"How stupid you're sick..." he murmured. Lila extended her hands out, and he picked her up. She really is stupid.
"I'm taking her back."
.
.
Light Academy Dorms (Lila and Yumeko's room)
Haruka brought her back to the academy dorms rather than his place.
When he re-entered the room, Lila is sitting up and staring outside the window which was now open.
"What are you doing? It's cold; close it." Haruka said as he rushed over and closed the window.
She seemed to be in a daze as she replied. "I was just thinking; it's my birthday next week."
Her birthday.
"April 22."
Lila blinked before she laughed softly, "Did you ask about me?"
"Something like that."
It wasn't a complete lie. Haruka asked about her, but only to confirm his suspicions. Anyone can have the same birthday but having the same birthday and appearance can't be a coincidence. He placed the tray down on the table and joined her on the bed.
"Do you want me to spend it with you?" he asked her.
"But, your busy that day."
How does she know—Lila shyly averted her gaze from him, and he blinked. Ah, so out of all the things she got from those documents. She only looked at his schedule? He did it on purpose, leaving them there. But, she really did just look at that.
The thought touched Haruka, and he smiled, "I'll spend it with you, without fail."
"… I have to go shopping. But, uh, when do I have time?"
…. That's her reaction?
"You should get Kanehera to show you around town, and there's a free time slot on Tuesday morning. The guys in RAY aren't working either, so you can have them escort you."
The girl's eyes brightened up, "En, I'll ask them."
He wanted to be the one taking her around town, but if he slacks of too much, he'll get in trouble. She scooted closer to him, and he pulled the girl into his arms, "You, why did you want to see me?"
"I want you by my side. I get uneasy when I don't see you."
These words probably aren't meant for him.
He understands that.
This girl probably really misses Austin Kiryu.
"I should work you hard, so, you'll be with me more."
"You can't use work as ..." The girl's sentence falls short when a fit of coughs escaped her lips.
Seeing the blood his eyes widened Right, he's heard of it before. Coughing blood is associated with tuberculous. But, with hanyou pure breeds it's something different. Usually, this thing is easy to treat with today's medical advancement, but Lila is a hanyou. It's not that simple.
He should suggest postponing her concert and make her rest for a while. If he found out this before he knew her identity, he would have done so easily. But, it's different now he knows. She loves music; there's no way she will agree. Haruka made his mind up.
"My blood is yours." Haruka offered.
Lila shook her head and weakly replied, "No, I can't."
"Why?" he asked.
"I'll start relying on you."
That's the issue? Haruka exhaled deeply, before pushing the girl against the bed frame. From this distance, he could hear it — the girl's rapid heartbeat, matching her present flustered appearance.
"Nnghh…mm."
"You look hot. Can I remove this?"
he asked but Haruka didn't wait for a response as he loosened Lila's blouse though. However in the middle of it, he heard a sound. Initially, he intended to ignore it but, hearing the ringtone. He let's go of the girl.
"What do you want?" he asked with a deep sigh.
"Touché, so, I'm back now. "
"Huh? You are."
"Yep. I heard something interesting, there's a new girl, and you're even managing her." Mikado said.
Sensing Mikado's tone, Haruka ought to have known. Mikado confirmed his suspicions with his next words. "So? How is she? Is she good? Can I use her? The girl I just had escaped, and I can't be bothered to search for her so..."
"She's not up for sale," Haruka interjected.
Mikado laughed, "Ah, you're attached to her."
"Quit it."
"So boring. What use is there falling in love?"
"How do your..." he trailed of realizing. So, the boss knew, and Mikado does too. Ah, gee. He should have figured it out sooner.
His thoughts broke off when he found Lila clinging to him happily. Such a strange person.
"You'll understand when you find one. " Haruka didn't wait for a response and closed his phone. Thankfully she doesn't ask him about the call.
"Still not well? You should lay down."
"I'm slightly better; this is comfortable."
He gently caressed her cheek, "Since getting here; you've been pushing yourself too much."
"You're worried about me?" Lila asked.
"With the number of times you pass out, who wouldn't?"
"So, you're worried about me. I'm happy." Lila's expression brightened proving her words.
She really is weird.
"Ready for the concert?"
"Ah-huh, it's been a while since I last stood on stage. But, it's strange."
"What is?"
