Dream Star

Lila knew who Yori meant by that, the girl who is Kasumi"s partner, the one named Emma, "Don"t be rude; she has done nothing bad . "

"Other than steal Kasumi away from you . "

"It"s not like that," Lila a.s.sured Yori, "She already told me about the matter before . " When Kasumi came to see her, the girl discussed it in the morning they parted ways . It was because Kasumi made that decision, that she was resolved to search for Yori too .

"Then, why did you get jealous? You"re acting like a girl who just got her boyfriend stolen away . "

Lila turned red, "Don"t make weird comparisons . "

"We all know how much you like Kasumi," Yori continued, "Gosh if Kasumi were a boy, you"d probably be together . "

"Ah, quit it," Lila exclaimed .

Yori laughed, "Seriously though, the friends.h.i.+p between you two is powerful . It"s hard to believe that you"d ever have a serious fight . "

"Well, things happen . "

"You seem casual about it, aren"t you worried?"

"I am," Lila nodded, "But, I believe in Kasumi . Call it a foolish and naive belief, but I believe in her . We were friends for such a long time, we"ve had our ups and downs - though never a major fight like this before . "

Besides the two of them more or less patched up the initial misunderstanding the other day . However, because Kiryu got hurt, she didn"t have time to clarify her other issues . She heard Kasumi"s feelings loud and clear . "I didn"t get to say how I feel," Lila wanted to talk to Kasumi about the girl"s partner . Lila wanted to make sure that they were still best friends . There is so much she wanted to clarify and make sure of first .

Lila"s thoughts broke off when she saw Haruka waiting for her at the entrance . Ah! She rushed over and buried her face in his arms, hugging him lightly, "Haruka, sorry . I just went out for a bit . "

" . . . "

Sensing his strange silence, Lila looked up .

"Um, what is it?"

"The next activity is terrible for your voice, d.a.m.n," Haruka muttered . Lila"s gaze softened when she saw how worried he was, she reached over and kissed his lips, "Lila?"

"Don"t worry, they won"t be able to force me . "

. . . .

They couldn"t force her; naturally, no one would after what she said to the one in charge . She happened to say things loudly so the judges who didn"t know about the sudden change, sided with her too . A deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips, but using that method - it"s like Soichiro"s style . She hates to admit it, but most of the things she learned about being brutal and taking care of her enemies are from him . Lila shook her head, don"t think about that unreasonable guy .

"Woah . "

"Look, it"s the G.o.d5 and G.o.ddess4 . "

Ah?!! Lila looked pa.s.sed the crowd of people and sure enough, saw her old friends . They were sitting on the front tables .

Kiryu looks unwell . . .

"Gee Kiryu, where did you go last night?"

"Yeah, your completely worn out . "

Don"t they know what happened last time?

"I"m fine . Give me five minutes . "

He doesn"t look fine . Lila clenched her fist, aah forget it! She took a deep breath and made her way over . Since people were too busy fussing, they didn"t realize she was walking over . Despite having grown taller, it was still difficult for her to get through . Or rather, people were making it hard for her .

"Hey, don"t wedge yourself in . Even if it"s you, Lilsama, you ought to wait like everyone else," people keep expressing their discontent .

"Or rather, pfft she"s not even one of them anymore . She doesn"t deserve to go near them . "

The rumors about the idol a.s.sociation boards trying to punish her have gotten around, huh? Well, Lila supposed it was high time for it to happen .
She"s not here to admire them, though .

Her thoughts fell when she saw Kiryu walk over and lifted her off the ground . "She"s mine . You"re in the way, let her through . "

"She"s mine," Oh, it"s exactly like that time . Kiryu still said the same things as before .

"Are you alright?" Kiryu asked as he gently ran his hand through her hair . Lila nodded . "What"s the matter? Did you need me for something?"

"I"m sorry about yesterday," Lila murmured .

Kiryu"s lips curve to a smile, "Yeah, me too . "

To think just two simple words like that will make her feel relieved . It must have been her imagination, Kiryu is just Kiryu . Kiryu and her -there"s no such distance . He"s always going to be the Kiryu she knows; and the things she doesn"t know about him, she will learn it . Thank goodness . Lila wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, "I"m worried about you, Kiryu, you look pale . "

"Yeah, I didn"t eat breakfast . Had to work . "

"Ah," Lila recalled the extra lunchbox she made, she ought to give it to him .
"Then, I"ll give you food . "

Kiryu laughed, "Were you panicking so much that you made extra food again? Careful you"ll gain weight, you"re already heavy enough . "

Lila"s cheeks puffed into a pout, "Don"t tease me . "

"I"m not; it feels like my arms are breaking . "

"Che, you"re just bullying me . "

"Look at that; now she"s trying to seduce him . "

"How awful, and her boyfriend is around . "

Oh-- d.a.m.n, Lila cursed in her head . What is she doing jumping into his arms like it"s completely natural? While she didn"t do that, and he picked her up . She should have immediately left his arms .

A sharp voice called out to her, "Lila, come over here . "

It"s Haruka, is he going to scold her? Kiryu puts her down, and she made her way back over to Haruka, who immediately pulled her into his arms, "I"ll disinfect you later . "

"Wh--wha," Lila"s cheeks immediately grew red because she understood what he meant .

"And as for the rest of you," Haruka turned to the crowd, "Before you go running your mouths like you know it all . Why don"t you use this time to train? You guys have some nerve to insult her when you can"t even match up to her . "

In short, Haruka was trying to tell them that they don"t have the right to say something bad when they have no skills when they don"t even put in effort . As blunt as ever, huh?

