Dream Star 332 Kiss

A few hours later - Star Town Streets-

Austin Kiryu found himself in a current dilemma. Well, a dilemma for the girl who he is lip locking right now.

It was an accident.

Okay, so it wasn't. It didn't help how Lila was dressed up all cutely and kept looking at him with those bright and sparkling eyes. However, Kiryu was at his limit. Even if he is a gentleman, a gentleman has their limits - especially when the girl they love is acting like the most adorable creature in the world.

Kiryu had to admit he was surprised when she didn't push him away. Maybe he caught her off guard, but whatever it was - it leads to them kissing for a good 20-30 minutes. When he finally pulled away, Kiryu planned to say something serious, when he saw it, her expression.

Lila's cheeks were flushed red like a little girl. Ah? But that didn't last long, just as he was about to reach over and check. Lila quickly shook her head.

"What are you doing? What are you doing in a time like this? After what I just told you. I love Haruka, no matter what. Even if you're important to me, I love Haruka so very much that this is painful," Lila was crying. Of course, she was. The initial shock must have vanished, and maybe he just saw things earlier. But whatever it was, right now she was angry and crying, "I still can't say it properly. Still can't truly push you away. But in this situation and this time, you already understand it, don't you? I have to be by that person's side. No matter what happens. I have to be with him."

The declaration stung more than he thought it would. But of course Lila was angry at him, Kiryu ran his hand through his hair, "Sorry," he isn't apologizing about the kiss and Lila probably understood that too.

"You're stupid."

"Yeah, but for me, nothing has changed at all," nothing changed. 'I still love you,' but Kiryu held himself back from saying those words.

"But I can't Kiryu; I love Haruka."

".."

She loves Karas.h.i.+ma this much, huh? Wasn't he prepared for this situation? So why is he so surprised?

"Sorry, I know this is messed up," Kiryu apologized. He didn't want to trouble her like this. d.a.m.n his stupid hormones. So what if she looked cute? That didn't give him the right to kiss another man's girlfriend, a girl who practically has an engagement ring on her finger from another man. He smiles, bitterly, "So, that's some rock."

Lila's anger immediately vanished as she covered her hand, "This is, it's just a gift."

"What's the occasion, your one-month anniversary? Two months? Anniversaries are pricey these days, huh?"

Lila's cheeks turned red, and he knew his words sounded condescending. But he couldn't help it, all of this is too much for him to bear. The knowledge that another man put a ring on her finger.

"Kiryu," Lila looked down at the ground, "Please don't make this any more difficult for me."

"Sorry, I'm acting like a jerk even though I said I would be reasonable."

"No, you have the right to get angry. But," Lila placed her hand on her forehead, "I honestly don't know what to do. I came here because I wanted to help you out, but I guess I didn't think about the consequences. Maybe it would have been better for me if I just didn't come back here, and finished my last year in Light academy and married Haruka before returning. Maybe it would have been better if I just never showed myself in front of you again, I don't understand myself Kiryu. But, I do know that right now, I can't give you an answer. At least not the answer you want. We can't talk about this now. I want to focus on Haruka."

"So in short, his matters are more important than sorting out our relations.h.i.+p?"

Lila turned silent, and Kiryu too said nothing. She must be having a hard time too. He should quit acting like a jerk about all this. Besides, there is something he decided to do isn't there?

"I understand, so can we try to be friends?"

Lila looked at him, puzzled, "Friends?"

"Yeah, friends," he knew it sounded stupid. After he just kissed her, he suggests they become friends? Kissing her indicates that he still had feelings for her.

To his surprise, Lila nodded, "Ah-huh, we can be friends," after she said those words. She returned to asking questions regarding the town and all the changes.

Kiryu was surprised how easy it was.

Is that it?

Then again, maybe he's the one who is overcomplicating things.

Kiryu reached over to pat her hair, but the moment he made contact, he saw it - her cheeks were dyed a lovely shade of red.

"Your blus.h.i.+ng."

"I am not!!"

Kiryu laughed; she's so cute. His gaze softened, it's probably going to be difficult for the two of them to be friends. After everything that's happened between them, it won't be easy, and Kiryu isn't exactly sure whether he wants to be just friends with her. But if he tried to s.n.a.t.c.h her away now, then he would only be troubling her. For now, Kiryu is just glad that they can talk to each other.

