Light Academy Dorms 5:00 PM (Yumeko and Lilas room)
"Ari-chan?! Ah, you know--" Seeing her friend frantically pack her belongings in a small luggage bag, Yumeko blinked. She came here early to the dorms, hoping to fix what happened earlier.
But... "Are you going somewhere?" Yumeko asked.
"I'm sorry, Yumeko-chan, but could you submit a reason for me? I will only be gone for two-three days. I won't be long."
"Eh, but--"
But, the girl was already out of the doors and bolting out. Thump. Thump. Yumeko's heart speeds up, a scene from the past several times overlapped in her head.
She slowly opened the curtain to spot blue hair rushing out the entrance towards the car park at the front. The owner had been leaning on the car smoking, he immediately disposed of the cigarette upon seeing the girl and circled his arms around her. Ah, it's Haruka. There's no mistaken that maroon colored hair.
So, that's how it will be. Yumeko should have known, and yet this scene surprised her. Yumeko has seen it so many times now. Yumeko dropped the tickets in her hands, it's no use, huh? That guy will continue driving her to a corner, to make up for the sins of the past. She has to suffer. But, does he intend to break her completely? That's too cruel.
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Haruka's Apartment. 6:00 am.
Good, he's not cold anymore. Last night, he broke out into a fever and was worried. Maybe, she was hasty to agree to come here with him. She's only been in town for a week too, to skip school like this. But, when she held him in his arms. He seemed even more fragile than he did than before. She thought she had helped him, but; it turned out she didn't do much. Or maybe it's because she stopped contacting him? The moment she stood up, Haruka pulled her back on to the bed.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"Ah, I was going to make breakfast."
"Stay with me, longer."
Lila nodded.
"Tell me, I didn't have sex with you last night, did I?"
She shook her head. If that happened, she would have gotten angry and wouldn't even speak with him. Lila knew if he ever did anything that overstepped the boundaries, she would immediately inform Soichiro - and Harika would have a hard time.
"So, why do you look like that?"
Lila immediately wrapped herself with the blanket and turned away, "I got hot..." she muttered. It was a lie, but Haruka didn't need to know that. But nothing sexual happened between them, that much she could say.
"I see," Haruka didn't sound convinced, but she was grateful that he didn't press the issue further.
This is embarrassing; she doesn't know what to say to him. He seemed to be back to normal for now. Haruka tugged on her hand, "Face me."
Lila turned around.
"Last night, what did I do to you?"
"You kissed me a lot..." she explained.
"Then, can I continue? I want to kiss you more."
As usual, Haruka does not wait for a response from her. If she had the strength to push him away, she would have, even if these kisses mean nothing to her. For this person, they mean something, don't they?
...…
...
After being kissed like that, Lila wanted nothing more than to hide. But, she knew she would waste a perfectly good opportunity to get to know him.
So Lila stared at him for a good few minutes.
Haruka noticed her gaze and asked her, "What?"
"Um, say, your piercings. Do they hurt?"
"Ah? The ones in my mouth?"
Lila nodded.
"Not anymore, I've gotten so many, and it was a long time ago."
Haruka's tone filled with its usual indifference. It's like he is reciting lines from a script.
"But, isn't it difficult to eat that way?" Lila continued the topic.
"Well, it is a pain, but I eat little, anyway."
Oh, that's right. Haruka mentioned it before. Her thoughts broke off when he unscrewed the lid to a bottle of wine.
"Do you drink?" Haruka asked her.
Lila shook her head, "Not a lot." Or rather after that first time she drank. Kiryu controlled the amount she drank from that point onward.
"Here, have some." Haruka passed her the cup.
B—but this is his drink. No, Lila knew she shouldn't make a fuss. Besides, even if it is an indirect kiss, it should be fine. Lila took it from him and drank the remaining contents in one gulp.
Haruka scolded her after she finished, "You idiot, why did you drink it?"
What was that? Her face feels hot. When she heard the sound of rustling and felt his breathing on her neck, Lila finally got words out.
"Please… not again," she said.
"Again? So, I did something to you; what was it?"
What does he ask? How is she supposed to describe it?
"I'm embarrassed," Lila said.
It was a lie, of course, Lila wanted him to avoid the topic. If Haruka were to know that he lost control and violently drank her blood, what would he think? It was a first for her, experiencing someone violently lost control and drank blood from her. Lila unconsciously placed her hand on her neck; it's not obvious, is it?
When a hanyou loses control of themselves, it's usually due to two reasons regarding lack of blood. One, being separated from their partner. Two not having a partner, three craving somebody who already has another person. For Haruka, Lila ruled out the first. He drank from her so violently, so Lila understood, it's reason number three.
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One hour later
Haruka looked down; she fell asleep after that. For the last hour he was lost in thought, what did he do to her yesterday? He doesn't remember much. Haruka saw the girl stir and paused. He shouldn't make too much noise. "Haruka.."
… His name. Sure, enough this time he knew he isn't hearing things.
