Dream Star

Moonlight Entertainment. Lila's room.

A girl with long flowing curly blue hair, with bangs; sat in her desk inside a cold room with plain grey stone pattern walls. Fits of coughs escaped her lips for the 10th time in the hour since she came here.

She still felt slightly bad. However, she has to get this done in time. Lila didn't think he would pull her out of class for something like this. Then again, she has been neglecting her princess news for the last two years, even more so last year. Soichiro doesn't care whether she does it, but 'The more you learn about government affairs. The more you'll understand why I went against you last year.'

Making her do all this work for that reason? She doesn't have to understand. Even with your low EQ. It's clearly obvious. Lila leans back on the chair and exhales deeply; she's so tired. Since she left and came here, so much has happened. She's realized exactly how sheltered and protected she was over there. No, she already knew but feigned ignorance. To achieve her dream, she discarded her role as a princess. But now that Mother has returned and even Ren-san. She can no longer act this way. Mother came back, but many people still doubt her. To prove to them that the darkness isn't anything to fear, she has to surpass this trial.

It's suffocating and painful.

But if she doesn't overcome this challenge. She won't be the only one swallowed into the darkness, but everyone else too.

That's the last thing she wants… For those precious to her, to get hurt.

Everyone.

She missed them.

She wanted to see them. But if they were to meet now, she would disappoint them further. When Kasumi came to see her, it looked like her friend wanted to say something. But she held back. She even admitted it herself. Everyone's being considerate towards her. After all, look at her appearance now. She may have remained 'beautiful' but she's so pale and her strength has depleted. There's a job later too, she wondered if she would be okay.

'Voice like a shining star.' Shining star. She doesn't deserve that title. If Onee-chan saw her now, it would disappoint her. The one who took her number one spot ended up like this. Not just Onee-chan but...Lila shook her head; she has to stop thinking so negatively, she won't get anywhere like this.

She became everyone's hope; someone like her became the number one idol. But since then, a lot has happened and her isolation period just goes to show how weak she is without the others around. Her thoughts broke off as she heard the sound of the door opening.

"Oh, you're here perfect timing. So-"

Lila stopped in mid-sentence realizing who it was.

"Kouta-kun?"

Sure enough, it was none other than the blonde from Ray.

"Give it to me, I will check it."

Lila nodded slowly and passed him a set of doc.u.ments. He pulled out a chair and checked the doc.u.ments, she handed him.

Lila looked at him questioningly and asked."How did you know I'd be here?"

"That stupid sister of mine was worried since you got into a strange car. It didn't take me long to figure it out."

Ah right, she thought she heard Yumeko-chan. Lila sweatdropped. Strange car? Well, anyone looking at it would think the same way. Why would someone rich choose such a weird 70s looking truck for a vehicle? Soichiro claimed it's to blend in with 'the common folks.' But if you ask her, he draws more attention to himself, when he takes it out for a drive. Lila carefully watched Kouta as the two worked away on the doc.u.ments together.

His fingers are pretty.

And his hair sparkles against the light.

Not that she would know, there are no windows in this room. And she barely sees him in school. But, it feels like he's looking after her the most.

"Were you, in this place the entire time?"

She understood the meaning of his words right away. Were you, locked in this room?

"If I had known I would have guests. I would have made it looked prettier." Lila responded to his question calmly.

"That doesn't matter."

He's right.

Even if she arranged it to look nice. It doesn't change that she suffered here. It doesn't change that this place reflects the feelings she has been trying to hide this whole time. The person she is now, suits it. This cold and gloomy atmosphere. Feeling bile in her throat, Lila immediately rushed to the bathroom. She bends down and throws up the contents. This morning's little lunch completely vanished down the drain.

Feeling Kouta-kun pat her from the back, she managed to murmur a small thanks.

As she thought so before. He really is a kind person.

...…..

When she finally got out, Kouta-kun had a cup of ice water ready and passed it to her.

Lila looks at it surprised, "This..."

"I asked someone to bring it. If your working, you should at least have water up here. But you don't so..."

Lila nodded, knowing exactly what he was trying to get at. That's true, she probably ought to have some. But...

"...You're sick."

"I'm fine."

That's a lie. She's sick. But, the reason she is; isn't a normal one either. She recalled the exchange from Haruka and exhaled deeply. Well, it was bound to happen, eventually.

"I've heard hanyou females get ill when they are intimate with someone other than their partner, it serves as punishment."

Kouta-kun doesn't have to ask. He already knows.

It's not like Haruka-kun is subtle about it either.

"That's right, this is my punishment."

No matter what. She should never have allowed Haruka to touch her. Even if she wasn't bound to her Kiryu. Kouta shook his head and wrapped a towel around her hair.

"Stupid. Don't blame yourself."

But isn't it? Isn't it her fault?

She should never have gotten close.

'It's okay to watch over him; and since we're acting as emotional support, it's hard to avoid forming a proper bond. But just remember this. Don't get too attached..'

Ameno-senpai, she really is bad at this. It's no wonder, the higher-ups hesitated about giving her a role so soon. But now she's accepted, she has to see this to the end. She has to hold on, otherwise, she will break more.