Dream Star 375 An Old Friend

- Old Building - 1:00 am

Lila knew it was impossible for Haruka to have completely rented out the place when she heard the sounds of voices. Curiously Lila got up and made her way towards the source. Not too far from where she was sitting was a tall building, it looked like a social gathering was going on. Lila immediately noticed though, 'There's hanyou elites here,' she thought. Lila, however, entered, since she sensed a familiar presence. It may just be her imagination, but Lila felt that person was here.

Feeling her vision distorting slightly, she quickly makes her mind up. The quick scan on the room just now proved that there would be no other available tables for her to sit on, at least in her present condition. That quick scan across the room leads to her finding the person she was looking for. While so many months had passed since she last saw this person, Lila recognized her immediately. The woman like herself had changed slightly in appearance, but Lila could not make a mistake.

Yoshikawa Ageha's long flowing pink hair always reminded me of flames. It's not red or orange, and the color pink is usually associated with 'girly' things. But whenever people saw this woman, they would think so otherwise. 'She hasn't changed,' Lila thought. Her friend is paler and seems to have lost weight. But there is still that overwhelming, and strong presence around her.

After a few minutes of just looking, Lila found the courage to ask, "Um, would you mind if I sat with you?" Ageha looked up; her friend had been reading a book.

The woman didn't seem to surprised to see her, Ageha said nothing but removed the bag she had placed on the other side, "I do not mind, I don't believe it to be appropriate for a lady to sit by a bunch of men either," Ageha trailed off, " You seem quite pale, would you like help sitting down?"

Oh, she's still as kind as ever. Lila managed a small nod, and Ageha stood up, taking the guitar from her first and placed it on the table before supporting her to the chair opposite.

"If you require blood, do you not carry tablets?"

Lila nodded, "Yes. But I don't like drinking them," it does sound silly; however, she only likes drinking from Haruka. Lila knew she shouldn't let herself be spoiled by drinking only Haruka's blood. She should try to get accustomed to a variety. However, she can't bring herself to do so. It's just like when she was dating Kiryu; she made sure only to drink his.

Besides Lila doubts Haruka would like it if she starts drinking other peoples blood though there was that thing earlier, well yesterday where she drank Kiryu's blood. But that was an unavoidable situation.

"I hear they have an unpleasant taste; I suppose anything that is made artificially in a factory would not be the same."

She's speaking of matters regarding hanyou's so casually. Although many accept their existence now, there are those who are still warry. Indeed because they had been talking about such a topic in the open, many peoples eyes were on her. But when they saw Yoshikawa Ageha, they quickly turned away. It seems like her authority hasn't changed. This ball, however, is a hanyou gathering, the regular humans who came here. Are they not aware of it? Otherwise why else would they come here?

"Miu caused an unpleasant scene the other day, I apologize."

Lila shook her head, "It is only natural for her to worry about me. I've never really been good with guys, and my relationship with Haruka has always been unusual," that's right even before they started to date. Their relationship was unusual. They weren't lovers nor were they friends. It was like that with Kiryu too and yet, 'indeed, there are differences between those two,' Lila thought to herself. Though she avoided comparing them as much as she could, since it wasn't fair, it's during situations like this where it can't be helped.

"So your aware that it is not normal?"

Soft laughter escapes her lips, "Yes. You must give me that much credit, I am not completely an airhead," although Lila understood, that it's not normal; she won't stop it. There's nothing in her head telling her to stop. Instead, she feels herself wanting to get closer, closer to Haruka. She wants to get to know him even more than before. While bit by bit he's slowly revealed parts of himself to her, she has yet to see everything.

"I know," Ageha replied.

Ah, her gaze softened, "Somehow it's been a while, and yet we're talking serious things right of the bat."

"Indeed, but you haven't changed as much as I thought you would."

Lila's eyes go wide at the pink haired woman's words. This is the first time anybody has said that to her, that she hasn't changed.

"I saw it, your show," Ageha trailed off, "Do you, really think that aura can lead the idol generation into a brighter stage?"

"Acchan, you don't think so?"

"It is not as though I don't. I just wondered if it was too soon. That power, that miracle, and light is not something idols on a regular level can achieve — only those with the potential to become a top idol or are top idol status already.

Lila turned silence for a few minutes, "An unbelievable power?" she repeated.

"Yes. Being bequeathed that powerful aura is only one stage. The second stage is overcoming the radiance. As you know, the light merges with your aura and alters it to something different. It's not a normal aura progression, rather than it surrounding you on the outside. The light is coming from the inside."

