She doesn't understand anymore.
But maybe it's best she doesn't understand.
There are too many things she must deal with currently. She can't prioritize the issue of romance. Lila really wanted to ask Kiryu though. If they broke up or not, why did he have to be so vague about it? She hasn't heard from him in so long either. In 10 day's time, it will be his birthday. But she understands that no miracle like what happened with her will occur.
Her thoughts broke off when she found intense lips on hers. She didn't realize Haruka was there. How long? But, Lila doesn't get a chance to even ask him, when she felt his lips on hers, "..mmgh..." Lila said. She shouldn't be so used to being kissed by another person like this. But, Lila wrapped her arms around him, pressing their bodies together... Closer, much closer... If they get closer, will she finally understand what he means to her?
"By Prince..." Haruka spoke up.
"A senpai...from my old school.."
She probably shouldn't talk about Kiryu.
"What did he give you?"
Lila pointed to the glob she placed on the table alongside her bag.
Haruka laughed, "Hah, is he a kid?"
"Haruka.....this is uncomfortable..."
Presently he had her pushed against the wall, their bodies pressed against each other, and she could hear his breathing. So close, they're so close...
"Bear with it. I can't hold it..." He murmured.
Lila does not reply and her fingers ran through Haruka's soft maroon hair.
Haruka looked at her surprised, "...You..."
"Yes?"
"Should use your fingers..elsewhere.."
Sensing the sexual meaning behind his words, Lila looked away and frantically replied, "T--that's okay..."
"..Down here..."
Haruka insisted pointing bellow where there was a clear buldge in his pants.
Lila shook her head, her whole face bright red. They only kissed, why is he turned on? Luckily he stopped. "Then, kissing more?"
Haruka asked. As usual, he doesn't wait for a reply and simply continued. What a selfish man.
......
Doing things like this... every day. It's a first. Even Kiryu wasn't this stupid... But she should stop comparing the two. Haruka's clearly different. At the start, she thought of them as similar but it's different now. Now she has gotten to know him, she understood that the two of them differ completely from each other. It's probably unhealthy, having this sort of relationship with one another.
She knows that better than anyone. However, Haruka is this sort of person… He isn't used to just being friends with a girl. It's part of her job, to help him. But, even if she didn't take him on as a subject for the case. Even if she didn't, nothing would have changed.
"What?" Haruka asked. Lila looked away for a moment; realizing Haruka had caught her staring. She ought to be more careful.
"Um, you use a pipe?" Lila commented. Instead of the usual cigarette and lighter, Haruka was using one of those old fashion pipes.
"Occasionally."
"..."
It was silence after that and Lila murmured, how stupid she was. Surely there are other topics she can bring up?
Lila spotted some stains on Haruka's chest.
Oh...
She took out her handkerchief from her pocket and wiped his chest.
"..You don't have to wipe it.".
"E--even if you say that it's inappropriate to walk around like, " Lila paused realizing something. Then again, Haruka walks around with half his buttons on his shirt undone and chest exposed half the time. She suppose he is used to it. Lila felt his deep gaze on her and asked, "Haruka, what is it?"
"Have you been talking with him recently?"
Haruka asked. By him Haruka referred to Kiryu, though they are still playing the game with her identity as Lila as a secret. Haruka brings up Kiryu from time to time, at least he keeps up the act that he doesn't know who her 'boyfriend' if she can really call him that is.
"A few messages," Lila replied with uncertantity. She doesn't want to tell him that contact with Kiryu is rare these days.
Even though they were talking, Lila noticed how he was looking her up and down. After a bit, she found herself on the couch, and Haruka hovered over her. "Haruka..say--"
Her sentence was cut short, when his passionate and hungry lips fell on hers. Another aggressive kiss, "Nnmmmgh..."
"Be quiet. Only scream for me."
"Haruka, you're being a bit..cruel..."
It's like he's bullying her.
"That's because I'm cruel."
No, he isn't. He's kind. She understood that very well.
"Haruka, you have so many other girls...I..to you..what--" he cuts her off. Lila wanted to ask, what does she mean to him? He has so many other people, why is she special?
.......
Rather than be intimate, she would have preferred talking with him. It's no good like this. Maybe later...Maybe it's okay for them to talk then... Her gaze landed on Haruka who was fast asleep in her arms. He really is like a child like this. Her thoughts broke off when she sensed a familiar presence and found Kouta-kun approaching her on the balcony. When he was over, he simply placed a few newspaper articles in front of her. Lila didn't have to look at them in detail to know what they all said.
"What are you going to do with this?" Kouta asked. He referred to the countless articles slandering her alongside her team members. Articles that praised Rosalia and her band too. Comparissons made, between her and Rosalia. Even some stating that Rosalia and Kiryu are a couple.
".....Arata knows what he's doing."
That's right.
It's okay.
That guy, won't let them lose the place they worked hard to obtain for so long. Kouta nodded and then picked up the scores on the table, "You wrote this?" Kouta asked.
"No, I received it from a mysterious prince charming."
"..He hasn't come to see you once?"
"Nuh-uh, but he wants me working on this. Such a selfish person."
"...." Kouta was silent for a few seconds before he suggested. "Let me help."
Lila shook her head and refused, "No, it's okay." She doesn't mean to refuse his help, she understood that Kouta-kun means well. But, right now...
