' It's true I'm jealous... But that guy, I'm sure only you can save him. Lead him to a path of light like you did me. '
Whenever Lila thought of Kiryu's words, it brought her back to the conversation she had with Haruka back then.
-----
A few months ago.
"If I said it did not surprise me. I'd be lying. But I don't hate you either. Even if we hadn't met the way we did, and all of this happened. I could never hate you. Everyone heard the songs you write; it leaves a deep impression on people's hearts. It'll be the same from now on."
That's right, from the very start this person's songs have always captivated her. A long time ago, she heard several songs with a similar feeling, and now she understands. Ah, so he was the one who wrote them.
A person who's able to write such music isn't a bad guy.
Lila took a few steps closer until she was directly in front of Haruka, "The meaning of survival? I've never thought about it before. Because I don't know the answer, so, let's figure it out together." she pulled him into an embrace.
"Lila..."
Haruka murmured.
"I can only lend you little support now. But next year, I will give you a proper answer. " Lila doesn't know if she can be the one to lead him to a place of light. But she wanted to try.
When she thinks of light, she sees Haruka's figure.
Haruka may get angry, at her for saying this.
But to her, he is another light to her, a different light than the one belonging to her beloved. But something equally important what she's been avoiding this entire time, what people saw in them then. She wondered if ...it will all come spilling out soon.
-----
Present Day, April 2035
To wake up in a hotel room, a rather spacious - no shady looking one was the last thing she expected. But sure enough, this situation is precisely what it looked like. Aahhh, Terashima Lila. Lila scolded herself mentally. Only four days have passed since coming here, yet she ended up in this situation. A deep sigh passed her lips; it's a good thing nothing happened between them.
He didn't leave, did he? She heard the shower, and a relieved sigh escaped her lips. But doing something like this to her. He doesn't know it's her and yet, but maybe he did this because he had his suspicions? She doesn't understand. He only kissed her, for hanyous acts of affection like kissing, is nothing. Sure enough, Lila knew despite the pounding heartbeat. Thinking about the kiss didn't make her particularly nervous; she didn't think much of it.
Lila tried to get up but discovered she was in no condition to do so. The moment she tried, weakness overtook her, and she almost stumbled forward until she grabbed hold of the bed frame railing. For the longest time, she's always had a weak body. Since coming to Light Town, since starting that journey that weakness has only increased. Due to her half-blood lineage, Lila never thought to question her condition. Indeed the main reason why she is constantly sick is because the blood runs stronger in her veins, even then there ought to be a limit. A deep sigh escaped her lips, how helpless.
Her thoughts broke of hearing footsteps, Lila looked up to find maroon colored hair. Haruka's hair was wet, indicating he just took a shower, the stray drops of water fell on his neck. He looked over at her, "Morning," Haruka greeted with a nod.
"Good morning."
Haruka walked over to the bed and sat down; he cupped her cheeks with his hand startling her, "Your body, rest it for a bit. We don't have to check out right away," Haruka mumbled.
He's concerned about her; normally she would take him up on that.
After all, she did feel bad; however, "We, have school, " she reminded him.
Haruka murmured an 'I see' and lets her go, before walking over to the couch. Lila caught a glimpse of his expression, her eyes widened. Ah, he's in pain. Because of what she just said? Could it be that he wanted to stay here longer with her? And do what? No, no, if he looks like this then surely, it's not because of that. Maybe it's just the first part that he wanted to spend time with her. If it's like that then surely she can comply with his request?
Lila somehow mustered up the strength and dragged herself to the couch. But the process took a few minutes since she used objects in the surroundings to lean on. Lila ensured the blanket was wrapped around herself and joined Haruka on the couch.
"What are you doing? It's cramped," Haruka asked, irritated.
"Senpai."
"Are you going to complain? Take the bed; I'll sleep here. I know we have to go to school, but you need to rest for a bit. I'll stay over here." he said with a deep sigh.
A path of light.
She must be the one who does it.
Even now she can see it; he's deliberately trying to put up a wall between the two. She must be the one that breaks it. Lila hesitantly brought her lips to his, and he blinked in confusion, "Really? What are you doing? You...you."
Lila changed their position until she was on top of him.
For hanyous, such intimacy is not unusual, this position too. It would be easy to suck his blood, and yet Lila didn't do that; instead, she caressed his cheeks against her palm.
"Are you seducing me? No, that's not it..."
Haruka extended his hand out to brush back a strand of her stray hair. "Ari, Ari," he repeated.
"I'm dangerous, I could hurt you," Lila warned him, as she reached out for his neck with her hands, "So, please don't get too close,"
"It's too late for that."
__________________________________________________
A few hours later. Light Academy (Main Building)
Haruka thought she would avoid him after that. It wasn't just a kiss. She was silent on the way to school and didn't say much when they parted to go to class. He recalled how the girl kissed him. The first time she took the initiative, but that kiss wasn't passionate much to his disappointment, and yet, But, during the break, he found her rushing up to him.
"Senpai, senpai. I have a question."
He leaned on the wall where most people rarely go. When he spotted her from the corner, peeking at him. Being stared at by such beauty was torturous. That he can't do anything to her either, or maybe he should?
"What is it?"
Or rather. "Are you lost? It's the middle of class time," he said.
