Dream Star 23 My Radiance 9

Rather, there are some bad stories that haven't been spread yet. Like, the first time he met senpai. Although he entered this sort of world after that incidence. When he first met senpai, Mikami understood, that he had yet to get in too deep. 'I'll show you the ropes. But you, aren't like me. You'll be able to go back, even after you learn this stuff.' Indeed. It was just like he said. No matter how many girls he slept with, or the bad things he did. He didn't feel himself sink into darkness too much. In fact, it cleared up his muddled mind. 'I want to meet Kasumi soon.'

In the beginning, s.h.i.+chiro had been keeping in touch with him regarding Kasumi. However, eventually, he summed up the courage to contact him. He received a lecture as one would expect but afterwards, he said, 'Hurry up and return to this crying idiots side.' When s.h.i.+chiro told him that Kasumi cries herself to sleep and says his name, he felt an incredible amount of guilt as well as happiness. He regretted it, what happened then. He could have chosen his words carefully and said it in a way that was ambiguous, so she would understand; that he had his circ.u.mstances. He could have done that. But, it felt as though, his every move was being watched.

"Un, I know. When senpai told me to be careful around Yumeko-chan, I told him, 'Is there anyone worse than you?"

His sweatdropped. "And his reaction?"

"He seemed surprised, and at the same time, lonely. Last year, when we first met. I noticed it. Ah, this person is just like me. But, at the same time, there is something different. He's like me and all the countless lonely souls in this universe. We are all searching for something, searching for something - in any shape or form. The difference is what that something is. It could be a person, and if so. What sort of relations.h.i.+p do we have with them, and do we want to change that relations.h.i.+p? From friends.h.i.+p to more sibling-like, from friends.h.i.+p to just acquaintances, from friends.h.i.+p to lovers. In the end, we are all searching for that something, that something that will have a large impact on our lives."

. .. 'Lila, isn't as carefree and careless of a person as you think. Sometimes she's carefree and childish but most of the time she's…'

"Then, Lilchan. What do you think senpais something is?"Mikami asks curiously.

"Love."

Mikami almost dropped his cup and soft laughter escapes the girl's lips. "Is it, that surprising?"

"No, not really, I think that much anyone can figure out after spending time with him."

But, he's a tad bit surprised. He didn't think she would say it.

Lila nodded, before saying. "That's right, but only those who truly want to understand will find out more. Senpai told me that most people normally, won't get any closer to him, especially after hearing the rumours. But, I think of that as a very sad thing. After all, there is no human out there who don't want it. At least that one special person to understand them. I, want to help him. Maybe it's for my own benefit since there are many things contradictory for me still. But, even so..." the girl's sentence falls short, as her gaze lands on the other side of the room.

Sure enough, following her gaze. Mikami found that it was on senpai.

"Aren't you stubborn?"

"It seems so."

"You mainly came here for this?"

"Yes."

She says it so bluntly. But now he gets it. Why she disappeared for two weeks, before coming here. It was probably to strengthen her resolve. Ah, he gets it. This person is--

"But, it isn't just senpai." She turned to him with a bright smile, "Didn't you figure it out? About the song?"

"I'm really surprised."

"Aha, I thought so. But, I also felt it then. A connection. Though, when I brought it up to Kasumi. She got a bit jealous."

. .. Jealous? Kasumi?

He's never seen that before. A jealous Kasumi, what would that look like? Even in the past, when all those girls were surrounding him, he never once saw her jealous. It's true from time to time she would show displeasure, but that would disappear quickly since he would run after her without fail. "Hamano-kun, are you envious?! A jealous Kasumi is very cute."

"I'm envious, of your friends.h.i.+p and the care she has for you."

"En were very close and I like Kasumi a lot. But those feelings are very different than the ones you have for her."

"Stop, why are we suddenly talking about her?"

"No, I won't. Hamano-kun, do you, intend to run away forever? Kasumi has been waiting for you for a long time."

"I know, and that's why I proposed."

Lila shakes her head.

The girl didn't say any more, he understood why. Even if she continued this topic, he wouldn't have any answers for her. She would have to listen to his endless number of excuses and make him feel bad. This girl knows that and that's why.

Mikami quickly changes the topic and brings up the case about the jealous girls. He tells her that she probably shouldn't return in the morning.

"But Hamano-kun, Harukkun always hug me really tightly. I can't escape, even if I wanted to."

"..."

Senpai, hugs her to sleep?

So, she really is special to senpai. Well, he figured that out a long time ago. It appears the serious conversation is over for now. But, since it's her, she will surely bring it up again. That's right, he's running away. Even now, he's trying to escape. Even though, she's willing to be in his arms this time. Back then, part of the reason he turned her down was, simply due to the fact that he noticed it. Unwillingness. No, not unwillingness. But hesitation. Whether or not Kasumi realized it, he couldn't un-see it. In contrast this time around, it's him with those sorts of feelings. Even though he proposed.

Eventually, he came back and places the plates one by one from the tray on to the table.

"Senpai, what's this?"

"All they had left was this. What's wrong don't like it?"

"It looks strange!"

Strange she says. Mikami watches as senpai takes his spoon and brings it towards the girl's mouth.

"Eat."

The girl's cheeks redden, she clearly wanted to refute but upon meeting senpai's gaze. She nodded and takes a bite from the spoon he extended towards her.

"Yummy!"Lila exclaims happily.

Senpais gaze is gentle as he replies softly, "Mm, right."

He's being fed with so much PDA here.

"Mikami, I can't go with her to the shooting tomorrow. So, you take care of her."

In other words, there's going to be trouble in the shooting. Well, the magazine is a rather famous one. With Lilchan's present status they'll be rumours. But more importantly, the models going are probably ones senpai slept with. This guy, always gets himself involved in such a range of people.

"Senpai, you won't be with me?"

"I'll be a bit late. Alright? I haven't forgotten our promise."

"Okay!! Then, I'll still make the lunch boxes. Do you want anything in particular?"

"I don't normally eat but, I liked the hamburgers."

Lila laughs softly, before saying. "Aha, like a little kid."

How nice. If he could be with Kasumi normally, surely, she would do the same for him. Make him lunch, flirt. His thoughts break off when he finds Lilchan staring at him. His sweatdropped, this again?

"Hamano-kun! You're not eating vegetables!!"Lila exclaims.

Even though this was the only food available, senpai managed to get some fruit and vegetables.

"I don't normally," Mikami stated calmly.

"But that's not healthy!"Lila scolds him while puffing her cheeks up into a pout. It made the normally cool and elegant looking girl look like a child. In contrast to the Lilchan who was speaking with him so seriously just moments ago. What a strange girl.