Dream Star 695 Road To Our Dreams Part 11

When are you coming home?

"Ah," Sumire held up her phone. "The husband is summoning me."

Yumi chuckled, "Then you better get going, let's talk another time.." her gaze fell on Lila again. "I did want to speak to her. But, even I know better than to interrupt somebody who is training intensely."

"Intensely, huh? They look they are having fun down there."

"Yes, it brings back memories, doesn't it?"

Sumire agreed, "It does." Back then, even though it was so painful, and there were many times where she felt like giving up. She never gave up.

After a few more parting words with Yumi-senpai. Sumire made her way out of the building. She also wanted to talk with her daughter a bit. But Lilchan looked like she was having a lot of fun. Besides, it's not like there is anything to worry about. Sumire also saw Harukkun there.

'It seems like he intends to keep that promise.' Sumire was very skeptical about whether he could do it or not. As much as she has faith in his father, the same can't be applied for the son. Still, 'He is good to her.'

The moment Sumire left the stadium, however, she spotted somebody waiting for her not too far from the entrance. Yuhi was leaning against the wall, smoking. He appeared to be deep in thought about something. Sumire blinked, 'Well, there are some things that don't change after all.' How many times did she see this scene in the past? Sumire walked over and buried her face in his chest.

His arms went around her waist. "How's our daughter?"

"She seemed busy, so I only watched for a bit."

"I see. By the way, I thought you had a rule about public displays of affection?" Yuhi seemed amused, and she sighed.

"Quiet, I'm tired."

Yuhi caressed her hair. "I wanted to talk to Lila. But if you saw no need to, then alright."

"You don't have to listen to me all the time. Go talk with her. You two don't speak much, it worries me..." Sumire mumbled. She felt conflicted about letting him leave. However, she genuinely wants the two to have a stronger bond.

"My daughter is important, but my wife is more important. Are you okay, Sumire? You don't go home a lot these days, and you're looking pale."

"Are you saying that on purpose?" Sumire lifted her head. She reached over and pinched his cheeks. "Aren't you the one who is never home?"

"Ouch, that hurts my wife. Why are you so cruel when I bought you a present?"

"You can't bribe me with gifts."

"More like, I think we should both go inside. This is a present for Lila."

Sumire looked over at the box in his hands. She immediately recognized it. Ah, isn't that...

"You said to give it to her when it was time, I figured now is a better time than never."

...

After giving her the bracelet, Lila took her outside to talk. The two of them found a spare bench and sat down.

"You got rid of your father just like that," Sumire chuckled when she saw her daughter's serious expression.

"Wahh! My head hurts from overthinking."

Sumire reached over and parted the girl's bangs, "There, there. Don't overthink it. You know I will listen to you."

"But mother, you were trying to run away," Lila puffed her cheeks into a pout. "I know father wants to get frisky with you, but he can't steal you all the time."

Her sweatdropped at those words. "Lilchan, Harukkun's influence on you..."

Then again, it's not like she was innocent Lilchan's age. But still, that's because she went through a lot. She and her daughter have lived two completely different lives.

Lila's cheeks turned red. "Uh, that's not it...d.a.m.n my mouth."

"Hmmm, has he kept his promise?"

"Ahh! He has! Mother, why did you say something like that."

"Your seventeen Lilchan."

Lila looked down, "Well, yes, I know that. Still, I just worry about him," the girl's tone changed. "Is he okay with it? Haruka gets very lonely, and when he doesn't touch me. He isn't at ease...and.."

Sumire reached over and patted her daughter's hair. "Hold on for a few more months. I'm very worried about your condition. But, I'm doing it for him too. Do you know about it yet?"

"I know. Haruka suffered for such a long time. I didn't notice anything, no," Lila shook her head. "I noticed but turned a blind eye to everything. I wanted to pretend everything was okay. I was running away."

"Are you trying to take a jab at me? With that running away comment."

"Ah, no," Lila shook her head frantically. "I don't mean that."

