We are barely managing to find our balance.
.
May 4th 2035.
Even after she bailed on him with no explanation whatsoever, Haruka still treated her the same. He is still attentive towards her at work. Gives her language lessons in the library, and still -- gives her these kisses. She"s gotten, used to the sensation of his piercings. But, maybe something had changed. Since Kiryu held her whenever Haruka does anything, she no longer has that same feeling as before.
She wonderer if she really is this simple. A kiss with no heart beating or nerves, she wondered what that means. She wondered if it"s also the same with Haruka. Maybe, he is actually angry with her? What"s changed, is it her after being held in the arms of the one she loved again? Or is it Haruka? Something"s different about his kisses. But, would that really make so much of a difference.
She is still confused.
.
.
It"s no good, she"s really sleepy. It"s hard to stay awake. Lila exhales deeply, she wonders how Yumeko-chan can have so much energy. At the present moment the blonde hair girl was chatting away, about what happened in one of her cla.s.ses earlier. Once again getting carried away, and ending up in daydream mode. Yumeko-chan is so lucky, she can just daydream even the most significant problems away.
Originally, she should be meeting Haruka for lunch. But, he told her he would be busy. He rejected the idea of her coming to the base and waiting too. Before he used to say it"s dangerous to wait alone, and now he simply says don"t come. It was the same today too, the previous day, the one before it. How long, does Haruka intend to do this?
She feels someone"s gaze on her, correction, many people. Girls sneering. And commenting on how fast she fell out of Haruka"s favor. Lila knows better than to refute them. Although, she can continue disguising the fact that everything is the same. She knows full well that there"s something different now. It"s different, to the point that even these girls are able to tell. Is it hate? Does Haruka hate her now? If he does hate her, what is she supposed to do? She"s very confused.
Her deep thoughts broke off when a stack of doc.u.ments are placed in front of her, "You can pick up the slack now you aren"t distracted."
Lila"s gaze goes back and forth between the doc.u.ments and Koutkun, before she exclaimed, "Ah, you ratted me out!!"
"No, Soichiro-san found these not complete. Did you really think you could avoid it?"
"I wasn"t avoiding it! I was simply letting it be."
Kouta rolled his eyes, before stating simply, "That"s avoiding."
"Geh." Lila exhaled deeply, it had already been a week and a few days since she last saw Kiryu and entering into a new month. Lila realised that she had yet to explore the town properly, so she has been going after work. But, now all the paperwork has stacked up. Karma she supposes.
"Finish your lunch first, there"s a break after this. So we can finish it up together."
Together. Oh !!
Koutkun casually took the seat opposite her and started eating, "Brother, you"re late."
"Unlike you, I"m popular."
"Gah."
"Are you alone? Hamano-san not here?"
"Heard he was being confessed too. Should be here in the next few minutes."
Confession.
She supposed it can"t be helped. Since the news of Kasumi getting a boyfriend has already spread, it"s natural that those girls are using this as an opportunity.
"Now Kouta, don"t bully her too much."
Hearing a familiar voice, Lila turned around and spotted red hair. Ah!!
"Takahiro-kun!"Lila greeted him cheerfully and he does the same in return.
"It"s been a while!"
"Wah, did you get taller?"
"Woah. Just noticed."
Lila laughed. "It"s nice to see you again."
"We should go for ramen later."
"Ah-huh! Let"s go."
At that Koutkun interrupted, ". .This is strange. I don"t remember you two talking much before."
"Ah, Takahiro-kun came by and treated me to ramen when I was by myself at home."
"...Oh ho?"
"Wait, wait for Ari-chan. Putting it that way will cause misunderstandings.."
Misunderstandings?
"I"d like to hear about this too."
"Not you as well Ruka."
Ah, this is fun. She hasn"t had this much fun in a long time, and yet, her heart aches. There"s still something missing.
___________________________________________________
Haruka removed himself from the girl and quickly left her side, he pulled out a cigarette from his pockets but pauses. Forget it. A cold shower is better. He quickly made his way down the hall, towel in hand and makes his way down. Despite how small the place looked from the outside, it was actually quite s.p.a.cious inside. There"s enough for another floor. Of course, there is. This was the place that guy built with his own hands. "It"s supposed to be our secret base."
"Wah, that sounds cool."
"Did that make me look better in your eyes?"
"Stupid."
"How cruel, but thanks Yume-chan. It"s only because of you.."
Haruka stopped in front of the door and his gaze lands back on the hallway, and he exhaled deeply. Your the one who made this place, it"s natural. That even now your presence lingers here.
Maintaining this distance between them, for now, is the best.
.
.
He heared familiar voices and finds himself following the source.
"Aha."
Lila laughed.
Kanehera was beat red as he told the girl to stop laughing, "Do-don"t laugh, it"s a simple mistake."
"I know, I know. Um, can I change it?"
"Go ahead."
. …
Sensing a close atmosphere between the two, Haruka frowned. As he thought before, there really is something about Kanehera that bothers him. He has to maintain a distance, he knows that full well. But before he knew it, his feet were already taking him over. He slides into the seat beside her.
"What are you doing?"
She seemed startled upon seeing him and stumbled on her words.
"Ah--um, um, um, just working."
"It"s a free period, you don"t have to study.." he murmured against her ear.
"Un….b--but.."
"Why don"t you, keep me company?"
Lila"s cheeks were flushed red, as she replied somewhat nervously. "Didn"t...you say um.."
"I changed my mind."
Honestly, he"s still sorta irked. No, he doesn"t know exactly what he"s feeling. But he does know, that he doesn"t want to leave her alone with Kanehera Kouta of all people. At that comment, Lila slowly nodded and quickly gathered her belongings, "Koutkun, um, I"m going to leave for a bit."
Kanehera doesn"t look up and simply nodded.
.
.
In the end, he didn"t do anything. Rather, he was going to but instead, she asked him for some advice and before he knew it he was helping her with that. Since it"s to do with the music screening, he didn"t think to fool around with her. Haruka didn"t think the girl would be stupid enough to bring their personal affairs to work. A few hours had gone by since then. He was helping her with work just fine a few hours ago, so why is she suddenly acting like this at work? Making so many mistakes and singing
badly like this.
"Hey, Haruka. Don"t be too harsh on her."
"Shut it."
When he roughly dragged her away by the wrist, Lila lets him. What is she doing being so obedient for? She should at least say something. He leads them to an empty conference room and locks the door from behind.
"Um, um, I"m really sorry…"
"Apologising to me is useless."
"...Haruka."
…..
"I just um, want to know..if you hate me."
Haruka exhaled deeply, what an idiot. "...Were at work, keep private affairs away."
Seeing her gaze turn dark, he walked over and pushed her against the door frame and cupped her cheeks, "Nothing"s changed. So, don"t get distracted." That"s all he told her before his lips fall on hers.