Dream Star 176 See You Again 9

It was a gentle voice that snapped her out of her frenzy. A voice she knew all too well. It belonged to Kiryu, her beloved person. The person she had to let go off.

"…. Ah, idiot. Idiot. Idiot." Lila repeated.

'You can keep calling me an idiot, but focus right now?'

"Why? Why did you respond? You didn't have to."

I had to.

Lila paused before she replied.

"I don't like you anymore.."

'Yeah.'

She doesn't like him anymore. She hates him for abandoning her so easily; he's nothing to her now. He already has his a.s.sistant or Rosalichan. That's right, that's what she's supposed to keep on thinking.

And yet, she can't think badly of this person.

When she found herself in that familiar s.p.a.ce, she stood in the center of a deserted area. The buildings distorted slowly until it became nothing but crumbled rocks. The sky turned several shades of hues and smoke, mist arising around her. She stood in the center, all by herself, inside this beautiful and yet destructive s.p.a.ce. What pretty colors. If time stood still now she wouldn't mind, in this place, she is all alone. She doesn't have to think.

She wasn't alone.

Lila clenched her fist; she didn't need to turn around. She didn't have to she didn't. Since a long time ago she always knew this person. Whenever he's around, the colors in her world are no longer pale in comparison.

"I'm hurt; you really won't turn around?"

"I don't know you...." Lila said coldly.

"That's harsh.." he laughed.

Forget the connection, how can they meet in this s.p.a.ce?

Why, why. Why is Kiryu here? Lila felt his steps approaching her, getting closer getting closer to her. She should go, she should wake up and snap out of this dream. Yes, this has to be a dream, this had to be a dream there's no way, there is no way this person is here. After all, after all, this person was...

He left her side that day. That's right he left, and the world around her, the world around her stopped then. Everything came to a standstill. It came to a halt and then she found herself purged back into a world filled with red. This person let go of her hand so that she can go to the arms of another person. He let her go, and since then the darkness inside her has gradually taken over and haunted her further.

Her thoughts broke off when she felt him right behind her. He leaned his head toward till it brushed against the back of her neck. "... My Lila." He muttered against her ear, "Don't ignore me. I have little time to talk to you. I know I don't deserve to see you now. But I couldn't resist and came out. If I came out before, none of this would have happened."

At that, she felt the tears desperately trying to remain in her eyes. She was struggling to prevent them from falling so she just did; she did just that. "Idiot, "she muttered ever so quietly. But she fully knew that he heard her. He's the biggest fool out of the three.

Lila turned around and hits his chest, eyes filled with tears. She felt his fingers brush against her tears. His lips on her forehead, "This is all I can do now. But, I want to kiss you."

"Moron…"

.
.

It took her quite some time to calm down. Lila didn't think she would get a chance to meet him anymore. So seeing him so suddenly, she wasn't sure what to think. Noticing the stone around his neck glowing, she paused. Oh.

"Ah, that.."

Kiryu nodded. "Yeah, it seems like whatever power you infused in this lead to being able to form this s.p.a.ce outside my dreams.."

The power she infused when creating the stone, 'I want to meet him.' As she recalled that, her gaze softened. That's right; her desire to see him again was so powerful.

Kiryu asked, "Lila, could you sum up exactly what's happening on your end?"

"Ah--! I should get back." She can't let senpai and Haruka do all the fighting.

Kiryu suddenly scooped her up in his arms, startling her.

"Um?"

"While I encourage you to help them, tend to your injury first."

Injury? Lila looked down and saw a slight hole in her tights,

"Ah-?" Lila exclaimed, puzzled. When did that happen?

"Keeping track of your injuries ought to be a basic battle strategy."

Her cheeks reddened, how embarra.s.sing. Kiryu puts her down on the steps, and a familiar light appeared in his palm. Her gaze softened, "Kiryu, you're okay now?" she asked.

Kiyu nodded, "Yeah, my injuries have healed up, and I'm even being dragged back to the field a lot now.."

"I see.."

Back to the field. Not just battle, probably elite gatherings. By now her and Kiryu breaking up is probably no secret. Those people are probably matching Kiryu with any random girl. Now that they have the opportunity. As she recalled Rosalia's words; however, she paused. Perhaps Kiryu is going out with that a.s.sistant now? She can't stop him if that was the case.

"Fujisaki and I, aren't dating." Kiryu suddenly said.

Eh?

Kiryu sighed deeply, "Your way too transparent."

"T—that's, I'm not worried or anything…" Lila trailed off, as she realized something. "Her last name.."

"Yeah?"

"How come?"

"Because you didn't like it right?" That's true, but Lila didn't think he would. No, why is that so surprising, he's always done things for her sake.

"You don't have to do that anymore." Lila chose her words slowly.

"I want to. Besides, it's not like I'm close enough with Fujisaki to use her first name."

Eh?

"But you're living together," Lila said, confused.

"It was a temporary thing. Me taking care of Fujisaki, Nikki asked me for a favor. Since it seems like she had a trauma, she's gradually gotten better now. So she's focusing more on work than being my a.s.sistant. We don't meet as often anymore." Kiryu explained.

"So you're not dating.." Lila repeated. Trauma? It must be because of the past. She wonders if Kiryu knows about it too. Kiryu nodded, and a relieved sigh escaped her lips, she realized a second later, and her cheeks flushed red.

Kiryu smiled gently, as he asked, "Is Karas.h.i.+ma treating you well?"

Well.

She recalled him missing the date, and photos she kept receiving on her phone. It's okay; she can't let him worry about her. Lila nodded, and quickly changed the subject, "Kiryu, the people I'm fighting.."

"They refer to themselves using an English name. When you translate it, it means Church of the survivors," he explained.

Church of the survivors. Church?

"Are they good people?" Lila asked.

Kiryu shook his head, "This is a case where the word church isn't safe."

So those people are dangerous. If Kiryu said so, then she has no reason to doubt him. Ultimately, Kiryu has always been right. As she felt Kiryu's gaze on hers, her face reddened. "Please stop watching me."

Kiryu apologized, "Sorry it really has been a while."

"Stupid.." Lila murmured.

He smiled weakly and kissed her forehead again. "I haven't seen you in a long time Lila. I missed you."

Why is he saying this now? It's unfair. It's unfair of him.

"..."

"Is it okay to hug you?" Kiryu asked.

Kiryu is so stupid, and she mutters that repeatedly. This isn't the time for his silliness. It's not the time; she has to return to Haruka side.