"Lila."

Lila turned to spot her Kiryu. Although they see each other right after work is over. Whenever she sees him, she truly feels like it's been awhile, "Oh, you're eating out here too?" Lila asked, surprised. It's rare for him to eat in the opening like this; usually, Kiryu prefers more closed s.p.a.ces. Her cheeks reddened at that thought. Then again, this was probably a better situation.

"You can't fight on an empty stomach. What are you eating?"

Lila opened the plastic bag up revealing fruits.

"Just fruits?" Kiryu frowned, it looked like he wanted to lecture her.

"It's okay! I haven't had fruits in a while," Lila immediately covered her mouth when she realized something.

Kiryu sighed. "You are far too careless,"

Since there were no benches around the two of them sat on the ground, "It's been one crazy ride though," Kiryu raised her eyebrows at this, "Who would have thought that the two of us would end up in this situation?"

True, they came here to continue Pers.h.i.+ng their dreams. But somehow got dragged into this situation. Although Lila didn't hesitate for a single moment to accept this opportunity. Being able to sing along legendary idols isn't a chance you get often.

"True that!" she trails off a certain sparkle catching her eye, "By the way, what's that thing you're always wearing?"

"A memento from the old man."

"From that guy?"

Kiryu nodded, "Yeah, he gave it to me a long time ago," he trailed off, "Well, I'm not good using these things. So I'll give them to you."

Lila smiled, "And now my songs might even reach my people."

"Yeah."

"Now and then, singing is so much fun," Lila trailed off, "Yes sometimes it isn't and where I feel suffocated. But even then I wish to convey these deep emotions and feelings. I want people to learn from my stages," Lila said. That's right; if she keeps on singing, then maybe this bloodshed would finally come to an end.

"I think they do learn from it. Well I know it is like that for me, watching your stages really inspire me."

"Huh?" she glanced over at him to see a warm-hearted smile on his face.

"Even during my darkest moments. So don't hold back. No matter what happens, I will always be there for you."

At that comment, Lila felt her cheeks reddened. He really is so very foolish, saying such lines like that easily. To her surprise, he suddenly pulled her into an embrace, "Kiryu..."

"Even if you only sing for one person. As long as you sing for that person from the very core of your heart, then you'll be able to s.h.i.+ne."

Lila backed away slightly and smiled, "Then, if I sing for you, will you be able to hear it even after we're apart from each other?"

"Of course, I will."

---

Present Day

Ah, that's right.

That's how it was before. That time during her first year where she was troubled and filled with doubts concerning her singing, Kiryu said those words, and the two of them made an indirect promise. The person she is singing for, even if it's just one person that doesn't mean she can't s.h.i.+ne just as bright. This is what her Mother was talking about. The resolve she made that day, to think she only just recalled it.

Everything leads her back to Kiryu, at least it was like that in the past. But how about now? Could Lila say the same thing? Here in London, she's made many memories with Haruka. She's learned a lot about him. Can she say so for sure that all these thoughts would lead her back to Kiryu?

Haruka pulled her into his arms, "I'm not stupid Lila," he muttered, "I know you can't hold yourself back anymore. It must be difficult when you two stilll share a connection," her eyes widened at his words. Haruka, Haruka, he knew everything. About her purposely blocking her connection with Kiryu.

"But I love you, Haruka."

"Yeah, I know."

Lila shook her head, no he doesn't. He doesn't understand it anymore. Even though from time to time, she gets these occasional flashbacks about her times with Kiryu, it no longer meant anything to her. At least the meaning it held was no longer the same as it was before.

"Lila?"

"Call me Ari," Lila muttered.

His lips curve to a smile, he seemed amused with her reaction, "Whenever I called you that at the start, you seemed very uneasy. But now, you are the one asking me to call you that?"

"Because I think I get it, " she trailed off. Lila understood it, Haruka called her Ari because he wanted to separate the Lila who fell in love with Austin Kiryu and the her he started dating, "But, even so. I'm still the same person," Lila murmured.

"Yeah."

Lila wondered how much of her words got through to him, but she knew the warmth she felt now wasn't a lie. The warmth from her Haruka.

.....

Hotel

'So why are they here?' Lila thought as she glanced at the rather large bedroom. Is this a suite? Haruka usually just books a random room, why is he being fancy today? Lila's gaze flickered towards the door across the room, that leads to the bathroom. When Haruka asked her whether or not she wanted to shower, it was clear as day what would happen - but she fidgeted with her fingers. Even if it's Haruka, he would at least let her relax first, right? Then again, when she thought of the recent events. It was enough to make her dizzy.

Thump.

Get a hold of yourself, Teras.h.i.+ma Lila.

Her thoughts broke off when the doors to the bathroom opened, Lila looked away, and Haruka chuckled, "I'm wearing a towel."

Oh, is he tricking her? Usually, Haruka just walks out bare naked. But maybe he is telling the truth today. Lila took a peek and indeed spotted that Haruka wasn't lying. However, the blush on her cheeks had yet to vanish. While he wasn't completely naked, he was still naked to some degree, and that was enough to make her feel like exploding. Haruka made his way over; he picked up the cup he drank from earlier and finished the contents.

His gaze met hers, and Lila knew that there was no escape, Haruka took a seat beside her. Seconds turned into minutes, and Lila felt herself sweating. The temperature in the room seemed to have increased, and she felt a pounding sound in her ears. Or was it her heart beat? Lila didn't know.

"Nngh," Lila moaned into the kiss. One of Haruka's arms that were wrapped around her slipped down to her waist, and she felt his fingers fiddle with her blouse.

"The bed? Or," Haruka murmured huskily in her ear, "Do you want to try something new today?"

N—new? What is he talking about? More importantly, he's kissing her so pa.s.sionately now and his hands.

"Um, um, wait. What are we doing here?" Lila shyly asked him.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Lila looked down, "B-but," how did a peaceful talk and sweet moment in the park end up with the two of them heading to a hotel afterward? Right now, she didn't want to look him in the eye. To her surprise, Haruka suddenly let her go, and she looked at him puzzled.

Haruka had unscrewed the lid of a new bottle of wine, "Want a drink?"

Lila shook her head.

"I see."

An awkward silence fell on them, Lila from time to time took peeks at him. This is embarra.s.sing and awkward. Haruka is very straightforward with what he wants from her. But Lila wonders if Haruka knew the type of effect he had in her? Never in her wildest imagination did Lila think that one day she would be so wild and end up boldly coming to these places in broad daylight.

"If you have something you want to ask, ask me now," Haruka ran his hand through his hair, traces of water remained in his hair from his bath. Maybe she ought to take one too, even if she refused now won't something end up happening? "Are you listening to me?"