Dream Star

As the top members of their region. She, Yori, Jae-hee, and Kotori were doing a surprise Dream Stars broadcast. Lila, however, was slightly distracted, the conversation she had with Kiryu remained in her head. Was that person trying to tell her something, wasn"t he?

"Everyone, Merry Christmas."

"Are we all in the Christmas spirit? I"m sure we"re all excited. On that note, the one that"s the most excited is Jae-hee. She"s been ready for a while now. She seemed so happy when she stuck that tiny tree on her desk," Yori said.

"You don"t have to bring that up here," Jae-hee was embarra.s.sed.

Lila laughs, "It"s nice to see that everyone"s all merry."

"Christmas is the season for . . ...." the four of them looked at one another before saying, "Sparkling star Christmas. Dream Star"s Christmas concert."

"All the tickets got sold out within a minute.

Everyone, thanks so much," Kotori said.

"It"s our first Christmas as proper professionals. Last year we were all training hard for the tournament. This year"s venue is especially grand," Yori said. "We will need to learn a lot from senior Lila."

"Why does that make me sound old?" Lila pouted.

"There, there. Yori is saying how amazing you are. What are your thoughts on the venue?" Kotori asked.

"Un! My heart is beating in excitement because we will perform on the rise stage!" To think that she gets to sing on such a ma.s.sive stage, she can"t wait. It will be so much fun. For a Christmas live too. The prestige of the Dream Stars tournament is very amazing.

"Lila"s really excited."

"Cause it"s the rise stage! Rise !!"

Kotori patted her hair, "Right, it"s considered a dream to perform there, by most idols. Of course, were no exception."

"Speaking of rise. It was Lila"s mother"s rise concert that inspired me to become an idol," Yori commented.

"That Miracle dream live ? I remember it clearly too," Jae-hee nodded.

Lila"s smiling brightly at this point, which didn"t go unnoticed by the others. "Everyone"s complimenting Mother !! So, I"m happy."

At that comment, her friends suddenly gave her pats and hugs.

"We will stream the concert on the net. Even if you couldn"t get a ticket, we still welcome you to spend your Christmas with us," Yori commented.

Lila nodded, "We"re looking forward to seeing you all there."

"Afterwards, what are everyone"s Christmas plans?" Kotori trails of when she enthusiastically shot her hand the air. "Yes."

"A date !!! Haruka is taking me on a date !!!" Lila didn"t hesitate to broadcast this. It was no secret, anyway.

Jae-hee"s sweat dropped, "Your so enthusiastic about it."

"Ahuh, cause he said he had a surprise for me!" Lila nodded. She felt terrible since she prepared his gift last minute. Lila did not realize Haruka was making Christmas plans.

At the word surprise, she saw Yori"s cheeks go red.

"Could it be, there"s someone else that has a date here?" Jae-hee also noticed.

Oh...

Maybe... It"s the same for Yori too. Her gaze softened at that thought.

"You know, you know !!! I"m debating about what outfit to wear! We should do an emergency segment !!!" Lila suggested.

"G—good idea, I"m sure the fans would love to help, right?"

She chuckled softly when she saw how red Yori was getting.

...…

During the break, the four of them sat around the table, discussing the surprise announcement. It surprised Lila too; she didn"t hear anything from him.

"Soichiro said he had a surprise for you?"

"Right, on a live program too. So I don"t know what it"s going to be. I over-reacted just then, but it"s embarra.s.sing."

Lila nodded, "Ah-huh, you can"t calm your heart." When it comes to the one you love, their actions alone can be fatal for the heart.

"And my cheeks become red..I become so fl.u.s.tered. Lately, I"m becoming strange. No matter what he says and does, I become this way. I can"t help but feel restless," Yori mumbled.

It"s the same as her, this feeling. Even though Soichiro has come over here so many times already, it was only during his last visit that she noticed it. Although she only got a brief glance at the two being together since they were acting secretive.

Yori"s feelings, it"s not merely her liking him anymore. Yori, can"t think of anyone but Soichiro. Just like how Haruka is the only one she thinks about.

"So Yori, about Soichiro, you"re serious?" Jae-hee asked.

Last time she asked him about this, Yori"s reaction was feeble.

"..Wh-"

"Yori?" Lila mumbled.

"Oh no, what is this? It won"t stop."

She and Jae-hee broke into a panic when they saw the tears falling from Yori"s face, "Wh-wh-whaaah, I"m sorry, Yori."

"Oh wait-- you mean for real? About that man?" Jae-hee seemed very surprised.

"No, I wasn"t going to propose. I can"t; there is no way I ever can...to that selfish guy.."

Contrary to her words, the girl"s tears were enough for them to understand.

"Ehhhh? This is serious," Lila muttered. Since when? The last time they had this conversation, it wasn"t like this. What has changed since that time?

"No, please stop. Lila, Jaehee, please stop this."

"Look Yori, a funny face," Kotori said, stretching her cheeks.

Lila joins in, but it was futile.

"How did you all realize it? Even though that idiot didn"t realize it. That person, it"s not something as simple as like anymore. I can"t live without him anymore. I want to be with him forever.."

The moment one"s feelings are overflowing, they are put into words and take shape. Even if you want to stop them, you can"t. Lila knew this feeling better than anybody.

"I-- I did think you liked him a lot. But wow... I know it"s not uncommon for those with elite backgrounds to think of marriage at this age. However, we still have so many years left before we become an adult...something like marriage, shouldn"t you think about it more?" Jae-hee was bewildered.

Kotori smiled, "But, what about Lilchan and Karas.h.i.+msan?"

"Those two are weird."

Lila laughed, "It"s okay. I don"t mind. Besides, maybe it was too sudden, getting married."

"Not sudden, you don"t regret it," Kotori trailed off when they hear her phone ring. The girl immediately bolted up and picked up her phone. "Let me go for a bit," her friend immediately rushed of.

"Lately, Kotori-chan is acting strange." Then again, this is the season for love. Maybe Kotori found someone.

"Lila too. How about if there comes a time where you have to be separated from Karas.h.i.+ma? How are you so sure nothing will happen? I"m sure Karas.h.i.+ma will stay firm. But you"ll meet new people."

Ah. That"s true. But nothing will change. n.o.body can sway her heart anymore.

"Nothing will change. Even if I were to like someone else, I"d go back to Haruka. Yori, too, no matter what happens after this - your hearts already resolute on Soichiro."

"Haruka aside. I heard that the underground King is even more of a player. Is that guy really... "The one?"" Jae-hee inquired.

"Don"t say it that way," Yori exclaimed.

"I really can"t see how he will make you happy."

That"s true. During Soichiro"s second visit here, he was practically stalking her. Soichiro claimed it was so he could watch over her. But he clearly other intentions. It"s hard to picture how a person like him will bring Yori happiness.

"You know, Soichiro has an unexpectedly gentle side. Or rather, from the very start, he"s always been very kind. It may be because of that kindness that people took advantage of him before. But he really is nice. He"s like this now, yes, but that part of him still remains. When you ask me why I"ve thought it over and over time and again. I asked myself the same question. But he is a good person.."