Dream Star

We are barely finding our balance.

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May 4th 2035

Even after she bailed on him with no explanation whatsoever, Haruka still treated her the same. He is still attentive toward her at work. Gives her language lessons in the library, and still — gives her these kisses. She's gotten, used to the sensation of his piercings. But, maybe something had changed. Since Kiryu held her whenever Haruka does anything, she no longer has that same feeling as before.

Lila wondered if she is this simple. A kiss with no heart beating or nerves, she questions the meaning. She wonders if it's also the same with Haruka. Maybe, he is angry with her? What's changed, is it her after being held in the arms of the one she loved again? Or is it Haruka? Something's different about his kisses. But, would that make so much of a difference?

It still confuses her.

.........

Light Academy, Cafeteria. 12:30

It's no good; she's sleepy. Staying awake is hard. Lila exhales deeply; she wondered how Yumeko-chan could have so much energy. At the present moment, the blonde hair girl was chatting away about what happened in one of her classes earlier. Once again getting carried away and ending up in daydream mode. Lila envied Yumeko at times. The girl could just daydream even the most significant problems away.

Initially, she should meet Haruka for lunch. But, he told her he would be busy. He rejected the idea of her coming to the base and waiting too. Before he used to say it's dangerous to wait alone, and now he tells her not to come. It was the same today too, the previous day, the one before it. How long, does Haruka intend to do this?

She felt someone's gaze on her, correction, many people. Girls were sneering. And commenting on how fast she fell out of Haruka's favor. Lila knows better than to refute them. Although, she can continue disguising that everything is the same. She knows full well that there's something different now. It's different, to where even these girls can tell. Is it hate? Does Haruka hate her now? If he hates her, what is she supposed to do? She's very confused.

Her deep thoughts broke off when a stack of doc.u.ments appeared in front of her, "You can pick up the slack now you nobody is distracting you." Kouta commented.

Lila's gaze goes back and forth between the doc.u.ments and Kouta-kun, before she exclaimed, "Ah, you ratted me out!!"

"No, Soichiro-san found these not complete. Did you think you could avoid it?"

"I wasn't avoiding it! I was letting it be."

Kouta rolled his eyes, before stating, "That's avoiding."

"Geh." Lila exhaled deeply; it had already been a week and a few days since she last saw Kiryu and entering a new month. Lila realized that she had yet to explore the town properly, so she has been going after work. But, now all the paperwork has stacked up. Karma she supposed.

"Finish your lunch first, and there's a break after this. So we can finish it up together."

Kouta-kun casually took the seat opposite her and ate, "Brother, you're late." Yumeko scolded.

"Unlike you, I'm popular."

"Gah."

Lila looked around and noticed somebody was missing, "Are you alone? Hamano-san is not here?"

"Heard someone was confessing to him. Should be here in the next few minutes," Yumeko casually replied as she took a bite out of her sandwich.

Confession. She supposed this is normal. Since the news of Kasumi getting a boyfriend has already spread, it's natural that those girls are using this as an opportunity.

"Now Kouta, don't bully her too much."

Hearing a familiar voice, Lila turned around and spotted red hair. Ah!! "Takahiro-kun!" Lila greeted him cheerfully, and he does the same in return.

"It's been a while!"

Lila nodded and commented, "Wah, did you get taller?"

"Woah. Just noticed."

His carefree attitude made her laugh. "It's nice to see you again."

"We should go for ramen later," Takahiro suggested.

"Ah-huh! Let's go."

At that Kouta-kun interrupted, ".. This is strange. I don't remember you two talking much before," Kouta looked at them suspiciously.

"Ah, Takahiro-kun came by and treated me to ramen when I was by myself at home."

"...Oh ho?" Mikami said with a grin.

Kouta, however, didn't seem happy with her reply. Was it something she said?

Takahiro panicked, "Wait, wait for Ari-chan. Putting it that way will cause misunderstandings.."

"I'd like to hear about this too."

"Not you as well Ruka."

Ah, this is fun. Lila hasn't had this much fun in a long time, and yet, her heartaches. There's still something missing.

