Dream Star 783 The Last Seven Years Par

Makino gave me some information. I will check it out since it worries me.

She decided to come along so don't get the wrong idea.

I will be back for our promise tonight.

Sumire blinked when she saw that text message. She figured that Makino-chan came here to discuss something important with Yuhi. It turns out she was right there. But what could it be about?

Stupid Yuhi, he could have told her about this. Then again it seems like her husband will continue remaining oblivious.

"From Yuhi-kun?"

Sumire nodded. "Mmm. Sorry about his An-chan, I wanted to give you a proper welcome."

The person Makino said wanted to see her was none other than Toga Anya, a former member of the Trio Stars and one of her dear friends. In the past they had a bit of a rivalry.

"No, it is okay. I visited at a strange time." Anya trailed off. "I wanted to see your for awhile, but Ive been busy."

"I know Miss President of the Trio Stars branch over here."

Anya laughed. "Thank you. I hesitated about it but I changed my mind when I saw how hard you were working."

"Me?"

"Yes you, don't sound so clueless."

Her sweat fell when she heard those words and she sighed. "Sorry about this, you know I am not used to praises." After all that happened, Sumire did not think she would receive praise and acknowledgement from anybody who wasn't her husband. But it seems like that is not the case here.

"Remember what I said before? When we first met. .. " 

 "I don't know why they chose me to be the center."

"Right, being the center of a unit aside. Why was I chosen amongst all the other candidates to become the center of the trio stars? It never made any sense to me. No matter how much I pondered and became successful I never understood.  In the end during my retirement live, Yumi-senpai told me. ' You don't have to search for the answer, nor does it have to be said verbally. Deep down you already knew the reason why.  " 

"Saying something so philosophical and vague truly is like her."

"Right. But I understood what she meant. I didn't have to search for the answer, it was right beside me all a long."

"You no longer have regrets ?"

"Yes. I'm entrusting things to my daughter now. Like me she's slow but bit by bit she will get there and discover her own light.  Sumire-chan too, you may have left for a long time but you knew all your children would be fine right? " 

 That's right, didn't a part of her decide it already. .   that she would entrust it to them. Her thoughts broke off when she spotted her daughter frantically rush up the hill. "Lilchan? Whats the matter?"

"Kiryu...Kiryu is missing mother! Kotori-chan is hurt.."

Her eyes widened when she heard those words. She quickly turned back to her phone and read the message from Makino-chan.

She mentioned that they would visit Kiryu-kun.

Could it be --?

..............

When they arrived at the sight, a stretcher was taking away an injured Ayase Kotori. Sumire quickly made her way over and stopped the stretcher for a moment. The girls wounds looked awful, dark bruises decorated her arms, neck, face and legs. The marks on her neck however semed different from her other injuries.

Bite marks, very deep ones. But those are surely bite marks. Did this girl offer her blood to Kiryu-kun? That is the only explanation that would come to mind.

It seems like Makino-chan is missing too.

Sumire sighed. I wanted to stay away from this and leave it to Lilchan. But it seems like they want her to take action.

All of this happened because of her mistakes from the past. While the past conflict should have nothing to do with the future, it would depend on the situation. That little boys grudge against her is deeper than she thought. Or maybe she underestimated him?

"Lila? Hey-- Lila?!" Harukas frantic voice snapped her out of her daze.

She looked over and saw how pale her daughter was as she held up something. A broken pocket watch but red stains decorated the screen so one could no longer see the numbers.

"Kiryu.." Lila mumbled. 

Haruka immediately shook her shoulders. "Lila?"

"No I have to find him."

"Lila, calm down--"

"You dont understand!" Lila exclaimed as she slapped his hands away. "How could you? You left me for so long, how would you know? You dont know anything about me or even Kiryu."

A flash of pain appeared on Harukas face and Sumire immediately walked over. She knocked Lila out with one hand and the girl collapsed into Harukas arms. 

"I will leave her to you."

"Yeah."

It seems like she has no choice now. To think they forced her of all people to act.

____________

In a dark underground bas.e.m.e.nt in the mountains. Yuhi was struggling not to shout when he saw Makinos current state. Those dammed b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. How could they do that to her? She has nothing to do with this world anymore. Capturing him and Kiryu aside, why did they go for Makino too? They should know who her daughter is. Yuhi always thought that Makino would be safe from harm since Rosalia is her daughter but it seems like that is not the case.

He waited until the man left and called out. "Makino? Are you—"

Makino weakly laughed. "I am okay Yuhi-kun, don't worry so much."

"d.a.m.n.." 

She stood up and he noted how wobbly her movements were. "Lay down, you don't have to come here." 

"Its okay." 

It isn't… To think they did that to her and so brutally too. There was barely any trace of the nice clothes she wore earlier. 

"Yuhi-kun do you want some water?"

"Huh..?"

"You're thirsty, your lips look dry."

Yuhi nodded. "Sorry I have to trouble you."

Makino shook her head. "This is my fault. It seems like they followed me."

 "So your daughter did that deliberately?"

Makino looked down at the ground. Yuhi could tell that she was having a difficult time believing what just happened. Anybody would be surprised. To think her own daughter did this. Having people follow her mother, kidnap her and then surely that child knew what would happen?

Back then Makino did a lot of bad things too. But she changed, she managed to turn over a new leaf. She did a lot of bad things but nothing as malicious as this.

 "Sumire-chan must be worried."

"Yeah."

 "Do you think they are on their way?"

"Knowing Sumire she would rush here alone. But you came here with Annya so I am sure she will try to a.s.ses things more illogically."

"I see."

Yuhi glanced over at Makino and sighed. "Help me get over to the couch, I want to lay down."