Dream Star

A step closer, huh? This girl, even now, is treating him like a rival. But, he thinks the same of her. Only Teras.h.i.+ma Lila, only this girl can beat him. In the past year, Lila has grown a great deal. The winner of the Dream Stars Tournament will face him for a surprise round. Usually, they segregate idol tournaments. However, he recalled Kyoko-san"s request to the idol board. It seems like she is planning something.

"Lila!" Kasumi called out.

"I"m coming! See you," Lila said as she started to dash off.

Kiryu blinked. Huh, so that"s why she came out to meet him. She had plans with the others. Well, that"s fine. Even though Lila isn"t performing with them as a member of the G.o.ddess four anymore. At least, they still get along.

"Hey, watch your ---" It was far too late since Lila tumbled backward. "Geez! So reckless." Kiryu rushed over and broke Lila"s fall, "Hey... although this is s.e.xy, could you get off me?" Being sat on in this situation isn"t exactly nice.

"Sorry!"

Kiryu sighed deeply at the girl"s actions. She"s clumsy, well he always knew that. No matter how much elegance she displays in front of the camera. Teras.h.i.+ma Lila is very clumsy; she has her innocent moments too.

"But thank you," Lila said as she got off him.

When he saw the bright smile on her face, Kiryu reached over and pulled the girl back into his lap. He locked a strand of her black hair in his fingers and kissed it. Her innocent flushed cheeks quickly turned to embarra.s.sment.

"Uhh, what are you doing?"

"Showing my love for you."

Lila laughed, "You don"t hold back, do you?"

"What are you talking about? I"ve always held back around you."

"Uh," awkward laughter escaped Lila"s lips. "I think I know that Kiryu."

He buried his face in her neck.

"Kiryu?"

"No matter what happens, Lila. The two of us--"

Kiryu felt Lila squeeze his hands, "Un, thank you so much, Kiryu."

….

January 1st, 2036 - SU TV Station -

"Kiryu!" a cheerful voice beamed. Kiryu, who was just exiting the car, spotted a girl with black hair waiting at the entrance.

"Hey," Kiryu greeted. "What are you doing? It"s still cold, go inside."

Lila laughed, "I was waiting for you. I heard we had work together."

His gaze softened, "I see. Well, let"s go inside."

Only a few days have pa.s.sed since he last saw Lila. However, Kiryu glanced over at the girl beside him. Not seeing her for a single day is painful. But then again, Kiryu knew she barely saw Haruka the last few days too. Lila is busy with her idol work and school. Though Lila is a student of Light Academy now, because of the current situation. Lila is taking her exams and some lessons in Universal Star Academy. One would a.s.sume he would see her a lot more then. Yet, he really had terrible timing. Whenever she came to school, he always had work.

Kiryu thought back to the conversation they had not too long ago.

The first star s.h.i.+ning brighter than anyone, was it? Lila, back then, she was already everyone"s first star. The people who surrounded Lila all loved and respected her. Even amongst your acquaintances, there was love, respect, desire to beat you - mainly noisy people like Maaya and Rinna, as well as those who strived to improve themselves to stand by her side like Kasumi and his sister. People who treat her like a rival and yet treat her as their dearest friend like Yori.

So many people loved and cared for Lila. She is loved so much. But because they"ve always been the same, the fact that one day she would leave has always been on his mind. The fact that one day she would disappear and break off all contact with everyone is something he knew was possible for her, even if Lila didn"t go on her trip. Kiryu felt that the outcome would be the same here. She would have eventually become afraid, afraid of happiness.

At the start, when she had accepted his confession in high school. He thought it was a dream. Even if he suspected that there had been some fondness, he didn"t think the two of them could be together.

When he told Shougo this, his companion told him he had been stupid," Lila kissed you and acted like that, and yet it"s not enough evidence?" The kisses and the fact that she said it with her very own lips when she was sick. He didn"t think he could know true love and happiness, and yet that girl proved it to be possible.

Lila suddenly hid behind him, causing him to pay more attention to his surroundings. He glanced over and spotted Haruka not too far from where they were. He was speaking to a girl with short brown hair. Ah... The two were in-depth discussion. However, Kiryu noted how close they stood next to each other.

"Hey, why are you hiding? Go say h.e.l.lo."

"No! I promised I"d let the two have some closure."

"This girl is doing stupid things again." Kiryu thought. Even if Haruka needs closure with his previous relations.h.i.+p. Lila doesn"t have to avoid him. Kiryu, however, dragged Lila over to where Haruka was.

"Wife, good morning."

"G-good m-"

Haruka gently kissed Lila"s lips, "Good morning."

"Uh, um!!"

"Did you take your medicine? I left you some food. Sorry, I went ahead of you."

"Um, it"s fine, and I did. I know you had meetings all morning. So uhh, umm-- You know--!"

"Well, this is fine, but," Kiryu observed the brunette haired woman at the side. This one bothers him a bit. Maybe because she isn"t a snake-like those other girls. However, Kiryu felt that eventually, she would cause Lila problems.

When Kiryu looked up, Haruka and Lila were practically making out. Kiryu coughed, and Haruka glanced over. An annoyed look on his face. But Rikka reached over and tugged on his arm. "Were going to be late."

"Mmmm, but my wife is so cute. What do I do?"

Lila blushed and hit him; she drew back. "Alright silly, you"ve had your fun. Let me go." Lila walked back over to him.

"No," Haruka muttered. "Wife don"t leave."

Kiryu saw Haruka"s expression and paused. "Lila...Maybe you should.."

"Tell them I"ll be late, Kiryu."

"Huh? Yeah, okay," Kiryu nodded and watched as she returned back to Haruka.

Lila wrapped her arms around Haruka"s neck and murmured something.

"Is that okay?" Haruka"s dull gaze heightened a bit.

"En! Let"s get close."

Kiryu saw Haruka"s expression soften, and he lightly pulled the girl into his arms. "You look cold; you need more layers."

"This is fine, mmm. I"m comfortable now."

With those words said, the two quickly disappeared behind the doors. Kiryu awkwardly stood there until the brunette haired woman glanced over. "Are you coming inside?"

"Uh yeah," he quickly followed after her. The doors closed behind them. Since it was new year, not many people were in the lounge. Then again, who wants to work on new years day? If it weren"t for the live, then Kiryu wouldn"t come here today either.

"Is that for Haruka?" Kiryu guessed. He noticed parcel in the girl"s hands.

"Yes."

Uhh, this girl, she"s so cold and blunt. Still, "Did you ask Lila?"

"I asked her; she said it was okay."

She really asked?

"Because Haruka told me to."

A knowing ah escaped his lips.

Rikka, however, continued irritated, "It"s only a gift. Does he need to ask for her permission?"

Kiryu sweat dropped at that comment. It"s true anybody else would see it as being unreasonable. However, "You wouldn"t feel comfortable if your partner got a gift from the opposite gender, one who was in a previous relations.h.i.+p or liked your partner, right?"

"Is that really a problem? I wouldn"t mind. Haruka got gifts from girls all the time. We even used to share all the chocolates he received."

"Uh...what the…" Now that Kiryu thought about it. Haruka mentioned it before, didn"t he, he isn"t used to Lila"s reaction when it comes to other girls? At first, Kiryu thought Haruka did that deliberately so he could continue to play around. It was a cruel thought. However, one can"t blame him for feeling that way. So, Haruka is clueless after all. That guy doesn"t know real love.

What kind of relations.h.i.+p did he have with this woman?