Dream Star 158 Falling Rain 11 : The Past Vii

July 8th, 2031, Mikado's Manor.

Selia weakly opened her eyes to find herself still in the same room as before. Her body felt worn out, and she knew she wouldn't be able to move. Her gaze fell on the chains on her legs; this hurts. Can she take it off? Her thoughts broke off when she heard the door open.

"Mikado."

He said nothing and walked over.

"Drink this."

Seeing the suspicious color of the drink, she paused, "What is it?"

Mikado frowned. "Why are you questioning me?"

"I'm not… Atsuykun told me I ought to be careful."

She watched as his expression turned from cold to anger, Selia realized a second too late. He raised his hand and hit her, followed by several punches in her stomach also. The pain was overwhelming but what hurt the most...

"-mikado..."

Why? Why is he like this now? Why did he hit her? It wasn't like this before; in the past, he would never have hurt her like this.

"Mikado..." Selia whispered, "Do you still love me?"

Selia half expected him to hit her again, but he pulled her into his arms and murmured, "I love you. Hey, don't get mad. Don't get mad at me. Don't leave me Selia; you're all I have now."

________________________________________________

'Haru-kun! G-goodnight!'

Lila's words replayed in his mind over and over.

Haruka sighed, come to think of it. Maybe Lila formed a small crush towards him. But that wasn't enough for her to stay. He brings the ribbon to his lips and kisses it; it still smells like her.

'Haru-kun, um you see I ....'

d.a.m.n, he still loves her this much. He tried to convince himself that he will find somebody better.

Yumeko's blood tasted sweet, so he thought he moved on from Lila. But it seems like, using that as a base to decide his feelings was a bad idea.

----
20XX, Gardens.

"Haru-kun, um, I—I think I like you..."

Like? Though he was only young, he could process what the girl was telling him. She likes him? His cheeks reddened, and Lila noticed, "Wahhhh.."

"...."

------

He shook his head, quit thinking about it. For now anyway, he has yet to make a name for himself. He would be far too embarra.s.sed standing by her side when he's still like this. Austin Kiryu has already done so much for his age. He isn't good enough even though he gained experience back in England. It's been a long time, since coming to j.a.pan, what has he been doing?

Lila, she's been gone for such a short time, but he misses her like crazy. The warmth of the girl's hand.

"Fuuksan, stop," Haruka muttered as he felt the woman unb.u.t.ton his s.h.i.+rt.

"Huh?"

... He isn't in the mood for this. The woman smiled knowingly, "Did things go well with the girl you like?"

"Huh?"

"Otherwise you wouldn't tell me to stop right?"

Haruka paused, should he tell her? Well, it's not like he needs to keep it a secret.

.
.

Once he finished explaining it to her, she stares at him with wide eyes.

"Teras.h.i.+ma Lila... I'm amazed at your target."

Haruka sighed, "We have a history together." He shouldn't go into details about that though.

"Until you figure things out though, let this big sister comfort you."

"All right." He muttered, it's not like he has anything to lose. His thoughts broke off when he felt his phone vibrate.
_________________________________________________

Light Academy Middle School.

From Haruka

If you keep nagging
Atsuya won't like you if you keep nagging

"What yhe--!" Yumeko exclaimed, she stood up. What's with this guy?

"Yume-chan, what's the matter?"

"... Nothing. It seems like Harukkun isn't coming today."

"I see..."

Seeing Atsuya's dark gaze, Yumeko paused. What's wrong with him? He's been like this since the month started. Her gaze landed back on to her phone and she muttered stupid. Even though he was acting weird around her after drinking her blood and stuff. Yumeko a.s.sumed he had feelings for her. This isn't the first time she's felt it either. Back before she met Atsuykun, she received that impression from him. When he drank her blood and his reaction afterward, she thought it was that, but lately, he's been so cold.

Maybe it's just her imagination. Harukkun is never cold to her, though it's difficult to tell what he's thinking.

Come to think of it the reason Atsuya is acting strange may be because of that. When she went to his house, and he left the room for a while. She saw it, the messages from Selichan on his phone.
___________________________________________________

Huan looked over at Yumeko and saw her staring at her phone again, she repeatedly sighed. She probably doesn't realize that he saw the message. Huan sighed quietly to himself. How is he supposed to tell her? That he's leaving by the end of the week. How can he tell her? Huan recalled what Haruka told him in the festival and what his sister said to him about a 'Haru-kun'. He put two and two together.

