Dream Star

"Ah-huh, I was just thinking, Kiryu."

"About?"

"Things."

She"s as vague as ever, but since this is Lila. It"s easy to see what she is thinking about. "As long as you worked hard, Lila, you will be fine no matter what happens. Hard work will never betray you."

"That"s right!" Lila suddenly said enthusiastically. "As long as I work hard, I"ll be fine!"

He had to back away from the screen since he knew Lila stood up. While it was blurred, he still saw a faint outline of the girl"s figure. Kiryu felt his cheeks grow hot, "Why did you stand up? Are you an idiot?"

"Wahhh, I"m sorry. I just got excited..."

"Stupid girl," Kiryu took a deep breath. "I didn"t think you"d ask me something like that."

Does Lila remember? She is the one who taught him that.

Awkward laughter escaped Lila"s lips, "Lately, things are a bit stressful."

Is she stressed? It seems like partic.i.p.ating in a ma.s.sive tournament like the Dream Stars one is too much for her. This is why Kiryu secretly got rid of all the invitation letters they sent her. Why did Lila only get sent an invite this year? It made no sense. The Dream Star tournament chooses idols who have excelled the most every year. Lila fit those requirements a long time ago. Why now

It"s because he finally gave her the invitation. Why did he do that? "Haruka.." Kiryu saw the list of judges and decided it was time. So he sent in Lila"s pre-audition doc.u.ments for her. Sure enough, Haruka came. He came to inform her the details personally.

Setting it all up for them, for what? Kiryu didn"t understand what he was doing. Kiryu always felt that Lila would never truly belong to him, as long as Lila doesn"t recall Haruka. It didn"t feel right for him. If that incident didn"t happen, then Haruka and Lila would have dated along time ago. He wouldn"t have stood a remote chance.

It felt fake to him.

His relations.h.i.+p with Lila was a lie.

"K—Kiryu, um, I think we have a problem. The hot water made me dizzy..."

"d.a.m.n," Kiryu cursed. "There are towels inside, wrap yourself up properly, okay?"

Is G.o.d testing his patience today? What"s with this situation? No, don"t think about it too deeply. Kiryu waited until Lila said she was ready before he opened the screen. Thankfully, steam covered the entire area. Kiryu walked over to the tub and scooped Lila up in his arms.

The girl laughed lightly, "Your red Kiryu."

"Quit it, my self-control not to attack you can break any minute now."

Her gaze softened, "You won"t, though."

Why does she sound so sure of that? She really makes him feel frustrated.

...

When Haruka came, it was anything but pleasant. Because Lila burst into tears. Kiryu didn"t tell her, but it seems like Lila heard from someone. Lila was preparing a meal, and he was reading on the couch, when the doorbell rang. Lila was the first one to spring up.

"Wahhh, wahhh! No, no," Lila wailed.

"My wife calm down."

Lila clung to Haruka tightly, "It"s a trick hubby, don"t go. They are trying to separate us."

"It"s only for a week, two weeks at max. We will video chat every day."

"But I can"t touch.."

Kiryu almost dropped the cup he was holding. Haruka sent him an apologetic look, "Wife, it"s fine. We still have three days before I have to leave."

"Why do I have to stay with Kiryu? Why can"t I wait at home?"

"Because wife, you get lonely easily, and you"re safer with Kiryu."

"But hubby, Kiryu kissed me earlier. What will you do if he does anything to me?"

At that comment, Kiryu panicked, "Hey Lila!! Why is she snitching on him for?"

"I see, so he kissed you. When that happens, I"ll remind you of the sensation of my lips."

Kiryu quickly turned away, but he didn"t miss Haruka wrapping his arms around Lila"s waist. The girl"s arms wrapped around his neck.

"Silly hubby," Lila laughed happily.

It felt like forever when the two finally finished, but the reality was it only took a few minutes.

"I"ll help you."

"N—no, it"s okay," for some reason, Lila turned shy, and she quickly rushed back into the kitchen. Anybody who saw this would think she"s strange, but Kiryu knew Lila very well.

It seems like Lila"s feelings for Haruka are increasing.

"Something wrong?"

"You know, Lila is..."

Haruka looked over at the girl, "Mmm, she"s a bit weird lately."

"You don"t know why she is like that?"

"Something about her liking me more or something?"

"Sounds like you"re showing off."

"Ha, like I need to," Haruka trailed off. "Hey, Kiryu, I need a bit of advice..."

"What is it?"

"I shouldn"t ask you this... But between new York and Hawaii, which place would be better for a honeymoon?"

".."

Kiryu stared at Haruka with a frustrated expression, "You"re doing this deliberately, aren"t you?"

"Wait, hear me out. I"ve thought this one through, but it"s been bugging me. I need to reserve things now .."

Geez, this helpless couple. "Lila likes walking around in the city."

"Ah, got it," Haruka nodded. "Thanks."

Kiryu watched as he pulled out a notebook and started to scribble things down. Haruka really is putting in the effort for Lila now.

"What"s with the trip? Any details?" Kiryu found it suspicious.

"Rikka"s father is in charge of it."

"Huh? Is this..."

"It"s my chance to expose his crimes. I"ll use it to my advantage."

"No, that"s not what he was getting at..." "Doesn"t that guy want you and his daughter to get back together? Haruka, this trip is probably... I wouldn"t go," Kiryu muttered. "It"s too dangerous for you."

"Do you doubt me? Do you think I"d cheat on Lila?"

"You know I don"t doubt you. I doubt those people."

Haruka nodded, "Yeah. But there is something I"d like to investigate," he trailed off. "I know right now; those people are watching me. So it"s better if I"m not with Lila now. I don"t want people thinking she"s a traitor."

"Haruka, you know I can help. Just tell me and I will..."

"Not even you can get rid of the bad impression those people have of me. Aren"t you the future leader of HYOU4? I don"t want to affect you."

The future leader of HYOU4, huh? Quite some time has pa.s.sed since he last went there, though. After that incident, Kiryu took a break from missions for awhile.

"Will you be fine? If something happens.."

"I"ll keep in touch," Haruka nodded. "If I do need anything, please help me out."

"Yeah."

Haruka gets rid of his cigarette and made his way over to Lila. "Let me help," Haruka muttered against the girl"s ear. "Okay?"

Lila laughed, "Um, an excuse to hold my hand?"

"Yeah."

"I"m helping too," Kiryu said and joined them. He purposely brushed his shoulders against Lila"s.

Haruka"s eyes twitched in annoyance, "Oi, don"t get nervous."

"Wah- I can"t help it! He suddenly got close."

At that comment, Haruka hugged Lila from the back, "Alright, now he can"t go near you."

Geez, this guy is so petty at times. Still, Kiryu glanced over at Lila"s happy expression. There is nothing wrong with this.