___________________________________________________

Karashima Haruka didn't intend to avoid Lila, but he had something eating away at his mind since she ditched him that day. Since then he kept himself occupied in school, hauling himself up with some random girl in the case and accepting appointments that he would normally avoid.

Haruka removed himself from the girl and quickly left her side, he pulled out a cigarette from his pockets but pauses. Forget it, a cold shower is better. He quickly made his way down the hall, towel in hand and makes his way down. Despite how small the place looked from the outside, it was actually spacious inside. There's enough for another floor. Of course. This was the place that guy built with his own hands.

Voices from the past flashed through his mind.

'It's supposed to be our secret base.'

'Wah, that sounds cool.'

'Did that make me look better in your eyes?'

'Stupid.'

'How cruel, but thanks Yume-chan. It's only because of you..'

Haruka stopped in front of the door, and his gaze lands back on the hallway, and he exhaled deeply. You're the one who made this place, it's natural. That even now your presence lingers here.

Maintaining this distance between them, for now, is the best.

..................................…

Light Academy Main Building

After leaving the base, Haruka headed towards the main school building. Even if he was avoiding Lila, Haruka wanted to get a glimpse of her at least. It did not take Haruka long before he found her, the moment he arrived on the second floor he heard familiar laughter. Haruka quickly made his way down the hallway and followed the sound; he stopped in front of one of the general libraries. The door half opened, so he peeked inside. Lila was sat right by the door, but she wasn't alone, Haruka frowned when he saw Kanehera Kouta with her.

"Aha." Lila laughed.

Kanehera was beat red as he told the girl to stop laughing, "Do-don't laugh; it's a simple mistake."

"I know, I know. Um, can I change it?"

"Go ahead."

Sensing a close atmosphere between the two, Haruka glare deepened. As he thought before, there really is something about Kanehera that bothers him. He has to maintain a distance; he knows full well. But before he knew it, his feet were already taking him over. He slides into the seat beside her, "What are you doing?"

She seemed startled upon seeing him and stumbled on her words. "Ah—um, um, um, just working."

"It's a free period, you don't have to study.." he murmured against her ear.

Lila nervously replied, "Un….b—but.." She tried to protest, but Haruka had his hands on her l.a.p and lifted her skirt slightly. It was clear she was focusing on how to get out of this predicament he suddenly placed on her.

Haruka murmured in approval when he saw how she quickly turned red. Things are still okay, even though he distanced himself from her, "Why don't you, keep me company?"

Lila's cheeks turned red, as she replied somewhat nervously. "Didn't...you say um.."

"I changed my mind."

Honestly, he's still irked. No, he doesn't know exactly what he's feeling. But he understood that he doesn't want to leave Lila alone with iKanehera Kouta of all people. At that comment, Lila slowly nodded and quickly gathered her belongings; it surprised him how quickly she accepted. Lila turned to the blonde, "Kouta-kun, um, I will leave for a while."

Kanehera didn't look up and nodded.

............

Studio I (A few hours later)

In the end, he did nothing. Rather, he was going to but instead; Lila asked him for some advice, and before he knew it he was helping her with that. Since it's to do with the music screening, he didn't think to fool around with her. Haruka didn't think the girl would be stupid enough to bring their personal affairs to work. A few hours had gone by since then. He was helping her with work just fine a few hours ago, so why is she suddenly acting like this at work? Making so many mistakes and singing badly like this.

"Hey, Haruka. Don't be too harsh on her."

"Shut it," Haruka growled.

When he roughly dragged her away by the wrist, Lila lets him. What is she doing being so obedient? She should at least say something. He leads them to an empty conference room and locks the door from behind.

"Um, um, I'm sorry…"

"Apologising is useless," he said.

"...Haruka," she said softly. "I just um, want to know..if you hate me."

Haruka exhaled deeply, what an idiot, "Were at work, keep private affairs away," he scolded her harshly, "I told you this before? Why do you never listen?"

Seeing her gaze turn dark, he walked over and pushed her against the door frame and cupped her cheeks, "Nothing's changed. So, don't get distracted." That's all he told her before his lips fall on hers.