made with Kiryu,"This is some way to get turned down again," Oujiro commented."Sorry." Lila apologized, but the blonde shook his head."No, I get it too. Do you get it now? You're singing, no matter what shape or form it takes now, will always lead you back to Kiryu_san" Oujiro saidLila laughed, "Ah-huh, sorry." she apologized, "Sorry for making you sort my thoughts out with me again.""Lila, I" Oujiro started, but she interrupted him."Yes, thank you. I'm grateful. I've made my mind up, I should have done this a long time ago. But I was afraid people would find out who I was. However, there's no need to hold back now. I'll let them hear loud and clearly." she declared. That's right, she should let them hear it. Her feelings for her most beloved person._____________________________________________1 hour and 30 minutes later"Number 2000, Kiku Ari."At that comment, Haruka looked over at the doorway and watched Lila approach the steps."It's time," Clara said."Let's see how good she is."His fellow judges were all making comments regarding Lila. However his attention remained fixed on the girl, there's something different about her."Looking forward to it?" Itsuki said.Haruka exhaled deeply, "Quiet.""Now, now, I'm also looking forward to seeing it. Terashima Lila's stage.""You knew?"Haruka wasn't at all surprised."Somebody had to confirm her entry. And you were busy at the time." Itsuki said.Well, he figured that was the case. His gaze flickered back onto the stage. Her hands are still in a bad state, her playing will be affected. Seeing the girl approach the piano not the guitar, his eyes widened. What is she doing? Her fingers..._____________________________________________Haruka is probably surprised.Of course, he would be.But, she will tell him the details later. Her gaze fell on the piano and she closed her eyes. Memories of Kiryu playing flashed through her mind. Kiryu, she made her mind up. She will sing for him. Like she used to do. She always sang for him before, but since it's been a while, she's quite nervous. Lila takes a deep breath, it's going to be okay.Her feelings may have wavered slightly, but the one person whose hand she wants to hold the most. The one she can say the words ' I love you.' too is only one person.Her beloved Kiryu.
