Dream Star 236 Minus The Easily Jealous Type

August 2035 (Streets of London)

For August, it was a slightly cold morning. Yori deeply exhaled as she waited in front of the mailbox in the central street. In London, the streets are always crowded with people. Today was no exception to that as people busily ran back and forth rus.h.i.+ng to work. Hardly any s.p.a.ce to walk due to the flood of people, even in the spot by the mailbox. Yori felt people going past brush against her shoulder, followed by somebody stepping on her foot. For somebody who just arrived here, this would be too overwhelming. But it was not like that for Yori.

Late. The person she was waiting for was her partner Kiku Ari - aka Teras.h.i.+ma Lila. Recently they debuted as a duo group and finally fulfilled the promise from the past. Her friend's delay did not surprise her, Lila most likely overslept since she was too excited.

...

Cafe

"I waited for three hours, three. I looked like an idiot." Yori emphasized the word three to get her point across. It only amused the grey hair girl sitting opposite.

Jae-hee laughed, "Didn't you say you wouldn't complain?"

"I'm not," Yori said annoyed. She's not complaining, really; it just surprised her. Yori thought she knew her friend well. Though several years have pa.s.sed since they last met, she knew music would always remain the most important to Lila.

That's why she refused to accept this situation. Lila clearly emphasized how music would come first over anything. But now Yori is facing a situation where Lila has gone back on her words. Sometimes things pop up so this situation is not too surprising. However, that same thing that popped up was a guy of all things. Lila ditching her favorite music for a guy? Yori is still facing the reality of this situation.

A sigh pa.s.sed her lips, it wasn't easy to get those tickets - but now they've gone to waste. Is Lila that attached to Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka? Yori didn't think about it in too much detail before. Why would she have to? She practically grew up with Lila and Kiryu, Yori saw with her own eyes how naturally the two acted like a couple and how much they loved each other. Even if the two broke up and entered other relations.h.i.+ps. Yori knew that the same feelings of love would not blossom between their new partners. But it seems like she was wrong.

Lila ditching something music related to spend time fooling around with Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka is a sign. Yori's thoughts broke off when Lila returned; she placed a tray in front of her and Yori quietly thanked her. Lila had offered to buy her food and Yori didn't refuse her; she knew the girl was trying to make it up to her. Usually, such bait would work, but right now Yori was battling with something in her head.

Does Lila like Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka more than Kiryu?

Such a possibility never crossed her mind before, but maybe, just maybe. She shook her head; she ought to eat first. Yori reached out for the burger she ordered and undid the wrapping before bringing it to her lips.

"Welcome back, now please enlighten us on the details regarding the last three hours.." Jae-hee said with a ma.s.sive grin on her face.

Lilas face turned red, and she sipped on her drink nervously, "Haruka said he wanted to continue kissing and I told him after breakfast. I somehow got him to agree but um Haruka is a good kisser so…"

Jae-hee finished for Lila, "They had s.e.x."

"T—that--" Lila sentence fell short since her face heated up too much.

Kotori pulled out a fan, "Ari-chan, calm down.."

Yori silently watched the scene. Geez, though she heard the rumors. It still surprised her, didn't Karas.h.i.+ma **** her? Though Jae-hee explained, it was because of the strong influence of drugs. It changes nothing. Once upon a time, he forced himself on her. That's something that will never change. Has Lila forgotten that time, or is she just pretending? Right now, Yori couldn't tell.

"Um, Yori? Sorry."

Seeing Lila look apologetic, she sighed. "I don't mind, have fun with your boyfriend and abandon me…"

Lila stood up and took a seat next to her, "Yori?" she called out, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Yori continued pouting, and Lila laughed softly understanding...

It's more complicated than she thought it would be. Lila likes Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka. Yori promised Kasumi to watch over Lila and ensure that Lila doesn't forget Kiryu. Yori is swaying towards Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka side. It's wrong; she understands that. It really is weird; she's friends with Kiryu.

......…..

SkyDome (London)

While there are some stages left in the second round preliminaries, Yori already past hers, she and the other contestants who made it already was currently practicing on the same stage they'd use that day.

Yori looked over at the judge's area where Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka was. A flock of girls surrounded him the moment practice was over and surrounded him.

However, he wasn't flirting with them, for the last few minutes. Yori observed him and noticed his gaze was only on one person. Yori wanted to confirm the rumors. If he were a bad person, then she would definitely convince Lila out of it. But so far Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka is not showing any trace of it at all.

Yori noticed Lila's gaze curiously on Karas.h.i.+ma, and she sighed, "Just go."

Lila sent her an apologetic look but said no words of apology as she rushed down the steps of the stage. Her delicate footsteps resounded through the hall, and for people watching. It felt like an eternity before she finally reached Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka.

"Ari."

Lila softly laughed as she collapsed into Karas.h.i.+mas arms, "Tired, break-break time."

"Yeah, do you want to eat too?"

"Okay!"

Yori said nothing and continued practicing, indeed. Lila genuinely looked happy.

...

Two hours later

Yori noticed Lila wasn't returning from break and searched for her. It didn't take her long to find Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka leaving one room. Judging from how quietly he strolled out, Yori understood.

"Sleeping?" Yori asked.

Karas.h.i.+ma nodded.

For the next few minutes, there was nothing but silence between them.

"Did you have something you want to tell me? You've been watching me all morning and unless you're a crazy fan-girl…"

Yori immediately shook her head, "I just want to know why Lila picked you." Though she heard how fond her friend was of him, Yori thought nothing would change. After all, Lila was seriously in love with Austin Kiryu. Yori watched the two from the moment she met Lila up until she left. That's why she understands. Lila's feelings for Kiryu are far too strong for it to disappear just like that.

She eyed Karas.h.i.+ma suspiciously, how did he do it?

Karas.h.i.+ma is silent for a bit before he spoke up, "I did nothing in particular. For the longest time, I restrained myself with her. Yes, I did some inexcusable things to her before we dated."

"The reason?" Yori questioned.

He has one right?

"I do have one, but there's no need to say it. It won't justify my actions. I know what I did was wrong."

Yori looked him up and down, his facial expression aside. From his body language, Yori could tell he genuinely meant the words he said. So he sincerely apologized to Lila? Is that why Lila forgave him and picked Karas.h.i.+ma over Kiryu? A deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips; she doesn't understand this situation. Before Yori could say anymore though, the doors to the room opened revealing a half sleepy blue hair girl. She was peering through the door curiously.

"Hey, go back to sleep. Only 20 minutes have pa.s.sed." Haruka said concerned.

Yori noticed Lila not answering, but the girl hurriedly made her way over, her friend appeared distracted. It was only a few seconds later where Yori saw Lila's gaze on hers. Eh?

Lila clung to Haruka's arm, with puffed cheeks.

Yori understood this action of her friend, "...Lila, seriously?"

"I'm the easily jealous type!" Lila exclaimed.

Yes, she knows that but even her? Yori mentally facepalmed.

Forget trying to a.n.a.lyze this situation. Lila is happy now, and Karas.h.i.+ma is treating her well, she ought to leave it at that.