"I see," Lila considered Ageha's words. Indeed it would be difficult.

"Quite. It is not unusual for those who use their aura on regular stages to suffer. But even without it, there are those who suffer from a huge amount of radiance. That's why the idols of this generation are content with just a small amount of radiance."

"I understand why people would be afraid. But if you have the chance to shine brighter, then it would be a waste not to take it," Lila said. That's right; why would people throw it away? A chance to achieve their dreams?

"Even if it means sacrificing something important?"

Lila shook her head, "Even if something is sacrificed along the way. If that something is vital. It would not disappear. For example, feelings. Feelings of any kind. If they were as strong as they say, then even if it disappears once it won't be long until it returns. " she trailed off and closed her eyes.

This is the case for feelings of love. Mother and Father, the two of them loved each other so much, and even now she's sure those feelings are what binds them together.

"I see," Ageha pauses for a moment before she nodded, "Your will is strong."

Sensing her tone, Lila called out to her; there was something in her friends' eyes. A look she couldn't quite figure out, "Acchan?"

"Not every idol can be bequeathed with such a power, and there are those who will fall apart after failure. There are not many as strong as you are."

Lila nodded, "I know that. But even so, I believe that no matter how many times you fall apart, you'll be able to stand back up and face those mistakes. So long as you have a dream... As long as you have fans supporting you, you can't let it end! My dream is to surpass Mother," she shook her head, "No, to continue shining brighter and brighter. I won't let anyone get in the way of that."

"You haven't changed at all, I'm glad."

"Ah! Acchan, can we chat I want to ask how you've been and things," Lila shyly asked.

Ageha reached over and patted her hair, "I'd like that too."

...
After chatting for a good few minutes; however, they were interrupted.

"What are you doing here?" A panting and sweaty looking Karashima Haruka stood there.

Lila immediately got up, "Ah, I got tired waiting."

"Geez, so careless," Haruka deeply sighed, "This place makes me sick, let's go," Ah, Lila walked over only to stumble, Haruka, however, catches her and a troubled look appeared on his face, "Do you need more?"

"I think so."

"Come on," Haruka urged.

Lila, however, didn't just leave with him, she pulled away from Haruka and walked back to her friend. Ageha had also stood up, and they stood facing each other.

"Will we meet again soon?"

Ageha nodded, a serious look appeared on her face, "I'll return, but after I test everybody's resolve."

"Okay, I'll be waiting."
....

As Haruka led her out, Lila noticed how he was holding her hand. So despite his hurried pace and apparent discomfort on his face. Lila felt happy, 'His hands feel warm,' she thought as she looked at their intertwined hands. Being with Haruka gives her so much joy and happiness, while this situation is indeed very strange to her. Isn't it okay to enjoy it? The two of them needed this; they needed to get away from everybody and just spend time together themselves. With the recent events, things have been chaotic. Since returning here to Japan, coming to Universal Star Town — everything has been thrown astray.

Eventually, they arrived at the location where Haruka said they were having dinner. The place was wholly rented out, and Lila noticed that the place was decorated. The lavish purple table cloth, the flowers. They had reheated the food Haruka ordered-heated, alongside some extra dishes. Haruka hurriedly sat her down and was about to go to the opposite side, but Lila tugged on his hand, "I want us to sit together."

Haruka seemed reluctant but nodded. Lila quickly realized why he was hesitant; his face broke out into a sweat. Lila knew instantly, 'He must have been holding back this whole time, his injuries must still hurt,' Lila thought. She proceeded to leave his lap, but Haruka shook his head, "Stay."

"Haruka, do you need me to heal you?"

"No, don't use your powers. Don't want you to strain your cute body."

That sounds like concern and yet, "I'll have you know. I have plenty of stamina, so whatever you plan to do later - I can still--," Lila paused in mid-sentence when she saw the look in his eyes. Ah, it's this look again. Lila wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her lips towards him, but Haruka simply brushed his fingers across them. Tracing her lips, "Haruka?" she murmured.

"Don't go to those places again; you can't appear in front of the hanyou society with all the bad rumors still floating around."

Oh, that's why he was silent this whole time? Indeed, she supposes it is dangerous. The only reason why she was protected from the dangers of the hanyou society is simply because she was Kiryu's fiance. Since the Terashima and Austin family have a strong bond with each other.

Nobody thinks to go against them. While the friendship hasn't changed, the fact that she's dating Haruka makes it awkward for the Austin family to help her openly. With her current condition, Lila isn't sure whether she would be able to stand up for herself.

Chapter end

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