Lila didn't expect him to stop; she prepared herself for something to happen; knowing full well, even if she refused. He would continue. But instead, he pulled away and looked away from her. Haruka seemed to be in deep thoughts. Perhaps, he noticed that she cried? Her gaze softened, he does appear to love her a lot. But even then she cannot return his feelings; she's already promised her heart to somebody. Right now her relationship with Kiryu is very complicated. Lila always felt that they abruptly dated.
Lila wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his back," Say, Haruka," she murmured.
"What?"
When Lila sensed his tone, she hesitated but shook her head and asked, "Do you, like me?"
"Yeah."
She said nothing to those words. Haruka likes her; this whole time she knew that. But why is she surprised?
Haruka turned around, and Lila immediately moved away, but he pulled her to his arms, "If I'm distracting you from spending enough time with them, just say so."
Oh….
"It's okay Haruka," Besides she's not good at getting close to people. She feels more comfortable with him. When Lila realized that she felt pain spread through her head, what does that mean? She doesn't understand; this is only making her more confused than before.
"I'm not a good person. You should be with them. In the light."
"I want to...be with you." Lila managed to say.
He cupped her cheeks, so she was looking at him. "You're bold. Do you know what that means?" Ah, there is a meaning? She only wants to be with him. Haruka continued, "Well, even if you don't know. It's fine. You just, have to be with me."
Lila nodded, "Okay."
"I wonder why I'm so taken with you."
"I um, don't know."
"Are you seducing me?" Haruka asked.
"I'm not…"
"Really? Then how come I'm like this now."
"I don't know, " Lila replied. But she does know that if he gets any closer to her like this, she won't be able to take it. Her heart's already beating so fast; her mind is all jumbled again. To her surprise, he suddenly pulled back.
"You're, really easy to tease."
"Wha--" Lila stammered. Did he admit to teasing her? She pouted, he wore such a serious expression on his face just now. How is she supposed to know?
"To be exact. Shouldn't you be more cautious towards me? You, your not like those other girls. You don't do this stuff with men you've just met."
Say--says the one who kissed her when they just met! She wanted to say that now, but that would mean breaking the act.
....
A few minutes later, Lila found herself in an odd situation. Her gaze fell on the heavy weight on her lap, yes this weight she mentioned is Karashima Haruka. Currently, he was fast asleep on her lap. He's asleep, isnt he? Though they did this previously before, somehow it's different now. It's stupid, but she feels nervous, her heart's beating so fast too. It's unfair...
Her thoughts broke off when the door opened, and a green-haired woman stepped in, Ruka scanned the situation and quickly apologized, "Ah--sorry--"
"Uh, no--um…"
"Just taking a break, but Mikami-san suggested I use it to read up on music," Ruka explained.
Oh, Lila pointed to the rows of musical books and CD's on the shelf on the left side of the room, "Right. The books and CD's are over there."
Ruka nodded and walked over.
Her gaze darted back to Haruka; he looks tired. Even when she gets the time off, he's always working. She extends her hand out and caresses his hair; she wants to be able to help him out. To help him achieve his dreams, that resemble her own.
For awhile Lila focused on making sure Haruka is comfortable, adjusting her lap and moving his head slightly every so often, when Ruka suddenly spoke up, "About...what I said the other day.."
"Ah, yes?"
Lila said.
"....Arin, I don't think you have to decide who's better between your boyfriend and Karashima."
"Oh.."
She wasn't expecting this..Then again, for some reason she found herself being able to say a lot about her past..
____________________________________________________
Oh damn, what on earth is she saying?
None of this is any of her business.
But when she recalled the look in Yumeko's eyes and the rumors that have been circling lately. She needed information.
Arin.
She isn't using her.
But, even Ruka knew that Ari is the only one who's capable of changing Karashima Haruka. That much she could see. If Karashima Haruka changes, then those important to her can also feel at ease too right? Takahiro doesn't mention it in detail. But, the reason why he was able to get the music scholarship is simply Karashima Haruka work. That guy has more ties to those she cares about. That's why she wanted to solve this mystery.
___________________________________________________
It was awkward after that, but Ruka voiced her thoughts out, and Lila listened patiently. Once the girl left, she called out to the person who amid the conversation went. Ruka-chan was absorbed in the discussion that she completely forgot about Haruka. Lila too didn't notice, until she realized the heavy feeling escaped her legs.