"It feels like a dream. I remember before I became an idol, I thought I'd attend regular school, eventually university - perhaps become a painter, or even just a plain old office worker. I thought that my life would be the same as the average person were even when I grew old. I never imagined I'd debut successfully and have you by my side, and that I could sing every day. This feeling is bizarre. "
"What would you do if this were a dream?" Haruka asked her, half wondering, half curious.
"If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up. I'm very happy right now. I'm very happy right now, every day I look forward to what my future holds. I'm glad I have someone to accompany me as I walk forward."
She is talking about him, right? Now he thought about it, though the goddess four members had managers. They only supported them in the sidelines. They didn't do anything directly like what he's doing. She must feel relieved, that she's not doing this completely alone. Even though he's impatient, their relationship isn't bad like this.
__________________________________________
S Town (O Stadium)
Lila spends the next two days recovering, and now it was time for the concert. Lilas' eyes sparkled upon seeing the large venue. She thought so when she came here to this town, but there are large concert venues everywhere.
"This place is large; it's pretty too!" Lila said amazed at the sight before her.
The staff in the surroundings seemed used to it, but they were bustling in the same excitement as her.
"It's already sold out."
"I guess the poster and demo worked."
"Both being your manager and producers idea."
"En! I'm thankful." Lila said happily.
Though she should express it to him directly, where did he go? Lila walked around in search of Haruka, taking in the surroundings too. It is a beautiful place. Haruka-kun must have given it a lot of thought. After all, it resembled the concert hall of devils final live before she had to go.
He, knows it's her, doesn't he? She got that sort of feeling before, and with this, she can confirm it. But, he isn't saying anything. If it's like that, then she should do the same.
She wants to start singing.
Before she could do so though, she heard another person's singing.
Ah! This…
Lila looked at the direction of where the sound came from to find Haruka-kun singing. Her eyes go wide — what a gentle tone. Lila found herself walking step by step until she was right behind him.
"What is it?" Haruka said.
"I've never heard you sing live before. You're good. Ah, I know. Why don't we sing together? It'll be a waste if you don't sing."
"One, I don't do it often. I only did it now to lure you over. Second, I'm satisfied with being a producer and third, this is your concert."
Well, she knows that, but it is a waste. Haruka has a lovely voice. She wanted more people to hear-- wait, to lure her o--. Haruka suddenly pushed her against the railing, hungry lips on hers.
"Nnnmmmgh."
"Kissing, before a live, helps motivate you doesn't it?"
"Where did you get that from!!"
These days his kisses are not only getting more prolonged and more passionate. But--- Lila thoughts broke off when he broke the kiss and slumped his head on her chest.
"Senpai, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I just want us to stay like this."
Even though he's usually so strong and arrogant, these days she's catching more of a glimpse of his weak side. As she thought, there must be something going on. She doesn't agree with that guy's methods, but if Haruka went over to their side, then he wouldn't have to be plagued with worries like this. She does want to help him.
"Senpai, I want to have dinner with you tonight. And. In school, if it's okay. I want to eat lunch with you, from time to time."
"You'd do that with me?"
Lila nodded, "Yes," she said softly. Returning his feelings isn't possible. But she can at least do this much, she has to show him the light. At the start Lila only got close because of her mission. However it's different now. Now she's gotten to know him, Lila knew the reason she accepted this job was because she wants to help him. Job or not, she will help this person.
"I want you to like me...It would be nice if you would."
!!! A-alright, now she knows for sure that he knows her identity.
"Ari-chan," Haruka said softly.
This is bad. Lila knows now; she can't push him away; He's entering her heart at a rapid and dangerous speed.
.......
O Stadium (Stage)
Her dream.
Her mission.
Those things are important yes. But, the most important thing for Lila right now is undoubtedly to help Haruka-kun. She wants to see him bask in the sunlight, to help him. It's like she said to Ameno-senpai.
And what Kiryu told her too. Kiryu and Haruka-kun's relation to each other is still unclear. But, from his words, there was nothing but fondness.
A large board with her name written in blue bold elegant lettering, beside her name was a diamond symbol. The border of the board contained hearts and a world symbol.
KIKU ARI
[Neo Aspect]
"The dazzle of the beauty of life
In this melody that was spun is the path to being born
Believe me this is the right way.
Where has the light disappeared to?
It's as if I was getting dragged away
As my stretched out hand remains unable to grab hold of anything."