Dream Star 164 Falling Rain 17

July 8th, 2035

Haruka's late, he said he wanted to talk to her about something. As she recalled the events of Tanabata yesterday, her cheeks reddened. She shook her head, don't think about it too much. But the warmth of Hanuka's hand was something she couldn't forget. A warmth she's never felt before, it was the first time too. Seeing him make that expression. Thump. Thump. Her thoughts broke off when she felt someone approach, her eyes lit up expecting to see Haruka. But it was a woman with magentcolored hair and eyes.

"Excuse me, are you Teras.h.i.+ma Lila?"

"Eh?"

.
.
Cafe.

"I'm sorry for startling you, I'm n.o.body suspicious. I will be a judge in the first round of the tournament," the woman said, sliding a card on the table.

Lila glanced at the card, "Nasaki Kanna?"

"Yes, and this is my husband."

"Nasaki Yuji."

The man spoke little words, but perhaps it was because his wife seemed to want to move the conversation.

"Um, did I do something wrong?"

Kanna shook her head, "On the contrary, you've been very helpful. Have you seen this before?" The older woman pulled out a photograph and placed it on the table. A young Yumeko and Haruka. But what stood out to her was.

"My brother?"

The woman seemed surprised, "Brother?"

Lila pointed to the one beside Yumeko and Haruka, the one in the center.

"... Tsueno Huan?"

Lila nodded.

Kanna sighed, "I figured that there was the chance he was alive. But I wasn't sure. I wasn't in the right state of mind that day and I only saw the light from the ambulance."

Alive?

"Did he not tell you? Atsuy no Huan-san supposedly died on July 8th, 2031."

Oh, that date she recalled it very well. Her father for once was kind and held her tightly, 'Lila, stay calm okay?'

"He got into an accident. My father explained it he said brother tried to protect his girlfriend."

"His girlfriend, it was Yumeko."
?!!!

Kanna took a deep breath, "Let me tell you the story, of what happened back then."

.
.

After hearing the woman's story, Lila's face color had turned pale. It makes sense now, Haruka's hostile words, Yumeko's actions. Her brother's sad expression whenever she brought up certain matters. It makes sense. But at the same time, Lila would never have expected people so close and dear to her had such a terrible past. It all made sense now.

"Can I ask you something?" Lila said.

Kanna nodded.

"Why are you telling me this?" Lila questioned.

If she were to trust this tale, she doesn't doubt it; it puts together all the missing pieces. But if it is like that, then Lila doesn't understand why Kannsan would tell her.

"Lilchan, I had depression."

Oh...

"It was a very serious case, they held me back for three years because of this. Countless doctors advised me about a change in environment. An environment different from the one I was in previously would help me. Being with everyone helped a great deal and the doctor's words proved to be correct."

"And yet?"

Kanna weakly smiled. "...and yet, it was no good. I let myself be used."

"The person who told you about Selichan cheating.."

"Yes."

It was a lot to process in one go, all this information. But for a long time, Lila thought there was something wrong.

"I've gotten help since then and I'm better now... I..." Kanna's sentence fell short because of the tears falling from her eyes.

The man beside Kanna gave her a handkerchief.

"Thank you.." Kanna said. She took a deep breath before she continued, "Back then, I couldn't tell between the truth and lies. I believed every word that person told me about Yumeko and Selia. I betrayed them both."

"That person.."

"He told me he worked at an old ICT company. But I investigated during my recovery. I found a familiar emblem to an old underground organization. I'll forward those details to you another time."

Lila nodded.

"So you see... While I have no right to be speaking and meeting with you about them. I'm still shamelessly going to continue this conversation. Teras.h.i.+ma Lilchan, didn't Haruka meet you back then?" Kanna asked.

Lila looked at her, puzzled at Kanna's words, "Eh?"

"He told me he met his first love. And in his conversation with Atsuykun too."

First..

------------
A few years ago
2031

"What's this?"

"My ribbon."
Lila said shyly.

Noticing that he still appeared confused, she hurriedly added.

"U—um if you.. if you still like me in 4 years then, then I'll think about it."

He stared at her with wide eyes.

Haruka's next action surprised her, he gently kissed the ribbon, "Then, all right. I'll agree to that."

--------

!!! That boy, the 'Haru-kun' in her memories. The reason this town is familiar. Oh...

"I heard you still have a boyfriend .."

Lila shook her head, "No, we broke up. It was recently and since n.o.body knows who I am, the news can't be made public." It still pained her, admitting that she isn't together with Kiryu. But, she recalled how happy she felt when Haruka told her his feelings. Lila understood, the one she wants to be with now is surely Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka.

"In that case, did you break up with him because of Haruka?"

"Yes."

The reason she would even consider letting go of Kiryu's hand is because of Haruka. "Do you like him?"

A flash of memories appeared in her head, memories about Haruka. Since he appeared in her life last year. The last ones being him confess his feelings.

"I like him, a lot. " Lila murmured. Even though she can't say the words I love, since that's reserved for her Kiryu. The feelings she has for Haruka is just as important as that. Since when was it? Since when did she fall for Haruka so much?

At this comment she watched as the older woman smiled, a relieved sigh escaped her lips, "I was anxious about him. When Mikado came to see me, I could tell that he still hadn't moved on from the past. When he told me what happened with Selichan, I felt sick. Even after what happened back then, he still continued to abuse and hurt the girl. Seeing that Mikado was still like that, it made me think about Haruka."

"He still sleeps around with others," Lila said. The other day, there was that woman.

"But I can tell, in his heart only you exist now."

"..!"

Kanna smiled, "I couldn't be the one for him. Even with my issues then, I thought I'd be able to help him. But I was wrong, I contributed to pus.h.i.+ng him to h.e.l.l."

"Kannsan."

"If it's you though, I know you can lead him to a path of light."