Lila remembered it well. The words of a dear friend who cried and got angry when she wasn"t honest with her emotions. After that time Lila gradually became more open. But at the same time, it felt like something was missing still. If Yori saw her now, she wonders what her friend would think. It"s the first time she"s opened up to someone like this. Lila casually pulled away, but arms remained around his neck, "Say Haruka..""Yeah?"
"I want to be with you a lot more, is that okay?" Lila asked.
He gently combs her hair with his hands, "That"s my line. Didn"t you say you"d never leave my side? Going back on your words now?"
"No, I won"t."
She wants to be with Haruka a lot more; she wonders what you call this feeling is.
"Your red again.." Haruka murmured.
What—what? Haruka gently caressed her cheek, and she felt her heartbeat speed up at his touch. What"s wrong with her. She"s acting so weird. Her thoughts broke off when she heard someone singing.
Oh, this song is., the start of a dream.
A bubbly and cheerful voice. Lila"s eyes widened realizing something.
"I find myself at a loss at times, stumble and fall down.
I doubt myself.
But not for long.
You took my hand in yours and said, "let"s achieve our dreams together."
I realize I"m not alone."
She immediately pulled away from Haruka. Lila wasted no time rus.h.i.+ng off in the direction of the sound.
-------
A few months ago
"Kasumi, are you a mind reader?!"
Her friend hugged her, "I am serious Lila. About what I said last year. That person too understands that"s why I want you to.. do the same. Find that girl and let"s meet again on stage."
Find that girl. Lila knew immediately who Kasumi meant, "Didn"t she say it? She would come here. But, you haven"t seen her yet correct?"
------
The person she wanted to meet, the dear friend who cried and got angry for her sake.
"We may be rivals competing.
But, were also dear friends.
All the sweat, tears, pain and happy moments we felt will one day be rewarded."
When Lila came to a halt, she spotted a woman with caramel hair on top of the hill. "...Yori."
Yori stopped singing, and laughed, "You caught me. So you came here, I"m glad you made it this far. Lila."
It"s Yori.
Yori. This girl is Kogami Yori, an old friend of hers who left during first-year middle school. Four years have pa.s.sed since then.
Yori smiled and walked over; she patted her hair, "No warm welcome this time? Then again, you cried a lot last year."
Lila cried and hugged her friend, "Uwaahhhh."
"That"s more like it, still a crybaby," Yori said.
So stupid, making her worry for no reason.
"I"m back Lila.."
…...
"So anyhow, I"m entered through the north division. So I"ll be mixing with your group soon. I figured instead of surprising you there in front of everyone. I"d do a more romantic like setting, oh the boyfriend looks mad. Don"t worry; I won"t steal Lila away…" Yori blabbed on.
It"s Yori; she disappeared so suddenly. After appearing in front of her after such a long period of absence. That Lila became worried. This girl is Kogami Yori, the person she"s wanted to meet for so long. When they were younger, she disappeared because of a misunderstanding between them. Last year Yori appeared before her again but it wasn"t for a long time, and she left just like the wind.
"Lila, stop clinging on to me, the boyfriend looks mad…"
Lila looked over at Haruka and noticed that he was frowning, she let"s go of Yori and tugged on Haruka"s s.h.i.+rt. "Haruka?" she called out.
Haruka sighed. "Kogami Yori, were you following us since we arrived?"
Eh? Yori winked, "That"s right, oh you should be more careful Lila. Jealous fangirls can be scary. Dropping a plant pot like that, they almost dropped something else.."
Oh! Lila felt that the person would do something else. But, "You stopped them?" Lila asked.
Yori grinned, "I used my new found martial arts skills."
Lila shook her head, "No, no, you"ve always been good."
Yori pouted, "At least let me sound cool."
Lila grabbed hold of the girl"s hand which Yori hid behind with her sleeves and lifted it out to see the bandages. "Is this cool?"
"Gah, you found out. That"s amazing."
Lila deeply sighed, "You"re too careless." A light appeared in her palm and Siena laughed.
"You"re as caring as ever."
"Honestly, you need to be more careful."
But these injuries Yori sustained, they didn"t come from a typical fight. Lila would inquire more details from her. However, Haruka is here. They may be dating, but it doesn"t change that they are enemies. Enemies, the thought made her frown. As she thought, she does not want that.
Her thoughts broke off when Yori flicked her forehead. "Ah?"
"No brooding allowed! A smile suits you better right?" Yori winked.
Her gaze softened, "I guess."
Yori laughed, and clapped her hands, "There are outstanding stores in this area! Let me show you two around."
...….
Two hours later
"Ah, time to go."
Lila"s expression dropped, she"s leaving already? Yori laughed, "Don"t worry, don"t worry. I"ll see you tomorrow. I just had something planned for the night. Oh, if you see Jae-hee don"t tell her you saw me."
"Eh?"
"The north division partic.i.p.ants will perform a live soon. Over there I"ll surprise Jae-hee. With you, I wanted to speak with you personally instead of giving you a shock…"
"Uh-huh.." Lila drawled, Yori hasn"t changed at all. But she supposes that"s a good thing
....
On the way back Haruka was strangely silent, Lila sweatdropped. Uh. Should she say something? She didn"t completely neglect him. But then again Lila rushed off when they were having an intimate moment.
"When you said you had somebody you wanted to meet, you meant Kogami Yori?" Haruka spoke up.
"Ah yes."
Haruka suddenly slumped on the ground. Wah?
"I was worried for nothing. I thought you meant you wanted to see him again." No names are mentioned but Lila understood who he meant. Her gaze softened, and she crouched down.
"Haruka, were you worried?"
"Yeah." Haruka trailed off, "I wonder if I"m actually rea.s.sured now. You two seem close."
Lila laughed softly, "Dummy."
Haruka stood up and lifted her into his arms, causing her cheeks to redden, "Um?"
"Let"s go back."
Her gaze softened and she buried her face in his neck and murmured softly, "Okay."