The fact that he managed to do what he did so far was already a miracle. But perhaps it was because he already got far, that he was annoyed when she punched him."d.a.m.n it." Haruka cursed under his breath.
Lila doesn"t say anything at first before she raised her hand, "I"m sorry-"
"Don"t apologize. ..d.a.m.n it. Just leave."
He doesn"t want to hear her apology. Nor does he want to see her face right now.
.
.
He can"t erase it.
The sensation of the girl"s skin on his.
"Haruka, it feels good."
Realizing how harsh he was after a few minutes. Haruka sets off to find her. Where did she go? She couldn"t have gone far. He wandered around for a few minutes before he found her leaning against a tree, and slumped on the ground. Seeing how red she was, his eyes widened. Recalling the note she left, he clenched his fist. So you"d rather chose to suffer than to stay with him? Is that how it is?
Haruka shook his head, what is he doing getting even angrier at her when he"s the one at fault? Jerk is right. He"s an awful person. The two of us live in completely different worlds. He doesn"t deserve her. But the more he thinks that way, the more he wants her. Haruka had only been looking around for a few minutes when he finds her. Huddled up into a ball, back against the tree.
He frowned, seeing her posture. She must have run out, only to feel sick moments later. He made his way over and bends down.
"Haruka.."
His eyes widened, hearing the name that escaped the girl"s lips. His name? Haruka froze on the spot. Why did she call his name? Is he hearing things?
"Haruka...Haruka...please stay...with me…"
!!!
"Haruka.."
Alright, he definitely heard it this time.
Stupid….
She"s so stupid. After everything he"s done, why does she want to stay with him? His gaze softens slightly, he should apologize to her and then things can return to normal. Haruka proceeded to pick her up, only to be stopped by someone approaching.
"Don"t touch her."
"...Kanehara."
"This time around, I have the right. "
"Hmm?"
"I"ve always liked her.
!!
He did think it was something like that, but --
"I"ve always liked her, and that"s why I understand. You"ll only continue to hurt her." Despite Kanehera"s small frame, he managed to pick up the girl.
"Are you saying you can make her happy?" Haruka challenged.
"I"m not."
"Hah."
"But, I"m a better subst.i.tute than you."
At the words subsitute, Haruka is not able to refute back.
___________________________________________________
Mikami who watched through the window whistles. Nice. Even with, his short stature Kouta is the real man out of the three of them. A subst.i.tute huh? "He"s nothing to me, Mikami, I love you." Speaking of which, does that mean Kasumi is doing the same with that guy? A deep sigh escaped his lips. Such a dangerous way of thinking. Really, it makes no sense at all. But even so, he can"t help thinking about it. Exactly what drove Kasumi to a corner?
She never disclosed the details to him and when Igaras.h.i.+ came here. He was somewhat vague about it. Lilchan, she probably knows. There"s no way Igaras.h.i.+ would not tell her, and when she met with Kasumi too. Is he the only one in the dark about "her" affairs? The only one who knows nothing?
Really, it"s no good; unless he"s with her. Unless he"s able to see her every day, it"s quite simple to sink into deep and depressing thoughts like this; unless he"s able to touch her with his hands, he can"t be rea.s.sured that she is truly his. As he made his way down the hall though, he caught a glimpse of blonde staring outside the window. As Mikami got closer, he noticed that Yumeko was staring at the scene he had been. But her gaze remained fixed on Haruksenpai.
….
Part of the reason he became her good friend, was because of her brother"s request.
"You want me to act as a subst.i.tute?"
"You don"t have to worry about her falling for you. That won"t happen."
"Well, I hope not. If I hurt her, you"d kill me."
"Of course."
"And so?"
"I"ll tell you, it"s a sad and long tale."
When Mikami heard what happened, he can"t say he didn"t want to get further involved. After all, a situation like this is far tricky. He didn"t think it would be that bad. It"s no wonder, despite her usual cheerful self. Yumeko, from time to time tends to get that look on her face.