Sumire winked. "I know." Her gaze softened. "You see, Lilchan, I understand your feelings very well."

"Mother, I know that. Mother understands me the most--no, um mother is second."

"He understands you?"

Lila nodded. "Yes, sometimes it feels like he knows me better than myself."

"It seems like there was no need for me to come here. I was worried about you, and so was your father."

"Not true, I have so much I want to talk to you about Mother."

"As do I, then I guess we can chat for a bit." Sumire trailed off. "Now tell me, what did you want to ask me?"

"You were already amazing before you left mother. But when you came back, you became even more amazing. Your performances are very different now. It's still sparkly like before, but etto, something has changed."

Sumire chuckled at her daughter's a.n.a.lysis. Honestly, it seems like she does take after Yuhi. "You want to know what my dream is now?"

"Yes."

"I guess I should tell you. You see, even before I ran away. I already formed this mindset. I wanted to see what the idol world, no the entire music industry would do without me at the top. I planned to gradually fade from the shadows and see everything from a different perspective."

"Ah, did you see anything..?"

Sumire nodded. "Yes, I did." Her gaze softened at the memory. She looked over at her daughter. She saw it even back then—the radiance around this girl and the power she has to make people smile.

"Mommy? You keep staring at me...Ah!! Did Haruka leave any strange markings? He always does that now. Just because he can't do anything but kiss me.."

Honestly, why is this child like this? Sumire has never met such a honest person before. "Tell me something Lilchan, do you love him a lot?"

"Yes, I do! I know people have said a lot of things. But I love Haruka so much. How to put it? I feel like I'm becoming obsessed."

"Your thinking about him that much?"

"Ah-huh, I find it strange. Before, I only used to think about you, Ren-san and Kiryu. But now Haruka has become my entire world."

It seems like there is no need for her to worry about this child anymore. She has so many people by her side, and somebody she can trust to love and protect her. Sumire initially came here because she had a lot of things she wanted to say. But now? There is no need.

Spotting maroon colored hair, Sumire blinked but chuckled. "Prince charming is here for you."

Lila glanced over and quickly walked over. "What's the matter?"

"I wanted to go back together.," Haruka mumbled. "Sorry, are you still busy?"

"No, we're done talking. Did Yumeko leave?"

"Yes, she said she had plans... So err," Haruka looked away. "Rather than go back. I thought we could go somewhere..."

"A date?"

"Well yeah."

Sumire chuckled at the scene before her. Something seems different about Harukkun. Then again, Sumire always knew how strong his feelings for her daughter were. She remembers it clearly, how frantic Haruka was when Lilchan got into that accident. 'Save her, please..please save her. I will do anything..'

That young boy who got down on his knees and almost exchanged his own life for Lilchan's.

"Karas.h.i.+mkun," Sumire called out. He looked over at her, and Sumire saw how nervous he was. "I'm looking forward to your performance. My husband isn't easy to please; he is quite strict."

"Don't worry, Haruka! I won't let father bully you."

Haruka sighed, "Like mother and daughter," he mumbled. His gaze fell on her. "I have something I want to request. If I win this.."

"Of course, you already mentioned it previously."

"You didn't forget?"

Sumire shook her head, "I wouldn't; you looked so serious then." Her gaze fell on her daughter. "Did you tell Lilchan?"

At that comment, her daughter, who kept silent this entire time, clung to Harukkun's arm.

"Hubby! You're keeping secrets from me again!" Lila pouted. "I thought I told you already; a married couple does everything together."

Haruka sweat fell, "Wait, it isn't anything bad or anything."

"Still, I feel like you're sneaking around again."

"Hey--you know I won't do anything strange."

"Really?" her daughter let's go of Harukkun. She folded her arms across her chest and looked away.

Sumire's gaze softened. It seems like these two will be fine. No matter what happens, they will stay together. Still, her gaze darkened when she recalled those letters getting sent to the house. 'Lilchan can't find out about those.'