Kiryu deeply sighed before he replied, "It's been awhile Honjo-san."
"It appears as though you've been well-behaved and stopped getting into mischief. That's a relief."
. . Geh. He isn't good with this guy.
"As cute as Lila is when she's crying, it breaks my heart when she cries that way."
"I see, so when is the wedding?" Honjo asked.
No sooner had he asked, they notice that there was a commotion in the crowd. This presence is...
...................
A few minutes later, with the top two members of HYOU4 during its strongest reign. It's only natural they dealt with the situation quickly as much as he disliked Honjo Raizo. Kiryu could not deny that the guy is strong.
"Captain, thank you. I let my guard down."
"Age gets to everyone even for a peerless beauty like yourself. Do not mind it."
Is that other comment necessary? But, just now it surprised him. That guy, he didn't even see him raise a finger and yet, Kiryu's gaze landed on all the bodies...So this is the power of the legendary Hyou4 captain. This is the first time he saw it.
Just as Kiryu was about to bend down and inspect the bodies for clues, a flash of black appears right in front of him; a man was raising a knife towards him. But before it could hit him, a long blade immediately knocked it away. Kiryu looked toward where the blade came from, to find a man with dark hair and glasses. He nudged his blade slightly, and the person who was still trying to regain their senses was on the ground.
"You missed one."
"As sharp as ever Sora-kun, I suppose that is expected of the captain."
"You're the ones who forced this troublesome role on me, Captain. Lieutenant."
Oh, this person is... But forced this role? He thought it was strange despite being old, Sora-san didn't think about retiring. He's already held his post for ten years now. Usually one would give it up. This person didn't though. So, it was because of Honjo-san.
.................
He wanted to leave, really he did. There isn't much time left before he has to meet Lila, so he wanted to make sure all the preparations are complete. However, a quiet sigh escapes his lips. Honjo-san noticed, and he somehow ended up here.
"So I'll be direct here." Raizo gaze landed on him.
. . .he's getting a bad feeling from this...
"Austin Kiryu, would you like to become HYOU4's new captain?"
??!! What?
"Captain...I have said nothing yet." his mother said.
"Oh? I thought you would have mentioned it... Well, I suppose it's better to say this all in one go."
Him? Become HYOU4's captain? Sujima Sora exhales deeply, "Why are you so surprised? Other than you, there aren't any good candidates."
"But my powers are--"Kiryu protested.
But his mother cuts him off and shakes her head. "You're my son. That itself should more than prove that it's inside you. And also, it won't just be you. I'm sure Sumire is watching over Lila-chan even now."
"Her powers as.."
"Kaleidoscope Queen. With Hamano Mikami and Kanehera Kouta beside her, it should awaken quickly."
Kanehera Kouta too? He understands Hamano but... No. So that's why Sumire-san said that last time. 'You'll meet again before the journey ends.' She wasn't referring to this meeting at all. It's because when their powers awaken, they must see each other. But, the powers of the kaleidoscope queen are flames. Deadly flames. It's different from the girl's black mist she has been using up till now.
"The thing is. You two will probably be the last pure captains."
Kiryu turned his attention back towards the man in the center.
"The last?"
"Perhaps it's because I took her hand then, but the borderline between what's considered red groups power and blue has diminished greatly. At the time it never crossed me to reject and since we were both willing. We have held a strong connection with our powers since then."
"Captain, those words...even when she severed the connection..."
"Hold on there lieutenant, don't get worked up. I also want an explanation; what do you mean by that?"
. . . Seeing how worked up his mother suddenly seemed. He reached over and patted her back. This man, could it be...the entire time they were all worrying about Sumire-san. Could he actually meet with her? For the next few minutes, Honjo-san was silent, until he stood up and made his way over to the windows.
"You two will be the last of your generation, not because the powers will vanish. But, because you two will change it with your own hands. With Terashima Kyoko's help, we can live in a time period of peace that wasn't possible before. Even after the big fight back then, there were many conflicts. With her weakened state then, and even when Terashima returned. It was not simple to fix things. It was not until that girl reached 10, did things pick up 7-8 years have gone by. and, the seeds of conflict are descending on the lands again."
Kiryu, however, remained silent, even if he's told all of that suddenly. Is it possible for someone like him? What's more...
"I don't want Lila to carry any more burdens than she already has."
"That is correct, that child is already carrying a lot. But, one cannot avoid it."
"That's..."
Raizo interrupted and said, "Let me rephrase it; she has already accepted."
Kiryu's eyes widened, as Raizo continued, "Though it is only subconsciously for now. Eventually, that strong desire will emerge. Many, have said you two resemble that man and Sumire, and I can't deny it either. But, I believe you two can create something different."
This person has always been very mysterious. But now he gets why. This person saw something. A vision of some kind. An image, from the gods who gave them this power. If it's like that if it's like he says, then, would he be able to resist? Does he want to?
Sujima Sora spoke up, "I never had the aptitude to be captain, I was only temporarily filling this spot. Unlike kaleidoscope leaving the leader spot empty is too dangerous. It's true that the captain is too blunt. But you're not a child anymore."
'You may be a child.
But, you have great responsibilities in the future
I, probably won't be able to help you there.'
Come to think of it; the old man said something like that before too.
Also, before Lila left didn't she say something similar?
' M--My Kiryu, I want us to be together...
Um for everything, not just in the music industry.
I will do my best as your wife.'
So this is what she meant.