Dream Star 66 Cross Road 5

"Get your belongings, we're leaving soon."

"Ah okay…"The girl staggered forward and Yumeko watched as Haruka caught her.

"...Tell me what to get."

Ari gave him some instructions, before she somehow managed to get on the bed. Yumeko walked over to help when Ari called out to her.

"Yumeko-chan!"

"Ah yes?" she turned back. It would probably be awkward if she tried helping Harukkun out. So she walked back over to the girl who had laid down.

"Yumeko-chan, here you go!" Lila said as she pa.s.sed her some doc.u.ments.

"Eh this?"

Seeing the scores Yumeko's eyes widened.

"You said you needed help!"

She did say that but…why...

.

.

"H-"

"Honestly, quit moving around. Stay put, I'm almost done."

"Oo--okay…"

….

Something's changed between them. She was worried that things were going badly and that there's a distance...But now there's no need, there's still a distance. But the two are surely closer than before.

"Haruka."

"..I'm here."

"Um, pack some books too," Ari asked.

"Bottom shelf?"

"Ah-huh."

"Any specific ones?"

"Um, pick for me!"

Now she feels like she's getting in their way.

"Yumeko."

Oh!

"Make her some tea."

"Ye-Yes--"

Her name…

She noticed Ari-chan staring, and Yumeko immediately looked away. Don't give it away. Haruka must have noticed since he walked back over, and hugged the girl, "So, with all this stuff you're making me pack. You'll be staying for a while, right?"

"Ah-huh, if that's okay."

"It's fine."

"Your appointments?"

"I'll cancel, stay with me."

She really is the third wheel here.

Yumeko exhaled deeply. It's not like she still likes him, even back then she can't be sure about her feelings. Before she got the chance to find out though, that incidence happened. Back then, so many things happened and for the longest time, she was a mess. But she met Rukchan, she crossed paths with Maika and, she ….saw that person's performance. Even though it was her dream to be an idol since childhood, a part of her wasn't taking it seriously. However, once she saw Teras.h.i.+ma Lila's performance everything changed.

She walked over to her desk and opened a drawer, recalling something that occurred a few months ago.

)

'Then, Yumeko-chan! When we meet again and can stand on stage together, let's wear this.'

'Eh this..'

'A symbol of friends.h.i.+p!'

'Friends…'

'En were friends!'

(

Yumeko removed the bracelet from the box and closed her eyes.

No sooner had she found herself in that deep slump, no sooner had she started encountering people. She met her idol, Teras.h.i.+ma Lila. The girl was completely different than what she expected. Indeed rather than the cool personality she sees on TV, the girl was more cheerful and bright. But that didn't bother her. No, it wouldn't. It was because of that. Despite her nervousness, she was able to engage in conversations with the girl. Someone, bright, cheerful and innocent. The type of person, she's always wanted to be. The person she is pretending to be. Perhaps that's the reason why she found herself drawn.

Perhaps she saw it.

___________________________________________________

After he checked the last of her belongings, Haruka proceeded to leave the room. He already sent her down to the car earlier. As he was leaving though, he recalled something. Even when he was fooling around with her, that person remained quiet and didn't show up again. Even when Lila was leaving, she's still around right... He should at least tell her that he's taking her away for a bit. Yes, that's the only reason.

Haruka walked around the room for a while and eventually opened one of the doors, where he found the girl fast asleep on the short table in front of the TV. Various things scattered in her surroundings… What an idiot.

… Haruka paused and exhaled deeply. He removed his jacket and wrapped it around her before he turned and left.

.

.

His house. 6:00 PM

After fooling around for a bit, he finally let the girl go and started doing some work. However, no sooner had he started. He found her gaze on him.

"...What are you looking at?"

"Haruka."

"I can see that but---"

"Haruka. Hug." Lila asked.

"..."

He leaves the laptop and walked over to the couch. Honestly, he wanted to leave her in the bedroom but, he had a feeling that she would try to get up. When he pulled her into his arms, he hears light laughter, "You feeling okay?"

"A bit better."

"There's ...work tomorrow. Sorry, I can't cancel it."

"Mm, it's okay. You'll be there for me."

Why, is she so sure?

.

.

"The h.e.l.l Mikami, why did you interrupt!"

"Oh? Were you two about to do it? Sorry, sorry."

d.a.m.n...so close.

"Takahiro and I were in the area and wanted to check on her," Mikami exclaimed.

"Hmmm, Takahiro-kun you seem different lately... "

"Woaaahh---"

He's had a bad feeling about this guy from the beginning, but now he's confirmed it. Haruka pulled the girl to his side on the couch. "Make it quick."

"Ari-chan, about the help you've been giving Yumeko-chan, do you mind doing the same for Rukchan?"

"Oh!"

"She may not look it, but she struggles quite a bit when it comes to writing songs. Well, she is an athlete."

"Does Takahiro-kun want me to help too?"

The redhead slowly nodded, "Your um sick. So I didn't want to bother you but…"

"No, I understand."

How annoying. It's one thing to interfere, but now they are bringing up stupid matters in front of him. Haruka spoke up, and said, "If she really is serious about music, don't you think by now, she would have at least won a few awards? I'm not saying that awards make an idol, but for someone trying to build up a reputation. Entering a compet.i.tion or two is natural. And yet, that girl has yet to do anything. She's restraining herself."

It's different to Lila restraining herself too.

The girl's reason is pathetic, it can't even be called an excuse.

.