"So you"re the stalking type senpai."Haruka exhales deeply, and Mikami chuckles at his reaction, "Likewise, I"m the same."
Haruka replies bitterly, "Were the same? Don"t make me laugh."
Mikami shakes his head. Senpai, really doesn"t know anything, does he? Can"t he see? Lilchan is really falling for him, she"s been here less than a month and already something is changing. However, he"s not obliged to say that to senpai. He picks up the bottle of liquor and pours himself a drink. "And so? I must ask, why are you spying?"
"I wondered where she went. That"s all."
If that"s all, then why are you still here? Senpai really isn"t a very good liar. Mikami walks over, gla.s.s in hand to join senpai at the railing. His gaze fell on Kasumi only for a moment before it fell on Lila.
"That girl is very interesting. I wasn"t sure why my father was so insistent I meet her. But now I understand. She"s not like all the others. Her honesty is somewhat refres.h.i.+ng, and yet she isn"t as naive as one may think."Mikami says as he recalls the conversation he had with the girl.
Haruka looks over at him, as he asks, "Did she say something?"
"I wonder."
Haruka glares and Mikami chuckles. "But really I have to ask. When do you plan on telling her? That you already know? You can"t really get in a relations.h.i.+p with her, under her disguise as Kiku Ari. When she knows your in love with Teras.h.i.+ma Lila."
At that comment, Haruka runs his hand through his hair, and exhales deeply, "I"m working on it, I don"t think it"s something I can just say, given the circ.u.mstances."
"True, she seems insistent on wanting to hide it."
"That girl seems to be under the impression that there"s something wrong with her singing now. That her abilities have gone stale, but…"
Mikami finishes it off for him, "..but she"s gotten a lot better, right?"
Haruka pauses before nodding. "Yeah, with her abilities now she will easily pa.s.s the auditions. No, she can easily qualify for the finals now."
"And yet?"
Haruka frowns, "It"s not because of Austin Kiryu."
Mikami mentally facepalms. Of course, it isn"t. Does senpai really not know why she"s gotten a lot better? Doesn"t he know, that she"s singing for him? Ah, geez. If it wasn"t for the promise he made with Kasumi, he would certainly help senpai out. After all, he owes this guy a lot. A few subtle hints ought to be fine. Besides just like Kasumi, he"s found something he wants to protect too.
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The time left after their morning jog was short, after making breakfast. Training a bit more, it was eventually time for Kasumi to leave. Lila finds herself clinging on to her friend, reluctant to let her leave. Kasumi too seemed conflicted until Hamano-kun clasped his hands and reminded the two of them. She does get it, really, she does. But, but…Kasumi slips a piece of paper in her hand,
"This?"Lila said.
"My work phone isn"t monitored. Message me often."
The tears she held back came falling after Kasumi said those words,"Uwaahhh. Uwaahhhhhh wahhhh.."she wails loudly.
"Don"t cry."
"Kasumi, your crying too."
Indeed, there were equally as many tears in Kasumi"s eyes and the girl hugs her. Lila hugs her back. She doesn"t, doesn"t want to be apart from Kasumi anymore. But, in the first place. The two of them weren"t supposed to see each other again so soon. She can"t keep being selfish.
After crying for a good 10 minutes, Kasumi squeezes her hands.
"Something is wrong with Karas.h.i.+ma. You should check it out."
!! Lila managed a nod.
"Also, Mikami is in your hands."
Her gaze softens.
"En, I get it. Stay safe Kasumi. Yosh, I"ll give you a present."
Before Kasumi could ask her, Lila pushes her friend into Mikami"s arms.
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While he was on the phone, he was keeping a eye on the two. Just in case. It"s not like Kasumi would have snuck of with Lilchan. But even so... Seeing what Lilchan did, Kasumi immediately drops his phone and rushes over to catches Kasumi. It surprised him when he caught her how light she felt. He"s held her so many times and yet, he didn"t realise how light she was. Didn"t she lose weight? Has she been eating? He left the two alone last night, but now he regrets it slightly. Even if it is just a second longer, he wants to be with her.
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"Okay! See you. Senpai, senpai, let"s go to work."
"We"re going to kiss a lot in the car."Haruka grunts.
At that comment, her friend clearly wanted to run back to her. But Karas.h.i.+ma was already pulling her away. Kasumi sweatdropped. Uh, should she stop them? Kasumi catches a glimpse of Karas.h.i.+ma"s expression, her eyes go wide. Oh. That"s surprising. She thought Karas.h.i.+ma only wanted to fool around with Lila, but perhaps...
"Kasumi-chan."
Her thoughts breaks of, hearing Mikami call her name.
Kasumi quickly moves away from Mikami. Cheeks flushed. "..."
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"Today, we probably won"t be able to meet."
"I know."
His hold on her tightens and he could feel her do the same. He really wants this to be all done with already, so he can hold Kasumi in his arms whenever he wants.
"Mikami?"
If he lets her go, she"ll be going to another man"s side. He doesn"t want that. The ident.i.ty of Kasumi"s boyfriend, he really wants to ask her. If he"s a good person, maybe it would be best for him to end things with her. She deserves someone good after all. But, recalling what she said to him before. Mikami shakes his head. That would do no good.
His thoughts break off when he feels her lips pressed on his.
"M--Mikami, don"t be sad. I"ll call you on my breaks."
. . . .
. . Will she really? Will she keep thinking about him, even when they are apart from each other? He"s so uneasy. But, he wants to believe in the warmth he"s been receiving from her. With a final kiss. Mikami hesitantly let"s her go, and watches as the light of the portal vanishes.
…..
When he parted ways with Kasumi and went back inside to fetch his belongings. He noticed beside his backpack was a familiar notebook. A pale blue sticky note attached.
? This is for you.
Please sing this.
. . They"ve barely had a conversation about it and yet she already, good grief that girl. He supposes it can"t be helped.
.
.
????????????????????????
HAMANO MIKAMI ?
????????????????????????
There are feelings he can only tell Kasumi.
Things he can only show her.
The reason why he came this far, the reason why he became an idol. It"s all for you. To be able to stand in the same place together.