Dream Star

...
Cafe - Universal Star Town -

Kiryu didn"t know what it was. But after that awkward dinner, he observed Karas.h.i.+ma and Lila"s relations.h.i.+p. No, he wasn"t acting like a stalker and following them around or anything. But, after that day he coincidentally saw them a lot more. He figured that the two were slowly coming out in the open more since the rumors regarding Lila had died down slightly. Though it was still there, especially in school, people would pa.s.s him in the hallways and say how sorry they felt for him, etc.

However, Kiryu would always calmly reply. Yes, he replies calmly now, before he would lash out at people bad-mouthing Lila. But he learned that by doing that would make Lila"s reputation worse. They would see him as the guy who got abandoned and is hurt by her actions, yet he"s still helplessly in love with her, etc. While helplessly in love with her part is true. He doesn"t want to make any trouble for her. So, Kiryu has to hold back his feelings a bit.

From what he observed, Lila and Karas.h.i.+ma"s relations.h.i.+p is mainly physical. Don"t get him wrong or anything, Kiryu can see how much the two love each other. But as for what the two do the most as a couple? Well from the way Lila staggers when she"s at work, and from the marks on her neck - she seems to always fail to realize she has them until somebody points it out. It"s obvious, and with the way, Karas.h.i.+ma looks at her. Just thinking out of it made his blood boil.

A deep sigh pa.s.sed his lips, man this is harder than he thought. This whole trying to be friends. Misaki did say it was impossible, and s.h.i.+chiro called him an idiot. But what else could he do? If he didn"t do this, then Lila would surely avoid him. Kiryu didn"t want that to happen. He hasn"t seen her in such a long time. It would be painful for him if she were around, and yet he couldn"t talk to her. Right now, Kiryu genuinely didn"t know what he was going to do about Lila. It"s not as simple as one would think.

He can"t just "move on," the complications of their engagement aside. The two of them still share a connection with each other. That deep connection - it"s not something that can be broken easily. Judging from Lila"s words that time, though, she intends to break the link. Of course, that is only natural. She did accept another guy"s marriage proposal. Kiryu ran his hand through his silver hair and deeply sighed. Since when did things go so wrong between him and Lila?

His thoughts broke off when he hears the sound of his phone.

From: Kasumi
We"re going to observe Lila training.
Are you tagging along?

Observe Lila training, huh?

From: Kiryu
Definitely

.....
Dream Stars Training Center Y Stadium

The Dream Stars Tournament is a prestigious one. It"s only natural they rented out a whole stadium for a training center, instead of a hall like most people. But it still surprised Kiryu when he arrived there. He"s used to using these places for concerts, not training. They found the room Lila was practicing in and the sight he walked into surprised him. Lila and Karas.h.i.+ma were practically making out in the middle of practice.

He was not the only one who noticed, "AHH! You two are making out again! Geez, give it a rest," Yori exclaimed.

"What are you talking about? I"m helping her with her dance posture," Haruka said. That was a lie, even Kiryu could see what they had just been doing, and he just entered.

Lila, however, didn"t seem phased, "Haruka was helping me dance," she repeated after him.

Yori facepalmed, "Are you kidding me…"

Jae-hee laughed, " Don"t mind, aren"t you used to this?"

"Being used to this doesn"t make it okay."

"Lilchan, did you remember to take birth control pills?" Ayase Kotori asked.

"Woaahh, you"re still taking them?"

"K—Kotori-chan, sssh," Lila exclaimed embarra.s.sed.

It stunned Kiryu hearing this news. Is she resorting to taking those? Though Lila jokes around about resorting to that before. Since according to her "your too h.o.r.n.y Kiryu," but then he pointed out that hanyou females don"t get pregnant easily and the conversation ended just like that. His last few days of observation showed that Haruka and Lila touch each other a lot.

While Lila liked public displays of affection, she had her limits. Things, like wrapping his arms around her waist and stuff in public, was a no. But not only does he see Haruka do this with her, but his hands are also always dangerously on her b.u.t.t. Exactly how far have these two gone? Kiryu is afraid to ask like he does get it. He gets it. Lila has grown up now. She"s changed a lot since they last met, these last few months - she has experienced many things. Her idea of a relations.h.i.+p must have changed now too while he finds it very strange and disturbing that she"s gotten used to another man"s touch. It isn"t that bad; she looks very happy whenever she is with Karas.h.i.+ma.