Lila pulled away from him, "It"s okay, there just annoyed because an exception is being made for me, while I have a doctors certificate saying I shouldn"t sing . It seems like I"ll have to break it . "

Haruka sent her a harsh glare, but Lila shook her head .

"I"ll just sing right here, that"s all that"s needed for the exercise anyway . "

Honestly, she isn"t sure how well this will go . She"s able to speak, but whenever she tries to sing, it"s challenging . But she no longer wants to drag people into her mess anymore .

Are people trying to target her and use her singing against her? Ha, these people have no idea what she suffered to get to where she is now . Her average and loud voice suddenly became a voice from the heavens? How did she manage that? Through sheer hard work and effort . These people have no clue what she had to do . Something like this won"t get her down or stop her from singing .

"Gently gathering the fragments of the past
It becomes a bouquet of light
Gentle and kind feelings .
I remember the days where we spent hand in hand - the days where you looked at me with such gentle and loving eyes . "

. . .
After straining her voice, Lila coughed violently . So Kiryu quickly called Eitsan, who thankfully was in the area nearby .

"And say, ahh . "

"Ahh," Lila obeyed .

"Oi stupid old man, don"t make Lila do weird things," Kiryu commented .

"Wheres my thanks for coming all the way here?" Eita deeply sighed, "Lila, your throats infected . I don"t think you need me to tell you this, but you"ll lose your voice if you pull another move like this . "

Lila soft laughed, "Ah-huh, I know . "

"She still sang when she"s like that?"

"Gosh, those girls are awful . What if something happened to her?"

People are quick to change their tune when the situation changes . A deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips; it"s been quite some time since she felt this way . Even though people being jealous of her shouldn"t be this new, it"s still upsetting . But, she doesn"t have to deal with any of those jealous girls . Not once since she became Kiku Ari, not once since she returned to being Lila did she have to deal with such girls .

Yes, it was because of Haruka . Haruka always shuts people up . Lila walked over and buried her face in his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, "You okay?" It was just two words, and yet Lila could feel his love and concern behind those words .

"Ah-huh," this is better . Lila felt safe with Haruka . And she doesn"t have to worry about anything .

"Let"s step outside for a bit . "

. . . . .
It was quite hard for them to find a quiet spot . Since there was no official practice starting yet, the other contestants were loitering around outside . Eventually, they found a quiet area at the back . Lila held Haruka tightly .

"What"s wrong?" Haruka muttered .

"I"m just thinking, am I acting weird towards Kiryu after all?"

"A little," Haruka nodded, "But, I guess you just can"t see it . You probably think it"s normal . "

Normal, huh? Her thoughts broke off when Haruka closed in on her, and his lips fell on hers, "Kissing?"

"Ah-huh . "

It did not take them long before they fell into the usual routine . Then again, what normal girl would not react to being kissed in this manner? Lila has gotten used to how Haruka kisses her, gotten used to the pa.s.sion and intimacy involved in every single kiss . It"s not just her lips he focuses on, but the rest of her body . Even without having s.e.x, Haruka has a way of making her whole body feel burn up . Lila felt beads of sweat fall on her face as she lets out a small moan, Haruka"s hands had slipped on to her waist, and he lifted her skirt slightly .

"Nngh . . . "

Maybe she should have banned kissing in public too . No matter what form of intimacy, even holding hands, it always ends up like this . Ends up with them wanting more of each other .

"Haruka, kiss me more . "

"Idiot, what are you doing to me? We"re in public; I thought you . . . didn"t want this . "

But she wants to kiss him now .

"Lila, this is bad, we should stop," he muttered against her lips . But she doesn"t mind . Maybe she should change the rules a bit, Haruka gently brushed his lips on her neck, "Calm down yeah? It"s not like you to get this worked up . "

"Haruka," she said slowly, "Am I not allowed to ask for more?"

She feels confused . Why is Haruka pus.h.i.+ng her away when she is willing?

"You want to?" Haruka asked, and Lila nodded . His lips are on hers in seconds, "Lila," he whispered, "Lila, your so pretty . "

"Ah-huh, I know . "

. . .
"Sorry, sorry," Haruka muttered, "Can you stand?"

Lila shook her head, "I can"t move . "

Haruka smiled, "Honest as ever, eh? Guess we can stay here for a bit . "

If she tells Haruka that while her body is in pain, she can move . He would simply pick her up and drop her off to practice . But just for a little while longer, Lila wanted to spend some time with him .

Like usual Haruka caught her staring, "What?"

"Your smoking," after they finished kissing . Haruka had pulled out a cigarette .

"Mmm, sorry, just for a bit . "

"But, you"ll get rid of the sensation of my kiss . "

Haruka laughed, "Sensation of your kiss?"

Her cheeks puffed into a pout, "Don"t make fun of me . I"m serious!"

"Hey, give me your hand for a bit . "

"My hand?" Lila questioned, but gave it anyway .

"Mm . Think this is better . "

Lila looked away and muttered stupid quietly to herself . She wonders if it"s okay now, "Haruka, the wedding?"

"I"ll give you the details . "

"Okay!!"

"You"re eager, huh? Should we push forward the date?"

Lila blushed, "Well, I don"t think my parents will marry me off at 17, Haruka . So wait for a while . "

"Hn, fair enough . But, I already see you as my bride . "

"I know you can"t marry anybody else now . "

"So basically, this is your idea of saying your mine?"

Why does he have to twist everything she says? Lila sighed but nodded; he should already know that she belongs to him . Still, Lila glanced over, "Why do you still look so worried?"