Dream Star 227 Haruka's Insecure Feelings

August 2035 (London, Downtown)

In a dim light room in an old-looking apartment on the outskirts, the area considered as 'dangerous.' Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka was laying down on an old rusted couch, staring at the ceiling. The reason why he was here and not attending his girlfriend's concert? It's simple. He never planned to attend her concert, and his gaze fell on one of the doors in the right-hand side of the room. The woman named Sophia said she wanted to meet with him regarding Lila. Haruka went knowing full well what she wanted. Perhaps it was because he was drinking a lot before then, but he didn't think rationally and ended up here.

He could just leave, but when he arrived here, Sophia served him some drinks. Most likely drugged, Haruka is used to it. People randomly drugging him, the numb feeling in his body and not being able to feel his limbs. Haruka is used to it now. His gaze landed on the TV playing the after the broadcast of the live. People on the scene were still trying to process what they just saw. He can't blame them. The combination of Lila with Kogami Yori is something people have never seen before.

His thoughts broke off when the door to the bathroom opened revealing Sophia. Thankfully the woman wore her clothing, she waltzed over and climbed on top of him.

Sophia brought her lips to his, but he raised his hand to stop her, "Stop."

She raised her eyebrow in amus.e.m.e.nt, her fingers darted towards his chest, "Are you telling me you genuinely love that woman?" Sophia asked clearly not convinced.

"I love her."

In the past, if somebody asked him this, perhaps he would have hesitated. Not because he doesn't love her but because he believes he doesn't deserve to say such words. It's different now though, Haruka knew he still hesitated a lot, but he can at least say this much.

Sophia's amused smile turned into a dark one; she wasn't happy, that much he could tell. Sophia drew closer again, "That woman doesn't deserve you."

"I'm trash, the one who doesn't deserve her is me."

"No," Sophia shook her head, "You have no idea, huh? But I guess you don't remember."

Huh? What does she mean by that? Haruka didn't get a chance to question her anymore since Sophia stood up and got of him. Not wanting another dangerous situation like that to occur again. Haruka sat up; he turned his attention back to the TV. Sophia too was watching.

"Oh? Isn't she doing well for herself, your girlfriend? Are you sure you shouldn't have shown up at her live? Won't she cry?" Sophia mocked.

Haruka exhaled deeply, dismissing the blonde hair woman's words, "Why did you take me here?"

Sophia walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck, "What's wrong with me taking you back home?" Haruka sent her a harsh glare, and the woman smiled, "Haruka, you should stay here again with me. Like you did in the past."

"If that's all, then I'm leaving," Haruka harshly yanked her away. Picked up his coat and walked towards the door.

...

The next morning, thankfully Lila was in too much of a good mood to comment on his absence. Currently, they were making their way down the hallways to the next job. As the girl's manager he has to rearrange her schedule now, to fit with her new unit work, "There's a press conference regarding yours and Kogami's decision in the afternoon. Before then you have some solo shoots and this meeting to attend to," Haruka listed. He frowned when he saw the list; there's a lot here than he thought.

Did Itsuki try to manipulate things again?

"We can't now Haruka," Lila exclaimed, cheeks fl.u.s.tered, "But we can later."

He chuckled, "It's just a kiss."

Lila seemed shy about it but nodded, Haruka pushed her against the door frame. Recalling what happens the other day, however, Haruka frowned and pulled back.

"Haruka?" Lila said puzzled.

"There's no time; let's go."

....

Haruka ran his hand through his hair, as he patiently waited for his girlfriend to finish with the photoshoots. The meeting earlier was a disaster on his side. Lila had to sort out and make the deals herself. Thankfully she's efficient at that sort of work. The reason he was distracted was due to yesterday's meeting with Sophia. That woman is definitely up to something.

"What?"

"Um, Haruka come here."

Haruka walked over to her and Lila reached over to caress his cheek gently; she stared at him for a few minutes before she asked, "Another girl?"

"Sophia."

Lila looked at him questioningly but nodded, "Ah-huh, so that's why you ditched me?"

"Yeah." Despite his vague response Lila didn't look too mad; in fact, she seemed to be thinking about something.

"You know Haruka. I wonder if you think I'm an idiot or something."

Huh? He wasn't expecting that reaction.

Lila sighed deeply, "I knew you wouldn't go to my live because Yori is part of my past, and you'll start thinking I want to return to Kiryu and stuff like that. Truth is I did think about Kiryu, but in the end, that faded quickly like a firework. I was more worried about you," she trailed off and walked over and picked up her bag, he watched as Lila pulled out her phone, "I really was happy when you gave me this charm. This was a sign, that even long before I came here, I already treated you as somebody special to me."

The charm, she did tell him before that material possession she always carries around with her hold significance. So that's how it is, "It's not that I doubt your feelings, I just feel like an intruder when it comes to your past with your fellow G.o.ddess4 members, the guys in G.o.d5 and your time in Universal S academy." Haruka commented.

"I know, I do understand that mindset. But Haruka, I chose you. I chose you over Kiryu and even Senpai. I let go people who were the most important to me in my sixteen years of life just to be with you."

That's true, she did, didn't she? She let go of her beloved just for his sake. He has to get a grip. Lila already told him she loved him. She didn't just say it verbally to him but in front of so many people. Several thousand, why is he still acting like a child for? When there is somebody who treasures and loves him this deeply?