Still, he wonders why she takes such lengths to avoid getting too close to him. Maybe Lila thinks he would kiss her again? Indeed, self-restraint has never been his strongest point. However, he"s always been a gentleman towards her.

"Lilchan, you have guests."

"Kiryu," Lila beamed happily. Kiryu scratched his face; he"s pleased that she greeted him first, "Um, why are you here?"

"I wanted to watch you practice a bit."

Lila laughed, "We aren"t getting much done, though; everybody is fooling around."

"Hey! Were practicing!" Yori and Jae-hee exclaimed.

"No, your both competing to see how many handstands you can do."

"It"s a matter of a balance, that"s dance."

Kiryu smiled at the sight, "good she"s getting along with them," Kiryu thought. For the longest time, he was worried about Lila. While she had a friendly and outgoing personality, when it came to meeting new people, she was rather reserved.

"Yes, Haruka?"

"Need to leave for a bit, don"t fool around too much."

"Ah, a meeting?"

Haruka nodded, "Yeah, just for a bit."

"Um, don"t turn your phone off, okay? And if you"re not back after an hour…"

"You"ll go after me, yeah, I know."

"Okay so," Lila trailed off when Haruka bends down and kissed the girl"s cheek softly, "Um, um,"

"Later."

"Right."

On the way out, though, Kiryu caught a glimpse of Karas.h.i.+ma"s dark expression. He frowned as he recalled what Rosalia said about Karas.h.i.+ma being there at that time. He certainly hopes he is just over thinking things. Kiryu is aware that Rosalia would do anything to hurt Lila.

"Kiryu, could you help me practice?"

Kiryu smiled, "Alright."

…..
Kogami seemed to have gotten Kasumi to join in the little challenge since before he knew it, Kasumi had changed into gym gear. His sweat fell, what happened to observing Lila? They found a quiet spot in the adjacent room of the training room, and Lila took a seat as she took out various musical score.

"All new songs?"

"Ah-huh, ah I made them not Haruka. So don"t feel bad or anything," Lila hurriedly explained. His sweat fell if she doesn"t want things to be awkward. She should stop saying things like that. But he supposed that"s one part of Lila that hasn"t changed. She is still as oblivious as ever.

"Let me take a look."

Lila nodded.

After a few minutes of observing, Kiryu noted to himself, "They"re all about Karas.h.i.+ma," there"s nothing wrong with Lila writing songs about Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka. The two are dating, and well Lila always writes songs for people, Kiryu was surprised. There is a lot here; it"s unlike her to dedicate a whole new single for one person. When they were still dating, he joked around with her about writing a single for him. But Lila would always say things that it is not fair on Mother and everybody else. Lila has so many people who she cares about, that"s why she"s always taken such great lengths to dedicate songs in each single or alb.u.m to everyone.

But now, his gaze fell on the scores again, "You must really like him."

Lila turned red, "I guess so," she shyly played with her hair, "But, well I"m also doing this to get rid of his unease."

"He"s worried you"ll leave him?"

Lila paused for a moment; she seemed uncertain about whether it was okay to tell him or not, and Kiryu understood why. He is the "ex" boyfriend, and yet still the fiance. After a moment of silence, Lila nodded, "That"s right."

"How come? Wait, he doesn"t think…"

"I"m not in love with you anymore Kiryu, even if I am I really love Haruka so," Lila nodded to herself.

His sweat fell at her words; this girl is way too blunt. Now he understands how Ichinose felt whenever Lila turned him down. She"s way too brutal. But well, Lila didn"t outright reject him. Just now she said, "even if I am," deep down there"s probably still something left there for him.

Kiryu shook his head, "not now," he thought. Don"t think about it now.

"Did I upset you?" Lila asked.

"Well, you can be brutal."

"Ah-huh," Lila paused, "Really, I don"t understand any of this myself. I"m probably not handling this the way a normal person would. I thought I could severe my connection with you the moment I saw you, but the reality seems to be different," Lila hugged her knees, "It seems like, I still care a lot about you."