A few months ago, March 2035
Kiryu frowned once he found Lila in the kitchen, no what upset him was."What are you doing? don't use your powers."
"Ah, it's okay Kiryu! I'm just preserving the food."
"You don't have to..."
"It should last for two-and-a-half months if I do this."
Seeing her so into it, Kiryu understood that he couldn't say anything to stop her and pulled out a cigarette. At least he was going to when he found Lila staring at him. He walked over and hugged her from behind, causing soft laughter to escape her lips. "Flirting time!!"
Lila exclaimed happily.
"Recently, it's always flirting time, huh? "
"Ah, that's because you bully me a lot."
"Well, anyone would if somebody stares at them. And what's more, you keep sneaking up and doing things to me."
"Wah, he noticed," Lila exclaimed.
Did she think he wouldn't?
"Forget the food; we have to find a way to preserve your scent…Mm, I have plans..." he muttered as he buried his face in her hair.
Lila's cheeks reddened. Noticing this, he pulled back and turned her around.
He tenderly caressed her red cheeks.
"Lila."
Lila responded by laughing softly and showing him a shy smile.
Kiryu blinked again.
She looked cute like that.
He wondered to himself, what sort of man has Lila turned him into? He recalled what the others have been saying about him lately, about him being kind and gentle — comments like he isn't so scary anymore.
That was unthinkable!
But then again, he had been wondering that for nearly ten years, ever since he had first met her and had him wrapped around her tiny finger by just looking at him with her adorable eyes. Now that he thinks about it, he did fall for her at first sight. Back when they were children, he thought a fairy descended on to earth.
He thought she was some heavenly being, but now it's slightly different. Lila isn't a child, she's slowly becoming a woman, and now she's his. She belonged to him. Kiryu moved his head so that he could kiss her pretty mouth.
His Lila tastes sweet; he wanted more of her. The girl's phone started ringing, and Lila rolled away from him and picked it up.
"Ah, it's time to get ready," she informed him.
. …. Is she serious?
He can't think of work after kissing her like this.
Seeing her hold up the lunch box she just made though, he exhaled deeply. Well, flirting with her during lunch is also alright. He extended his hand out and patted her hair; soft laughter escaped her lips. "Let's go Kiryu."
-----
Present day.
In Universal S Town, a certain man with silver hair just woke up moments ago and was planning his day. Gradually his situation was getting better, and he was slowly accepting 'work' again. But only a few minor jobs. He still didn't feel up to returning to work. Kiryu understood that the longer he delayed it, the longer it would take to return to work. However he could not bring himself to return yet. Kiryu stepped into the kitchen, lost in thought and walked over to the fridge and opened it.
Kiryu is looking at the foods with wide eyes. The food is actually preserved, the flavors still as good as new. While he usually doesn't like eating breakfast, he should eat since she labeled all of them on days of the week.
Even if they are far apart, he has a feeling that she would notice. He took out one of the labeled containers and put it inside the microwave.
As he waited patiently, Kiryu hears a beep sound and pulled out his phone. One new unread message from Azua.
From: Azua
________________
Your new assistant is coming today.
_______________________
That was today? He wanted to pay a visit to the Terashima family, but that's probably going to have to wait. Azua may have assisted in watching over and take care of him. The girl's career is flourishing; she's busy helping Akari with song class. What's more, she's a girl; she can't follow him around in lessons.
Kiryu insisted that he didn't need one. But, he received an automatic rejection. He does understand why. While he was preparing himself for it, as expected, without Lila. He isn't stable emotionally, and his gaze landed on the mirror where his eyes had turned a deep crimson red. He ought to wear a hat until it goes away.
........
Park.
This singing ---
Sure, enough when Kiryu followed the source of the music. He found himself in a familiar park, for a split moment flashes of memories of his last visit here with Lila appeared in his mind. But Kiryu shook his head and searched for the source. It didn't take him long to find it, standing right in front of the large tree was a woman with long brown hair and amethyst coloured eyes.
