Light Academy Main Building
Tap.
Tap.
Lila rolled the snow globe back and forth on the window ledge. A globe of a sakura tree resembling the one from that park. Don't send her a gift. A late one and without any way to contact her too. What a selfish man.
But, she can tell he chose this gift with care.
Rather, considering how much it resembled that tree. It wouldn't surprise Lila if senpai got it custom made. Senpai always does silly things for her sake after all. Yes, even him coming here.
-----
February 2035
Lila was busy looking at scripts when Ameno entered the room; at first, he didn't say anything. Lila didn't mind; he's always like this after all. So when he abruptly mentioned senpai, her eyes widened startled, "Ehhh? Attending a university near me?"
"Yeah. I'm surprised it was approved. Must have taken some convincing," Ameno nodded, "Must be the power of love." She throws the script at him then, causing Ameno to laugh.
"I see...so senpai.." Lila murmured.
"That doesn't mean you can lose focus."
"I know."
"Good luck. You'll need it. Don't forget what I taught you. But if you run into trouble. Rely on Oujiro; he's not completely useless."
----
As she recalled that conversation with Ameno-senpai, a sigh escaped her lips. Rely on him? How can she when he hasn't come to see her yet? Is she supposed to make the first move..? She could. She knows which university he's attending and yet f she meets senpai now. She knows, she knows she won't be able to stop herself from breaking down. This entire time, she's kept it together. However if she meets him, she will most likely fall apart.
She already cried a lot when she saw Kiryu. Let alone meet with senpai... Ahh no good. That's like admitting she shows more weakness with senpai than Kiryu, even though it's not like that. Senpai's always wished she relied on him more. Another sigh escaped her lips. What is she doing thinking about senpai now?
Right now, there's something she has to do. Something important. Her gaze landed on Yumeko, who was in the middle of working on decorations. Part of the reason why she came here was because of Yumeko. But she hasn't exactly had the time to get to know her properly. Lila spent most time focussing on settling in and Haruka. Haruka's situation is very complicated; it's hard to multi-task. Also, Haruka isn't fond of Yumeko-chan. Even if she wants to balance it, it will lead to him being upset with her.
A deep sigh escaped her lips, right now it's no good like this. Forget doing her job; she's already getting way too involved in this. Even though, there's something she has to do. She as a goal. To become an international idol, to stand on the same stage as Mommy, Ren-san, Daddy and Kiryu, and the guys in M5. To be able to sing on that larger stage and convey her feelings. Her feelings, as of late. She doesn't understand her feelings very well. Maybe she never did. But something is certainly different now.
"Ari-chan, what do you think?"
"Ah, I'm sorry..what?" Lila said absentmindedly.
The other girls in the group don't hesitate to show their displeasure, and she sweated nervously. Well, it's true it's her fault for not listening, but they don't have to be that hostile.
Yumeko, however, doesn't mind it and continued explaining, when the sound of her phone broke their conversation. The girl wearing glasses takes the plans from Yumeko and puts it back on the table. An angry look on her face. Scary, still Lila knew she had to answer the call, "Yumeko-chan, I'll take this call," Lila said.
"Oh right."
A quiet place Lila recalled the balcony at the back, connecting the second and third-year buildings. She quickly bowed and abruptly left the classroom.
It did not take her long before she arrived, and she looked at her surroundings. Lila let out a relieved sigh; grateful nobody was around before she answered her phone.
A familiar voice filled the other line, it belonged to one of her band members from her band DEVIL, Ryunosuke, "Hows DEVILS singing Cinderella ?" he asked.
"Tired."
"Oh, that's no good. If you're out of fuel, the King will be angry."
Ryunosuke joked.
Lila rolled her eyes at this comment, "If your cracking jokes. Things aren't busy yet?"
"We've had so much free time recently, that even our drummer is asking for work."
Lila laughed.
"Were setting the plan in motion later. Make sure to watch."
"I know."
Ryunosuke suddenly changed the topic, "Has prince charming number 2 dropped by?"
"No, I received a gift though."
"Oh, the globe?" Ryunosuke said knowingly. So he must have consulted with the others first before he got it for her.
"Yes. It really was from him?" Lila asked.
"You should know that better than anyone."
Should she huh? It's only natural she knows, Lila sighed quietly, "Tell me something Ryunosuke..."
"Hm?"
"Did...senpai...say anything? Before he left..?" Lila hesitated but asked anyway.
Ryunosuke paused, and she heard him take a deep breath before he replied; "He told me he wouldn't give up on you."
Ah!
"Frankly speaking, when I heard that. I couldn't take him seriously. Everyone knows even if you're away from Austin Kiryu your feelings won't change just like that."
Her feelings huh? That's right, no matter what she will always be in love with Kiryu. Up until now, that's how things are, but hasn't something changed?
"Do you remember when I asked you to choose between Oujiro or Karashima?"
....
----
A few months ago.
"How about this, Oujiro or Karashima," Ryunosuke suddenly asked.
Oh, "This...they aren't objects," Lila replied nervously, as she fiddles with the straw in her drink. She started mixing the contents quickly as Lila felt the pounding sound getting louder in her heart. Thump. Thump.
"Before you met Karashima, you would have chosen Oujiro without question. So that guy has become even more important to you than Oujiro?"
"What exactly do you expect me to say?" Lila murmured. What is he trying to get at?
Ryunosuke looked at her with a severe gaze, "Karashima became your producer, even though it's unofficial, he only joined devil staff because of you, and he intends to continue doing so. But up until now, the majority of our music and activities is based on Oujiro's ideas. Oujiro has become a member of our band now too. Then what about Karashima? "
"Eh?" Lila said, puzzled.
"Do you think that you can still work together with Karashima and Oujiro? And what if Kiryu begins to dislike the situation? He's dealt with it this entire time since he's been busy with his work and can't help you."
This is so strange, Ryunosuke asking her these questions. But what's actually weird right now, is her inability to answer these questions. Why can't she say anything?