'I thought she disliked smoking.'

Haruka often told her that Teras.h.i.+ma Lila didn't want him smoking. But this is--

Is she hiding her true colours from Haruka?

Rikka's face colour turned pale at the thought. It can't be. But why else would Teras.h.i.+ma Lila behave this way?

___

"What's wrong Lila?" Hachiba asked.

"It's nothing, just a fly."

Lila isn't stupid. She knew that Rikka would eventually end up curious and follow her. She also knew that her husband wouldn't come too. A deep sigh crossed her lips.

"I think Soichiro told you why I'm in new York already."

"He told me."

"What do you think?"

Hachiba nodded. "Well it's the first time I'm hearing of this drug. But, I do recall something similar happened when I was still in the military."

"Something similar?"

"An entire squad was wiped out overnight, even though they completed the mission." Hachiba pulled out a report from his bag and extended it towards her.

"Any chance there were some left overs?"

"Negative, the bomb would have killed them all. Yet my men died that night. According to what the sole survivor said. The others were fed a drug and turned against one another. The investigation showed traces of contact between them all. So we could a.s.sume there was a fight and something went wrong. But, there was no trace of the drugs."

"No trace?" Lila tapped her finger against the report. It contained images of the sight that day.  

"No trace of the drug was left in their system at all. When forensics examined the body they could find any signs that the person consumed drugs. But to conclude it as a mere physical fight…"

Lila glanced over at him and saw he was struggling to hold his emotions back. Or rathe it looked like he was on the verge of tears.

Ugh, how does she console him? She is no good at comforting people. She doubts saying something stupid would make him laugh. Lila debated about it for a few extra seconds before she extended her hand out and patted his back.

"I dont know what your going through, but hang in there okay?"

"Sleep with me."

Lila rolled her eyes. "Find another girl for that."

"But Rikka is so cold, even when we do it. Like her face when we change positions.."

"Too many details.."

...

The moment he left, she received an upcoming call. "Jae-hee?"

"Sup."

"Is everybody okay there?" Lila asked.

"Well you know how most of the girls who signed up for this compet.i.tion are wimps--"

"Jae-hee."

She hears a clattering sound from the other end of the phone. "A bomb?"

"Yeah, they keep throwing them at the roof. But Yori is with us so they can't get through." Jae-hee paused. "Honestly, we are all at our limits here. Food supply is running out too. We can't get to the shops and even if we could.."

"Bare with me. I've almost found a solution."

"I know, I trust you Lila. But I don't trust that jerk of a husband of yours."

"Is that so? But he is good to me lately."

"Good huh? I heard what happened before you left. Girl, you should have called me. I would have beaten the c.r.a.p out of him." 

Lila laughed. "Well that would be a sight to see. I will keep that in mind for next time."

"There shouldn't be a next time.. Anyway I called because I heard that Rikka is there too. How is that going?"

At that comment Lila sighed. "Well, you can imagine how things are here. Rikksan arrived here when she was in that drugged state. I only recently thought of an antidote, but I'm not sure how affective that will be. I have a feeling that it won't last long."

Her blood as an antidote is only a temporary solution. "I'm very sorry Jae-hee.. But could you do me a favour?"

Jae-hee sighed. "Well I'm partly responsible for Rikka coming back. I thought she would be sensible and break things of with Haruka properly. I didn't mean to cause you distress Lila."

"No, it's okay."

'You didn't know.' Jae-hee had no idea that she was this emotional. n.o.body had any idea that she was this unstable. How could anybody have known? She kept a secret.

After a few more words, Lila quickly left the area.

On her way back she spotted Haruka fast asleep on the ground by the pillar. She blinked and chuckled. 'It seems like he wanted to spy but gave up halfway..' What a silly person. Lila made her way over and noticed a jacket clumsily placed on him.

Lila frowned and pulled it away from him.

'Rikksan, huh?'

She thought it was the girl but who would have thought?

Lila looked at the s.p.a.ce in his arms and blinked. 'Geez…' She carefully slipped into his hold and buried her face in his arms. Indeed, she is truly in love with this person.

"Mmm, hey there love." Haruka greeted.

"Why did you fall asleep here? It's cold."

"Yeah, it is but I wanted to wait for you."

"You didn't want to spy?"

"I trust you love."

Her gaze softened. 'He trusts me huh?' Haruka most already likely knows what she has been up to. There is no way he doesn't know. But the reason he hasn't said anything is because he is trying to respect her wishes.

Haruka kissed her forehead and then her cheeks. He paused at her lips. "Before I do anything else, maybe we should find a more secluded place."

Lila laughed. "Don't be silly, this is a public area."

"But I want to kiss you everywhere." Haruka changed their positions until he was on top of her. "No matter what happens, I do trust you wife. But you no longer trust me do you?"

"Mmm, correct."

She loves him so much that she is willing to do anything for him. But, how could she possibly trust him again? She caressed his cheeks. "Will you really not touch me until I'm eighteen?"

"Yes."

"If I tell you that's the only way to regain my trust again, will you do it?"

"Lila." Haruka bit his lip. "I can't. But I don't want you to misunderstand. I'm not pent up or anything, I won't look at other women."

'I already know that too. Despite being in that situation with Rikksan, Haruka didn't do anything.'

Self-control? It wasn't anything like that. Haruka is not attracted to Rikksan anymore. He does not see her as a woman. Lila noticed this a long time ago. The problem is Rikka, to be exact her behaviour. The girl's behaviour causes Haruka to worry about her. 

Lila extended her hand out and caressed his cheeks. "I know already." She mumbled. "I just wanted to try it, since I think I'm the one who is pent up."

Haruka blinked and burst into laughter. "Well, I guess yeah I knew that."

Lila pouted. "It isn't funny, this is your fault."

"Then let's go home so we can do some fun things."

Lila rolled her eyes. "I won't listen to you anymore dummy."