"Ah, I am lost. But where's the infirmary?" Lila asked.
Infirmary? He examined the girl and put out his cigarette and lifted her.
"Huh, your pretty light," Haruka muttered.
To his surprise though the girl had a somewhat indifferent look on her face. Trying to place it cool huh? Does she think that will going to work on him?
___________________________________________________
Infirmary.
To be carried bridal style to the infirmary was the last thing she expected. But she's grateful. Since Lila couldn't feel her legs at all, he placed her down on the bed and looked around the cabinets. Lila peeked at him from the blanket and from time to time, he would also look back at her.
Somehow, she isn't as mad as she ought to be even though she should be angry. What Haruka did was uncalled for. It was already bad enough, but now he's her manager. He shouldn't have done that in such a place. Dragging his new talent to a hotel too. Lila exhaled deeply; it's not like, he did anything.
Despite how frightening his words were. His lips were so warm, and his touch was gentle. Haruka-kun is kind. That's something she knew all too well.
Yet, for her the warmth of those kisses, that gentleness meant nothing. It was empty.
___________________________________________________
When Haruka measured her fever and saw the sign 38°c, he frowned.
She has a high fever; she ought to rest. Haruka sends a message to one of the guys who follow him around and hear footsteps fading. He shouldn't be back for a while. Now then, his gaze landed on the girl on the bed. She was still looking at him with flushed cheeks, "You should go to sleep," Haruka told her.
"What about you, senpai?" Ari asked.
"Huh?" he said, surprised. What about him?
The girl quickly added, "I don't want to sleep alone,"
Haruka sighed, and rubbed the temple of his forehead with his hands, "Don't be silly, I'll attack you," Haruka commented. It's not like he would leave, anyway. Not when she's this sick, he isn't that heartless.
"But you're tired too; you don't have the strength for that." Ari insisted.
Damn.
After a few minutes, Haruka found himself laying down next to her. But, he's getting déjà vu here. Laying down and not doing anything. It was like that, well, at the beginning with that girl. Eventually, he touched her, but still — he really is getting an odd sense of déjà vu here. Is it not strange how similar they are?
"Senpai, are you sleeping?" Ari spoke up, breaking the silence between them.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Your acting inappropriately."
Haruka immediately understood, is he getting turned on already? "I'll turn around," Haruka said. He knew that would do little to help his situation, but it's better than facing her.
Ari shook her head, "No, uh.." Noticing her confusion, Haruka sighed.
"Alright, I get it."
Ari nodded, and then she buried her face in his chest, the sudden contact surprised him. But, he allowed her and even patted her hair.
She laughed softly. "Aha. Goodnight."
"...Yeah."
.....
Two and a half hours later
When she woke up, he quickly shoved aside the girl who had come on to him and told her quickly leave while he walked back over to where she was. Ari was sitting up and looking outside the window, seeing her pained eyes. Haruka closed the blinds. He figured that there was something about of about her being unusually pale. But now he gets it; she's a hanyou — a pure breed too from the looks of things.
"Do you need blood?" he asked her.
The girl looked away. That confirmed it then, Haruka spoke up, "I rarely offer, but if the school finds out, you're in this state. You'll get in trouble."
"I'm just a bit anemic. It'll go away," Ari said. It was clear to him that she was trying to push him away.
However, that didn't convince him at all, the girl's arms trying to push him away looked so very frail to him, "Just take it," Haruka insisted.
Besides, he'll get in trouble too.
Ari hesitantly nodded, and he sits down beside her on the bed, she shyly brought her arms around his neck.
Come to think of it, when was the last time he had somebody drink from him? Haruka forgot how intimate it was. Is that why she was hesitant just now? That's annoying. But maybe she's just shy. His thoughts broke off as he felt her hands tug on the remaining buttons of his shirt.
Ah. Right, very intimate. Should he tell her to stop? She'll die of embarrassment later. Haruka immediately decided against it, treasuring the feeling of her hands touching him.
....
Once she was finished, Haruka hugged her from behind.
"So, where's my compensation? You drank a lot." he murmured against the girl's ear.
"Y—you're the one who offered..." she looked as though she wanted to protest. The girl lightly touched his cheek with her hands and then abruptly pulled away.
Haruka paused and sighed to himself, what a stubborn woman — trying to maintain a distance like this. He wanted to see more of the side; she just showed him when she drank his blood. What sorts of faces will she make if he sleeps with her? It was an exciting thought to him.
The girl was silent for a while before she spoke up, "Tell me something senpai,"
"Hm?" he replied.
"Weren't you with a girl just now?" she asked.
Oh, she must have heard.
"It's fine, she's not my girlfriend," Haruka reassured her.
"Do you, not have a girlfriend, senpai?" Ari asked.
"I don't."
She looked at him confused, and Haruka explained, "I don't need any of those girls, I'm only using them to pass the time." While that's true, that's not the main reason. But she doesn't need to know that.
To his surprise, though Ari raised her hand and slapped him, "I'm sorry, but you can't treat people like they are garbage or mere toys," with those words said the girl quickly hurried away.
Haruka placed his hand on his now sore cheek, 'that hurt,' he thought. But, he stared at the girl's figure that was fading away. What an interesting girl.