It makes no sense to him whatsoever. Why do these people like getting in the way of him and Lila? Back then, they never bothered about him this much. Rikka is the same. She didn"t care whether he spoke to other girls or stayed out late. She never acted this protective before. However, now?"Give me a cigarette."
Haruka sighed, "That"s not good for your voice. And my wife doesn"t like me smoking."
Rikka rolled her eyes, "You have them, though."
He reached out for his pocket and pulled out his packet of cigarettes. He took one out, and she pulled out her lighter. When he saw the familiar lighter, he paused. "She still kept that old thing?"
"Work is stressful, and I come here to find out your married?"
"Didn"t Sophia tell you?"
"No, my cousin just told me I"d see something interesting."
"Typical."
She glanced over at him and sighed. "Are you telling me that you"re no longer sleeping around with my cousin?"
"Well yeah, I stopped that a while back."
He wanted to focus on helping Lila out. So, he stopped seeing Sophia a long time ago. It was long before he met with Lila in Star Town. The year before then?
"Are you serious?"
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he ran his hands through his maroon-colored hair. "No matter how many times you ask, the answer won"t change. Besides, what"s with all of you appearing in random times like this? Leave my wife and me alone."
"Your lucky our timings didn"t overlap, and your only dealing with us one at a time."
"Tsk."
"Haruka," Rikka"s tone changed. "I don"t care for what my cousin wants to do with you. But, remember who realized your potential. You"ve always said it didn"t matter to you, as long as you got a position in the entertainment board."
"And yeah, I"m satisfied with what I have now."
"You have the potential to be anything you want. Why would you stick in such a low position?"
"I never had musical talent. I wouldn"t have made it."
"No, you would have. Why did you refuse my father"s offer? You told me you wanted to be with me, so why did you reject it?"
"The only way I could be with you was by accepting your father"s offer."
The girl"s gaze darkened, "So, why didn"t you?"
Why didn"t he? Why would he accept it? Even now, Haruka hadn"t forgotten the exchange from that day.
___
Year x.x.x - Dragon Republic Entertainment -
A man with dark brown short hair wearing an average western suit stood up the moment he entered the room. "Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka, I presume?"
Haruka nodded and bowed. Today, he dressed formally. Moments before this, Rikka helped him dress up. "First impressions count." He wanted to refute and tell her that it doesn"t matter. His first impression is ruined already. Rikka"s father caught him in the club, with Sophia. In a rather compromising position too.
"You seem different today."
"I apologize."
Kaji smiles, "Is that sincere? I hear you have quite the relations.h.i.+p with my niece."
"...were, friends."
It"s true, him and Sophia are friends. But then again, n.o.body would think that if they saw how they interacted.
"Friends do this kind of thing, I presume?" Kaji points to the table, and Haruka walked over. On the man"s desk, there is a table of photographs. Haruka already knew without looking closely. It seems like there is no use anymore.
"You don"t approve? A man like me near your daughter."
"I didn"t say that. My daughter is indeed precious to me. As you know, my wife died early, and I did not remarry. Rikka is my only child; she is the heir to this large corporation I built."
".."
"A man like you," Kaji looked him up and down. "I didn"t think my daughter would fall for you. But, since she has. I should respect her decision. Despite your background, your not like those worthless men who have grovelled at my daughter"s feet before. You"re different. I"m aware of your talents."
Haruka couldn"t say anything, and he already knew where this conversation was heading.
"Prove to me, on the world stage. Debut as our companies top artist. Of course, I shall offer you the best resources."
So, they want to use him? To spread their name? Is that all? It feels like there is more to it than meets the eye.
"How does this involve your daughter?"
"My daughter wishes to continue her position in the entertainment board. But, eventually, she will spread her wings out to other places. When that happens, she needs a partner with a solid footing in the place she started."
A solid footing? So basically, they want to use him. Use his music, use those songs he created for her. No, he doesn"t want that. How can he help with such a big project like this? What about Lila? If he keeps traveling abroad, he won"t be able to watch Lila. Lila is....
"It seems like there is somebody else in your heart."
He knows about Lila too?
"I must say, I was surprised when I found that out. How interesting."
"Don"t go near her!" Haruka exclaimed.
"Why?"
"d.a.m.n," he cursed. "I"ll leave your daughter. Just don"t go near Lila." Haruka didn"t know why, but he got bad feelings from this guy when he said that how interesting comment too.
Kaji continued to laugh, "This is a fascinating discovery. So, you react like that, but don"t bat an eyelid if my daughter goes to engagement meetings?"
"That"s.."
"I"ll tell you the other half of the deal. So, listen carefully."
__
Present-day.
Haruka"s gaze dimmed at the thought of it. Ever since he saw the photos on the table, Haruka knew the conversation wouldn"t end up well. But, even then, it surprised him. People finding out about Lila, even though he hid the information so well. Who could have tipped Kaji of? Was it Zane? Only Zane knew about him and Lila then.
"Haruka? What are you thinking?" Rikka questioned.
"I"m thinking. It"s a good thing nothing happened between us."
"b.a.s.t.a.r.d," Rikka cursed.
"Yes, I am."
"How could you?! You never slept with me properly. Of course, of course, I...I did that."
So, because he didn"t sleep with her properly, that gives her an excuse to cheat? It all sounds ridiculous to him. Why do these people think they can bring up the past like this? The past is the past. The future is what is right in front of him now.
Haruka did not bother hearing anything else from Rikka and walked away. After walking for a few minutes, he spotted black hair leaning against the pillar. The gorgeous pearl tiara on her head stood out a great deal.
"Lila?" Haruka felt like he saw her earlier. But, brushed it off. It"s almost time for Iwa Kasumi"s stage. Since she found out Kiryu was performing too, her excitement increased. He didn"t think he would find his wife waiting for him.
"I want to watch it together."
Haruka smiled; she"s so cute. He walked over to her and kissed her lips. "Okay, wife. Let"s watch it together."
Lila pouted and tugged on his hand. "What were you two doing?"
"Talking."
"But, she tried to touch you."
"Well yeah."
"But, your mine."
His wife"s logic is so cute. Lila suddenly wrapped her arms around him and clung to him tightly. "So, what is this?"
"Staking my claim."
"Ah," Haruka nodded. "But, there are other ways you can do that."
"I like this way better."
He does, too; he likes this better. Better than those days where he slept around. Those days made him feel so empty...