Dream Star

Kasumi said she would be back before for the auditions. She also said it"s okay to contact her. But Lila hasn"t received word from her since. She"s worried and wanted to ask. However, that would mean directly contacting Wataru and the others. That"s something she can"t do. Maybe she can slip a message to Rinna? That could work. The last time she took part in a compet.i.tion, everyone was there. It feels strange; this is the first compet.i.tion she will take part in without everyone with her.

Everyone. A few months ago, she was still with everyone. Last year on her birthday, she was with them, with everyone.

-----

Last year, April 22nd, 2034. (Park, 11:00 PM)

She glances over at Kiryu who smiles brightly. Oh! He pulls out a cake from behind his hands. Her eyes went wide, a chocolate cake filled with white and golden roses. Several fruits on top. A nameplate that read — her name and the words happy birthday.

"This is..." Lila said stunned as she stared at the cake with wide eyes.

"Happy Birthday. Lila!"

The eight pulled out streamers and popped them; gorgeous colors filled the air.

Lila stood there speechless. The others hurriedly put the cake down on the table. "Quick hurry up and eat."

"The captain will kill me If he finds out I"m here this late," Rinna exclaimed.

"Gah...that captain of yours is always so stingy," Maaya said.

"Is it that bad? I thought he was a virtuous person." Wataru commented.

Rinna shook her head, "You do not understand."

"Wait, did anyone bring anything to eat the cake with...? Like plates? Forks? A knife?" Maaya said.

"..."

Kiryu sighed and took items from his bag, "Let"s just use these."

"Why does Kiryu carry portable plates and cups.." Rinna said amazed.

"Because this one likes her picnics," Kiryu said.

Ah! So he prepares for those? Her Kiryu is really amazing.

Kasumi turned to her and smiles, "Lila hurry and eat."

Kiryu smiles at her and puts the nameplate in her mouth. "As long as you continue to smile. All of us will do our best even If our hobbies are different. Even if one day we have to separate, our paths will always bring us back to each other. "

He"s stupid. Her Kiryu is saying something so cheesy, but Lila supposed that"s normal. She looked up and saw everyone was nodding in agreement.

Lila felt the tears falling from her, Kiryu wipes them away as he gently kisses her forehead. "Come on; otherwise Eijiro will finish the cake. We all know how much of a pig he is.

"What was that?" Eijiro exclaimed.

"You"re already eating half." Kasumi pointed out.

"Gah-!"

Kasumi shook her head and sighed, "Oh brother, why do you have to make a fool out of yourself for?"

"Isn"t this normal? " s.h.i.+chiro said.

"Not just him, Shougo. Stop acting sly." Rinna commented. Lila looked over and noted that parts of the cake from the left corner had finished.

Shougo winked, "Oh you caught me Rinnchan, you must have been watching me."

"Who is watching who?"

---

She misses everyone. She wants to see them again soon. Everyone.

----
June 2035 (Train Station)

He brushed their foreheads against each other, "You"ll stop crying soon. I know he will take care of you."

"No.. please no."

The smile on his face was weak, and she understood. He also thought the same.

"Let"s break up. Goodbye, my Lila."

---

Lila stopped running and looked up at the sky. Where her heart lays now, she understands it full well. Kiryu, he also noticed that, didn"t he? He realized even before she could. She can"t let his feelings go to waste. She has to keep looking forward even if it"s painful. If fate allows it, she will meet the rest of them soon. Even Kiryu again. The next time they meet, Lila wonders what would have changed. She became everyone"s hope, while it was a heavy burden on her heart. At the same time, Lila felt happy. That she could do something, at last. To repay everyone, they"ve given her so much, so much hope, courage, and strength. If they weren"t beside her, then she wouldn"t have gotten this far. This journey would have been impossible for her to take.

…...
Infirmary.

This time around the attack was direct, and they didn"t bother with any direct methods. Lila sat in the infirmary, both legs injured as she stared up at the ceiling. That was straightforward of them. They didn"t even bother concealing their malice nor use any shady means. The good old drop the plant pot from above trick, huh?

"Lilchan, I called Karas.h.i.+msan. He should be here soon." Kotori said.

"Wha? But--" Lila panicked. If Haruka found out.

Lila didn"t even finish that thought. Abruptly the doors opened revealing maroon colored hair. He scanned her up and down, frowned and walked off. Despite the wound on her legs, she stood up and hugged him.

"Haruka, wait. Do nothing." Lila said.

"Let go." Haruka said coldly, "How dare they try to.."

Lila shook her head, "It"s okay, it"s just a little injury. I can still…" As she said that she felt a wincing pain spread throughout both her legs.

Haruka said nothing. For the next few minutes it was silent, and Lila felt the tension in the air.

"Ayase, you"re the center," Haruka said.

"H—Haruka? I—"m fine." Lila stammered.

Haruka shook his head, "No, you"re not. Swap parts."

Kotori understood immediately and placed some papers in her hands. "Lilchan, let me go through it with you right now."

"Oh, the dance.." Lila started.

"I was practicing alongside you." Kotori reminded her, "It will be fine."

Lila nodded and suddenly felt Haruka lift her from her feet.

"Haruka?" Lila murmured.

"Ayase, give me 5 minutes." Haruka murmured.

…......
Once they were out in the hallway, Lila spoke up. The whole time she remained quiet, noticing how gloomy his expression was. But now they were alone.

"Haruka?" she called out, and he immediately apologized.

"Sorry.." Haruka murmured.

"Haruka…" she repeated.

"d.a.m.n it…" he cursed.

Lila saw his pained expression, so she hugged him, "Haruka, I"m fine. Yes, it hurts. But I have other ways to convey my message."

She doesn"t have to stand in the center or even sing the central vocal part. Haruka still came up with this idea to help her save face.

"Lila." Haruka suddenly said.

Oh! This was the first time in such a long time where he called her name. Not since then.

"Being with me, I know it"s difficult. All the accidents you have been involved with since you came here is most likely because of me. But I don"t want to let you go."

This is the first time she"s heard such honest sounding words. No, it"s not. Since they dated, Haruka has been very honest with her. She brushed her forehead against his, "I"m sorry too, I should have just told you what I was thinking.." Lila apologized.

"Yeah, but I got to see your jealous side. So it wasn"t too bad."

Lila hits him, and he laughs softly. His hands laced against hers, "I need more lessons on how to date, no. How to date you." Haruka said.

"Um, why am I separated?" Lila asked puzzled.

"You"re not like the others... I need a separate manual for you." Haruka nodded to himself as he said this.

She half expected him to compliment her but hearing the manual comment. Lila"s cheeks puffed up into a pout, "What"s with that manual stuff? How rude!!"

He looped his arms around her waist, and Lila felt her heartbeat speed up. Haruka brushes his lips against her neck, shoulders. "You know, you"ve gotten used to me."

"D-dummy, don"t do this now." Lila stammered.

"Just a long kiss, the compet.i.tion is long you know? I won"t be able to sneak off from the judging panel to see you…"

Ah, that"s true. Unlike the practice sessions, Haruka can"t just get up and leave. She won"t be able to see him for a few hours. After debating about it for a few seconds, Lila nodded. Haruka"s lips curve to a smile. He always looks so arrogant, but, oh well. Lila wrapped her arms around his neck as his lips met hers.