A way to identify her quickly, he mumbled. Maybe she's using one of the presents he gave her? The thing that comes to mind is.
Phone Strap.
That's right, even if he can't find anything in her belongings. If he saw her phone, huh. Now he thinks about it whenever Ari answered a call. She makes sure it's not in front of him. She doesn't even get her phone out in the car. Haruka doesn't have to look long since he heard a sound he isn't familiar with. He followed the source and found the girl's phone on the bedside table. The strap catches his attention right away, and he exhaled deeply. That was fast.
So, it's her.
Well, he already figured it out a while back. Ever since he became her manager, he's been spending a lot of time with her. Haruka exhaled deeply, well, he supposed him taking her here didn't go to waste after all. His gaze landed on the girl who was fast asleep. Lila-chan, he is glad to see you again. Tell him, this entire time, did you forget him? Or did you remember? Your words and actions are so like then, do you still mean the words you said back then?
...….
A few hours later.
He didn't disturb her this time and allowed her to cook in peace.
So, it is Lila.
Now he's looking carefully, he can see it. Funny, how this past week, he was in the borderline of just treating her like another girl. But, even then, he knew she would be different. So, he fell for her twice. Really, what's with this girl foreign power?
"Har—Senpai, smoking is bad for your health. ,"
"Even if you say that, it's too late for me to stop."
Rather, just now she almost slipped up.
When she finally got the food out, he noticed something odd, "Why are you sitting next to me?" he asked puzzled. The girl had even leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Because I'm tired and worn out, thanks to a certain someone," Lila said sarcastically.
Oh, right?
"The music award is it all right?"
Now he's thinking about it correctly; he didn't ask her. Lila blinked and then laughed as she said, "You're so kind, Haruka."
Idiot.
....
..
When they finished eating, he hugged her from behind, and murmured against her ear, sweet words. The girl, however, remained composed and indifferent — Tsk, what a cold woman.
"Wash those later. Come relax with me," Haruka mumbled.
The girl reluctantly nodded, and he leads her to the couch.
He gently brushed his hands on her lips, nose, and eyelids. Perhaps his sudden gentleness surprised her since she looked at him with wide eyes.
"Senpai, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"I heard, you didn't want to take on any artists," Lila commented.
He frowned, "You overheard?"
She nodded, "Yes… I—um, am I causing trouble for you? If so..."
Haruka shook his head as he explained it to her, "Originally, I thought it would be troublesome. But, it's you, so I'll be making an exception. Your talented, and you're not wasting my time. Work aside, in private; you make me feel comfortable."
"Senpai...The second part wasn't needed."
"I want to attack you," Haruka admitted.
"It's morning."
"That's why."
Lila responded nervously, "A—and we should use this chance to go over some work stuff."
Haruka shook his head, "We are on break, forget that for now."
He slowly unbuttoned the top half of the girl's shirt, and Lila immediately panicked, "Um, we can't..."
"I want to feel your warmth."
"Senpai."
"You're warm. I want you to stay with me more often."
Haruka admitted. He didn't know where this was coming from. But for some reason, these words feel right.
Lila paused for a minute before she replied, "Four days in a week if you make up an excuse for me."
"You'll stay with me?" he murmured.
"Yes, but you can't do anything to me," Lila said. Her tone was sharp, and Haruka sweat fell, she hasn't changed much.
"Really? The last past few months have been torturous," Without her, it felt like his sanity was slowly disappearing. That he can hold her once again, this felt like a dream.
'You can't be with her forever.' Haruka recalled Jae-hee's words and sighed.
He understood that all too well. Those words sting even more because he understood.
Haruka's thoughts broke off when the girl turned around and wrapped her arms around him, as she pulled him towards her chest, "I'll stay with you," it was like she was consoling a child and Haruka hated it. But at the same time, he didn't push her away.
She really is Lila.
She makes him feel so safe.
A safety he has not felt in years.
They're laying down on the bed; hands inter winded with each other. It was clear as day that the girl was only doing this to make him feel at ease, but she wouldn't let go of his hand either. It's like she was trying to reassure him of the words she said. "Tell me...something."
Haruka spoke up.
"Yes?"
"Why the dream stars tournament? I get that it has prestige, but."
"I wanted to… meet you."
Huh?
Oh, so that's why. Come to think of it, Lila may have said something along those lines before.
"You said I'm a good person, but you also said there's nobody worse than me. The later, I agree with. So, why me?" Haruka asked.
"I don't understand it either. At least not well. But I want to be close to you." Lila admitted to him.
"Are you confessing?"
"That's not it... I…" But he doesn't give her the chance to explain as he kissed her once again.
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Two hours later.
Whenever she translates the Korean to English and Romaji, it's exactly like what she thought, Haruka really said inappropriate things to her.
Lila looked back at Haruka who was on his laptop and looking over at documents though he was silly earlier. He's working. Then again, they came here so suddenly. It's natural. She didn't think someone could say such outrageous things like this.