"So is this your taste?"
Lila asked as she stepped out wearing the dress he gave her. Lila watched amused as Kouta's whole face turned redder than the color of the curtains in the room.
"No stupid. We all pitched in for a welcoming present. I realized I hadn't given it to you yet, so I "Is "Is this your taste?"
Hmm… Oh well, she supposes she can tease him another time. Kouta-kun worked away at the documents.
Lila returned to her seat and resumed with the work she was doing previously. Lila frowned when she noticed documents in another language and asked, "Say Kouta-kun, there are quite a few things I don't understand. Which language is this? It's not the ancient language is it?"
"That? That's from this town's old language. So it's natural you don't know. Though the ancient language was used back then, this town used a different one."
"So it was something like that. I have to study more." Lila picked up another document from the pile and carefully examined it. There are so many things she still doesn't know.
"If it's this town's language. Then there's a library in school that's helpful.
"Are you testing me?" Lila asked she remained calm despite his questioning.
"Well, if it really is like that. Then you should know better than to reject it. Until the hanyou female actually gets married, she's free to choose another partner."
As calm as she was, Lila knew this subject was taboo to her. After all, she still hasn't sorted out her own feelings on the matter. "Kouta-kun."
"Like I said earlier. Don't blame yourself; it may be easier for you to accept it. I don't know what's actually going on with you two. But, if you want to get close to another person, you don't have to tear yourself up about it."
He's right. Although the nature of her relationship with Haruka is anything but ethical, getting closer to him, ought to be fine. It's okay, for the two to get close to each other. A relieved sigh escapes her lips, at that thought.
"About Mikami's song.."Kouta brought up.
"Sorry." Lila immediately apologizes.
She's supposed to be bringing out their full potential, but instead, she gave them something so half-hearted. Yet they shined so brightly, regardless.
Kouta exhaled deeply and shook his head.
"Really, you don't have to apologize for it. Were at fault for being too busy. Since coming here, we have had little time to spend with you, leaving you open to Karashima's advances."
"But, that's natural ---" Lila's words fell short, as Kouta interrupted her.
Kouta shook his head, "No, it's natural. You, have to harden your resolve to continue your mission here. For someone who is used to openly displaying her emotions every day that must be difficult."
"No, this isn't... the first time for me." Lila protested.
That's right.
Back then she had to do the same, didn't she? She hardened and sealed away all her feelings.
....
-----
June, 20XX, Hospital
Even now she could hear it her mother's frantic cries, uncle Takano entering the room and pulling her away, her pale complexion and the body on the bed covered with a white cloth. Half of it had exposed, and she saw the figure of the man who had taken care of her since birth, died. As young as Lila was then, she understood when she saw that sight. She will never see that person again.
-----
Present Day.
Because she felt as though if she said something, she would have lost control. She would lose control of the darkness that has always been so exquisite to her. If she were to lose control of that one thing that has always been beside her, then what would happen? Until much recently, she never thought the need to think of it. But these days, she knows she can't deny the reality anymore.
The darkness is dangerous. It's scary and frightening. For the first time, she has such thoughts that she wouldn't have even thought possible anymore. Because the moment she admits those words out loud, the moment she further falls into darkness and despair. Lila's thoughts broke off when she felt Kouta-Kun's hand on her hair.
"You, don't have to be strong. At least, in front of me. It's okay for you to cry. ,"
Light laughter escaped her lips. "Are you going to support me then? And shoulder my burden?"
He obviously can't.
No matter how kind he is. Nobody's ever volunteered to do that before. Even Kiryu has always just done so without saying it.
She heard Kouta-kun sigh and moved away from him as she thought. But, the moment she did he grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her into his arms. Ah.
"Stuuuuuuupid."
Eh?
"And I wondered what you would say. Isn't it obvious already? I will support you, take care of you and shoulder your burden."
"Eh, but--"
"No, but's. Though you know for me, this is a first doing something like this."
Lila questioned him, "Then why? You don't have to trouble yourself.."
"But, I do. Well, if you ask me to explain it. I probably won't be able to."
"That sounds stupid.." she scolded him.
"It really does. However, I want to do it. I want to, help you. I want to shoulder your burden. Will you let me?"
...deep down, she's probably wanted to hear these words for a long time now. She would never have expected, that it would come from Kanehara Kouta of all people. But, this is also in line with what her mother has already said to her.
'There's fate, but there's also the unexpected. On your journey, you'll see these things often. But, only you can determine which is it.'
__________________________________________________
When he entered the room, Kouta realizes it right away. He couldn't mistake it, the heavy scent of blood that filled the air. He hesitated but stepped further into the room. He finds her by the window, arms wrapped around a certain white hair man's neck.
Lila with a desperate tone was clinging on to Soichiro. "Soichiro, I'm so hungry. Why doesn't the thirst go away? Why?"
".. Maybe it's Karashima's fault? Are your feelings for him changing?"
"No! I love Kiryu, only Kiryu..."
The girl's voice sounded so confused and so lost.
He has to do something. Regarding this whole situation. Not just for her sake but for his too. With the way things are now, the two will only continue getting hurt.
.......
When Kouta re-entered the room when the girl was fast asleep and walked over to the bed, he could see it, the color of red and he clenched his fingers, "You could have changed it."
"What good will that do? She'll still see red when she wakes up."
Kouta exhaled deeply, at the reply he received. "That's not the point."
Now he understands why Mikami said she looked weird when he went to get her. It's all these guys doing. Anyone would become weird, spending time isolated like this. Steel her resolve, her heart? She'll go crazy before then.
"I don't have better methods, that's where you guys come in," Soichiro commented.
. . .
"But you, don't you--"
Soichiro cut him off and shook his head. "Don't misunderstand. This girl is mine; she belongs to me."
'Belong.' She isn't a possession, Kouta wanted to say. But he decided against it.
Soichiro walked over to the edge of the bed and grabbed a handful of the girl's blue locks in his hands.
"She understands our deal very well. However, before I trap her in my cage again, it's better if she spreads her wings and explores her new surroundings. You and those other guys seem slightly different from the ones she's used to.."
Kouta didn't have to listen to the ending sentence. This guy idea of love is strange. But, he supposed he understood it especially after he saw how weak she is.
......
Kouta had been reluctant to leave her there. But, there isn't anything he can do at this stage, anyway. As he recalled how she trembled in his arms, he deeply exhaled. No, that's wrong. There is something he can do. He has to learn more... His thoughts broke off when he realized someone else was around and through the documents at that person.
"Ouch, I came back, and this is how you---"
Kouta doesn't bother letting him finish his sentence, "Read it."
Takahiro scanned through it and frowned slightly. The redhead puts his hat down on the couch, and mumbled, "Even for her, wouldn't this be too much?"
"The fact he gave it just goes to show that he wants us to intervene if she ever overdoes it. I don't get what that guy is thinking at all."
He likes her.
But, his actions say so otherwise. When he asked her about that guy earlier, she showed no signs of being self-conscious, in fact. It almost seemed like she hated him, and yet, she's doing all these jobs for him without hesitation. The relationship between those two aren't simple at all. Now he understood precisely why Akari-san gave him this job.