"It was because of me?" Lila murmured."Yes."
Lila seemed confused, so Yori continued.
"Something along the lines, a lot was happening at the time after all. I won"t say that it was an easy decision. Back then I had already resolved myself never to have anything to do with you and the others anymore. Though the entire time I wanted to see you all so badly. For yours and everyone else safety, I was willing to sacrifice a lot. However, once I saw how pa.s.sionate you were, and how hard you were fighting despite all the hate around her. I felt that there would be a greater meaning behind us meeting again."
"A greater meaning," Lila repeated.
That"s the reason she appeared before them last year. Yori noticed the changes in her friend in the three years they were apart. Lila was no longer hesitant; she was looking forward to seeing what kind of songs her friend would sing.
"Yes, to find that answer, I followed you and opened the door to leading the idol world together." Yori laughed lightly.
"Yori."
Yori smiled, "Tomorrow"s stage, I will show you."
_________________________________
30th July 2035 (France), 6:40 am.
Kasumi paused as she saw the person performing on TV. The location was in London, England. If she recalled correctly, then right now Lila should be in England. Good grief.
--------
Four years ago, 2031 Universal S Middle School
"Lila? Why are you cry---" Kasumi trailed off once she saw the piece of paper Lila held in her hands? Her eyes widened. Ah.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh. Kasumi, Kasumi. Yori left. Yori won"t be coming back." Lila next words confirmed the present situation for her. "She must hate me now. I"m terrible."
--------
The frustration and pained expression. The tears and lonely look in Lilas" eyes only further heightened after Kogami Yori left. Far too many people had already gone from Lila"s life. When Yori left, it set off some sort of key that was meant to remain unlocked. Kasumi first noticed Lilas odd behavior when Kiryu went abroad. Lila kept skipping lessons. Whenever Kasumi saw her, Lila was aimlessly wandering around.
Even though s.h.i.+chiro and the guys in seven stars always tried to be with her. She seemed like an empty sh.e.l.l of her usual self. One night she broke down and said, " What do I do if he leaves and doesn"t come back? I don"t want that anymore. "
When Kiryu came back, Lila stuck to him like glue for the longest time. When it was decided Kasumi would be abroad for a while. Lila left Kiryu"s side for a while and went to her. Lila kept repeating promises every single day to her about calling and keeping in touch. It was then Kasumi realized, what Lila is most afraid of is — those dear to her leaving.
Yori"s back. Yori is. It probably won"t be enough to solve whatever lingering fear Lila has in her heart. But if the two of them can talk for just a little while, something may change. She doesn"t want to give up on that possibility. Last year, the two didn"t get a chance to talk properly.
"Kasumi-chan, are you all packed?" A voice said from the doorway. Kasumi looked over and spotted her boyfriend, Kazama. She says boyfriend, but it was only for show. They are just pretending to date.
Kasumi nodded, "Yes, I"ll be heading back soon."
".. I see."
Kazama gloomy expression was clear to her, she walked over, "Hey, we spoke about this. I"ve already delayed it long enough.."
"You delayed it because you got hurt."
"I"m fine now. I need to go back." Kasumi insisted. Lila must be worried about her.
"Are you that desperate to get back because of Hamano Mikami?"
"...!"
Kasumi shook her head, "It"s not because of him. I may miss him, but my main purpose of returning now is Lila." She doesnt know why, but shes getting a bad feeling that something is going to happen.
_______________________________________________
j.a.pan, Universal S Academy Grounds. 2:00 PM
At the same time in j.a.pan, Universal S Academy. A girl with long grey curly hair and almond colored eyes was in the middle of a search. Her name is Austin Akari, the daughter of Austin Hisame and Asuka and -- that person half-sister.
"Brother?" Akari called out.
She heard a heavy sigh and followed the direction of the sound. There she found him laying down with some books in the surroundings. He"s here. Lilsan told her that once in a while brother enjoyed hiding at the church in the school grounds. But this was the first time she saw anybody use it.
"Your a.s.sistant said she couldn"t find you.."
"That a.s.sistant needs to go. I sent the request already." Kiryu said.
"Yes, but you might.."
"Might lose control and need someone with female hanyou powers to soothe me. Yeah, I got that explanation. But did it occur to any of you I won"t lose control and that I"ll be perfectly fine alone?" Kiryu retorted back.
It didn"t occur to them that would happen. Though those two cases occurred, nothing else followed afterward. It"s as though brother accepted it slowly regarding Lilchan.
"But one must be careful, especially during these times.."
"Was the warning sent to Lila?" Kiryu asked.
"Not yet."
Kiryu shot her a glare and said, "Forget warning me. Warn Lila. She"s in the middle of a tournament now. What if something happens in the middle of the compet.i.tion?"
"...."
Akari said nothing.
"Don"t tell me that they plan to test her?"
"..."
Kiryu took her silence as a yes and got up. "Are you mute or something? You know, don"t you? What they are planning. Someone who"s not a proper member of the Austin household like myself won"t be informed."
"Brother, that"s not why…"
"Enough. I"ll find out myself." Kiryu shouted and walked away. Akari slumped on the ground once he was left and took deep breaths. The whole time her heart was beating so fast. Is she afraid of him? It never occurred to Akari that she would be frightened. Or is it something to do with their blood?
.....
Austin Family Mansion (Akari"s room)
"I didn"t expect to find you collapsed in the church like that.." Rinna said.
"I"m sorry for troubling you." Akari apologized.
Rinna shook her head, "It"s natural. n.o.body knows what triggers your blood l.u.s.t. You"re in an even more dangerous state than Kiryu and Lila are."
"... No, brother and Lilsan are in more pain. I think I understand it too. The feeling of suppressing your blood l.u.s.t for the person you love the most. Being separated from them.." Akari trailed off.
"Sorry, that"s.."
Akari smiled, "I"m all right now. Did he go with her?"
"Yeah, I heard Ichinose is in England too.."
"That"s good." Though she heard the news of Lilsan and Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka dating, Akari wanted to make sure, just in case anything were to happen.
Rinna hesitated, "And... Yori.."
"Yes, I know."
"Do you want to contact her?" Rinna asked.
"No, it"s okay. I understand. Even when Yori was here last year, Yori-san didn"t want to meet with me."
"I don"t know what"s with the four of you. But even now you remain good friends?" Rinna asked to confirm. Akari nodded, and Rinna continued. "If it"s like that, then I"m praying that one day you can stand on stage together with them."
Akari chuckled, "That"s unlike you."
"Agh, I know. It"s just stressing me out. Last year I couldn"t comment much. But Lila and Yori, you and Kasumi. If you four want to sing together, then you ought to. Don"t hold back because of me and Maaya."
....
Rinnsan wanted to stay longer, however, because of her bad fever. The housekeeper told her to leave. Don"t hold back? In other people"s eyes are they holding themselves back? Yori-san is back now. Though she appeared last year, it was only briefly. They didn"t talk either. There was no need for it. The one thing that has always bound them together is Lila. The reason they all became an idol and got this far is because of Teras.h.i.+ma Lila. Akari was sure the other two, Kasumi and Yori shared the same sentiments as her.