He knew this would end up happening if they ever went to an amus.e.m.e.nt park. Haruka had genuinely been surprised when he saw where the car was taking them earlier. Haruka knew these parks very well after all. She rented this place out. The boat ride thing aside; this is something you can"t do in just a month or two. At most earlier this year, Haruka paused at that thought and recalled the promise they made. Is this girl stupid? It can"t be."Hey, aren"t you laughing too much?" He is glad that this park is abandoned, otherwise if someone he knew saw him this way he could never live it down.
It"s a wise decision she rented it out. For her sake but for them too. Haruka knew his reputation in the UK is terrible.
Gradually Lila stopped laughing. "Ah so funny. I"m having so much fun. But I cannot show this to my parents."
"Aren"t you close? Well now, that your mother is back and all."
Lila smiled, "Yes we"re all close. But it"s hard to get rid of old habits.." she trailed off, "You know when I was younger people would often call me a doll with no emotions. I understood where they were coming from though. I really couldn"t smile then. Even when I was happy, I only wore a blank look on my face."
Yes, he knows. Haruka wanted to say but refrained from doing so. He knows that"s why when she genuinely showed him a smile. It surprised him.
"So those rumors. Everything people said about me were right. I don"t know exactly when it changed, but it did. But even when it did, I continued to feign ignorance and acted like nothing was wrong most of the time. I naturally drew a wall between other people and me. Only those close to me understood, but even then, I have to question how much did they understand? If the person in question didn"t understand why she was acting this way, then how do others understand? Truly," Lila hugged her knees, "It was confusing. I probably lack something fundamental as a human being…"
So that"s it. That"s why Lila can remain calm at all times. Yesterday"s incidence probably didn"t phase her too much either.
"I know this well. That I"m missing something, but even then I- don"t want to give up. Even if I"m still unconsciously imitating bad habits from before. I want to break down these walls and return the love and warmth that people gave me…" Lila laughed sheepishly, "Perhaps I"m over thinking this too much."
"You"re strong," Haruka commented.
"Eh?"
That"s right; she"s strong.
That firm will and determination that unwavering resolve and faith is what makes her
"Your able to point out your own flaws and think about what you can do to change them. Few people are able to pry into their own pasts and come to that conclusion. Unlike me, you"re willing to move forward."
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As he said this with a solemn-looking expression on his face, she stared at Haruka.
What kinds of things Haruka is thinking. What worries he is facing, are all probably far too difficult for her to understand. But Lila knows there"s something she can do for him. Even before they gave her this mission, she already had these feelings.
_____________________________________________
Noticing the girl"s silence. Haruka debated about telling her. Unlike before, the two of them are dating. While he isn"t used to relations.h.i.+ps, he understands that things like being honest with each other are important. She already knows about what happened with Atsuya and Yumeko. After hearing that, normally one would back away, but she held him tightly and even confessed her love for him. Haruka never thought revealing of one scar in his dark past would bring him such happiness later on. He isn"t able to express it often. But since he dated Lila, he"s really happy.
Haruka decided to tell her, "Ar-" his sentence fell short when Lila hugged him. Huh?
When she suddenly spoke up, her jewel-like orbs met his and a bright smile on her porcelain face. "Since we started to date, I already marked it as my new beginning. Why don"t you do the same Haruka?"
His eyes went wide at the girl"s comment, feeling a sudden spark in his key. He doesn"t have to take it out to know it"s flas.h.i.+ng brightly and not dark.
New beginning.
"... You really are stupid."
"Ah, your being mean again!"
...…...
Ferris Wheel.
His girlfriend leaned on the window, eyes sparkling bright, "Wah. Look you can view the whole city from here." Lila said.
"Isn"t that exaggerated? You can barely see half."
Lila pouted, "Don"t ruin the moment."
A moment, huh? When is she going to admit to him that she had this all planned out a long time ago? Haruka isn"t sure exactly what that means for them. Did that mean she"s liked him since then? Haruka shook his head, can"t be when they went to the amus.e.m.e.nt park outing earlier this year. Lila was still in love with Austin Kiryu. He called it a date, but he knew she was only showing him around.
Seeing Lilas bright expression, his gaze softened. She"s acting like a kid being amazed and all.
"Sit next to me."
"Um — I"m fine here."
… Haruka stood up and walked over. He took a seat beside the girl, and she edged away from him.
"Are you suddenly starting to dislike me?"
"N— no... Um, I"m just shy." Lila stammered.
Shy?
"Jae-hee told me I have to be careful around you in enclosed s.p.a.ces…" she murmured. But Haruka heard everything.
Jae-hee needs to shut her mouth.
"I won"t do anything."
"Really?" Lila questioned.
"But kiss you," Haruka added.
Lila looked at him for a moment, "I don"t mind kissing…"
… Don"t look at him with those eyes. Doesn"t she know how cute she looks? Haruka looked away, "You still kept the phone strap."
Lila"s gaze softened, "Yes."
"Why?" Haruka questioned. He thought for sure that she only used it after he bought it, out of courtesy. So when that same phone strap leads to revealing her ident.i.ty, it surprised Haruka. He didn"t think she would use it.
"Did you think I was only using it as an obligation?"
"... Well, I could tell you liked it but…"
"That day, I was really happy Haruka. Sure you were acting weird half the time and um, I really think you need to learn about personal s.p.a.ce. However, " Lila paused, as she took her phone out and raised it in the air. The phone strap is dangling. "I was very happy. Being able to spend time with you like that. Truly being able to laugh and get to know you better."
His thoughts broke off when she gently caressed his cheek.
"Ari…"
"Do you remember what I said? About treasuring every moment we spent together?" Lila asked.
"I do." he murmured.
How could he forget? He would often refer back to those words.
"I want that to be the case from now onwards too. Since we started dating, I know you"ve had a lot on your mind. Is it okay to do this, what can you do and what you can"t? While um I understand half those thoughts are mainly your desires towards me. I"d like you not to worry too much. I"m your girlfriend Haruka, whatever you do, I will not dislike you for it. I want you to treasure even the smallest time we spend together."
This girl, she says the things he"s always wanted to hear.