Dream Star

It scared him that once again, he would disappoint someone.

Misaki, who had stood up and was now by his side, looked at him dumbfounded, "Why? Rather scared. .how old are you?"

"I mean, everyone"s determined to go through with that plan with the gems. But Sumire, and I have been thinking differently. . and if that destroys the plan…"

"What, something like that... isn"t possible at all."

Haruka averts his gaze, feeling embarra.s.sed. "Damm it, how can I be so weak. I feel like an idiot." Really, what is he doing? "Don"t tell anyone I cried, especially Lila. She"s conked out, so I know she didn"t see. But if she knows she"s going to stress herself out."

His sentence fell shorts when Misaki gently tousles his hair with her fingers, "Thank you, Haruka. I"m glad we talked. You"re a strong person."

"You being sarcastic? Don"t ever tell anybody. I cried I"m serious."

"I"m not acting sarcastic here. I"m sure Atsuya is proud of you right now."

She just had to mention that name. Right, he was on his way to meet with his old friend. His old friend who is supposed to be dead. Haruka is glad that he noticed Lila"s fever; it gave him more time. He still wasn"t sure what would happen at this meeting.

"What are you saying? I"m not strong. I"m always worried. Well, whatever. I do feel better now. I think I"ll be able to sleep tonight. Thank you, Misaki. I rely on you a lot."

Misaki smiles, "I know you don"t want to burden your wife. But, I think she deserves to know about this."

"Yeah, I will tell her."

…

The place Atsuy no Huan chose to meet him was an old park. The moment Haruka stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia hit him. "This place, they used to come here often with everyone." Back then, it was so peaceful, their little group of six... However, Haruka knew things wouldn"t remain that way forever. But, even then, he hoped that things would last a bit longer.

Haruka found Huan by the swings, with a dazed look on his face.

It"s really him... A deep sigh escaped his lips. This sigh didn"t go unnoticed by his friend. The man glanced over at him. For a moment, the two didn"t say anything. But after those awkward few minutes pa.s.sed. A loop side smile appeared on Huan"s race.

"Where"s my reunion punch?"

Haruka shook his head, "Forget it." He looked at the man with a troubled expression. Now that he has seen him after such a long time, the words he wanted to tell him. He can"t say them at all. Or rather, what"s with this man? They haven"t met in so long, shouldn"t he have a lot to say too. Maybe he didn"t care as much as -- Haruka"s sentence fell short when Huan placed his finger to mouth, signaling him to be silent.

It was then Haruka realized they weren"t the only ones in the park. Behind the large overgrown hedges, was a girl with blonde hair. Haruka frowned, "You, your stalking Yumeko?"

"I"m not stalking her!"

Haruka rolled his eyes, "Then, what do you call your situation?"

"I"m worried about her. Lately, she seems depressed."

"Now, you"re worried?" Haruka wanted to retort back. However, Huan must have his reasons. "Tell me already, what happened then?"

"Well, it"s like you all think. I managed to escape; what you saw was a body double. Honestly, I didn"t intend to fake my death or anything. I only created that body double, so I could receive fewer injuries. However, I wasn"t fast enough. I still sustained life-threatening injuries. I tried to return home first; however, when I used my powers, I ended up in TOKYO. The people who found me, it was my fiance"s family."

"The Ahoji family."

"Yeah," Huan nodded. "I owe them a lot; those people saved my life. It was k.u.mi who healed me, though. When her mother brought me over to their home, I already lost so much blood. It was a miracle that I could still move," Huan paused. "But, a part of me thought that maybe it would be better if I died instead. Even if that incidence didn"t happen, eventually, I"d have to say goodbye. So like this, it was fine."

"..."

Haruka doesn"t say anything. Honestly, he still couldn"t comprehend this man was alive. How many years have pa.s.sed since then? How many days, weeks, and months have gone by? How many seasons? Haruka wanted to punch him; he wanted to beat the man up badly. However, he knew it would do him no good. He isn"t holding himself back because of his wife. Lila would most likely agree to him hitting this guy. During one of their many conversations about it, Lila told him that a punch is too good for him.

Hah, who would have thought she was insulting her own brother then?

"I couldn"t go back right away. My injuries were severe even if k.u.mi healed me. Also, my memories were hazy. I couldn"t tell who I was. Mother in law couldn"t tell either. She just treated me as another ability user who lost their way. However, when I used my powers. She immediately contacted my family. Lila was the one who answered then, she told them, "I"m terribly sorry. But right now we can"t... It"s a struggle just living with the two of us here. I"m sorry about this, but please look after him for a while." So, I remained under the Ahoji family care for a long time."

"And you gradually fell in love with Ahoji k.u.mi. b.a.s.t.a.r.d, I really should hit you," Haruka mumbled. He understands it isn"t Huan"s fault. During those circ.u.mstances, what could he do about it? Haruka knew the reason why he was frustrated. "He had a legit excuse." Why did he have an excuse that actually made sense?

Huan falling for Ahoji k.u.mi wasn"t surprising either. Who wouldn"t fall in love with the girl who nursed him back to health, at the expense of her own health? Who stayed by his side during his weakest moments? Haruka hated to admit it, but the two are a perfect couple. He can"t imagine anybody better than Ahoji k.u.mi for his friend. But then, his gaze darted towards the blonde-haired girl.

Yumeko still hadn"t realized they were around yet. She had some papers on her lap and a pair of headphones.

"What will you do about Yumeko?"

A bitter smile appeared on Huan"s face, "I thought I could hand her over to you. I thought you two would be together by now. But imagine my surprise when my sister spoke about you? I already understood from her story, Haruka, you"ve always liked my sister. Yumeko was only a subst.i.tute for you."

"Yeah."

"You don"t even like her a bit? We fought so much then..."

Haruka understood where Huan was coming from. What was the point of them fighting? What were the point of all that conflict and ill feelings? Are both of them idiots? Right now, neither of them harbor feelings for Yumeko. But, they can"t leave her be. It seems like they are both idiots.