Dream Star 181 Welcome To London 3

July 21st, 2035, (Downtown, London)

Haruka was taking a quick smoke break outside; he saw that the old man's condition was off and walked out. After spending 3-4 hours visiting old friends. As well as building a secure connection for the compet.i.tion. Haruka made his way to a familiar bar. A place he frequently went to in the past. He still can't believe that he returned here. After what happened back then, Haruka never thought he would step foot into this place ever again. Haruka made a significant amount of connections here and built up his career. But under what cost? If Lila knew what he did to work his way up to the top, would it disappoint her?

Hearing a ruckus, Haruka turned to the direction of the sound and found someone familiar. Isn't that Lila? Indeed, he spotted bright blue hair belonging to his girlfriend.

What is she doing? Seeing some guys on the other side of the road looking over at her. Even huddling into a group, he removed the cigarette and crushed it in his hands? He immediately pulled Lila into his arms, "Ah Haruka..." Lila started.

His girlfriend words are lost.. When the guys who surrounded her, suddenly acted differently.

"Isn't that?.."

"No way! It's Haruka."

Haruka sends them a glare. Which sent the majority scurrying away but the one at front stepped forward, "Don't you remember me?"

He frowned, who is this — Haruka spotted a familiar mark and nodded.

".. The one with the annoying voice." Haruka said.

"That's hars.h.!.+"

"Jamie!" The other men called.

"Coming, wait." Jamie turned to him and placed something in his hands, "Drop by when you can."

Haruka said nothing and waited until the guy left, he turned to the girl and scolded her, "Why are you in these parts? How many times do I have to tell you to be careful?" Haruka shouted.

Lila looked down and apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize."

Obviously, she doesn't; she isn't aware of which areas are dangerous here. Haruka should have told her. He regrets yelling until he heard her laugh.

"What?"

"Um, thank you for worrying about me."

... Haruka picked her up, "Come inside; I'll tend to your injury there."

.

.
Bar, 1:00 PM

"Thank you for this Carlos-san," Haruka apologized. The moment they got inside, Lila's stomach growled. His girlfriend was very embarra.s.sed. But the older man said it was all right and cooked them a meal.

"No need to be so polite. I owe you a great deal, after all, this bar and even I wouldn't be here if you didn't help us."

Haruka nodded, "Though I'm not used to being flattered, I'll take that compliment."

"But this miss… ?"

"The youngest daughter of the Teras.h.i.+ma family," Haruka answered.

Usually, he would keep the girl's ident.i.ty a secret. But this was a man he could trust.

Carlos blinked, "I figured from her aura. But it's strange to see you with her."

"I do have tolerance for other elites you know?"

In the present he does. But in the past, he wouldn't have.

Haruka spotted Lila looking around curiously but didn't move around. He chuckled, well at least she knows when to stay put. Haruka got up and walked over. "Does your leg still hurt?" he asked.

He hadn't looked at it, but the old man used his powers to lessen the bleeding.

"A little. But it feels better. " Lila trailed off and pointed to the jukebox behind her. "Say, what is that?"

"Huh? You've never seen it before?"

Lila nodded.

"It's a jukebox. It plays music." Haruka told her.

Seeing Lila's eyes light up at the word 'music,' he glanced back to the old man who nodded. Soon a melody was heard coming from the machine.

"Wahh! What sort of song is this? It's all light and tingly, but it makes you feel mellow and wah - then cha."

There she goes again with the strange way of explaining how she sees music. For the next few minutes, he watched her growing interest and even murmuring in amazement.

"Never heard this one either." Lila murmured.

"It's from the early-mid 90s, an old jazz piece," Haruka explained, and he continued to watch her. Lila's reactions interested him.

Carlos places a plate of food in front of them.

"For the young couple," Carlos said.

His girlfriend's cheeks reddened, and he shot the old man a glare if he knew. He could have said something.

"Thank you for the food," Lila said.

Lila turned to him, and he followed her greeting, causing her to laugh, "Very good."

Is she treating him like a child? As he ate, Haruka can't help but think. Lila really is different from all the other girls. Forget the way she treats him; he's never seen such an odd personality before. Yes, his girlfriend is strange; he won't deny that. One second later she's cute, the next there's a mysterious and elegant aura around her. Nothings changed since they were younger since the moment he met her he's gotten this feeling.

She's not like other girls and gets into so much trouble. Haruka doesn't know why she was in this area, but he recalled those guys jeering at her and surrounding her. Haruka clenched his fist, shes too careless. What if he wasn't around?

"Haruka, I'm happy."

When he heard this, his gaze softened. For now, he won't make a fuss about it. But he ought to warn Lila to be more careful.

...

Once they were finished eating, he took her to one room upstairs. It was the room he frequently used in the past.

"Let me see your leg," Haruka demanded, once he got her sat down on the bed.

Lila laughs softly, "Um, I'm okay."

Haruka shook his head pulled her skirt up revealing the girls wounded leg.

Her cheeks reddened, "Ha—Haruka, you could be more of a gentleman about this."

Haruka sighed, "Not when you're stubborn."

A gentleman? That's the last word he would use to describe himself. He carefully rubbed the ointment on the girl's injury, slowly to ensure that she wouldn't feel any pain.

"Haruka.," Lila spoke up.

"Hm?"

"You know, um are you still upset with what happened with Yumeko?"

What happened with Yumeko. Haruka recalled the exchange that occurred before they got here. How does he inform her that he forgot about it until now? Even then, Haruka only focused on her. Or rather, Haruka examined his girlfriend's expression. Has it bothered her this whole time?