"Sumire-san," he called out.
"Oh, my, it's you Kiryu-kun," Sumire acknowledged with a nod.
This woman is Lila's mother, Terashima Sumire - but also the reigning Queen Of Music. Even though she's retired as an idol, since last year she's returned to the scenes of the Music World. She's signed with a agency abroad now and is singing alongside her husband.
He immediately wrapped his jacket around her, and the older woman laughed, "Such a courteous gentleman. Though, Lila-chan would get jealous if you do this."
"Please, Lila would lecture me more for not helping you." he trailed off and spotted the bundle beside her fast asleep. "I'm sure Lila would have liked to see her, her new sister."
Sumire chuckled. "Indeed, I was surprised too. I didn't think I was pregnant until last month."
"How you didn't notice is a real wonder."
"Lila-chan was saying it for a while though, that I was pregnant. Perhaps that girl inherited Yuhi's strong foresight,"
Well, he won't deny that. Lila, even predicted that it was a girl. With Sumire-sans illness and Queen of Darkness powers, it was difficult to tell whether she was pregnant or not. The Queen Of Darkness, even when Kiryu thought about it carefully he's unsure of what to think. It's something that falls under the Hanyou category however even then it's a real mystery to him. Why somebody like Terashima Sumire is the Queen Of Darkness.
Before Kiryu could say anything else, he heard a rustling sound and looked at the source. He turned to the bushes and found a tall man with black hair standing there with a frown on his face.
His sensei, Terashima Yuhi. Lila's father, the God of music. The only one who can match up against Sumire-san.
The man looked unhappily towards his wife, "What are you doing? You had a fever this morning. "Yuhi lectured.
"I wanted to take our precious Hoshiko on a walk," Sumire explained.
Yuhi-sensei shook his head, "You could have left that to me."
Kiryu proceeded to leave when Yuhi-sensei called out to him. "Kiryu, a word. Drop by when you can."
"Yeah, I will. "As Kiryu was about to turn away, he felt a tug on his shoulder. A small hand had reached out to him. It was from the baby known as Hoshiko.
"K..kiyu! Kiryu! "
As the little child murmured his name, Kiryu blinked surprised.
The two adults too seemed surprised, and it was Sumire-san who broke it. Soft laughter escaped her lips.
"My, my, her first words are your name huh Kiryu-kun?"
First? You mean she hasn't spoken all week since she was born? He looked at the child in wonder. She resembled Lila slightly.
"So were Lila-chan's first words."
Huh?
"Lila-chan, said your name before she met you. That's why when Asuka told me the name of her son, I was surprised." Sumire said with a bright smile.
His whole face turned red, and he covered his mouth with his hand.
A faint memory occurred to him, words from back then, his very first words.
'Li--li-Lila'
It was the same for her.
'My Kiryu, its fate !!'
Fate. He always went along with it. But, apart of him wasn't serious. He knew that their parents would eventually introduce them to each other, due to their rare blood type. It's fate huh. He felt the girl extend her hand out, and blinked, and Sumire-san places the child in his arms.
"I know you'll be late to your appointment. But," Sumire trailed off. She didn't have to finish his sentence since he nodded in agreement.
"I'll stay, for a bit," he said.
"Yes, thank you."
The little girl pinching his cheeks with her small hands. She seemed to be attempting to stretch them, that action lead to him feeling nostagalic. When they were younger, Lila used to do the same. 'Smile my Kiryu!'
___________________________________________________
3 hours later.
"Y--your house?" Selia stammered.
"Yeah, I have to get a change of clothes since I'll be staying overnight. You might as well bring your luggage and sort it out there."
Selia hesitantly nodded.
Thump. Thump. Don't worry; he doesn't suspect her. He doesn't know she is a girl. Calm down. But, she is still nervous. Just now before she met him, she was cautiously walking around. Her thoughts broke off when his phone rings. Kiryu-san opened it, and she caught a glimpse of the wallpaper. A pretty girl with a delicate and elegant looking appearance.
