Whenever she thought of Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka - he reminded her of the rain. Like the rain, the moments they spend together would be fleeting. One moment they would be together all the time, and the next, they would not meet for a while. He would vanish just like the rain.

Like the rain, she would occasionally see his calm demeanor break. Fragile and yet, his touches are gentle like raindrops.

Lila walked through the busy streets deep in thought. For the past few days, the rain doesn't seem like it will stop.

Her gaze fell on her phone, and she sighed.

'Soichiro is getting very bothersome these days.' Lila understood why he was in a rush. But it's not like pressuring her would do much. Right now, there are so many things happening.

Still, she recalled what happened the other day and sighed.

Haruka's gentleness and his kindness. It's always been there, but people misunderstand him every day. The reason the media insisted on pus.h.i.+ng that story of Haruka and those others girls is because of his image.

They wanted to reinforce the bad boy label they placed on him. Certainly, her being his partner wouldn't make sense if he was like that. It would cause people to doubt that label

So that's why when they found out that the two knew each other well and are good friends - they used it to their advantage. It was something Lila figured out but instead of doing anything about it. This entire time she chose to sit back on it.

Perhaps a part of her let it happen because of her past. If one day somebody exposes it. Everyone's words about her not suiting Haruka would undoubtedly come true. So if Haruka has a stain too… That mere thought made her feel miserable.

Lila shook her head. Ah, no matter how much she thought about it. This is very selfish of her. Even though she knows very well how much it hurts for others to misunderstand. This entire time Haruka always thought that he did not suit her. However, in reality, the one who isn't suited is her.

No matter what, she didn't want him to know. That person, too, agreed to keep it a secret for her, even though it doesn't benefit him in any way. When she first met that person. It was undoubtedly during one of the darkest parts of her life. She was overseas for a short while and got caught up in a skirmish when she went out to get some fresh air. Even though she had been repeatedly told not to go out, she was curious about a town that plagued in war.

Lila remembers quite well thinking how those people look like they are suffering, and how intrigued she was at the weapons.

She got caught in some trouble. While she was only a young girl, it was clear that she wouldn't be let off. However, once she picked up the gun that laid by her feet and shot for the first time. Lila realized, ' Ah- I must have inherited something amazing from Mother..'

Her actions were too loud, and she heard several people head her way. As a child, it was clear that she would feel fatigued after all that. But even more so her with a weak const.i.tution. It was clear as day that she wouldn't be able to shoot in that condition.

It's then that guy picked her up and rushed off with her. He dropped her off to the Austin family place where she was staying and told her that she would handle the matter. Indeed he took care of it, even though she expected people to come complaining. As an Asian child, she stood out. There was no way there were no witnesses, and the members who managed to get away, wouldn't have remained silent. But there was no such thing. Instead, she heard that the group got in trouble.

A few days later, that guy appeared before her again and said, 'Well, my dear, how do you like how I dealt with things?'

His words surprised her, and yet she had burst into laughter. Here was a guy, a clearly powerful man who just used his previous resources and connections to cover up an incidence for someone who he just met. Of course, she understood that he appeared before her not to hear words of grat.i.tude and that he wanted something in exchange. But for her, who was going through the darkest time in her life. That person's presence was needed.

It's a story Lila wanted to tell Haruka. At this stage, there is no use in hiding it. Haruka met that guy now, after all. But the possibility of Haruka growing to hate her after hearing about it still exists. As long as that possibility exists, even with the smallest percentage, she can't say anything.

Since she occupied with her thoughts, Lila eventually b.u.mped into someone. The umbrella she carried slipped out of her hands, and she landed on the ground with a thud.

"Hey, I'm sorry. Are you alright?" a familiar voice called out. The man extended his hands out, and her eyes widened. Just a brief look, and Lila knew who it was.

"Hubby?" Lila said, surprised.

"Wife," his lips curve to a smile. "You alright?"

Lila nodded and accepted his hand. The moment she did, though, she immediately caught a whiff of perfume. Lila sighed, "Who did you meet now?"

"Wife is very sharp."

"Spill."

"I just came back from an investment meeting," Haruka loosened his s.h.i.+rt collar with his hand. "Asking to meet in this weather…."

She looked at him properly and noticed he was wearing a suit. 'Ah…' "That's the one I got you."

"Mmm, you okay? Did you get wet?"

"Since you knocked my umbrella down," Lila glanced over at her husband. Whenever he wears such clothes, he feels different… She buried her face in his chest, causing him to laugh.

"What's wrong, wife? You want to cuddle?"

"Yes."

"I see, cuddling is nice. But let's stay out of the rain. I don't want you to catch a cold, and we both have to return to the hospital. That guy will nag if you get sick."

Lila shook her head, "Kiryu isn't petty."

She can feel his heartbeat. It's beating so loudly. Does Haruka get nervous when they are close like this? She never noticed it before.

"Shall we take a walk? But I think you need to dry yourself off. Let's find a shop."

Lila nodded. She didn't want to leave this position, but she knew better than to stay out in the rain like this. Haruka picked up her umbrella from the ground and wiped the dirt off it. "It's too late; I'm already --"

Haruka, however, put it over her head. "Mmm, but still."

"How was your investment meeting?" Lila decided to change the topic.

"There is a reason why I chose music and not business. Honestly, I usually avoid those things like the plague."

"But you went?"

"I owed Rikka a favor, so I came with her."

'Rikksan, huh?' Whenever Lila thought of the girl, she would recall what happened not too long ago. It seems like she won't be able to ignore it anymore. Rikksan genuinely likes Haruka, her feelings for him keep growing. Eventually, it will get to a point where bitter feelings would emerge. It's a real shame since Lila genuinely cared for her. 'She isn't a bad person.'