Dream Star 689 Road To Our Dreams Part 5

That person was Aida. Yumeko thought he was a stalker at first. Even though she wasn't popular, she was still an idol. However, it seemed like she was wrong. Lilchan sent this guy to protect her due to all those malicious rumors. While they were still fighting then, she still sent someone to protect her. Lilchan is truly a kind person, Yumeko has never met such a kind and warm -- she paused in mid-thought. No, that is wrong, there is another person who is like that—someone who surrounded in suns.h.i.+ne and such brightness. 

They are so alike. Sometimes Yumeko couldn't help but compare the two.

Atsuya, it seems like she is a wreck again. Now that she has learned that he is alive. Yumeko wanted to meet him badly. But if he is avoiding her, what good will it do? If Aida turns out to be Atsuya then, then she would surely cry.

Her thoughts broke off when she suddenly lost her balance.

"Be careful--!"

His warning came a bit too late, Yumeko braced herself for the fall and closed her eyes. But nothing happened. Even after a few seconds had pa.s.sed, she did not hit the ground.

Huh? It doesn't hurt? Yumeko opened her eyes and received quite the shock. The one who broke her fall was Aida. But what shocked her was how close he was to her.

That was a close one. If Aida hadn't been there, she would've fallen down. She needs to thank him.

If you have something to say, you should say it directly."

Wait, is he mad. . .? Yumeko looked over at him, but she did not see anger, despite his tone.

"I'll have you know. I wasn't trying to have us end up in this position. You're the one who fell on me. Don't get any funny ideas." Aida almost seemed embarra.s.sed.

"I'm not trying to. . Er, I just wanted to thank you." Yumeko muttered. Then again, it's normal for him to think this way since she kept scolding him this entire time.

But this is the first time she's been so close to another guy that isn't Atsuya. It feels strange. Feeling nervous, Yumeko fidgeted.

"Don't move, you idiot. I might drop you."

"Oh, right, sorry."

Did he catch her with one hand? He is so strong. . Just as Yumeko thought this, she hears him mutter something. "---light. At least lighter than I remember."

"Huh?"

She thought she heard him say something... .Did she imagine it?

"I'm going to put you down. Work with me on this."

"Alr---ight," Yumeko nervously replied.

Aida gradually puts her down on the ground, and Yumeko regained her balance. She briefly glanced back down, though, 'That's so scary' she didn't realize when she climbed this long flight of stairs. It seems like when she is speaking with Aida, it's easy to get lost track of time.

"We're almost at the top. But…" Aida trailed off. "I think you should sit down."

"Huh? Why---" Yumeko trailed off and glanced down. She followed his gaze and found it on her leg. A significant gap in the center of her tights and bright red was flowing out.

"It's a friction burn. Just stay still."

"You carry bandages with you?" Yumeko asked.

"Nope, I carry a medkit. My little sister is clumsy, you see, so I'm used to this." Aida sat down and rummages through his bag. He eventually pulled out a medium-size pale blue box.

Yumeko sat down awkwardly. She felt a bit strange having Aida look at her wound like this. 'Something like this happened with Atsuya too didn't it?'

...

Year 20XX - Light Town -

"I can't believe you helped him," Yumeko scolded her boyfriend. His entire face covered in injuries. She rubbed the cotton bud with alcohol on his wounded face. The two of them were in a park nearby the police station.

Atsuya laughed, "Sorry, sorry, but he is my best friend. I can't leave him alone."

"Well, I can't lecture you for that."

"By the way, Yumeko-chan, you rushed here the moment you heard what happened, right?"

Yumeko nodded. "Of course. I can't believe I received a call from the police." She was so shocked and rushed out of her house, just like that.

He chuckled. "You rushed out and tripped on the way?"

At that comment, Yumeko glanced down at her leg, indeed, to confirm his words. 'So that's what that stingy feeling was earlier.' "It's fine, let me finish treating your--" her sentence fell short when she watched Atsuya bend down.

Cotton bud and medication in hand, she knew she couldn't stop him. So she simply remained still. Yumeko turned red when she saw him bring his face to her leg. Uhh- this is a bit too close. Sure they are dating, but they are only children. Is it because he is older than her? But whenever he gets close and looks so serious, her heart speeds up.

She averted her gaze and tried to focus on her surroundings.

"You know Yume-chan, I've wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"How far do you want to go?"

Yumeko scolded him, "Don't bring that up."

"Sorry," Atsuya apologized. "But since I am older than you, I just wanted to confirm. Well, it doesn't matter to me too much."

Huh?

Atsuya chuckled. "I like how things are now with us two. Just hugging makes you turn red, and it took you a while before you held my hand too."

Yumeko glanced over and saw a tender expression on his face. She felt her heart skip a beat. Thump, thump - the sound only increased. So Yumeko tried to look away. However, she felt conflicted. She wants to see that face more. Yumeko eventually resigned herself to her fate and looked at him. 'Why does he keep looking at her like that lately?'

Atsuya, he likes her a lot doesn't he? Yumeko always felt that she could not return his feelings properly. She likes him a lot, but is it enough?

….

Present

The more Yumeko thought about it, the more miserable she became. What use is there thinking of Atsuya now? Even though he is alive, he still hasn't come to see her. He clearly does not want to meet with her. Atsuya does not want to see her anymore. Isn't that normal? Does she not remember what happened the last time they saw one another? That talk even now remains fresh in her memory.

Her thoughts broke off when she suddenly felt a warm hand brush against her cheeks. "Aid-" she froze when she saw the serious look in her eyes.

That look... it's similar to Atsuya.

Yumeko felt her heartbeat increase. Is this person truly who she thinks... If this guy is genuinely Atsuya then … that means he has a fiancee. Yumeko clenched her fist. It can't be?

"Say, can I do something bad to you?"

She blinked at his question, what does he mean? Something bad? Yumeko did not overthink it and nodded. Her eyes widened when Aida pulled her into a hug. 'What on earth is he doing?' such a thought crossed her mind. But Yumeko didn't pull away.

"Yumeko," he mumbled softly. "Please don't cry anymore. I can't stand seeing you this way."