"Maybe, isn't a proper answer, remember?"

" Right, it's a placeholder. Thanks for spotting it," she laughed.

Lila must have intended to lighten up the atmosphere, but the frown on his face had yet to vanish. He didn't find this funny at all.

Haruka sighed, "You know people like you end up ruining themselves," he paused, "Usually I wouldn't be so blunt, but I worry for you.'

"It doesn't sound too bad."

Haruka stared at his girlfriend, dumbfounded. If they weren't dating, he would have said that more harshly. She is far too careless for her own good. Then again, why does this surprise him? He knew even long before they dated how strange she was.

"Look here now take this more seriously," Haruka paused when Lila stopped and turned her attention to the left side, where there stood nothing but tall buildings in the far distance and a mid-length river. It was far from the buildings you'd see in a significant city like Light Town. Yet it was still a city, regardless.

The buildings were blocking it.

The buildings are blocking the sky on purpose. As if it was trying to ensure that n.o.body gets lost and caught up in their own thoughts. But, for people like him and Teras.h.i.+ma Lila? This is the perfect view for them to dwell on thoughts they'd typically avoid. What's bothering him the most now is Lila hasn't asked about the kiss. Even though it must have hurt her - she cried and slapped him. But after they returned to the apartment, Lila didn't mention it anymore.

Maybe all that s.e.x got to her head, Haruka shook his head. Quit it with the strange thoughts already though he has to admit that previously Lila would have been more open.

"If you listen closely, you'll be able to hear it.

The faint voices in your head and merge as one...

Tell me, exactly what do you hear?

Is it what you want to hear?" Lila sang.

Haruka's eyes widened when he heard the girl sang. There was something different about it than usual, just now he saw it. It seemed like he could see it. Even if it wasn't clear, all the colors blending into one like a single color.

Perhaps this is what Lila has been looking for.

"It's a good song," Haruka complimented, "But, are you trying to avoid something?"

"Hmm, perhaps, but you know what kind of person I am full well. I can't exactly say my parents ' raised' me well since they were always busy the majority of the time. Ah, it's not like I'm blaming them, I get it that they had responsibilities dealing with the people and that I couldn't be selfish about it. I understood that pretty well. I'm a pragmatic person, my brother raised me, and even then, he's not exactly the best role model you know?"

Lila's brother, huh? Haruka had only met him once, only once. But that was enough for him to figure it out, figure out how much he cared for her. It was something he never got around to mentioning to Lila. While they are on the topic now, now would be a good time to say it. It felt like this would be the only opportunity he would get. Yet, Haruka hesitated. After the recent incidence with her

"So I've heard," Haruka gave her a vague response.

"Yeah, and I heard too that he's been snooping around here as of late...Yapping on about wanting to see me and all that."

Lila with a weak smile, said, "Honestly, on that matter, I don't know what to do. It seems like he's heard about the live tomorrow and will be coming to see it as well. I've been avoiding it this entire time, but it's not like I can do it forever. In the first place, avoiding isn't something you can do for a long time. Especially in a small city like this," Lila trailed off, as she turned back to look at the river.

"Will you try to escape?"

Lila chuckled, "If only I could."

"It's simple, you know? Just don't show up tomorrow ...hide away somewhere. Take the train to another city for the day and then come back when he's gone."

Her gaze softened at his words, and Haruka looked away. Whenever she looked at him like that, he would feel uncomfortable.

"Yeah, I probably could do that. But you know something like that isn't going to work," and that's when Lila decided to hug him. "Ah, I shouldn't be doing this. You're a big shot judge; after all, you'll definitely get caught."

Lila felt Haruka tighten his grip around her, " I...I don't...care about that," he murmured, "Besides, you seduced me."

She laughed at that comment; he's so silly.

"I see, as expected Haruka your still this way after all. But that's fine, that's alright. In answering your question, you know that even if I do want to run away. Because I'm so stubborn, I won't do anything like that. Since I'm stubborn, I can't do it. I already made my mind up a long time ago, after all about entering a compet.i.tion again and giving it a second chance. Back then, I knew I received a lot of help from you; you supported me a lot then. I received the most support from you Haruka,"

Lila pulled herself away from him then, "Besides didn't I say it? A temporary escape - it's not something that will last long."

___________

London (Hyde Park)

While she wanted to head back and flirt with Haruka, she still had work to do. So after they dropped off the groceries, they went back out again.

Arriving early to the meeting spot left her enough time to breath in the view and the scenery. There was something about summer nights that made her smile.

Summer nights, huh?

That's what she and Yori ended up basing their first song on. Upon hearing that they were to receive the same stage as the ones their dear senpai's won the previous duo compet.i.tion. The two of them thought long and hard for an idea. They could have done a typical summer song like all the others, and yet, something like that wouldn't be enough. The feelings they both have stronger than the norm.

Though the duo tournament has been pushed to the first week of September, due to the Dream Stars tournament, usually the entertainment board doesn't make exceptions for anybody. But due to hero's and Yori's rising popularity, they did this. Or maybe Soichiro did something, either way; it turns out she is taking part, huh?

Her thoughts broke off when she felt Haruka's lips on her neck, "Dummy,"

"The others are late," he muttered.

"But we're outside.."

Haruka looked at her, amused, "That doesn't matter, this area is quiet."

That's true, for the last few minutes n.o.body had bothered her. Lila nodded, and Haruka picked her up. He settled her down on one of the benches in the seating area. His lips on her neck, lately he starts from there quite a bit. Well, not that she minds it too much. It felt good.

Being held by the person you love, there is nothing more beautiful than that right? So why does she feel like crying at times? Before Haruka could remove her clothing though, they are interrupted by the sound of coughing.

"Ahem."

Lila sweat fell, here they are.

"Maybe we should have been late Yori."

"Right, once again I'm being replaced," Yori deeply sighed.

Haruka lets out an irritated sigh, "d.a.m.n, couldn't you have waited for a few more minutes?"

"That depends what you mean by a few minutes."

"Don't underestimate me; I could finish this in a few seconds if I wanted to."

"Oh?"

Her cheeks turned red when she realized what Haruka implied. He can't be serious about that few seconds thing right? Lila looked at him and saw that his lips had curved to a smirk, ahh?! He was? What was she doing getting caught up in the flow for?

He's stupid.

Lila recalled his reaction to her song earlier and paused. The voice of her heart, huh? Lately, it keeps telling her contradicting things.