Dream Star 571 Not Enough

At Light Town -Dream Star Center -

A girl with blonde hair with a guitar in hand sat on a foldable chair. "No matter what happens we will reach for our dreams," her voice is unlike those big shots in the industry. She cannot sing particularly high notes. But, her sweet and soft voice is her speciality.

Aahhhh, this is no good too. Yumeko threw away the piece of paper. All around her were b.a.l.l.s of paper scrunched up into a ball. This is no good, the main tournament is finally going to start. But look at her progress with her songs.

Her singing has gotten better, but this isn't enough at all. Besides, she still can't get that kind of voice out again.

..

Last year, Star Town 

"Woahhh...to follow up after that performance. I'm super nervous. What do I do if I fail?"

 "Yumeko-chan, extend your hand out."

The blonde haired girl does so and Lila places a star hairpin in her palm. "This is-"

"It's the first accessory of the new brand! I want you to have it."

"Wh- is it really okay? Your sure?"

 "Yes. I hope. ..that one day, when you've properly achieved your dreams over there. We can stand on the same stage again."

Yumeko is stunned by Lilchan's words. She was having a hard time processing these words.  "I'll make sure that happens."

--

Lilchan…

So much has happened in these last few months. Even when they made up after their fight. Yumeko kept her distance from the girl. She felt like she didn't deserve to speak with her anymore. Right now she isn't good enough. Forget not being able to tell that Ari and Lila are the same people. She showed her so many of her worse sides. The entire thing with Haruka, those ugly feelings of jealousy - all of it. Lilchan, she saw everything. 

Yumeko didn't know how to face the girl anymore.

"Hmmm, this song looks interesting," a familiar bubbly and cheerful voice said from her ear.

She almost dropped her guitar, but managed to catch it. Yumeko turned and saw a familiar girl. One with long caramel coloured hair. "Kogami-san!"

"Working hard?"

"Uh, yes."

Yori smiled, "Lila is worried about you."

"Worried?"

"' It's fine that she doesn't want to see me, I do understand that. But, I worry when she doesn't reply to my messages.'" Yori repeated.

Messages? Yumeko quickly turned to her phone. Since coming back, Yumeko put it on silent mode. She wanted to focus on writing her song. To think Lilchan has been sending her messages. Indeed, she quickly opened up her messages and saw a long list from Lilchan.

"Gah.."

"Well, you don't have to worry. Lila is currently hospitalized, so she won't be able to reply now."

"Wait, hospitalized?"

Yori nodded, "Yes, her condition has worsened a great deal."

"..."

Lilchan's condition…

"What about Harukkun, is he watching over her properly? Right now, judges have a lot of work. …"

Is he neglecting her for work? Harukkun has always had a bad habit of neglecting whenever work is involved.

To her surprise Yori laughed, "Well, that's the thing. Karas.h.i.+ma is getting in a lot of trouble."

"Trouble?"

"Yeah, he keeps ditching work. Rather he hasn't gone to work since Lila became sick."

So Harukkun is treasuring Lila right now? That's a good thing. It seems like they are getting on very well. Her decision not to approach Lilchan was the right one it seems. 

Yori bent down and picked up her music player, "Lila's audition song?"

"Ah yes, I was listening to it for inspiration."

"Did you know Yumeko? Her audition song written as a love song. A love song for the person who taught  Lila what love was. Although she ended up with somebody else different, the emotions and feelings behind that song are so very beautiful. It was written as a love song for her believed person. But at the same time there were many forms of love behind that song other than romance, such as conveying a message to her important senpai for making her idol. Her best friend who's been by her side all that time. I think such music with deep messages of love like that are really beautiful."

Music and love. ..

That's right, Lilchan is driven by those two things. Because of those two things, she can s.h.i.+ne very brightly. She can take whatever step towards the future.

"Are you going to training now?"

So that's why Kogami-san is here. Yumeko shook her head, "I have something to do."

….

Yumeko had a reason of course. A legit one for not going. n.o.body knows about it, but aside from her and Kouta there is another member of the Kanehera family. Their younger sister by two years, Mayu. When she heard the girl had a fever, Yumeko immediately rushed of.

For Mayu to catch a serious fever like this. Its been quite some time since that's happened. Its quite chilly in that house, even with a radiator. There's parts that's falling apart completely. Earlier when she was searching for the cause she saw it after all, several drafts in the window and cracks in the wall too. Its understandable why she caught a cold. All the broken areas were in her room, the place she spends the most time in. Should she be relieved that it wasn't in the children's room? And yet, this situation really can't go on any longer. 

It can't go on. Mayu's injury aside. . . Fathers business as a underground doctor impacted both her and Mayu who are only seperated by a year the most. Before everything became peaceful, there was a outbreak on addictive drugs. How medical drugs can be changed in to some sort of addictive dangerous drugs. Those people who were friends with Mayu, only got close to her for that reason. So when Mayu was suddenly unable to walk and had to start living away; they all abandoned her.

Those people who supposedly remained took advantage of the fact she was injured; and Rinna didn't notice until it was too late that she was being bullied. At that time she felt so so many regrets. Why? Why? Why? She repeats the question in her head so so many times. Why didn't she notice it? Even though she was the closest person to Mayu. Just the thought of the faces of those people; the ones who bullied her made Yumeko feel sick.  

Why does Mayu of all people have to suffer? It makes no sense. Mayu who even before the accident looked so very fragile. If anyone was going to get hurt, it should have been her. 

'Aren't you simply making excuses? I don't know your situation very well and what drives you so far. But you have parents that are both still alive. You should rely on them more. I'm sure that even now they are waiting for you to rely on them.'

Recalling that guys words, Yumeko pauses. Relying on her parents. On more than one occasion, no nearly every time they speak. He always says that. During the first time they met each other too, he said those words. At the start she simply dismissed him. This guy doesn't know her situation and even if he does, he will truly never be able to comprehend it. It'll never be any of his business. That is something she's always kept in her mind whenever they speak