61 First Love Syndrome (10)

Completely different.

When she's with Karashima-san when she's with him and the others, Takahiro was silently observing from the corner, watching over the stand while the others went on their breaks. That caught him off guard; he didn't think that he would find her smoking.

'I don't do it often since it's bad for my voice. But, recently, I cannot sing easily.' She cannot sing. Kouta did explain the situation. But, he found it hard to believe. After all, the girl he met last year always sang — no matter where she was.

He didn't tell Kouta about it, though he briefly mentioned it to Mikami, what happened two days ago. It's not that he intentionally wants to hide it. It's simply because he wasn't sure how to explain it. After all, that was the first time he had ever seen her so weak and fragile before. He wasn't sure; it was okay for the others to know. But he thinks about how stupid that thought is. Those two probably know already.

..........

He's searching for Ruka, when he runs into Karashima, in a rather compromising position with a woman. But before he could say anything, Takahiro spotted Lila-chan approaching.

"Haruka. Haruka! Look, look. I got so many cool stuff!" Lila exclaimed happily.

Haruka's gaze landed on him, a dangerous look on his face. He didn't say anything, but Takahiro understood. He had to zip it and not say any more. The woman had already walked off in another direction; blending into the crowd, like another bystander. Lila-chan didn't see her.

Upon seeing him, Lila panicked, "Ah, Takahiro-kun. Wah, are you going to scold us?"

"Uh no...I was looking for Ruka."

"Ah, I see!"

Lila said.

...........

"What did you buy? That's a lot of stuff."

Haruka asked. His tone seemed calm, and he wore a gentle gaze contrary to what Takahiro just saw earlier.

"Ah you know there were loads of good things over there and um..."

"Let me carry it." Haruka offered, his tone gentle. Takahiro was stunned by the sudden change, considering how dangerous Karashima looked just now.

Lila replied happily, "Aha, okay!"

...As the awkward 3rd wheel, he should probably leave. However, to his surprise, Lila-chan went up to him and suddenly asked. "Takahiro-kun, um, um, do you want to go around with us?"

Huh?

Even Karashima-san seemed stunned.

"Oi…"

Lila-chan with a shy expression said, "It's okay? My attention is on you Haruka..."

Takahiro started at Lila speeches, and Karashima too seemed stunned. Woahhh. Lila-chan is seriously cute.

Noticing Karashima look over at him. Takahiro shrunk back, don't look at Lila-chan when Karashima is around.

"Give me your hand."

Haruka instructed.

"Okay..."

Lila said.

Is he seriously going to tag along with them and be the awkward 3rd wheel? As he was considering how to get out of it. The girl's gaze meets his and Takahiro nodded in response. Soon, he found himself trailing along behind them. That took him by surprise just now — such a stern and mature looking gaze.

.......

When he got the chance, he apologised for what happened the other day. He did this out of earshot from Karashima though.

Lila paused before she clarified, "You mean for almost taking advantage of me?"

"Gah."

Lila laughed, "Takahiro-kun, you're not used to girls."

"It wasn't till high school I went to a mixed school."

"Oh, and you only have men around the house too."

Lila nodded.

Most people would ask about his mother, but she isn't doing that. This girl is extraordinary. He thought so when he first met her, but he's sure now. Sometimes she gets that look on her face, a look that cuts of the rest of the world. Even though she usually looks so meek. His thoughts broke off of finding her gaze on him, thump. Thump.

"Takahiro-kun, do you, like me?" Lila asked.

Lila's words surprised him, and he froze.

"It sorta feels like that? Am I wrong?"

Takahiro replied, hurriedly, "I..I...uh...don't know..."

He doesn't. But at that moment, he wanted nothing more than to protect her. He's never had such feelings before.

"Then, does Takahiro-kun want to find out?"

"Huh?"

Lila laughed at his comment, "Well, I suppose I can't make that decision for you."

The moment he thinks her smile is cute, he loses. But she is different. His thoughts broke off when he finds her staring at his hands. Recalling the injury, he sustained after almost getting caught; he quickly hides it. But the girl grabs hold of his hand, "From the other day?"

"Uh yeah, I was a bit taken back…"

Lila shook her here and apologised, "Your precious hands got hurt because of me. I'm sorry."

"It's okay; I shouldn't have…" Takahiro trailed off, meeting the girls gaze; he knew he had lost. "Could you help me find some bandages?"

Lila laughed softly and nodded, "Yes, let's go find some.."

.....

By the time they do find Ruka, the sun has already gone down, and the skies were dyed orange. Supposedly the girl got roped into helping with the stands on this side. Takahiro exhaled deeply, how on earth does she manage this every time? He hopes Mikami and Kouta managed the stall just fine. His gaze briefly meets the girls.

That look again...

Maybe he does like her. He doesn't get it himself. "Takahiro-kun! Look at the sunset it is so pretty."

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

. . . . . Oh. Oh. Oh. So this is why.