Oh, he has a girlfriend. So that's why Nikki-san said she would be safe with him.
.....
Star Company.
She's grateful that they didn't end up going to his place. That phone call was to inform him to head to the company right away. The building owned by the Austin family was so glamorous that she shifted around uncomfortably, while she followed behind him.
"Kiryu-san, did you see it? An interesting girl debuted recently."
"If she has black curly hair, clings to me all cutely, calls me 'my Kiryu' then," Kiryu said.
"Kiryu-san, you have a bias already."
"Forget it; he's head over heels for someone."
So, he has a girlfriend. That relieved her. They eventually arrive at what looked to be a meeting room. Seeing the number of people gathered in the place, Selia started to feel nervous. Maybe he noticed since he patted her head.
"Relax, they aren't that scary. You're with me too; nobody will say anything." Kiryu assured her.
"Y--yes." she stammered.
A video was playing the moment they arrived at their seats.
A girl with long gorgeous blue curly hair was singing.
"Sonzai Stay alive... Stay alive..."
What a beautiful voice. Kiryu-san immediately froze.
"See she's..."
"Lila…My Lila..."Kiryu murmured.
"Huh?" The others in the room started to react to Kiryu-sans words.
"Wait, wait, can it really be."
"Lila …." Kiryu repeated in a daze.
Selia tilted her head in confusion.
Selia doesn't know what was going on, but she tugged on his sleeve. Kiryu snapped out of it and murmured thanks. He runs his hand through his hair and drinks some water. He looked towards the TV again and muttered. "Don't let this leave the room, check the security cameras and see if anyone was passing by,"
"Got it Kiryu-san."
One of the two boys left, leaving pale blonde.
"Kiryu-san, if you want to contact."
Kiryu shook his head, "I do. But, since Lila seems to be well, there's no need."
"Really? Do you think that she's okay? Her singing, something is different now. She's afraid of something. Without you by her side--."
"Tatsumi." A girl with ginger-colored hair, wearing a pink ribbon on her hair appeared. Recognition filled her eyes. Oh, this was the person who contacted her.
"Azua-san." Tatsumi greeted.
"I'll take care of things here. Silence the others."
Indeed, there were plenty of other people in the meeting room. Who after Kiryu-san and the two with him murmured the name, 'Lila,' immediately turned in to a discussion.
"You knew?"
"No need. It's only a few sentences but keep it to a minimum."
"I know."
The girl named Azua nodded and turned to him.
"Nakanishi-kun, take care of him. I'll go over your duties later."Azua said.
"Y--yes."
Once the girl left. She noticed him staggering, and Selia immediately broke his fall.
.....
H--how on earth did it end up like this?
"You know. For a guy, your lap is soft."
If she could muster up some strength, she would have hit him by now.
"Sorry, I know this is a strange situation. But, I won't be able to move for a while. Stay put for a bit."
Selia was still flustered but managed to regain her composure.
"The girl who was singing. This Lila person, she's your girlfriend?"
she asked.
"…You don't know Lila?"
Seeing Kiryu frown slightly, her cheeks redden. Oh god, she should have at least done her research. Then again, she didn't have time to research after escaping. She recalled Nikki-san being one of that guy's customers, and she left her number. 'If you ever want to get out, call me. ' Honestly, for the longest time, she did want to escape. But, she fell for it, that guys words, his sweet words. 'Selia, stay with me forever.'
Realizing he was still waiting for an answer.
"I don't know much, about the outside world. I've been living a very dark life up till now."
"Then, you came to the right place. "
Eh?
"This place, the people you meet here. They will teach you about warmth. I won't gloss over my words; there are many who may give you trouble for being my assistant. But, there will be just as many. Or even more who will teach you about kindness."
She does want to cry. How long has she wanted to hear those words?