Dream Star 156 Falling Rain 9 : The Past V

Haruka slumped on the ground and sighed. What was the point in that fight? Was it necessary? His thoughts broke off when he felt the rain grew increasingly worse. Haruka deeply sighed; he didn't bring an umbrella. Heck, he isn't even sure he owes one. Well, not that it makes much of a difference. Honestly, what was he doing? He doesn't understand anymore.

His thoughts broke off when he felt the rain stop and looked up to find someone sheltered him with their umbrella.

This girl….

'Haru-kun! Um do you like me.. Haru-kun?"

"Wahh, you're injured!!"

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Teras.h.i.+ma Family Residence.

This is so awkward, how on earth did he end up following this girl? From the looks of the place, it was another mansion owned by the Teras.h.i.+ma family. They sure put it in an odd location. Haruka sat on the sofa and waiting for the girl's return.

"Ah, I found it! The med kit." Lila said as she walked by into the room.

"Did anyone ever tell you not to bring a stranger back to your own home?"

Lila laughed, "But you're wearing the same uniform as my brother, so it's okay."

Right, the school uniform.

She hasn't changed though, Teras.h.i.+ma Lila.

He hasn't seen her in so long. But Haruka has kept an eye out on her activities.

She doesn't remember him. That's what they told him, that it affected her memories and they erased the rest. He's glad she seems to be cheerful.

....

"Ah, I'll be here for a while. So um.."

"You want me to come back?"

"Well, I have no friends here. So I'm sort of lonely…"

This girl is worse than Yumeko; he's practically a stranger to her. Seeing the girls sad expression, Haruka exhaled deeply, "All right, give me your contact info."

Lila's eyes lit up, "Okay!"

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Festival, June 15th, 2031

Perhaps because of his visits to her. But he gradually pulled away from Yumeko. Like this, it ought to be okay. Like this, they should return to normal. Though it would be a lie to say he wasn't craving her blood. Once you've tasted the blood of someone you harbor feelings for, it's difficult to get rid of the taste. Maybe he ought to trick Lila into giving him some. Haruka shook his head that would be a stupid move.

"Karas.h.i.+ma, don't just s.p.a.ce out!"

"Huh?"

"Hey hey, maybe we should a.s.sign somebody else to the front desk... This guy is in daydream mode."

interjected, "Then, I'll join him."

"..."

"..."

"So Yumeko looks cute in her uniform?"

"I was going with the flow."

"Don't lie."

Haruka deeply sighed, "Well, it's true I like her. But she's yours, not mine. She fell for you and not me. While it won't be easy for me to get rid of my feelings, I'm working on it... I don't want to destroy our friends.h.i.+p." It surprised him how easily he could say those words. But, he wondered why he never mentioned it until now.

"Did you not notice?"

"I noticed. But that was the past; the one Yumeko likes now is you."

He lost his chance then, and Yumeko thought he wasn't interested and moved on from him. That was his fault and his alone.

"This is difficult not just for me, but you.."

"I'm an outsider," Haruka said.

Atsuya shook his head, "No, you are at the center at all of this."

Haruka raised his eyebrows puzzled at Atsuya's words. Center?

"I'll give Yumeko to you Haruka."

"What?!"

Atsuya laughed, "You see in a month or two, maybe even less I must go back home."

Home? Home where? Is he leaving? Atsuya is? Haruka had a hard time processing his friends' words. Is Atsuya serious? Haruka glanced over half expecting to see the usual jokey expression on his friend's face. But it wasn't there.

"You'll give me Yumeko?" Haruka repeated.

"I love her, man." He whispered. "So I'll set her free. It's hard for someone like me just to surrender easily, considering how much I love her."

Haruka listened, eyes wide.

"I'm giving her to you Haruka, because I know, as long as she's happy. I couldn't wish any more than that."

Atsuya glared at him.

"I may sound like a fool now. But I'm giving you one chance. Make her happy, and I'll be happy too. I'm giving her to you because I've always known about her feelings for you. It was a risk, asking her out because I knew. If you were to compete seriously, I understood I wouldn't stand a chance either."

"What an idiot," Haruka replied.

Atsuta flashed him a weak smile, "Honestly, I don't want to do this. I love Yumeko. But I can't bring her with me."

"Why not, just say something like not being able to survive without her?.."

Atsuya laughed, "That sounds cool!"

"Atsuya, I want to give up on Yumeko. Truthfully there was always someone I liked more before. Recently I met her again, so I want to see how things go."

"I see." Atsuya trailed off, and he nodded, "Yeah, I think you should follow whichever feeling is the strongest."

Haruka heard the sound of sobbing and looked over to spot two people crouched behind some stands, "What?"

"Wasn't that beautiful Selichan?" Kanna said as she got up.

Selia followed, "Right senpai…"

….

"What's with you two?"

Atsuya laughed, "They've been worried. The three of us have been acting awkward."

So he worried them, Haruka deeply sighed, "Sorry…" He murmured.

At that comment, Kanna sobbed louder, "Now he's apologizing…"

"Senpai, senpai, we need more tissues, should I fetch some? " Selia offered.

What a bunch of weird people, he suppose this is normal too. Hearing approaching footsteps, he looked up.

An angry-looking Yumeko followed by Mikado. Haruka noted how his friend's face was swollen and quickly figured it out.

"Mikado, what's wrong with your face?" Selia asked concerned as she took out her handkerchief.

"Can you believe that Yumeko-chan mistook me for a molester?" Mikado said.

"You kept touching me!"

"Uh, well that uniform is tempting."

"Mikado!"

"Don't be angry Selichan.."

He felt a burning presence beside him, and Haruka's sweat fell. Uh oh.

"Oh? Where did he try to touch you?.."

"Right here Atsu-kun, isn't he a creeper?"

"Leave this to me, Yume-chan," Atsuya said with a dangerous look on his face as he stood up.

"Gah, wait. Hold on. "