Mikami watched though, as Lilchan reached out for Haruksenpai.
"...Tsk. So foolish."
"..."
___________________________________________________
"Don"t laugh."
Lila, however, continued laughing, as she replied with a beaming smile on her face. Her smile caught him off guard slightly and he looks away. After admitting that to Karas.h.i.+ma, he"s somewhat embarra.s.sed. He"s not completely sure and yet, seeing the girl in such a weakened condition because of Karas.h.i.+ma. Kouta knew he had to step up.
"Aha, I just didn"t think you"d be good at cooking!"
Kouta sighed, "Because Yumeko eats unhealthy. Someone has to learn how to balance nutrition in making meals."
"Can I eat it now?"
"Go ahead."
"Yummy!!!"
He didn"t want to destroy the mood while she was happily eating. But, he won"t get another chance than this.
"That guy will only continue bad things to you. If you, really don"t want anything to happen..!" Kouta exclaimed.
Lila shook her head, "...I knew..I was slightly scared, that was the first time I"ve seen Haruka like that. No, make it the second. Last year, something similar happened."
"..I heard."
"Koutkun, tell me when you said those words to me in the studio. Did they come from your heart?"
"They did, but at the same time, I based it on a few things I was told previously. Akari, she..." he chooses his words carefully, "She told me a lot."
Lila nodded, "Ah-huh, I figured...Akari seemed to really trust you."
. ….
Is that the reason she trusts him then? No, even she understands that"s not it; indeed Lila quickly follows up, "But, even if Akari didn"t. I can see it in your eyes. You"re a person filled with such honesty. Someone whose gaze is filled with strength."
"I did say you could rely on me."
Lila smiled softly, "En, I remember."
"For this matter…"
She shook her head, "I have to handle this myself. Did you know Koutkun? Part of the reason why I chose this town was Harukkun. That"s why I have to be the one to handle this. Thank you for worrying about me. But I"ll be fine. Harukkun knows who I am and yet he respects my ident.i.ty...Harukkun doesn"t dislike me. He"s just hurt."
"But the decision was painful for ---" his sentence is cut short when she placed her fingers to his lips. !!!
"Thank you Koutkun, you really are kind."
___________________________________________________
When she woke up, Koutkun is gone. But she feels warm hands on her hair and caressing her cheeks. So comfortable. Lila finds herself leaning on to the palm of the person. "You"re...as weird as ever."
Noticing who it belonged to, Lila pulled away immediately. H--Harukkun. Oh, that"s why it was so comfortable.
"Ah, um.."
"Feeling better?"
"Yes. It was just a slight fever.." she"s lying of course. Her serious fever hasn"t disappeared yet. But, she doesn"t want to trouble him any further.
"You should take a break."
"Ah, um I rested already."
Haruka shook his head, "From meeting with me."
!!!
"I"ve been dragging you around this whole time and you"ve been following me around like a little puppy."
!!.
"Well, in short, you don"t have to be my lapdog any longer. Your free to do what you want. Rather, do you not having anything better to do than spend time with the guy who is only after your body? Unless that"s what you want from me too."
"You have to make sure you"re not too emotionally invested. Is taking Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka as your subject wise?"
. . . Ameno-senpai.
It"s exactly as you said. It wasn"t a wise decision at all. This person is far too cruel.
Before she knew it, she had raised her hand.
___________________________________________________
...what the h.e.l.l? Why on earth did she hit him for? Isn"t that better for her? To be with them? He doesn"t get it at all. Still, his gaze dimmed. She may have sung that one time, but there"s no chance that she can continuously do so. It feels like it will become increasingly difficult for her, to sing.
He took something out of his bag and exhaled deeply. The guys in RAY won"t cut it. Even, he understood that much. But, arranging this meeting right away wouldn"t work either.
"Let"s figure it out together."
. . . . . .