Dream Star 190 Angel Voice

July 25th, 2035 (Phoenix Dome)

Two hours later

The level of compet.i.tion truly impressed Lila, and there were many outstanding vocalists and dancers. What's more, the contest allowed a selection of songs from every language. The draw for the songs was random. Lila noticed something. Every single group who performed the songs didn't look awkward performing them. Even though it may be their first time singing the song in a different language.

"Ari-chan, your way too excited.." Kotori said.

"What was that?" Lila said, eyes sparkling brightly.

"Uh... maybe you ought to calm down.."

But how can she? This is the first time she's ever entered a compet.i.tion like this, moreover.

"Everyone's superb! I want to face off against everyone." Lila said excitedly.

This is the first time in a long time where she's felt such a thrill.

Her thoughts broke off when Maika pinched her cheeks. "If you're so distracted like that, then you'll strain your injured legs without noticing."

"Right, right? Rest." Kotori agreed.

Lila sighed, as she recalled her injury. That's right, and someone injured her. Unlike all the other contestants who were going through dance moves one last time. Lila stayed put on a special chair that they prepared for her...

The song her group ended up with during the random draw was a new jack swing genre called to reach you. It was in Korean. For her practically a beginner at the language, at first, her group wanted to avoid giving her too many lines. However, Kotori-chan argued that it wasn't right considering her vocal abilities. So she ended up with subvocal two and the center role. In this compet.i.tion, it isn't the center with the most lines - at most; they have just as many lines as the third or second vocal. But the main vocal. The reason they chose her for the center was that reason too. Lila sighed, just a pretty face, huh? It seems like she really has to stop holding back; otherwise, she will keep hearing such comments.

"Kotori-chan, is it really okay? About the position swap.."

Kotori laughed. "I prefer it this way, besides there's something I wanted to check…"

Lila followed her friends gaze which landed on the girl who was the new sub vocalist two. That person?

..
When Haruka held up a 95 sign for Jae-hee, her friend made a fuss on stage.

"Don't screw around. You're holding a grudge aren't you?" Jae-hee retorted.

"No comment," Haruka said.

"d.a.m.n you Haruka."

"It seems like partic.i.p.ant Jae-hee is still very lively, a 95 is also a very high score…" The announcer said.

Lila sweatdropped, what are they doing. But, her lips curve to a smile. At least Haruka is feeling better now.

...…..

"And now the next team.."

Lila closed her eyes briefly and clenched her fist. Truthfully she's never entered a compet.i.tion without Kiryu supporting her before. It felt strange. This time she was alone.

The last time she entered a compet.i.tion was back then.

---------------
March 2035

Her thoughts break off when she feels a pair of arms hug her from behind. Ah, her Kiryu! He made it. Her Kir--"Lila, Lila."

Um, um, is he really going to be silly now? He keeps sniffing her neck. For the next few minutes, Lila remained like that with Kiryu. When he suddenly turns her around and holds her tightly.

"Thought I was late, and I'd get to see your angry face," Kiryu said.

Lila pouted, "Bully! You almost were."

"My bad. You okay?" Kiryu asked.

Lila nodded, "Ah-huh, I've resolved myself."

"Resolved eh?" Kiryu said.

The black hair girl noticed something; her cheeks flushed red. "My Kiryu? Um, y—you know, if you stay so close to me. Um," she stammered.

Kiryu finished her sentence, "Kiss?"

Lila shyly nods. His lips brush against hers, but he quickly moved towards her ear. Lila pouts. "Kiryu, my lips!!!"

"If I kiss you properly, I won't be able to let you go."

"After I finish?" Lila asked.

Kiryu nodded, "Mmmm, good luck my Lila."

"En! Okay. Now you've said that I've received loads of power!"

_______

She no longer has him by her side. But she's gained something new, something equally precious, this precious feeling. She doesn't want to let go of it no matter what.

Mei: Kotori: Lila
Natasha: Karen

-To Reach you -

"The promise we made when we were young, I'm thinking of those words…" Lila sang.

"Short but a happy memory, I'm missing you today... Oh yeah.." Karen sang.

Lila noticed it immediately, her voice is good. So this is what Kotori wanted to see. Her gaze met the girls, interesting.

_______________________________________________
Backstage.

A strong vocalist team. This group was one highlight of the evening. After all this song had high notes that would be tough for the main vocalist. When Lila started to sing the main vocalist part, and when they saw Kotori in the center. Maika already saw the reporters clicking away. Jae-hee patted her shoulder, "Worried?"

Maika shook her head, "No, are you?"

Jae-hee smiled, "No, not anymore."

_______________________________________________

"A common word like goodbye was so painful for me." Karen sang.

"After all this time I still want to meet you again oh, baby." Lila sang.

From the moment Acchan came, to the moment Kiryu took her hand. From the moment she became a G.o.ddess four-member. Perhaps even long before then, she already understood. Mother, even without the amulet, it always felt as though they were connected too.

"The antic.i.p.ation of seeing you again.. I miss everything.." Lila sang.

She got this strange feeling whenever it came to father too. Even back then when she was a mere child, she was happy with Ren-san, but deep down she always missed her father. Even then, she knew, that she could still relate to him — connection, even when they are separated. Recalling the lyrics, she wrote to that song.

"The words I couldn't say I hope they reach you. I hope our feelings reach you." Everyone sang.

"Even though we're far away, I hope we can get one step closer.."

Lila laughed Truly; she has a strange ability to bind everything together, even though there's only a small connection. The person she is today, it wouldn't have been possible, without not just Kiryu but everyone else too. Her precious person, family, and friends. Everyone, she wants to once again, show them.

They may be apart now, but even now these feelings haven't finished.

"I wanted and wanted you, I hope my feelings reach you.." Lila sang.
_______________________________________________

Judging Panel

Haruka sat there with a concentrated look on his face and sighed deeply. Well, from the point of her boyfriend he wasn't happy. This song practically screams 'sing your feelings for Austin Kiryu.' But as a judge, as a professional. Haruka can't help but think how well Lila was doing. He was anxious about her singing at first. But it seems like there's no need to be concerned about her. It's not her fault she got a song that was about a boy and a girl that can't be together. The song choices were random. If singing for Austin Kiryu makes her a better singer as her manager, he will allow her.

"Do you remember, you and I were so awkward. We only circled around each other this whole time.." Kotori sang.

"Here it comes," Itsuki said.

Haruka said nothing and continued to watch Lila. His gaze hadn't left Lila all evening. Haruka had always known about Lila beauty, but tonight she was more radiant.

Right now there was something different. Something more. Even now Haruka is amazed that she chose him. That she decided to be with him even if Lila can't avoid singing for Austin Kiryu as long as she is with him now.

"I'll always be here that's right…" Lila sang.

The second part is the hardest...

"Oh— yeah just like that day.." Lila sang.

It stunned the audience since there was a brief silence for a moment before they spoke up.

"She sang it all."

"Seriously?"

His lips curve to a smile.

_______________________________________________
Linda a.s.sured herself that no matter how well this girl performed; she would still be better. But why is it? From the moment this Ari stood on stage, Linda already knew she lost.

Kiku Ari
Judge: Score
Xiao Yue: 150
James Field: 150
Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka: 150
Kaname Itsuki: 150
Clara: 150

Total: 750

"Our first bonus points for this evening! And it wasn't given by just one judge, but all 5."

That's a higher score than what she got! Linda clenched her fist. So this is the one she has to beat. The one that person instructed her to take down.