Dream Star

It seems like she really can't escape from her fate any longer. Lila-chan, she's so sorry that you had to go through that. Although it looked like she arrived just on time before anything happened, the experience must have frightened Lila.

Ren protected this child, didn't he? She is so thankful..

"Mother, are you crying?"

"I'm sorry, I am getting emotional. I know nothing happened, but... it must have been frightening.." 

"Mother, um, don't cry! Look, I am cheerful."

Such a silly child. What is she doing trying to smile after that painful situation? It was like this that time too when Lila chased after her and brought her back home. Back then, Sumire thought how strong her daughter was. She went through so much pain in her absence, and yet that strength and determination.

Who does that child take after?

'Yuhi and I were both weak. We acted strong on the outside, but inside we fell apart bit by bit every day.'

Lila-chan isn't like that at all.

Her thoughts broke off when she heard a rustling sound in the bushes. This movement and tempo, it's not a sound caused by the wind but a person. However, this presence...is... 

A boy with silver-colored hair appeared.

"Kiry- ---" He goes straight past her and embraces the black hair girl.

"Lila-sama! Are you alright? Are you hurt?" 

That's right, this is what she wanted that time didn't she? To add to the number of people who already care about her daughter. 

"Ah, I'm fine...etto." Her daughter seemed utterly clueless.

Sumire chuckles. "As you can see, she is alright."

"I--"

"Kiryu?"

"Sorry. I'm sorry."

"Oh...um...okay. ...Etto Kiryu, your shaking? Are you okay? Etto?" Lila wraps her arms around him.

Her gaze softens, that's right. The reason why Lila-chan can see the darkness as something precious despite knowing the danger it possesses is probably because she can see it. The darkness in everyone's hearts; because she knows that everyone contains darkness. She wants to be able to embrace it to help those dear to her. She truly is a strong child, Ren.

....

Hospital 

It turned out that Haruka-kun had no idea what happened. When they arrived at the hospital, the young boy received word, and he lectured Lila a lot. But, 'my daughter seems so happy these days.' It was a good decision to leave her in Haruka-kun's hands.

"I'm appalled, you're still as reckless as ever."

Sumire sighed. "I told you I didn't want to see you, Sano."

The owner of the voice is one of her ex-boyfriends, Nagawa Sano.

Sano clicked his tongue, annoyed as he leaned on the wall beside her "You're as cruel as ever, huh? I suppose that is the one thing that won't change."

"I'm already being considerate enough."

"Sumire."

"Don't go near me." She snapped.

"But---"

"Sano, give it a rest. So many years have passed already."

Why is this guy still so hung up on her? She is married and has many children. She avoided his gaze, knowing that if she looked at him, her resolve would waver. Sano is good at playing mind games with people. Even though he apologized for his mistakes, Sumire understood that a person's core nature couldn't change.

Before she could say anymore, somebody grabbed hold of her wrist. Her eyes widened when she felt a familiar sensation. She glanced over at the source and saw her husband.

"Yuhi-"

What on earth is he doing here? 'Is my mind playing tricks on me because I miss him so much?' As she thought this, he pulled her into his arms. "Stupid."

"That's my line," Sumire mumbled. "Why did you come here?"

He cupped her face and stretched her cheeks. "Isn't it obvious why? Damn, you're so oblivious even now. I can't believe you didn't think of taking me with you."

At that comment, Sumire sighed. "But you said it yourself, and we can't act carelessly like before. We are parents now."

"Sumire, as much as I love our children. You are still the most important person to me. Do you truly think I would risk you just to save them?"

"..."

He bent down and kissed her lips. "Well, if you still don't get it, I have my ways of persuading you."

Her cheeks reddened at this action. "Wait, Yuhi, we are in the hospital."

"Your point is?"

'This guy….is so shameless.' But she married this shameful man didn't she? Sumire played with his hair. "Then let's find a quieter place, okay, Yuhi?" The best thing to do now is to appease her grumpy husband.

Yuhi nodded. "Alright, let's go."

He is so helpless… Sumire glanced over at Sano, who was looking over at them. "I will talk to you later."

It's not like she hates him anymore, and she appreciates his concern. He came all this way here because he was worried about her. That is something she won't deny.

...

They exited the hospital, and Yuhi immediately drove her to a hotel nearby. Sumire blushed when she realized what he was planning to do. 'Uhhh… Was this a good idea?'

"Sumire, go shower," Yuhi mumbled against her neck.

"N--no, you go."

Yuhi shook his head and placed light kisses down her neckline. "I haven't touched you in a while."

"Of course, you haven't."

"But I want to," Yuhi muttered.

'I want to…'

Sumire bit her lip. He makes it so difficult for her to say no to him. She shook her head and stood up. "Let me make some tea."

This is so embarrassing. She is already so old. Why is she acting like a shy little girl for? What's more, what's with her husband. Why is he still like this after so long?

It didn't take long before she finished making the tea.

"That's right, you and me. There is nothing innocent anymore."

!There are still some things I don't know about you. I'll ask you now." Yuhi took a sip of the tea. "That charm lost it's power a long time ago when the structure we destroyed the structure in France, but I noticed you wouldn't take it off."

Sumire lifts the bracelet she wore in her hand. "... Yeah. This is a promise, after all. 'Don't kill Yuhi' that one. At that time, I was so very weak and powerless. It was the only thing I could do the only thing. I just couldn't accept your future to be painted completely black because of what happened to you before. 'If only my very kind partner...Someday, we could smile peacefully. I always had these melancholy thoughts."

"Yeah. I somehow already knew that." She looks at him, eyes searching for his remaining answers. 

"Yeah, I see now. Since then, so much time has passed."

Over time, they both went through a lot. Events that ordinarily people would not survive. 

"Yuhi," Sumire said as she extended her hand out. He took it immediately and pushed her down onto the bed—his lips already on her neck.

"Please show me you love me."

She frequently said the five words in the past. Sumire wonders what sort of meaning they hold now,