The place Sophia told her to come was a shady looking bar downtown. She once came to this area when she was lost and knew that the place Haruka went to frequently was nearby, so she wasn't too fussed. In fact, Lila walked pa.s.sed the shop deliberately so the manager could see her. Just in case anything were to happen. Lila didn't want to think that something would happen though, surely that woman is smart enough not to do anything to her directly? Besides the words on the note concerned. How does that woman know Kiryu? No, Lila shook her head. That's not what is important to her, is it?

Lila observed from Sophia and Haruka's brief interactions that they knew a lot about each other. Just like Rosalia and Kiryu. Sophia is like Rosalia; she is the special one out of all the other girls. But in this case, there is something different.

A deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips; on the way here it was already a ha.s.sle for her. The number of times she almost got hara.s.sed was a lot. Now she understood why her guards insist on accompanying her everywhere. The letter from Sophia arrived at a perfect time. Haruka was in the shower so Lila could leave. If he wasn't she doubts

After entering the bar, somebody immediately latched themselves to her, and it was difficult to get them away. But thankfully Sophia appeared on time.

"The words Austin Kiryu work like a charm with you huh," Sophia said amused, as Lila sat down opposite the girl.

Lila frowned, "Were you bluffing?"

"Certainly not, I believe there's no need to hide things at this stage. I don't like you. But I'm not one of them, so you don't have to be on your guard too much," Sophia took a large sip of her drink, "I called you out here just to confirm a few things."

Sophia didn't have to clarify who she meant by them, Lila nodded. So she isn't the enemy, is that a good thing?

"What do you want to confirm?"

"How much do you know about the man you're dating?"

How much she knew about the man ... Lila paused, she knew she couldn't give an immediate reply. The truth was, she was still learning things about Haruka.

Sophia must have understood her silence, since a deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips, "What a naive woman, do you not understand how relations.h.i.+ps work? Did it not occur to you to check on the person you are about to date?"

Lila disliked how she worded it like some sort of background check, "What's wrong with me learning as we date?"

A bemused smile appeared on Sophia's face, "Right, there is also that option. But tell me how is that going?"

"..."

"He hasn't told you much has he?"

Haruka has told her quite a bit but there are still many things he avoids. Lila understood that the scars in his heart are deep, so she avoids bringing it up. He will tell her when he is ready. But that thought is naive isn't it?

"What do you know?"

Sophia seemed amused with her response, "I thought you came here because of my Austin Kiryu bait, but it turns out you want to learn more about Haruka?" Lila said nothing to that but Sophia already understood, "Well, I'm sure you already know this. But that man is somebody you shouldn't get involved with."

"You said that before, but why exactly can't I? Sure Haruka has had a bad past. But people can change and he's changed a lot already."

"Naive," Sophia said and shook her head, "Too naive. Haruka is kind to you? He treats you differently? It's all lies. That man one he is done using you, he will toss you away. He's just using you to heighten his career. Think about it, it makes him look good if he helps a girl like you out."

Lila didn't know what to say to that. After all when she hears Sophia speak about such things, a part of her recalls how Haruka acted like her at the beginning. He even admitted to using Kiryu - and well basically admitted to using her. Haruka has technically admitted it already. But Lila figured that the same thing no longer applied since the two of them are dating now. However, it seems like that's not the case here.

"What makes you think this way?"

"Because just recently we had a conversation. Haruk told me if he can exploit something to the fullest then he will," Sophia trailed off, "He said this while looking at you. It was during the interval of the second round. There was one break where he couldn't meet you right? He was speaking with me then."

!!!

Haruka didn't tell her that. Why did he have to hide it from her?

"You see nothing happened between us," Sophia laughed, "Really, he's holding it in already and his acting skills are getting better. If you ask me he should apply to be an actor."

"This isn't a laughing matter."

"That's exactly why I'm warning you."

"Weren't you two dating?" Lila asked. Though she already knew the answer to this. She already knew that she was Haruka's first girlfriend. Lila won't include those girlfriends he had to have for his work. Sophia is different than all the other girls, so maybe just maybe.

A fit of laughter pa.s.sed Sophia's lips, "Dating? Me and that man?"

"But I can tell he treats you differently."

Sophia nodded, "Of course he would. The two of us are the same. He doesn't have to pretend with me. I know his true self and he knows mine."

Lila didn't like how she worded it. It made it sound like Haruka belonged to her.

"You know it's not like I can't see how fond Haruka is of you. Maybe he does hold some genuine feelings for you. But as long as his mindset remains the way it does, then nothing is going to change. For Haruka, even if he gets close to the meaning of love. Some doubts will remain, and those will cloud his judgment," Sophia trailed off, "He didn't tell you about his meeting with me it seems because he was talking to me about your relations.h.i.+p. That man hasn't changed at all, the moment something goes wrong he latches himself to a woman who he used to know. Conveniently I'm the only one around."

"...Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I can tell when I see you, your falling way too hard for him."

Lila's cheeks turned red at those words.

"See? Even the slight mention you'll get embarra.s.sed and nervous. I'm only slightly older than you, and the two of us live in completely different worlds so I can't compare our experiences. But when it came to the man named Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka, I can tell you straight up that you shouldn't waste your time anymore. That man will never love someone properly, he only knows how to be used and to use others. Go back to Universal Star town, and return to the one person who genuinely loves and cares for you. Don't waste your time around Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka anymore," Sophia looked straight into her eyes before she slid some tickets on the table, "Leave before the third round and drop out. Or you can even enter the tournament from that side and not meet Haruka again till the main tournament, just get out of his life now."

Get out of his life? Leave? Lila didn't understand what was going on. But she knew Sophia was serious about calling out to her like this. Lila's gaze flickered back onto the tickets, home, and Kiryu. Kiryu who is in trouble right now.

If she rushed back without Haruka, she could surely mend her relations.h.i.+p with Kiryu. Even if she dropped out of the Dream Stars Tournament people wouldn't judge her since she rushed back for Kiryu. In their eyes, it would look like she rushed back to the arms of the man she loved, and all the negativity regarding their relations.h.i.+p would vanish. That may be the ideal scenario than dealing with all this drama and complications. But the question here is, is that what she wants?

"What, will you do to Haruka if I leave?"

"That's none of your concern, but let's see," Sophia fiddles with the cup in front of her, "I'll send him back to h.e.l.l with me. Seeing him trying to live comfortably genuinely annoys me. A man like that doesn't deserve a second chance - he doesn't deserve to live a comfortable life."

That's wrong, that's wrong. Haruka deserves a second chance. He deserves to live in a life filled with sunlight. To live a life beside her. Lila's eyes widened when she realized what she just said in her head. Ah, in her heart can she only see Haruka now?