Dream Star

"Why do you think birds fly?"

"Because they have wings," the answer seemed stupid, and yet Yori sensed Lila was serious, so she answered.

Lila nodded, "There"s that, but I think it"s a matter of willpower."

"Willpower?" Yori repeated.

"Yes, you see the general stereotype of being an idol and the entertainment industry itself is about being compet.i.tive, isn"t it? They make us think compet.i.tively. But you see while that"s something that can"t be avoided, competing with others. The main thing is, rather than be compet.i.tive towards other people you have to compete with yourself. You have to fight yourself. Not giving up and pursuing things head on is the right att.i.tude."

"Lila, do you mean to say — "

"Defeating k.u.mi-senpai was my purpose, and yet when I saw the difference, despite how minor it was. I was ready to give up; it felt like my whole world was crumbling down. But after that talk, it became clear to me. The world is filled with a endless amounts of possibilities. Kyoko-nee gave me another dream, and I could spread my wings on a grander stage as a result. However, the hopes and dreams that Mother gave me is something I can"t give up on. Whether it"s singing, dancing, or fas.h.i.+on, I want to be able to pursue it with a grander mindset. The way I am now, I"ll be able to do it," Lila turned to her. "Yori, I"m not sure about taking part in the next G.o.ddess4 selection. Once we"re done with the work here, I"ll be leaving so I can join Haruka."

Yori"s eyes widened in alarm; she knew that Lila had other plans after the Dream star tournament. But Yori always thought that it would be in j.a.pan. She didn"t think that Lila would leave. To the young her, sure the Legendary generation also inspired her to become an idol.

However, it was because of Teras.h.i.+ma Lila, that she found the courage and strength to pursue something completely different. It was because Lila was there, that she was able to continue pus.h.i.+ng herself. Because there"s always someone ahead of her.

"After the work here is over, I will leave to join Haruka; honestly, I only made this decision recently. But when I found out that he would be leaving, I wanted to join him. I understand that this decision may startle you all, and it honestly wasn"t easy to decide this. To leave the G.o.ddess4 and G.o.d5, to leave everyone else behind. To leave my hometown again," Lila trailed off and laughed, "But I realized it, I"m helplessly in love with Haruka. I want to stay with him no matter what happens. After experiencing things here abroad, I realize I want to develop my horizons more. Even if I don"t get many jobs as long as I can sing, it doesn"t matter where I am."

She-- Lila, she"s decided? No, Yori could sense that the girl was still hesitating. Of course, she would hesitate. Why would she abandon everything just like that? What"s the catch?

Yori wanted to ask Lila, "What about Kiryu?" but she swallowed those words.

For people, it differs, but for her, those who stand on the center, those who stand on the top is similar to a ray of light - no the sun. A spot that carries heavy responsibilities to lead other people - a spot filled with the weight of peoples admiration. A heavy burden, only those who are truly strong can handle it.

But for her, for her who became an idol far later than all the others.

"From the very start, my only number one idol was you, Teras.h.i.+ma Lila," Yori started. This is the best time for her to say it, "Even when you were tossed around and pushed aside. You always shone so very brightly. Whenever I watched you, whether it was group stages or not, it felt like you were the only one singing. I understood those feelings the moment we stood on stage together. It didn"t matter which position you stood in; you always shone so very brightly. The light around you was blinding," Yori didn"t know why but the tears started to stream down her face.

"The reason I pursued my dream as an idol was because of you Lila. I always thought that as long as I stood beside you, I"d be able to keep motivating myself for this. But I was wrong, I was wrong," Yori repeated.

Her friend smiled, Lila said nothing but Yori knew the girl was listening.

"What I want is to be able to stand beside you not just as a support but as your equal, Lila you"d like that better, wouldn"t you?"

Her friend nodded.

Even more than Kasumi and the others, she has always wanted to continue evolving the shapes group alongside this person. To stand on stage with her and evolve the idol world.

"You see Yori; I understood that already, whenever I watched your stage, or whenever we shared the same stage."

At that comment, her cheeks turned red, "Wait you. ..already... "

"Because although the other girls clearly expressed who it was in the legendary generation that they liked the most, Yori you were the only one who remained independent. I became curious about you because of that reason."

Yori looked down, shame-filled her featured, "Gah...so it was because of that time," it was actually an embarra.s.sing moment for her. That was the first time she acted so arrogant and reckless.

"Even though your resolve of inspiration was the strongest out of all the other girls. I wondered who it was that you admired. When I realized who it was, it took me back. Because I"ve never really paid attention to the younger generation," Lila laughed, "That sounds rather insensitive of me. But everyone in the G.o.ddess4, everyone in my generation, the guys and the girls all said the same thing. If there is somebody who aspires to be like you, someone who receieved courage and hope from your stage. Even if it"s just one person, you have to work hard. You have to evolve as an idol."

"To continue evolving as an idol," Yori repeated.

Lila nodded, a tender smile appeared on her face, "Yori, you already have plenty of fans. Plenty of people who aspire to be like you. That"s why, from now onwards, you can only continue evolving."

"Lila this is late but, congratulations on 1st place. Next time, I"ll beat you," Yori said.

Lila smiled her gaze softened, "Yes, I"m looking forward to it."

...

"By the way, does Karas.h.i.+ma know about you wanting to go with him?"

When she saw Lila"s reaction just now, Yori a.s.sumed that the two had already discussed things. However, she looked over at her friend and saw her look down, "Seriously?"

"B—but it would mean accepting his proposal if I said I"d go with him because I want to be with him forever right?"

"Well yeah," Yori trailed off and sighed, "Isn"t that what you want?"

Lila"s cheeks burned red, the confidence the girl displayed moments ago had vanished - instead, a shy demeanor replaced it.

"Say, Yori, I really like Haruka."

"Yeah, I know," at least she learned that just earlier today. Honestly, Yori didn"t expect this plot twist. She always believed that no matter what happens, Lila would always go back to Kiryu in the end. Sure Yori learned that Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka isn"t a bad guy and that he genuinely loves and cares for Lila. But even then she still stuck with her opinion in the end.

The bond Lila and Kiryu shared isn"t something that can be changed, just like that. While Lila and Karas.h.i.+ma may have shared a past - Karas.h.i.+ma was not there for Lila when she needed him the most. The one who stood beside Lila during her most peril times was Kiryu. As much as Lila likes Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka, Yori knew that the girl wouldn"t dismiss Kiryu easily.