"Love is a joyous experience; it is something that can change you. For girls, it is something that changes them. Things like to look good in front of the guy you like and wanting to receive compliments from them. Being told your cute or the most beautiful person they have ever seen. Such compliments make you feel happy. Whether it is real or not, one doesn"t think that far.These things are typical for a girl in love. But at the same time, one must bear with the hards.h.i.+ps and pain of love. Being rejected, having a one-sided love. Having a complex romance and wanting to be with that person always. Both sides think this, and yet they cannot be together. Love itself is a double-edged sword. You know how one side of the blade is sharp and the other dull?
That"s what love is. It"s similar to a blade; it can be smooth sailing and happy. Whereas, on the other side, it can be sharp and painful."
Mother said it then didn"t she? That love can be smooth sailing and happy - as well as painful. Perhaps a part of her had already understood the nature of those words. Lila understood it without really understanding. How contradictory, it isn"t like her at all. Then again, the line between what is like her and what isn"t has blurred lately.
Before Lila could say anything, though, a familiar voice prevented her.
"I thought it was you, Little Lila."
Lila glanced over at the source of the voices. She found two people there, "Ameno-senpai and Kiryu," she murmured. Indeed Lila spotted silver and not just brown. She doesn"t see him as much recently. So it felt a bit overwhelming to her. After not meeting Kiryu for so long, Lila felt a bit strange.
Kiryu must have thought the same since he gave her the same look.
"Ah um, when did you get back?"
"Just a few days ago," he trails off, "Sorry, I didn"t mention it. I"ve been busy."
"No, it"s quite alright. Besides, it"s expected from a person like you."
Kiryu sweatdropped, "So that"s what my greeting will be, huh?"
"If you wanted a pleasant greeting, shouldn"t you have returned sooner?"
He stopped answering her phone calls too. Then again, she was the one who brushed him of when he asked to meet up.
"It seems like they are casting us aside, Mr husband," Ameno casually commented. "Maybe we should leave them to their flirting."
Ah! Lila turned to Haruka quickly, "D-- don"t get the wrong idea. I didn"t forget you or anything."
Haruka responded by kissing her forehead, "Mm. I know."
He"s so very gentle and kind today. Although he"s always been a kind person, somehow today.. .. .no recently he"s kinder.
"Ah, by the way, I have to ask. Are you two entering that, after all? The national song compet.i.tion?" Ameno asked.
Haruka nodded, "We are."
"I thought as much."
Rather it"s strange that Ameno-senpai knows about it. He usually isn"t interested in such events.
Lila glanced over at him; he wore his usual trademark smile. "It"s hard to read him." Tachibana Ameno is the one person who can throw her of balance. She doesn"t understand him at all.
Ameno placed his hand on Kiryu"s shoulders.
"Then, you"ll go against this guy."
Eh? Lila"s gaze darted towards Kiryu. Could it be.... She immediately grabbed hold of his hands. Her eyes lit up.
"Wit a minute, Lila?"
"You"re going to enter compet.i.tions again? I"m so happy."
Kiryu decided last year that he would stop entering tournaments.
"I will. Uh, I can show you my drafts if you want to see so badly," Kiryu looked down at the ground.
Lila knew whenever he got like this, he was embarra.s.sed. "He"s cute." Her gaze softened when she saw the red in his cheeks. Kiryu isn"t used to others praising him so much.
"You will? Then when I have some free time, please call me. Ah, do you want to know when I"m aval---" her sentence fell short when Haruka tugged on her hand, "Haruka?"
Haruka wore a troubled expression on his face. But then he reached over to flick her forehead, "Alright, alright, I get it. Instead of being brushed off I"ll leave for a bit. I"ll get to know your other senpai more; it would be nice hearing stories about your middle school days."
"Hubby."
"You choose the right guy for the job. I"m good at that. I know loads of dirt on Little Lila," Ameno glared.
What dirt? Lila glared at Ameno before she turned back to her husband, "Haruka, um...is it really ---" her sentence fell short when he brushed his hand over her lips and leaned forward.
A brief and light kiss. But it felt warm; his kisses are so warm and gentle. They make her feel safe and so loved.
Haruka pulled away, "I"ll be back; be a good girl."
"Y....es.." she said, stunned.
"Mmm... But maybe I should inhale your scent for a bit," Haruka buried his face in her chest.
"Wah-wait a second, not in front of everyone!"
"So, your saying I can do so later?" Haruka questioned. Eh wait? What? He chuckled at her fl.u.s.tered expression, before drawing back. "I"m kidding. I"ll see you later, Lila."
Lila watched him leave. Haruka soon disappeared behind the double doors with Ameno-senpai.
She placed her hand to her heart. Really, she can"t remain calm around him. Yet she placed her hands on her lips. He grazed her lips. That kiss wasn"t gentle at all. Haruka is so silly, if he wanted her to stay with him, he should have just said so. However, it seems like he wants to continue this "be considerate of Kiryu att.i.tude."
Lila sighed, "There is the deal he made with her parents too." She found it stupid. After everything - that deal seems somewhat inappropriate. Why is he thinking of her age now off all times? It frustrated her, especially since it"s become a routine for them.
"It seems my timing is good. I interrupted your date," Kiryu said, disrupting her thoughts.
At that comment, her eyes twitched in annoyance. "You did this deliberately!"
"Yeah, I did."
Since when did Kiryu become so shameless?
"Anyhow, I also wanted to check on you. I heard about the movie…"
"Ah," Lila nodded. "Haruka already recused but, I wonder if he can do that easily."
"He can rest a.s.sured."
Lila eyed him, curiously, "You don"t have to help us. I feel bad if we rely on you all the time."
"Are you stupid? I"m doing this to score some point with you."
Her cheeks colored slightly when she heard those words. "What"s with him?" This is way too much. Lila looked away, "Why don"t you sit down, I"ll order something for you."
Kiryu nodded and sat down. Lila realized where he sat and quickly sat down in Haruka"s seat. Kiryu raised his eyebrows, "You know, I"m not going to bite."
"I"m not conscious of you."
"Yeah, I"m sure," Kiryu said sarcastically as he picked up the menu. "Why are you two only eating noodles? There"s a lot of meat here."
"Because I feel like it."
Kiryu sighed, "Is Haruka looking after you properly? You won"t get proper nutrition just eating this stuff."
Lila glared at him, "Haruka is taking good care of me; you don"t know how much effort he is making."
Recently Haruka has become even more attentive towards her. She won"t let anyone make such remarks, even if it is Kiryu.