She has never met somebody like Haruka before. In the past, she compared Haruka and Kiryu a lot. But, one of the main reasons why she did that was because she didn"t understand yet. The love she has for Haruka, the love she has for Kiryu, is different. Different, the two played different roles in her life. However, they are equally important. No, measuring that will do no good.Kiryu reached over and patted her back, "Don"t cry too much; you"ll ruin your makeup."
"I"m not wearing any."
He laughed, "Right, you"re a natural beauty."
"This idiot." Kiryu, he knew about this, didn"t he? Otherwise, he wouldn"t have pulled a move like that earlier. "You knew?" Lila sniffed as Kiryu pa.s.sed her his handkerchief.
"I knew he came to see me a while back and asked me for my opinion."
"You helped him adjust the song?"
"No, I just listened. He didn"t need any help. The song was fine the way it was. But, I guess he decided to adjust it a bit since his feelings for you are different now."
"It"s different?" Lila repeated.
Kiryu moved the handkerchief away and brushed his fingers across her eyelids.
"Yeah, it"s different. I understand where he is coming from though. The feelings I have for you are different now too."
Kiryu"s feelings have changed too? Is that a good change or bad change? But, her gaze softened. "I feel like you two are getting along better now."
"Do you think so?"
"Yes."
"Sometimes, I still feel like walloping him."
Lila laughed, "But, don"t you two go out for drinks a lot?"
"Tears keep falling inside because I"m so thankful.
Like I"ll close my eyes when today pa.s.ses
Like there is no tomorrow
I"ll fill each minute,
Each second with memories instead of tears
I love you like tomorrow won"t come
I love you like I"ll never see you again
Each of my days grow a new skin
With love rather than scars.." Haruka sang.
"You seem to know everything," Kiryu said with a troubled look. "I certainly hope you don"t know how our conversations go."
"I wonder about that."
The two of them did not say anymore and continued to watch the rest of Harukas"s performance. The moment Haruka finished, cheers fill the stadium. Haruka only says a few more things before walking down the aisle. He immediately wrapped his arms and around her waist. She leaned into his hold.
"Hey, you need to go on stage," Haruka chuckled and wiped her tears. "Mmm, you can kiss me again later."
"Hubby, I love you so much..."
"I know, did you like it?"
Lila nodded, "I liked it. I love you.."
"Okay, silly girl, get on stage, and respond."
She lightly brushed their lips against one another, and Haruka gently squeezed their hands. "Alright, good luck."
"Yes."
...
Lila took a deep breath. The excitement from Haruka"s performance had yet to fade. But that was fine for her. This atmosphere is good for her. People praising Haruka, this is how things should be. How many years of injustice did Haruka face? How many years did he hold back from singing, and conveying his feelings? It must have been painful for him. Haruka, however, didn"t complain, even though he was suffering so much. Lila could still recall the day they first started dating; the day she first confessed her feelings for him.
Back then, she panicked so much. She was worried that something would happen again. Worried that once again, she would miss the chance to tell him her feelings. The feelings she has had since a long time ago. But, the thing she was most scared of was losing him. When Lila heard the remaining pieces of that story, she immediately rushed off.
A bad feeling. Haruka will do something crazy. Indeed, if she didn"t come that time - he would have gotten into an accident. She no longer wants to lose anybody close to her ever again.
A song about a young girl who experienced hards.h.i.+ps and yet transformed at the end. Somebody who went through a lot but thanks to those who never gave up on her, her life changed. Thanks to the person she loves.
"The first time you held me in your arms
I learned about your warmth.
From the very start, you were there for me, weren"t you?
You watched over me secretly and warmly.
Whenever our eyes meet,
I realized that I was precious to you.
You treated me like a treasure..." Lila sang.
...
Lila"s apartment 9:30 PM
"Overwhelming victory, huh," Lila murmured as she read the words on her laptop. Naturally, it was impossible to go on a bike ride with the ma.s.sive snowstorm. Still, Lila felt content with this. She was cuddling with Haruka naked in bed. Maybe because of the long day, however, Haruka didn"t do anything to her, other than kiss a lot. Still, it felt nice for her.
She felt a pair of arms wrap around her from the back, "Mmm, what are you doing?"
"Reading the news."
Haruka kissed her cheeks, "Are they reporting how amazing you were earlier?"
"Ah-huh, it feels a bit surreal, though."
"Is that so? You were very good, mmm the best. My wife will win."
"Mr judge, these days you"re too biased," Lila closed her laptop and returned to snuggling.
"Biased, huh? Because my wife is amazing."
Lila noted how Haruka kept kissing her neck, and she rolled her eyes. "Uh, didn"t you say you"d let me rest? What"s with all the touching?"
"Wife, you said touching is okay."
"No, I said kissing is okay. Kiss my lips, please."
Lila laughed when she felt his lips on her shoulders, "That"s not my lips, hubby."
"You did so well today, I"m proud of you," he mumbled. "Sorry about making you feel uneasy before, but everything is okay now. Please don"t worry about anything."
Is everything truly okay?
A content sigh escaped her lips when she felt Haruka"s lips on hers. She giggled, "I feel like we"re so silly at times."
"Hm, that"s because we are."
"Ah, I have a question for you hubby. When did you write that song?"
"A year ago."
"Uh, a year ago? Your so confident, did you think I"d date you?"
Haruka laughed, "No, but I did want to try my luck. I thought I"d be able to move you to tears. Did it work?"
It worked when she heard him sing on stage like that. Lila burst into tears immediately; she felt an overwhelming pain in her chest then. This person has suffered so much in the shadows. Lila played with his hair, and a content sigh escaped his lips. "Lila, keep doing that."
"Okay," she murmured. "Do you feel comfortable, hubby?"
"I do, thank you so much, my wife. At the last second I doubted you. I thought you"d change your mind and not sing for me."
"It"s only normal for you to think that. But, I"ve been preparing this for a long time. I saved this song for this moment."
Haruka changed their positions until he was on top of her. For the next few minutes, they remained in that position. Lila reached over and caressed his cheeks. She recalled Kiryu"s words from earlier. Haruka"s feelings for her have changed, huh? Lila never once thought of it that way. She simply a.s.sumed that he was in love with her - and that"s why he isn"t willing to leave her. She didn"t consider the possibility of his feelings changing.
"Are you falling for me more, Haruka?"
"Yeah."
It was a simple question, and he replied to her immediately. He didn"t even stop to think about it; it"s like the answer was programmed in his head. "Haruka..."
"I love you so much, wife, that"s why I want you to understand something. No matter what you hear about me from now on, don"t listen."
"I"ve never listened to those rumors anyway. Also, don"t say it like this. I know your planning on doing something dangerous. You can"t hide things from me since I stalk you."
Haruka laughed, "That"s true; you do, don"t you?"
"What do you plan to do?"
"I"m going to negotiate with Rikka, well, her family."
"Family?"
"Yes, they are one of Zane"s biggest sponsors," Haruka nodded. "I need to ensure your safety wife, and then you can act recklessly. But, only once, I"ve weakened his power."
"Okay, I understand. But, I don"t want you seeing your mistress alone. Take your bodyguard...." her sentence fell short when he kissed her again. A pa.s.sionate and deep kiss. "Nnnghnmn.."
"Bike ride, shall we save it for tomorrow?"
Her gaze softened, "En, I want to relax like this."
"Then, I"ll make you dinner. What would you like?"
"Haruka."
Haruka"s eyes widened, and she confidentially wrapped her arms around his neck, "My prize, since I won."
"Yeah, I can give you that"