Dream Star

Mei shook her head, "No, no that can't be true. Terashima Lila's stages were great and all, her singing was very good. But she always sang for Austin Kiryu. At first, it was cute and all, but it eventually became sickening. I mean there's a limit to those cheesy love songs of hers. And Austin Kiryu isn't exactly handsome - his fans are handsome challenged."

Haruka wanted to laugh at that last part. Handsome challenged?

"And Ari? She sings love songs."

"It's different with Ari-sama, she sings love songs, but you can tell her songs are written for everybody - for all those girls in similar situations as her."

Is that the case? It was a first for Haruka, listening to somebody's opinion about his girlfriend. Haruka can't say he disliked it though. He liked the idea that people praised her - that they became a fan of 'Kiku Ari' who is in love with him rather than Terashima Lila who is in love with Austin Kiryu. But at the end of the day, isn't she the same person? Besides even though he calls her Ari out loud, in his head, he always calls her Lila.

....

After chatting with the unusual girl and eating with her, eventually, it approached the time for her to get off his lap. His legs are a bit numb; she sat on it for a good two hours at least. Then again, at some point, everybody got distracted. The game of truth and dare turned into the usual. It already started as 'sexual' so when people discarded their clothing, it didn't surprise him. But for the pure girl in his lap, she seemed embarrassed about the turn of events.

It was eventually Mei's turn to pick; if she chose the right card, then she could leave his lap. Then again, Haruka doubts she would end up with the sit on a person lap card again.

- Make out with the person you're next to

Since the girl was sat on his lap, obviously it was him.

Haruka cursed, what's with these stupid dares?

"She won't do that."

Sophia smiled, "Then she can do the penalty and strip down."

Haruka saw the girl tremble at those words and he cursed. Sophia is doing this on purpose. Then again, when hasn't this woman done things to mess up his life? Fall into hell with her, huh?

__________________________________________

This is the first time anybody's kissed her before.

Her body feels hot.

To think she's sharing her first kiss with the man named Karashima Haruka of all people.

----

Earlier

"Can I go first?"

The others nodded, and the girl tapped her chin before gasping. "Never have I…smoked weed."

Shuu looked away, shame lining his eyes as he put their watches onto the ground. Mei herself looked at them, with shocked expressions. Shu smoked weed?

"It was a dare, I swear. And I'm never doing it ever again."

"Hey, Haruka, don't conveniently forget."

"My turn," Sara said. "Never have I ever had a threesome." This applied to nearly everybody in the room, but Mei's gaze fell on Karashima who took something else of. Ah, him again.

Mei gasped and narrowed her eyes at him. Now she is curious, exactly what sort of things has this person been up to? People said he has a bad reputation. But then he dated Ari-sama. Mei caught glimpses of the two together before and saw their interactions. When she saw how gently he treated her.

"Fine, my turn," Haruka snapped. "Never have I ever, sent a sex message."

Sophia was also another repeat offender, as she removed her jacket, "It was one time!" Sophia exclaimed as people gave her odd looks.

Mei was at least glad to hear that these people have a degree of morality. Even if they live like this, she doubts anybody here would like it if their naked figure ends up in somebody else's hands.

"My turn," Miura said. "Never have I ever had sex just to have sex." Everyone put something onto the ground. Karashima put something down, as did everyone else, "You all are a bunch of horny freaks."

The game continued until everyone was basically in their underwear. Well everybody except her, Mei must be the only person who has never done these things before. But she doubts anybody can blame her for that, even if she's mixed in this circle for so long

--

Present Day

And now they are in this situation.

For her 'first' kiss, this was anything but romantic.

It's not soft, nor particularly sweet. There's no music playing in the background, nor is the location particularly romantic - but that would depend on what you would define as romantic. If laying down on this couch with the springs broken and being kissed is considered romantic, then sure go ahead.

If the person kissing you has lips that are rough and mixed with the scent of cigarettes, then sure go ahead.

"Nngh...."

Then again, Mei didn't have a real opinion when it came to love. Because of her family situation, Mei has had no time to think about love. Her view of it is the standard. It will happen when it will. She isn't particularly looking for it, like her peers and friends. Nor was she desperate to lose her virginity like the majority of the girls in her school; apparently it's regarded as shameful. But Mei has always liked things to happen 'naturally,' she doesn't want to force something that wasn't meant to be.

When Mei agreed to go to this party, she didn't know what she was thinking. Usually, she would make more preparations. While she mixed in this circle to get rid of the void in her heart, Mei was still cautious. Otherwise, how would a girl like her survive in a place like this for so long? But despite having attended so many of these parties, Mei is still surprised with the events of the game. Weren't these people getting way into it?

Mei did not like extravagant things, due to her family situation. She always liked to remain plain and simple. Even when she was little though she wanted to be as pretty as her friends, those insecurities vanished as she grew older. Mei can say so for sure that she is confident and collected despite her circumstances still being bad.

In her whole life, she had never been insecure about her body. Why would she? Mei never had an interest in the opposite sex, at least in this manner. But Mei suddenly felt conscious. She didn't get a chance to shower since she came to this party right from work. Does she smell?

Mei who felt self-conscious shifted about uncomfortably, Haruka drew back slightly, "What?"

"Um--- I'm sorry. I might smell a little."

He seemed amused, but he didn't mock her; instead, he nodded, "Only two more minutes, hang in there," and his lips came crashing on hers again. It didn't occur to her that she would get her first kiss stolen by her idols boyfriend.

Wait, her idols boyfriend?!!

When she realized this, a swell of pain emerged in her heart. This is definitely wrong, and from the looks of things, Karashima Haruka didn't want to do this either. He was kissing her, but there were no particular emotions behind it, and while he occasionally used his tongue. He would pull it out and kiss her lips usually. Mei heard about his previous reputation before, so he's most likely done things like this before. However, however --- the sound of the door creaking breaks her thoughts.

Mei's eyes widened in alarm when she saw blue hair, "Ar—Ari-sama!" Indeed, there stood none other than her idol Kiku Ari.

What was she doing? Kissing her idols boyfriend?!!

Is she crazy?

She's definitely crazy!

Her thoughts broke off when Karashima Haruka harshly yanked her off and made his way towards Ari-sama.

"Ari--"

Sophia clapped, "Ah, you came just in time."

This reaction stunned Mei, so the woman Karashima came with set this situation up? Indeed, she was the one who insisted on the dare and sorted out the dares.

_________________

Haruka isn't surprised when Lila slapped him.

Of course, she would.

"Sorry," Haruka muttered. Even if it meant saving Mei from that situation, he shouldn't have done something like that.

The girl knelt down on the ground, "Wahhh, you're an idiot. Idiot. I don't care if you came here for my sake. I don't want you going back to these places ever again, I know you don't like them either."

Everybody in the room stopped what they were doing as they watched. Everybody seemed speechless. In contrast to the strong presence from moments ago. Lila looked like a child right now.

Haruka bent down and picked her up, and Lila wrapped her arms around his neck, "Haruka, home. Let's go home."