Dream Star

Haruka gently squeezed her hands, breaking her thoughts. "Are we okay?"

"Of course," her gaze softened when she felt his lips on hers again. A content sigh pa.s.sed her lips, "Hubby, we can continue this tonight. Let me go on stage now."

"Yeah, break a leg."

"Un."

Lila started to walk away, but she caught a glimpse of his sad expression. He really is a hopeless person, isn"t he? But, since she is clumsy when it comes to love too. Lila understood exactly what he felt right now.

"I forgot something."

"What is at? I"ll get it for you."

Haruka already took his phone out, intending to tell the others he would be late. He"s so attentive towards her. Haruka, she loves him too much to let him go. No matter what happens with Kiryu, it"s already too late. Kiryu understands that too.

"I love you, hubby..."

"Huh?" Haruka looked at her blankly. Lila noticed how his body stiffened too. She held herself back from laughing, how very silly.

"Um, don"t freeze up."

"Right... You love me, huh?" Haruka trailed off. "Sorry when I saw that a few minutes ago. I didn"t know what to say. You act so naturally when you"re with him."

"Yes, I won"t deny that."

When she is with Kiryu, everything comes naturally to her. There are no complicated emotions. However, that"s not enough for her. Lila realized that at some point that those peaceful days with Kiryu were somewhat stifling. A perfect relations.h.i.+p? No problems? That"s not possible. Even though Mother and Father loved one another so much. Father still had an affair when he was with Mother. Mother, couldn"t let go of Ren-san. Other people still came in between, even though it was clear to anybody that they only had each other.

Lila brushed her forehead against his and laughed. "It"s okay, hubby; we can do another round of honest talking later."

Haruka intertwined their hands together, "Yeah," he mumbled. "Make sure I don"t run away, okay?"

"Un, I"ll catch you like I always do."

"Wife, can you give me another kiss?"

Really, helpless without her, isn"t he? Lila leaned forward and lightly kissed him. But, this quickly turned into a heavy kiss. Haruka pushed her against the wall, his hands all over her chest. "Nngh...hubby, I think you"re so stupid."

"I"m stupid wife, so you have to punish me."

"Then, I have an idea, hubby."

He pulled their lips back slightly, "Idea?"

"Yes," her gaze softened. "But I"ll tell you about it later."

"Later? I"m interested wife, what cute idea do you have?"

"It"s a surprise. I won"t say now."

Haruka kissed her lips again, "Okay, wife, I"m looking forward to your surprise. Today, do your best for me. I"ll see you later."

"Yes."

She wants to stay with him a bit longer. But, Lila knew better than to do that. Eventually, Lila, let"s go of their hands. "I"m going for real now," even though she said this. Lila didn"t budge from her spot.

Haruka"s gaze softened, "Aren"t you going?"

"I want you to escort me onto the stage."

"That"s special treatment. Can I do that?" As Haruka mumbled this, he brushed his hands across her face.

"I think you can.."

"Yeah, me too. Let"s go back to the stage wife," Haruka mumbled.

.....

Dream Star - Main Stage -

"In my dreams is a melody

It opens up that old long-kept secret

Your only s.h.i.+ning star

My greatest wish has brought me

To where I am now today

The stars woven in the sky

I stand on the stage, this path I chose.."

In the past, she told Acchan, in Greek mythology, beliefs transformed into a daisy to escape from the Roman G.o.d. She was optimistic and happy while living in the forest, so the meaning of Daisy is joy. One day, she wants to become a bright star, s.h.i.+ning brighter than anyone. A star that will bring joy like these daisies.

Now that she is already number one. Lila has learned that what she wants is something more. To become the number one idol, and to become a star. In the past, it was all for Mother - but she enjoyed singing. She"s always loved to sing. Would she have loved it if her Mother didn"t inspire her? Lila didn"t know. Ever since she was younger, all she wanted was to stand on stage. To sing, so she could convey her message to her loved ones.

"When the sad and dark days have all pa.s.sed by

and when the time for magic is here

Just reach out with your hands

For the day we"ve all been dreaming about

I believe that all of my dreams

They can all come true one day oh yeah

Want to follow that hidden starlight

That lies deep within my heart.."

"I"m not saying that I have no emotions, because I"m quite a crybaby. There"s no use in hiding that now that you"ve seen me at my worst. However, the majority of my emotions have steeled themselves. Happiness is within my grasp, and yet there is a hidden fear that pulls me away from it like a strong force. It"s within reach, but I won"t touch it until the fear disappears."

That hidden fear has disappeared now because of Kiryu and Haruka. The two of them have shown her the beauty of the world and music.

"In my dreams is a melody

It opens up that old long-kept secret

Your only s.h.i.+ning star

That never-ending starlight

My dreams will come true...

..

"Now that was our top members. A word from first place from both sections. First Misaki-san."

Misaki glanced over at her, "I have something I want to announce. From today onwards, the major entertainment companies will have a joint collaboration event. Of course, this includes idol schools too. There is no age limit."

Yori cheerfully stepped up, "We"ve named it the Shooting Star Festival!"

"Throughout the festival, all sorts of collaboration will take place," Jae-hee said.

The Shooting Star festival? Lila looked blankly at the three. When did this discussion take place? She hears a chuckle beside her and noticed it belonged to Kotori. "Lilchan, those three did it for you."

"For me?" Lila repeated baffled. The MC and crowd seemed surprised with the announcement. But, everybody immediately burst into excited chatter.

Kotori winked, "The only way for Teras.h.i.+ma Lila to show her strength is for a stage to involve everybody."

"Everyone"s radiance!"

It was something she often said before. Her gaze softened. It seems like she really is transparent, at least to the people around her. Despite the distance she between them now. Everybody is working hard for her sake, working hard so she would come out of her sh.e.l.l.