"Haruka," Lila called out. He emerged from behind the shelves and walked back over.
"That was pretty good advice."
"Ah um.."
"Well, in the first place. If Kobayashi isn't interested, she won't get very far. You did well."
A compliment..she's happy. That happiness lasted for a moment when Lila noticed something, "Um.." Lila started, Haruka had closed whatever space was between them. His face inches away from hers.
"Look at me."
She lifted her head, "Indeed, this, should only be mine."
Lila moved away, "L-let's go back already."
"Who says you can just leave?"
Lila shivered as she recalled what happened earlier. She barely felt discomfort when he holds her. However when Lila recalled the close occasions they almost had sex. For some reason, she is terrified.
Haruka knocked his forehead against hers, ah. "You're warm; your fever is back. Stay put for a bit."
"O-okay."
He's kind. But, doesn't he have ulterior motives?
----
November 2034, Kiryu's house.
"Lila, most guys have ulterior motives. " Kiryu explained to her.
"Even you Kiryu?" Lila asked.
"Especially me.."
-----
An ulterior motive huh?
Haruka scooped her up in his arms, wah! "I'm keeping you within sight."
"I--I won't try to escape."
"You won't huh? You should try to."
But she doesn't want to... Lila shook her head; stop acting so strangely.
"Don't be so willing to stay with me, don't you know what I can do to you?"
Haruka said with a deep sigh.
Lila does know, she still remembered last year, and there is the recent incident too. What just happened moments ago. Her gaze caught a glimpse of the earnings on his ear, ah. Come to think of it; he mentioned that they represent his ex-girlfriends.
Haruka noticed her looking and questioned her, "What?"
"Um, your earrings. Do they represent how many girlfriends you've had?"
"You heard?"
Lila nodded, "Ah-huh."
"Didn't think they'd still be spreading that old story," Haruka said with a sigh.
They aren't. But Lila remembers what he said last year. She does want to get closer.
'I'm sorry to be so rude..but I can't see the love, only sexual desire.'
Lila recalled Ruka-chan just said, she paused. Oh, that's right.. What's between them is… Sexual desire? Is that what this is? But when she spoke with Takahiro-kun, it sounded like love. She wondered which one it really is.
___________________________________________________
May 15th, 2035 (Recording Studio)
It was the first time.
The first time she debuted that she saw a genuine smile from the people she's been working with.
This entire time, she's been so caught up in trying to be an idol. That she forgot, this isn't just about her. There is more to being an idol. The members of staff gave her the okay, to start singing.
"Alright, let's give it a go."
"Start from the beginning."
She wanted to change something.
................
Later on, T Concert Arena.
⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽
. RUKA 🍞
⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽🎾⚽
[ Shuttle Wise Game ]
"Helter-skelter: ready, go!
Come on!
Play ball!
Now it's summer, summertime, she
who moves first strikes a hit tune
Here comes the helper, ready to rumble
I'm gonna be number one, and you can bet I'll walk the walk."
...…...
She did it!
That felt awesome.
She really does want to sing more. More like this, with these sort of feelings.
___________________________________________________
T Concert Arena, Backstage
"If you're that interested, why don't you join them already?" Kouta asked, he spotted her in the crowd earlier and managed to lure the girl backstage.
The girl, his sister, has been trying to form a unit with. Yamamoto Maika,"..You misunderstood, it's not them I'm interested in."
Kouta understood full well who she was talking about, "Even more so,"
"Is it her? Tell me that much."
"You don't need me to say that. Rather, impatient are we? You already spoke to her."
"Had I not, she would have been swallowed by a pack of wolves."
"...Thank you."
"Your attitude is strange. Thanking me."
"Well--o--once in a while I can say it."
Maika gaze on him, however, doesn't disappear; instead, she looked him up and down before she concluded. "So, you like her."
Kouta isn't able to hide his red cheeks on time, and Maika sighed.
"That's fine and all. But, you probably should keep it on the low. Liking a girl so much, and your little sister getting hurt in the process."
He pushed her against the wall, with an angry look on his face.
Maika seemed stunned for a moment, but she swiftly moved away from him, "I teased you too much.." Maika apologized.
Kouta shook his head, "No.." He replied. This isn't her fault.
"I'll see how things go."
Kouta nodded and with those words said watched as the girl left. He slumped to the ground and exhaled deeply.
Damn.