Dream Star 189 Strong Competition

July 25th, 2035 (Phoenix Dome, Judging Panel)

All Haruka could think of was his girlfriend. The feeling of the girl's lips on his, her pale porcelain skin, long glossy hair. Damn, he can't judge accurately in this state. Thankfully, the others noticed his odd behavior and have covered up for him this whole time.

"Haruka, take a break," Clara said.

"Huh?" Haruka said he was still in a daze. But Clara's sharp tone broke his thoughts.

Clara sighed. "You're useless. I asked Kiku-san to meet you out back. You have a few minutes."

...….
Hallway.

Seeing the girl in her costume, he wanted nothing more than to attack her but refrained himself.
Haruka hugged her.

"Ah um.."

"I can't focus.." Haruka murmured in her blue locks.

Lila laughed softly, "Haruka, you kept making mistakes. Are you okay?"

What is this? He's been dating her for a while, and this is the first time he's felt like this before. The feeling of not wanting to let Lila leave his arms, leave his side. He recalled the random moments where she clung to him and thought how weird it was. Now he understands.

"Ari, I wanted to be with you." he murmured.

"Ah-huh, me too. I asked for a favor, but I wasn't sure if it was okay."

So that's why he saw approach the judging panel earlier. Haruka's mind was in a daze, so he had paid little attention. So she was thinking the same as him. Lately, it pleased him significantly seeing Lila express her affections for him so openly. It made him relax.

Lila's hands combed through his hair.

"Hey.." Haruka started.

"Yes?" Lila said.

"What are you doing?" Haruka questioned her puzzled. She does the most random things at times, and he can barely keep up.

Lila paused, "I thought we were flirting."

Flirting? Well he supposed if he used the general definition. Someone would consider it this flirting but. Seeing her expression he shook his head, forget the formalities.
_______________________________________________

Backstage.

Lila wanted to stay with him longer but understood how selfish that was. So she refrained herself and headed backstage. "Welcome back." Jae-hee greeted. Lila was about to nod when she noticed her friend's expression.

Jae-hee wore her trademark teasing grin and Lila shyly looked down, "We did nothing!"

Her friend nodded, "Not, even Haruka is stupid enough to attack you when you have a performance soon. That guy can be strangely professional during certain circumstances."

Professional, huh? Whenever they have to work together, and she messes up. Haruka doesn't hesitate to be cold to her, and yet occasionally, he can be strangely docile. Like just earlier. There are many different sides to Haruka. She wants to learn more.

"But huh…" Jae-hee trailed off.

Noticing her tone was off, Lila asked. "What is it?"

"Haruka likes you a lot."

Lila looked at Jae-hee puzzled, she thought that was pretty much obvious to everyone.

"I have to apologize since that's the case."

"Apologize?" Lila repeated.

"Last year, when you two were stuck together in the hotel during the snowstorm. I called him and said something insensitive."

Last year, oh that's right.

"What did you say?" Lila recalled how strangely Haruka acted after that. What did Jae-hee tell him to make him react in that manner?

Jae-hee repeats the words to her, and at that comment, Lila's eyes widened.

....
Lila found Haruka; thankfully he had yet to go back up on the judging panel. She hugged him from the back, not caring that other participants were nearby. "Haruka.." she murmured.

"Ari, are you all right?" Haruka asked.

"I don't care about status...or anything like that. Even if we're two different people, I want to be with you no matter what."

Haruka sighed knowingly, "Jae-hee, that big mouth."

This whole time he must have been uneasy and restless. It's no wonder he gets up and leaves occasionally, it's because he still isn't sure of her feelings.

He turned her around and hugged her, "Yeah, I'm beginning to understand that." Haruka whispered. Starting means up until before.

She clung to him tightly.

"Haruka," she bends down and whispers in his ear, "I like you.." Lila wanted to tell him she loves him. But those words even now are still.

"I love you," Haruka said.

"Ah."

"One day, I'll get you to say that too."

One day, she felt like telling him now. But she can't. She already promised herself that those words. From that moment onwards only belonged to one person, no matter how many changes they go through in life. It doesn't mean, however, that her feelings for Haruka are any less.

