Dream Star

Her sentence fell short when she felt a pair of warm lips on her neck. Oh, Haruka woke up, "What are you doing?" Haruka muttered.

"Um, um," Lila suddenly felt nervous. What on earth does she say to him? More importantly, he didn"t see her cry, right? Lila quickly wiped her remaining tears with her sleeve.

"Who are you talking to?"

"..."

"If you don"t tell me, I have my ways to find out," a possessive look appeared in his face and Lila understood. Haruka must have realized already. Lila felt the temperature drop and was fully aware of what was about to happen next. When she hits the ground, Lila isn"t surprised, "You belong to me now Ari," contrary to the harsh way he pushed her down. Haruka"s words were gentle.

"Ah-huh, I know. I think the same."

The edge of his lips curve to a smile, "You do, huh?"

Lila wrapped her arms around his neck as she clicked the end call b.u.t.ton without a second thought. She is sorry, Kiryu. But, she really doesn"t want to do anything that makes Haruka feel uneasy. However, Lila was worried. If Haruka feels this bad with just a simple phone call. What will happen when she goes to j.a.pan?

............
September 4th

While Lila wanted to answer Kiryu"s calls the other day, Haruka did not let her go even once. He said it was her punishment and Lila understood why. Despite his harsh words, he was only hiding his unease. Even if it felt weird, Lila should have just stayed beside Haruka and spoke with Kiryu. She shouldn"t have stood up and left to go to the balcony. What was she doing sneaking around for? A deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips; her body felt sore all over, and yet Lila knew she could not get out of the party tonight.

The party tonight was a short ceremony before the final round of the Dream Stars Tournament. On the days after the last round, there were a few days left, but most people weren"t staying that long. Those selected for the final tournament would board a plane to j.a.pan that very night, where the venue of the final tournament is. That"s why they are holding this ceremony now.

Lila realized how she left most of her excellent dresses back home in Universal Star Town. Lila didn"t consider occasions where she would be wearing formal clothing. Even at the last party, she got away with wearing a simple summer dress. But it seems like that won"t be happening now.

"You need to buy this," Maika said. Her eyes held a low warning.

Lila examined the blouse her friend held up and gulped. It held nothing special, and it made her look childish. Even more foolish than she already was. She had a feeling it even made her look rather fat.

Lila stepped backward.

Maika rolled her eyes, "Lila,"

"I…I don"t think this is too good for me," Lila shyly said.

"Nonsense."

Eventually, Maika forced several clothes on her, and she had to buy them.

…...

Lila felt terrible when they got home. She felt as if she had wasted Haruka"s money. Though Lila wanted to use her own money to buy clothes for the party. Haruka kept insisting on treating her. Come to think of it the reason why she is so reluctant to use Haruka"s money may be that. In the past, Haruka"s relations.h.i.+ps with other girls involved s.e.x, buying them clothes, etc. She didn"t want their relations.h.i.+p to resemble that.

Maika only stayed for a cup of coffee - her friend pointed out that she didn"t want to be here when Haruka saw the clothes she picked.

Lila stood next to him on the couch and pulled out the clothes out of the bag.

Haruka turned quiet, and she watched as he carefully scanned them, "Yamamoto made you chose these?"

"Not all," Lila looked over and saw the frown on his face. Don"t bother with that petty lie, she nodded, "The majority she chose for me, but I did choose this one," Lila picked up a midnight blue ruffle off shoulder, pale blue dress.

When she saw the look in his eyes, Lila understood that she

"Haruka, I can put it on myself,"

However, Haruka had already proceeded to remove her current clothes, "This is the best part of me helping you chose a dress," he muttered against her now bare shoulders, "Don"t you think so?"

How can she think straight when he is hara.s.sing her in such a manner?

With Haruka, helping her it did not take her long before she was wearing the dress, surprisingly enough he did not fool around. Lila spun around, the dress looked perfect on her, and it did not overemphasis or show her figure too much. It wrapped around her waist and covered her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, under her waist was a midnight blue ruffle ribbon. Back bare, the dress went all the way down.

The smile plastered on Haruka"s face indicated that he appreciated the dress on her. Lila blushed when she saw it, so sneaky. Smiling like that now, "Good choice," he walked towards her, and she felt him touch her back, leading to her shuddering. Haruka chuckled, amused as he noticed her discomfort, "Why did you want this if you don"t want anyone touching your back?"

Lila shrugged her shoulders, as she moved away from him, while she thought, "too dangerous to get close to him,"

"I like how it looks on me."

Haruka nodded, "That makes sense," he looked over at the clothes Maika chose for her and then at the dress, "I like your style better. Maybe we should return the rest?"

Lila"s eyes widened at his words, and her gaze softened. He really has changed, hasn"t he? In the past, he wouldn"t have considered returning things if they have no usage. Lila remembered when they bought too much furniture for their new place, and Haruka didn"t bother throwing things away. He just stored it in the storeroom.

"I get it; she picked out more casual wear for you,"

"Huh?"

Haruka picked up a blouse. "Casual clothes. For walking around."

Lila nodded. It made sense. "That might be it; I tend to wear more formal stuff due to my "elite" image. I guess unconsciously I picked up the habit. I have a hard time choosing regular clothing now,"

"Hard time eh, you should seek my advice there,"

She shook her head; cheeks burned red at how seductively he said those words. Though Lila found it odd that Maika insisted on shopping with her, she was relieved that her friend insisted. If Maika didn"t insist and she was left alone with Haruka, it would have been bad. Lila doubted they would get any actual shopping done.

"Um, Haruka, what about your outfit?"

"Don"t worry about it too much, I chose already," Haruka paused, "Want to help me try it on?"

"N--no, you can do that yourself,"

"Remember, I"m bad with b.u.t.tons," his lips grazed her ear, and Lila felt her body grow hotter and hotter. Lately, even when he speaks normally, she gets nervous, even the slightest touch makes her react in this manner. Haruka suddenly moved away, "Sorry, it seems like I am teasing you too much,"

"No, um it"s okay," Lila answered.

Is it? From the very start, their relations.h.i.+p was strange. She wondered why she was thinking about all these things now.