So that's what he had been up to lately. How complicated, to think his sister is the one Haruka mentioned before. He better follow the details up with Kyoko when he gets back. Surely she knew right? Wouldn't it have been wiser to send Lila instead of him? She could have avoided getting hurt that way too.

He has to go back. Yuhi-san state isn't stable; it would be bad for everyone if something were to happen to him. Huan sighed again, "Hey Yume-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Later, do you have some free time after school? I want to talk to you about something..."

"Talk?" Yumeko repeated.

Huan nodded.

Yumeko continued, " Is this talk why you've been messaging Selichan a lot these days?"

Huh?

Message.

Atsuya saw Yumeko's harsh look; his sweat dropped, what's wrong with her. "She's our friend and needs help; don't misunderstand."

Yumeko said nothing, and he sighed. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace, "Yume-chan, don't be angry okay? I know lately my minds been in a daze, but a lot is going on for me right now."

"Such as?"

".."

___________________________________________________

"Atsuya?"

"Sorry."

Why is he apologizing? That's not what she wanted to hear. Don't make that face; she's going to misunderstand. Does he like Selichan?
.

.

After school.

Yumeko fixed her appearance up in the mirror and glanced back at the message on her phone. She was taking shelter from the rain under a shop because she left her umbrella behind with Atsuya. Is it wise to meet Haru-kun first before Atsuya? When she received his message earlier, it surprised her. She didn't think he would contact her.

From Haruka

Let me confirm your feelings.

Feelings. Her cheeks reddened. Haru-kun, Yumeko thought he was acting cold towards her. But, perhaps it was just her imagination. Haru-kun, she also wants to know his feelings for her. Is he serious? Is it a joke if he's serious then maybe she ought to tell him straight. That she thinks she likes him since he acted cold and distance to him. Yumeko thought more and more about him before she knew it.

Thump. Thump...
___________________________________________________________

Thank you for everything,
I think this is the last time we will meet.

He left that note with Fuuka. Haruka quickly put on his shoes; he doesn't bother taking his belongings. These belongings of his are all things she gave her. Fuuka aside, he should break it off with the other ones too. He doesn't want to do this anymore.

'Haru-kun! That's no good, you can't do that.'

Haruka recalled Lila's reaction when she found out, his lips curve to a smile. Maybe she was jealous.

Haruka turned to his phone.

From: Yumeko

There's something I'd like to discuss
with you. Can we meet in private?

He frowned, it sounded like Yumeko. But perhaps it wasn't her? The number is the same. Yet, Haruka knows how easy it is to hijack somebody's phone. He has a lot of enemies too. Haruka pulled out the ribbon from his pocket and softly kissed it. Lila, he wants to meet her soon. Yumeko and Lila when he thinks about they aren't that alike. Perhaps he wanted to fill the hole in his heart.

_____________________________________________________________
Mikado's manor.

"Ah, Mikad-" Selia froze in mid-sentence, as she found two people kissing.

Kanna—Kannsenpai?

"Nnngh....."

"Hah...."

"Did you tell her yet?"

"It's fine; she will do it...." Mikado murmured against Kannsenpai's lips.

"I always thought she was the docile type, but who would have thought. Poor you, having a girlfriend like that..."

....

Selia stood there, shaking. What are they doing? Why did they kiss? No, the aura around Kannsenpai. She scanned the room the two were in and saw the torn clothes. While the two wore a new set; it was clear what happened in here. Is this why Mikado approved of her making him food? Three hours have pa.s.sed.
.
.

"No! No! Let me go! You betrayed me."

Kannsenpai pulled Mikado away from her.

"Shut up, as if you could be together with him now. Do you know how many men you've slept with?" Kanna retorted.

"But that was.."

"You're the first one who cheated. I'm sick and tired of yours and Yumeko's att.i.tude; you two act like you're so innocent. But you keep on hurting Mikado and Haruka."

"Kanna."

"Fetch the truck. Send Selia off early."

Mikado nodded and left without looking at her.

Cheated? Selia felt the blood drain from her face, but she did nothing. She didn't. How come? Why did Mikado believe Kannsenpai? Selia recalled Atsu-kuns words.

'Whenever you're in danger, just click this b.u.t.ton..'