He can finally let Yumeko go. Since the festival ended, Haruka understood that better than anyone. He may have liked her. But the moment he met Lila again, the moment he saw her alive and well. Haruka understood the reason he fell for Yumeko was that she partly resembled Lila. He"s late, but his gaze fell on the present in his hands. It finally came today. Haruka was nervous; he"s never given her a gift before. As he approached the place, the girl stayed though, Haruka noticed her by the gate. But she wasn"t alone, a kid with silver hair stood there.
"My Kiryu…?" Lila said hesitantly. The boy smiled, and she immediately rushed out and landed in the guy"s arms.
"Sssh, calm down. It"s okay.."
"Uwaah uwaahhh.."
"Sorry, I chose the wrong time to go on training. Don"t worry; you can stay at my place for a while. Hisame-san and Mother are dealing with Yuhi-san now. Don"t cry my Lila. It"s all right."
Lila sobbed, "Father, Father is in pain, and I can"t do anything for him.."
"Lila. My Lila, it"s okay, you"re not alone. You have me.." Kiryu murmured.
Even if no names are mentioned, how could he forget who this person is? Haruka clenched his fist. Of course. He thought so when he met her again didn"t he? She looked happy, and Haruka understood the reason. Everybody knows how bad the girl"s family situation is now and yet she"s able to smile. The reason for that is Austin Kiryu. He already knew that. He only agreed to her request on a whim, Haruka thought nothing would happen between them. He knew that"s why it shouldn"t disappoint him like this.
.
.
Two days later.
Haruka didn"t stay over for the next two days; he told her he was staying over at a friend for a project. That was a lie. He had to come back and get his stuff so he couldn"t avoid the girl forever.
"Tada! My specialty!" Lila happily exclaimed as she took out a cake she made from the oven.
Usually, he would have teased her about it, but as he recalled the sight, he saw from the other day he frowned.
"Are you going back home soon?"
"Ah um..."
"With that guy?"
"My Kiryu, he came to fetch me. So...once he"s done with the preparations; I"ll leave."
Haruka said nothing and stared at the plate of food than his surroundings. He"s gotten so used to being here. He hasn"t been in his apartment for a long time either since Lila allowed him to stay with her. When she first did that, Haruka wanted to warn her. But then he realized he wouldn"t be able to spend much time with her otherwise, so he agreed.
As he thought, the reason he was so hesitant towards Yumeko is that he felt there was something wrong. The one he likes even now is Teras.h.i.+ma Lila. He told her to sit down; puzzled Lila does as he commanded and he used that opportunity to kiss her.
"Um—um? Wh—what did you do."
"I believe I kissed you."
"But that was my first kiss..."
"First?" he murmured surprised.
Lila shyly nodded. Should he apologize? But then it would look like he kissed her for no reason. Haruka remained silent.
"Haru-kun, do you like me?"
"Yeah."
"Oh... um... but I have someone I like.."
He knows that too.
"I understand; turn me down." He should be used to this by now after all.
To his surprise, however, Lila shook her head, and he watched as she suddenly removed the ribbon from her hair and extended it toward him.
"What"s this?"
"My ribbon."
Well, he knows that. Lila always wears it. But why is she giving it to him?
"U—um if you.. if you still like me in 4 years then, then I"ll think about it."
He stared at her with wide eyes. Is this girl serious? What"s this about four years. Is she crazy? Haruka gently kissed the ribbon, "Then, all right. I"ll agree to that."
.
.
Three days later.
Train Station.
He only wanted to get a quick glimpse before she left. It"s most likely going to be a long time before he sees her again. But she quickly found him, Lila laughed happily as she grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him from his hiding spot.
"Were you playing hide and seek Harukkun?"
"Yeah."
"I see!"
He"s gotten so used to her smile. Because she came here, he could clear up his thoughts. Lila said something, but he cut her off when he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him. He bends down and captures his lips with his. To any bystander, they were a cute couple shyly kissing each other one last time. But the kiss he gave her was anything but "shy."
When he pulled away from the girl, it surprised him to see how fl.u.s.tered she was.
"Um..."
"I"ll wait for you..." he murmured.
He still has to settle whatever remaining feelings he has for Yumeko. But, he wants to per sue Lila properly again. In these four years he will become something big in the music industry, he will make a name for himself.
His thoughts broke off when he grabbed hold of his hand, "Then lets pinkie promise..."
Is she a child? No, wait she technically is.
"All right."
"Yay."
His gaze softened at the girls" cheerful expression.
Four years is long. But Haruka knew could use that time wisely. Right now Lila"s career is flouris.h.i.+ng while he"s remaining stagnant and not doing much. That"s why, "When we meet again, will you recognize me?"
"Um, we"re not exchanging contact info..."
"Yeah, I"ll be changing my number."
The girl seemed sad then, and he weakly smiled, "Relax, we will meet again."
Her arms wrapped around him and his eyes widened when she hugged him, "Okay, thank you for everything Haru-kun. Please be well."