If he wants her to mess around, she can easily do so. Haruka must have read her mind since he murmured in her ear. "Why don"t we go riding on our bikes after this? We haven"t done that in a while.""Idiot, it"s snowing. It will be dangerous."
"Some places are still clear. Shall we?"
"Un, okay."
Maybe she can continue messing around with him later? "Lila, your feverish. During the break, rest, okay?"
"Mmm, okay, hubby," she lightly brushed their forehead together. She feels so content and at ease whenever they are close like this. If only they could always be together this way. However, Lila knew that eventually, she would have to spend some time apart with Haruka. To deal with the affairs of the other side.
"Lila, I have a problem."
"What is it?"
"I can"t let you go. Just a few more minutes.."
What a fool, but she loves him so much. He must still be uneasy.
…..
Kotori-chan has gotten so much better. This new song suits her a lot too. Lila heard that Kiryu helped her with it, but even then, it"s amazing. Kiryu and Kotori must be good friends now right? Kiryu usually doesn"t help people out like this. Now that she thought about it. There were some rumors a while back regarding her playing matchmaker.
Lila, however, never intended it to be like that. Sure, she played with the idea of finding a nice girl. But, whenever she thought of it. A painful feeling would appear in her chest, so she decided against it. It seems like she still has some feelings left for Kiryu. It wouldn"t be right of her to matchmake him with anyone.
"Kiryu!"
"Admiring my work? A few weeks back, she couldn"t sing that well."
Lila laughed, "Well, you"ve always had talent. Un, thank you for helping her."
Kiryu turned her around and brushed his hands across her forehead. "You went out in the rain, did you dry yourself properly?"
"Uh, are you stalking me or something?"
"Yes."
"Is he stupid?" Lila deeply sighed, "Forget it, did you need me for something?"
"Yeah, I know this isn"t the time for it. But, it"s time for our families to unite? I guess Hisame-san is ready to share his investigation details. Your mother and father aren"t sneaking around anymore, either. They are holding a gathering this weekend."
Weekend? That"s usually the time she stays in bed with Haruka and cuddle. But, the gathering is important. Mother and father usually don"t hold souriees. However, if they are doing so then something important will happen. "I got it, and anything else?"
"The thing you asked me to check up on. I did. It seems like that company has secretly engaged in foreign transactions."
"What kind of things are they smuggling into the country?"
"On the surface, it looks like standard equipment. But, if so they could go through normal procedures. Why did they bother acting secretive about it? It makes no sense, that"s why I looked into the items carefully," Kiryu pulled out some pictures. "Do you see what"s in the background?"
"Old buildings?"
Lila squinted her eyes. The photographs Kiryu took out were awfully blurry. However, she could make out some old buildings, barbed fence, and some .. "Torture devices?" she murmured. It was difficult to tell, but she could see some small devices by the barbed fence.
"Right," Kiryu nodded. "There is strange medical equipment there too. Old fas.h.i.+oned syringes, some peculiar toxins… Large amounts of tubes. Ma.s.sive amount of stress care medications and organ transplants…"
Stress care medication? Lila recalled her last meeting with Zane. Now that she thought about it, how does a man like that maintain his darkness? That person doesn"t have a partner, so how does he remain sane? It"s hard to believe he does so sucking random people"s blood. So, he uses medication? It seems so simple, but it feels like she is missing something here.
"Don"t push yourself too hard."
Lila laughed, "I"m okay, Kiryu, it"s just a bit of investigating and leg work."
"Even if you tell me not to worry, I will. I care about you a lot Lila."
"Kiryu"s become so cheesy; it"s hard to refute him." Still, her gaze softened when she saw how concerned he was. "I"ll be fine, besides you said you would help me, didn"t you?"
"That I did, I"ll have your back."
"Then, I"ll be fine, won"t I?" Since Kiryu won"t let her do anything too dangerous. Nor will he allow her to act recklessly.
Kiryu paused, "Say, Lila. Is Haruka alright?"
"Ah, right. You stalked me, so you saw it."
"I did," Kiryu mumbled. "I"m worried about him. Aren"t you?"
"I always worry about him," Lila admitted. "He keeps acting tough around me. Kiryu, you should understand too. Haruka is very weak and fragile. He isn"t strong at all. He tends to make reckless decisions when he"s emotional. Then again, we all make mistakes when we"re in that state. So, I don"t blame him. Still, he makes far too many. Maybe because he still can"t accept the fact that he"s no longer alone anymore. There are people who worry and care about him now. No, they"ve always been there. However, those people were too afraid to speak up."
Recalling a conversation she had with Jae-hee and Yumeko separately, not too long ago. A deep sigh crossed her lips, "I want to show him how beautiful this world is."
She wants to show these things to Haruka since he is so very important to her. If Haruka could learn to love the world a little, even if something terrible happens to her, he will be fine. That"s what she aimed for. Kiryu reached over and patted her hair.
Lila said nothing, but a content sigh pa.s.sed her lips.
"We have a surprise announcement. A surprising performance by one of our dear judges."
At that comment, Lila"s eyes widened, and she immediately rushed down the small aisle. It could be anybody, and yet she felt like she knew who would perform. Sure enough, Lila saw Kotori leave the stage, and the person who came up was .. "Haruka.." she mumbled.
Maybe he heard her since he turned around. His lips curve to a smile, and Lila felt her heartbeat. What is this idiot trying to do?
"Karas.h.i.+mSan, it"s rare for you to want to perform. What brought this on so suddenly?"
"I felt like it was about time," Haruka mumbled. "About time to make it clear to anyone. I understand the reason why people blame her. But even then, I can"t sit back and watch people slander her anymore."
He—is he an idiot?!! He doesn"t have to do this now.
Kiryu appeared beside her, "Haruka told me not too long ago, that he"s worried the negative rumors will impact your score. That"s why he wanted to do something to clear it up. Rather than a press conference, this method is more effective, no?"
It is more effective.
Haruka never sings.
He usually doesn"t go on stage unless it"s for judging or MC. Why, why would he.. "I"m too scared to perform…"
"I"m afraid my words won"t reach anyone."
Lila clenched the hem of her dress. What a huge fool.
"Like the late morning suns.h.i.+ne that come through the window
And wakes me up You softly came to me
When I open my eyes, I wonder if this is a dream
If this is a happiness that I"m allowed to have
I keep asking myself
I love you like tomorrow won"t come
I love you like I"ll never see you again
Each of my days grow a new skin
With love rather than scars
Like the thick aroma of coffee on my lips
At some point, you became my daily life
Can I dare endure through a single day
Without you?
I can"t even imagine
I love you like tomorrow won"t come
I love you like I"ll never see you again.." Haruka sang.