The next few minutes, Lila listened to her mother"s story, eyes wide in amazement. "Mother, you had a harem."Her mother sweatdropped, "I suppose so. But I like to stand out..."
"As an idol that shouldn"t bother you correct?"
"Well, let"s say I wasn"t exactly like all the ordinary idols. At least back then away, so many things happened, and so many things changed in my life. Despite those changes, I always felt as though I as a person didn"t change. Those guys even now are still around me, but although we"re not as together as we were before, I truly do treasure those memories."
Oh...
"Shall I tell you an interesting story? There was somebody else who mother liked before." Her mother whispered something in her ear.
"Ehhhhhh?" Lila exclaimed, "Uncle Atus.h.i.+?"
Sumire sweat dropped, "Lilchan you"re too close...".
Upon realizing Lila backed away, causing Mother chuckle.
"Indeed, it may come out as a surprise especially since it"s well known how lovey-dovey Atus.h.i.+ and Yuki are now. But there was once a period in time, where all of these great relations.h.i.+ps were completely different. They were upside down and may not have even crossed paths before. Yuki and Atsuhi too equally had their share of difficulties before they could get together. Atus.h.i.+"s feelings for me may have been the obstacle that stood in their way. Yuki had never once resented me though despite knowing it. Though I was grateful for it, at the same time, I was frustrated with her. She should be mad; she should get angry. She shouldn"t just accept things how they were..." she trailed off, "Despite that, in the end, they had overcome it."
As she spoke, Lila could tell that she really must have gone through it all. All the experiences and problems she"s had, her fondness for those around her isn"t fake at all. There were no doubts or lies her mother"s words.
Her reality...
She recalls the words she said to Atus.h.i.+, that"s right. In the end, she had decided to walk this path. She made her decision to walk this path, despite knowing full well what the consequences were. She wonders if that makes her a fool or not.
"Mother...".
"I never congratulated you did I Lilchan? A very delayed greeting. But congratulations again,
"Thank you."
Sumire smiled and stretched her arm. Lila watched as mother extend her hands out as if embracing the sky, " And it feels great" she turned back to her, "The answer to the brightest star is a great song."
At that she looks away somewhat nervously, "Aha...you found out?"
"Well once in awhile idol scouts loiter around parks and other places you know? One of them went to one of your lives in the park and picked up a CD. Coincidently I was in the meeting that day, so I listened." Mother wore a beaming smile," Of course I"d be able to tell it was your voice. It is a lovely song."
So that"s what happened. Come to think of it, Lila felt as though that one of the people that she distributed the CD too was a bit strange. But really to think an idol scout, her sweatdropped. She does need to be more careful.
"Thank you. But the feelings I had in mind when writing.."
At that Mother"s gaze softened and she turned, her hands on her back as she faced her. "And it reached me."
At that she let out a small gasp, she noticed? "To think the daughter I was worried about this whole time could pull off a performance like that. My heart is at ease. You"re going to be just fine Lilchan."
Lila looked down, "But there are so many things I"m uneasy about. So many things I don"t understand."
Mother brushed her forehead against hers, "Ah. Mommy, this is comfortable!"
Sumire laughed, "Indeed. You"re my daughter."
The older woman briefly pulled away after a while, "You see Lilchan, I wanted to tell you before you performed. That it was because of you that I had the courage to stand on stage again."
Lila blinked in confusion.
"When I returned I was hesitant and afraid still. I was cautious whenever I went anywhere. I was afraid of what people would think. No matter what excuse I had, it doesn"t change the fact I left you and missed such a large portion of your childhood. I let you suffer and carry a harsh burden. I truly am sorry for that."
Lila shook her head, and she felt the tears well up in her eyes.
"But, I found the strength I was looking for. When I watched you and when I watched your generation. I understood. There"s no need to be afraid. Change is scary but if there"s at least one person who is still listening to my voice. If there is still one ray of light, someone still willing to listen to me, then.."
"M--mother! Um. It wasn"t just me." Lila interjected. That"s right. It wasn"t just her, everybody. They were all waiting for Mother to come back.
Her mother smiles, "That may be the case. But, right now it"s the idol Teras.h.i.+ma Lila, Kiku Ari who are those peoples ray of hope."
"Mommy.." Lila said. She didn"t know what to say to that, even now her status as a number one idol surprised him.
Mother walked over to her, "Still hesitant?"
Lila looked down and avoided her mothers gaze; she doesn"t want to trouble her mother regarding this matter.
"I heard something interesting; that"s why I came here."
Stupid brother and his big mouth, she shouldn"t have said anything to him.
Mother grabbed hold of her hands, "Lilchan, there"s no need for you to be afraid. I know your journey didn"t go off to a good start. And I apologize for not sending you off properly too." her mother"s cheeks puffed to a pout, "I should have known that brat would take advantage of the moment. What"s with that isolating you for?"
"Um, mommy?"
Mother smiled, "You overcame it, even though it was difficult. A few months isn"t enough to change a person but in this short time. You"ve changed."