Kouta must have understood since he nodded and asked, "How are you going to record without meeting with them?"
"Well, you'll be surprised."
"They'll come here?"
Lila nodded, she's glad that Kouta is quick to pick up on these things. It saves her the trouble of explaining, "Ah-huh."
"I see, good luck."
"Yes."
____________________________________________
S- Studio, 11:00am.
As a member of the group X, Miyazawa Rosalia found herself with yet another busy schedule.
With Terashima Lila out of the picture, DEVIL is nothing. She wanted to laugh how easily her group X climbed the rankings the moment that witch left. It's so obvious that Lila was the one preventing them from progressing. Now she's gone, the one with true skills is reigning.
Her thoughts broke off when she spotted a man with silver hair, leaning on the pillar by the entrance, "Kiryu-kun." Rosalia said.
The last person she expected to greet her after that annoying recording session was Kiryu-kun. While she did drop by his place that one time, she seldom saw him since. Due to the busy schedule of the band.
"Hey." Kiryu greeted her.
Her eyes sparkled, as she walked over,"Wow, you came to see me?"
He didn't nod and simply said. "I had work."
"You're so cold."
He smiled slightly and patted her hair.
"Good job."
He praised her! Her gaze softened. As she thought, she really does still want him. Lila-chan isn't here anymore, so maybe she can try again. Besides, that girl won't be a hindrance for long. If her plan goes perfectly, then Lila will be out of the picture pretty soon. What makes it perfect is, that Lila herself will be the one to break it off with Kiryu.
Her thoughts broke of catching a glimpse of a familiar group by the entrance.
Oh, that's...
The people in the surroundings started murmuring too, "Look .."
"...it's the abandoned group.."
"They still have the nerve to show up."
"Ssh, if they hear you."
"They're only freeloading of the company now.."
Tokumori however simply waltz up to where they were and placed something in Kiryu-Kun's hands.
He didn't bother looking at her and focused on Kiryu, "Our guitarist is being an idiot. Check it over, our princess isn't sure what's going on either." Arata commented.
"But your princess is the apple of my eye."
Arata rolled his eyes, "You can flirt all you want with her another time."
This exchange didn't go unnoticed by others.
"Eh wait..that..."
"Just now?"
Everybody seemed confused but nobody knew what to say, including Rosalia. She stood there just as confused as the bystanders.
..........
When Tokumori left, Rosalia directly asked him. "Your working for DEVIL?"
Rosalia asked. She was only guessing but, Kiryu immediately crushed her hopes when he nodded.
"Well, I've always helped Lila write songs," Kiryu added, "So this isn't unusual."
"But she's no--" Rosalia paused. He's way too calm, even though he was in such an awful state for the majority of last month. Unless, "You know where she is."
To her surprise, Kiryu-kun didn't hide it.
"Recently, I met with her. It was on her birthday."
Should she be glad that Kiryu-kun told her when she asked? That ought to be an honour but, Rosalia clenched her fist. She thought she would stand a chance but they've already met with each other? Damn. But, there's still the plan. That's right if Lila breaks it off with him first. Even when she isn't around, she is still a hindrance.
Before Rosalia could ask anymore. A dull looking boy wearing an obviously baggy uniform and hat came over, "Kiryu-san. We have to get going soon."
Kiryu nodded, "Right."
Contrary
to this persons appearance, this person is a girl and not a guy. When she first found out, Rosalia wanted to get rid of her. She is such an eyesore. Rosalia knew from the moment they met, that they were similar. This girl will get in the way eventually. She has to find a way to dispose of her too.
"Rosalia, how long do you have work here?" Kiryu suddenly asked.
Rosalia looked at him puzzled, "Eh?"
"Want to go for lunch?"
Ehhh? Wait for what? He's asking her out for lunch? Rosalia's eyes widened, is this real? She was in complete disbelief.
"Is it a yes or no?"
"Y--yes." Rosalia stuttered.
Oh wow. For real? Is this really going to happen? Even though, Lila-chan has been gone for a while now. There's actually been little progress between her and Kiryu-kun. For one, he does a really good job evading her. When she confronted him, he apologized. But even then, he never lets himself be left alone with her. This lunch too, he's going to bring this assistant along. Even then, it's something different. Before he never took the initiative to ask her out.
Perhaps, something's changed? Maybe, he's willing to give her a chance now...
______________________________________________
After asking Rosalia, Kiryu noticed the girl's bright gaze. His gaze darkened, don't be too happy.
-----
A week ago - High Seed Records Conference Room-
"Press conference?"
Kiryu asked, as he looked up from the endless sheets of music he was composing. Since meeting with Lila, he found himself composing so many songs. She really is his muse of inspiration.
Arata nodded, "Yeah, we're going to announce the news then. We won't drop your name but if you show up it's bound to have an impact."
"That's true," Kiryu agreed, "I'll drop a few comments too."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, this is for her sake."
Arata nodded, he seemed to hesitate but asked, "What about Miyazawa?"
Kiryu sighed deeply, "I'll deal with her. It's quite easy."
-----
Present.
He's sorry to disappoint Rosalia, but there is no chance of anything happening between them anymore. Not only does Kiryu intend to keep his promise to Lila. However, what Kiryu wanted to do the most currently is help Devil become the band that surpasses Angel. X stands in the way of that.