…..
When she returned backstage, Lila noticed a dark cloud seemed to form over her friends.

"This will be the collapse.." Jae-hee murmured. Her expression seemed dark.

"Jae-hee?" Lila said.

"I looked who Yumeko was up against… They will lose the first round." Jae-hee said.

Eh? Lila looked at the stage where a group of 5 people wearing red and white costumes stood.

Kotori too also looked worried, "I didn't notice, because they auditioned on the second day.."

The audition had two stages, and they selected the top 32 from the audition rounds. So even those who failed on the first day could try again the next. Sometimes one would get lucky and pass. But most of the time one would fail. It was a gamble. Most exceptionally talented contestants would audition on the first day. In order to get it over with. There are a few exceptions.

Don't tell her. She looked back on the stage.

The chosen song is a Korean song, Very very by IOI. While she was still unfamiliar with most Korean songs. Lila understood they are a very famous group. Not unusual to sing a song from them but. It's considered a hard song.

...........

What is this? It's not just the center, but the other five are equally good. Especially the rapper. Lila's eyes widened, so this is. The Dream Stars tournament. Her lips curve to a smile. Mother was right. Since she started this journey, her focus has been on Haruka and her attackers. Lila hasn't had time to analyze and see if there are any worthy competitors for her.

.......
The first round is a team tournament, yes. But it doesn't change the fact that this competition will only have one winner. So each member is individually scored. Watching this team receive high scores wasn't a surprise to her. But the one she focused on, was the score Haruka would give to this Linda.

[100]

"My—my what a surprise. This is the first 100 from Karashimsan all evening. Karashimsan, could you ex-." Haruka cuts the announcer of as he said there was no need.

"Haruka?" Lila murmured. She watched as he got up to the stage and extended his hand out to the center girl.

"You've improved a great deal. I'll acknowledge this." Haruka said.

Linda's cheeks flushed red, and she shyly replied, "Y—yes! T—thank you very much."

Isn't there something strange? Lila observed the girl; she's acting like. Lila quickly examined Haruka's expression and noted a neutral expression on his face. Is she just imagining things? Lila would have liked that to be the case, but Jae-hee next words confirmed her thoughts.

"Geh... She still likes him." Jae-hee murmured.

Eh?

"Jae-hee," Kotori said with a deep sigh.

"Whoops."

So this girl likes Haruka?

"But Ari-chan, you don't have to worry. She's three years younger than you, and five years younger than Karashimsan. She's only a middle school student." Kotori assured her.

Age doesn't matter in love though. Still, this girl isn't the one she's worried about.

…..
A little while later, the outcome was decided.

Yumeko-chan and the others put up a good fight. But they simply didn't stand a chance with the combined scores of the group.
_______________________________________________

Backstage.

Yumeko was on the verge of leaving when someone called out to her. Hearing that familiar voice, she clenched her fist. "Wait."

"Leave me alone," Yumeko said. She struggled to break free from Haruka's firm grip.

"You weren't in your best today; otherwise I would have…" Haruka said.

Yumeko rolled her eyes at this comment, "You'd give me a perfect score? Like that would have made me happy."

"Yumeko."

..! Her eyes widened.

"Seriously, calm down a bit okay? I don't want you to ruin your chances for the competition.."

"Didn't you tell me I stood no chance, anyway?" Yumeko murmured.

"That's true; I did originally. But you've improved. You'll be fine."

Yumeko understood his tone well. She only barely fit the requirements to stand on this stage. Yumeko finally broke free of his grip, "Leave me alone, and focus on Ari-chan. Since you supposedly love her." She emphasized the word supposedly before she spotted blue hair.

Oh.

"Ari-chan…" Yumeko called out, but the girl swiftly ignored her.

Lila walked over to Haruka and tugged on his sleeve, "Their calling you back."

"Right." Haruka wrapped his arms around Ari-chan's waist, "Let me borrow your lips for like a few seconds."

Soft laughter escaped her friend's lips.

Yumeko walked away. Her heart felt heavy.

Lilchan, what is she supposed to do? She wants to one day stand on the same stage as you again. But at this rate.

Chapter end

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