Dream Star

30 minutes later.

"She's worried about Mikado? Hah. Well, I guess she has the right too. He already heard that she's here."

"Huh? That fast..." Kiryu eyed him with suspicion and Haruka shook his head.

"I gain nothing trying to sell her out. Rather, it would be better for me if she remained far away. Plenty of people have seen her here in the camp, unlike your town. You can't control the information flow. It's natural." Haruka said.

Well, that's true.

His thoughts broke off as he noticed how Lila played with his hair and gave him kisses while she laughed every so often. He smiled, at the girl's actions, as he kissed her forehead and apologized, "Does this talk not interest you? Sorry."

"Nuh-uh, I don't understand. Haruka, how do you know Selia-chan.."

After Lila asked, Kiryu noticed something off about Karashima. It must be about that, he recalled a conversation he had with Selia last month.

------------

May 2035

"Huh? Karashima Haruka..?" Kiryu repeated dumbfounded, he almost dropped the mug in his hands.

"Yes. He was the one... who helped me escape. I found this out from Nikki-san only much later. She told me it wasn't possible for me to escape alone unless someone had been looking out for me."

When she explained her circumstances, he thought it was strange...

"So exactly what are the two of you?.."

"Do not misunderstand, please. We're not like that, we're old friends."

"Sorry."

It's natural to assume that.

Selia sighed, "I suppose Haruka-kun is the same as ever if your quick to jump to that conclusion.."

He's different now though. Kiryu wanted to tell her but refrained from doing so. It would mean bringing up Lila.

Kiryu watched as she took something out of the pouch she always carried and placed a photograph on his desk. There he saw a younger Karashima, Selia, and this Sakurai Mikado person. But his eyes widened seeing the couple in the photo. Ah?!! Kanehara Yumeko. But that's not all, the guy... this guy is...

"This person, he died during a car crash accident. It was during summer. A lot happened in the month before then, and when we all thought things would return to normal. Mikado's request became more unreasonable, and he kept hurting me. Senpai wasn't able to control her feelings for Haruka and kept lashing out on Yumeko. The three were unknowingly still amidst a love triangle too..."

Hearing this explanation, Kiryu's expression grew even grimmer.

"Are you telling me Karashima has been?."

"Yes, after seeing what happened to his friend he was…" The girl did not have to finish her sentence, he understood.

.... This can't be true. After all Karashima's so-called best friend, the one who died.. is someone he knows well. That person isn't dead either.

---

Present Day.

"Wait, she needs to rest. Let's go out onto the roof. Nobody can go up there."

"....."

"Rest okay?" Haruka said to the girl.

"Aha, are you worried about me?"

"You should have said something...well I guess it was my fault."

"Don't fight okay?" Lila said with a gentle smile on her face.

Haruka nodded.

Kiryu who watched this scene thought to himself. Perhaps there is no need to lecture him too much on treating her right. She seems to be able to control him to a certain extent. But there's still the case of him forcing himself on her. His thoughts broke off when Lila hugged him, "What's wrong?"

"Um, we will be apart for a while. So I'm hugging you tight to absorb the feeling."

How helpless.

He bends down and kissed her lips. Kiryu pulled away and saw her red stained cheeks, and chuckled, "I'll be right back, my Lila."

"Okay.."

.

.

Rooftop.

As Karashima said, someone, locked the place and even had tape surrounding it which read 'do not enter'. Yet, Karashima moved it aside and unlocked the door. He should be used to this, but it surprises him every time. Kiryu followed Karashima's lead. The rooftop was clear and well maintained in a good state for a place which people do not use. Karashima pulled out a cigarette.

"I'll be upfront with you." Kiryu started.

"So will I, Selia must have told you everything already. She's the type, once she trusts someone will explain everything."

"Then. That makes this easier," he muttered.

"The two of us have a lot more to talk about than my past though. Which one do you want to talk about?"

Kiryu immediately sensed it in his tone. Karashima asked him upfront, which one is more important? Karashima most likely thinks he's asking about the past because of Selia. Kiryu sighed, how frustrating.

"About Lila."

"..." Haruka laughed, "Damn, you are good. Can't you hesitate even a little?"

....

"That's not possible," Kiryu replied.

It isn't possible. After all, since he met her since he grabbed hold on to her hand that day he realized it. Lila is the only one for him, she always will be. No matter how much time passes by, no matter how many people he meets along the way. He will never care for them as much as he does Lila.

"... It seems like I underestimated you. But I'll tell you straight up. Even though I understand that she's better of remaining with you. I already can't let her go."

"You fell in love with her..." Kiryu muttered. He knew about Haruka's mission about getting Lila to fall in love with him. He researched the situation last year and found that the enemy intended to use Lila.

"Do you know?"

Kiryu nodded.