Haruka's gaze fell on the girl bundled up in winter clothes, in his arms. For the past few minutes, she wouldn't let him go. "My wife, why did you come all the way here?" Indeed, the girl in his arms is his wife Teras.h.i.+ma Lila.

She looked up, and he saw it. The edge of her eyes filled with tears. "I missed you too much."

It's only been a couple of days. But, he's also felt the same.

"Haruka? Who is at the do---" Sophia stopped in mid-sentence when she saw Lila. The woman's gaze darkened, "Great; your persistent, aren't you? Can't you leave him alone for one minute?"

Lila glanced over and stuck her tongue out. "I can't." It was just two words, but that childish action of hers made his heart feel warm. She can't, huh? Of course, she can't.

"Wife, let's go inside. You'll make your cold worse."

"Okay," she looked at the apartment curiously. "Sophia, is staying here?"

"No."

"I'm staying in the room next door," Sophia said. A sly smile appeared on her face.

She's what? So his neighbor was Sophia. He didn't know that at all.

"All you can do is stay next door. I guess that's as far as you can go. Hubby, hubby, I want to lay down. Let's cuddle together."

His wife is so fierce; there's no weakness at all. Wait a minute; what happened to Yumeko? He looked over at Sophia. Did she do something? No, she wouldn't. Yumeko isn't anything to him anymore. There is no need for Sophia to target her. But what is this bad feeling?

Haruka led Lila inside with Sophia, following them from behind.

"Wahhh, it's so cute and retro!" Lila left his arms and looked around happily.

He grabbed hold of Sophia's wrist when he felt the murderous aura around her. "Hey, I kept my promise and came when you asked. Don't do anything."

"Promise? You didn't sleep with me."

"Like I could do that, don't make this more difficult, Sophia."

Sophia sighed, "I don't understand you at all. Why can't you be more like Austin Kiryu? Look how Rosalia easily manipulated him. I don't think your any better than him, so how come nothing is working?" she trailed off, "Unless it isn't effective with me. Maybe that girl?"

"Look, Sophia, leave Mei out of this. She already got into an accident. She can't partic.i.p.ate in the Dream Stars Tournament because of her face. You've already destroyed her life, just leave her alone now."

"Hahahaha, it really is like that. You like that girl."

"I don't."

"Then, why are you so defensive over her? Do you pity her? Is that all? It doesn't look like it. It seems like even if I don't do anything, your relations.h.i.+p with Lila will fall apart."

Haruka doesn't say anything to that and pulled something out of his pocket. "You called me because of your birthday, right? I'm sorry I can't spend it with you. But, at least take this. It isn't much, though."

At that comment, Sophia's calm demeanor faded. She glanced at the small bag, "For me?"

"Yeah."

"Can I tell her how much we kissed yesterday?"

"Like h.e.l.l, go away."

"Yes, yes, whatever you say," Sophia walked off without saying another word.

He walked over to his wife, who was staring out at the window. "Mmm, wife, you smell nice."

"Stand back; you're infected. What does she mean by kissing a lot?"

"I fell asleep. She must have kissed me."

Lila's gaze darkened, and his sweat fell. "Wife, maybe she was bluffing. I don't remember her kissing me."

"Ah-huh," she stares at him up and down. "We will see about that," her lips attack his neck in seconds. Haruka felt a small p.r.i.c.k there and grunted. Gee, his wife, is so needy.

He gently ran his hands through her hair.

After a few minutes of Lila drinking, she pulled back. He wipes the corner of her mouth, "Mmm, tasty?" he asked.

"Ah-huh, delicious."

Haruka chuckled, "I see."

"Hubby, hubby. Cuddle."

He brought her over to the couch and immediately realized something. "This place is too dirty. I'll book a room at a hotel." While he didn't mind staying in an apartment like this, her condition isn't good.

"But it's okay, hubby. I don't mind."

"Your sick, this isn't good for you," Haruka placed his jacket on the couch and put Lila on top. "I'll make some arrangements, stay here."

...

It didn't take him long before he made those arrangements. Haruka didn't realize there was a five-star hotel nearby. If he did, then he wouldn't have bothered with the apartment. However, it was just his luck. Of course, Sophia is staying here too. She must have been staying here originally before.

"Nice to see you again," Sophia said sarcastically as he entered the lounge area.

Haruka sighed, "Geez, why are you so annoying lately?" Normally she is so calm and composed. Why is she acting like this now?

"Did it cross your mind how sick and tired I am seeing you and that girl together?"

"Well, I thought you wouldn't care anymore. Your successful Sophia, popular and many people like you now. Why are you still getting so worked up on me?"

"You're the strange one, Haruka. What's so good about that girl? She's so negative and emotionless. But she's surrounded by so many people. Why her? It doesn't make any sense. She isn't that pretty, and her voice? Is that it? Just because she sings slightly better? Some people sing better than her."

A deep sigh pa.s.sed Haruka's lips. He didn't think Sophia had such thoughts about Lila. Every time Sophia confronted Lila, she's always remained so calm. He didn't reply to her and sat down in the bar area. Sophia slid up next to him and ordered them some drinks.

"Your not the same as before."

"Yeah."

"You've become so weak because of that woman," Sophia mumbled. "Do you want to let yourself go like this? Over a woman like that? Do you think you can redeem yourself? You've done so many bad things. If you push your luck any further and make Zane angrier. Then it's over for you."

Haruka laughed, "Sure, if I'll fall into h.e.l.l, I'll take her with me." Even if he doesn't bring her, Lila will follow him everywhere.

Sophia's eyes twitched in annoyance, "Hearing you talk like that makes me sick. Are you serious, Haruka? That woman is no good, do you actually think she is a saint. She sneaks around behind your back to meet with her ex..."

"Huh?"

"Are you deaf? I said she keeps meeting Austin Kiryu."

"...Since when?"

"Since before she was hospitalized, quite sometime now," Sophia's lips curve into a smile. "You seriously didn't know? What an idiot."