"Did you have a good time?" Kiryu asked.

Lila nodded, "Yes, it was beautiful. The places you took me too."

"Good, I'm glad you liked it."

Is it just him, or is she acting a bit shy? "Say Kiryu, why do you wear my stone around your neck?"

"Uh, well I'm afraid I'd lose it," Kiryu hurriedly explained. He knew how stupid and ridiculous that sounded. Between the two of them, he is the most organized person. But he can't exactly tell her that the places they went to are areas of the town he helped design. What, he's had a lot of free time since Lila went on her journey. The times he would spend skipping work, he had to fill the time doing something.

Before Kiryu could ask her anything else, they spotted some boy familiar approaching them. Despite the darkness of the night, Kiryu could make out who it was.

"Haruka?!"

"Hey.."

"Um Haruka, are you drunk?"

Karas.h.i.+ma didn't respond and continued to kiss Lila's neck. Kiryu flinched, and he averted his gaze.

"Haruka your drunk."

"Just a bit, you smell nice..."

Realizing that Karas.h.i.+ma wasn't just wasted but most likely drugged too. Kiryu decided to call for a ride.

....

"Um, I'm sorry about this Kiryu," Lila apologized as he got into the car. He tells his chauffeur to get going, and the car speeds away.

"Don't worry about it, I can relate," Kiryu said. In the past he was the same as Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka, that's why it doesn't surprise him. He loves Lila so much but at the same time, that uneasy feeling that somebody will take her away remains.

"You did things like this too?"

Kiryu smiled, "Yeah."

Lila wore a troubled look on her face, "I never saw you like this."

"I was very sneaky about it."

"Hmmm," she eyed him suspiciously, "But you're not good at sneaking around Kiryu. You always show everything on your face.

He laughed at that comment, "Well, I guess I got some help."

"Help, Rosalichan?"

"Sorry about before. I didn't think she would do that to you."

"You don't have to apologize for her. It's not like your dating."

Sensing her sharp words, Kiryu sweat fell. Did he make her mad? But huh, maybe she is bothered by it a bit.

....
- Outskirts of Town -

"Kiryu-kun, you should have come here earlier ~ Harukkun was here and having fun."

Kiryu's gaze darkened, "Karas.h.i.+ma was here?"

"Yeah, he was chatting with Rosalichan," Kiryu didn't have to hear the rest of Selia's words and marched up to Rosalia's room. Thankfully, she had no clients; he wanted to avoid mentioning anything Karas.h.i.+ma related knowing Lila would get dragged into things.

"What did you make him do?"

Rosalia laughed, "Not even going to knock? I'm in the middle of changing."

"Oi, I told you not to mess with them."

"I'm just following orders Kiryu-kun, you should do the same too."

A hand slapped Rosalia's away, a woman with short pink hair comes between them, "Misaki."

She glares at him, and Kiryu's sweat fell, hey now - this situation isn't what it looks.

.....

"And?" Misaki demanded once they were out of earshot, "Explain yourself."

"I made a deal."

"To protect Lila again, I'm sure, but your presence here only fuels to the rumors," Misaki shook her head, "If you just came for drinks then fair enough, but that's not what I've heard Kiryu, don't revert to your old ways."

"I'm not."

"Even if you think you aren't, it's easy to get into that bad habit again."

"..Your right, sorry."

Misaki placed her hand on her head and sighed, "Well, you have your circ.u.mstances. I understand that very well."

The pink haired girl is silent for a while before she said, "When the compet.i.tion ends, I'm getting married."

"Eh?"

"Why do you look so surprised?"

"It's just," Kiryu didn't know what to say.

"It's true that the feelings I have for you haven't gone away yet. But I'm no idiot. I won't sit around and mope forever when there's a guy out there who genuinely cares for me."

"...Who's the guy?"

"Somebody I met at work, a businessman."

"Really?"

Misaki smiled, "Yeah, that's why I want you to be happy too."

"Misaki."

"I realize it's difficult for you now. But it's not any easier on Haruka; he is suffering too."

Kiryu winced in pain, hearing those words. He knows that already, and that's why he wants to try being friends with Lila, "So, what are the chances of Lila and me becoming friends?"

Misaki sighed, "Don't be an idiot; that's not possible."

"Who knows, I have the potential to pull things like this off."