42 Like Orihime and Hikoboshi (3)

After Kiryu looked at her with a serious expression and said such words. It surprised her when he pulled away after kissing her. Lila blinked, confusion appeared on her face.

Kiryu noticed and smirked, "Were you expecting something?"

Lila looked at him, alarmed. "N—no!" And he responded with laughter.

He's so silly, tricking her like that. Her Kiryu, he just. Lila placed her hand on her lips. Even, though Haruka has been kissing her a lot, and it felt different. Lila felt nothing like this before. She is supposed to ask Kiryu, about their present relationship. But it appeared as though nothing had changed at all. They're still together, his feelings for her are still there. So, they are dating still, right? Her thoughts broke of feeling his gaze flicker on her head, oh.

"Kiryu, I'm okay," Lila assured him.

Kiryu, however, didn't look convinced and unwrapped the bandages and checked. She could feel his concern deepened as his fingers brush against the wound. He's so worried about her,

She leans her hand against his palm. It's different with Kiryu. "Lila..."

"It's okay; I'm all right. Don't worry."

Kiryu shook his head. "Sorry, I should have gone there immediately instead of going to that stupid party. I knew I'd be late if I went to the party, so I planned to skip it altogether, but then I heard mother was coming and..."

Lila didn't need him to finish his sentence. This person is a very kind person. Kiryu attended the party for his mothers sake. Knowing others wouldn't criticize his mother too much with him around. Pain and regret filled his tone, which she didn't like. He doesn't have to blame himself, for putting his mother's safety over hers for once. This entire time Kiryu has always put her above everyone else.

Lila wrapped her arms around his neck and murmured. "My Kiryu, don't blame yourself. It was for you. I don't want people hurting you."

"You knew they were after me?"

"That's why I said yes.." Lila murmured.

"Lila.."Kiryu was about to protest, but she placed her fingers on his lips, which stopped him and gazed into his eyes.

The two of them are foolish; they've always sacrificed a lot for each other. But they are no children; they are both growing up. They can't keep up that attitude anymore and yet, for the two. The most important person will always be each other. That's why, even if it's wrong. Just for a while longer. Allow her, to only think of Kiryu.

"It's okay Kiryu if it's you... It's a small price to pay."

"Copying my words I see." he smiled.

"Ah-huh.."

Her Kiryu, he's very precious to her. "My Kiryu, I know we can't meet often, but I want you to look after yourself and look this healthy always."

"You caught me."

So, it isn't just her. 'Stupid couple.' Indeed.

"My Lila, I know I'm disturbing your new life. But, would it be okay for me to call you every day?"

Ah, "Every second?" Lila asked.

"Mmm."

Lila nodded. "I'd like that Kiryu."

But, she probably won't be able to reply since she's often with Haruka. It would be a problem if he found out she's been communicating with Kiryu. It would be a problem if the act broke too. He knows. But since he's been pretending, she kept up the act also.

Haruka, she wondered…

She wondered if he was still waiting for her.

He wouldn't wait, would he?

Besides, he had something to do beforehand; he's probably late. That something probably distracted him. But.

He's more fragile than she thought.

Is he okay?

As she was thinking this, she finds Kiryu's gaze on her, and Lila looks down shame-filled her features. Lila questioned her actions. Thinking of another guy now, when she is with Kiryu. What's more that guy is Haruka, she doesn't want to make Kiryu uneasy anymore. Her thoughts broke off when Lila felt his lips on her forehead, gentling kissing her forehead. She's so loved and treasured. It's okay, the two of them are still fine. She understood where her heart lays.

__________________________________________________________

In a dimly lit bar, at the central underground of town.

A woman moans filled the corner of the bar, "Ah.. uh... sama... Haruka-sama."

How boring. This isn't fun. But, this woman is an essential figure in the boss plans. Though the role she plays isn't as significant as Lila, they still need this one. Not just her too, his gaze darted on the woman at the bar who was drinking a cocktail. Mid-length purple hair, and cold grey eyes. "Naughty, don't look at another woman now."

"Yeah…"

Haruka averted his gaze. "Mm."

"I've heard. You have been with many women. But I'm not like the rest. "

Haruka didn't bother looking at her, his mind in a daze. Not like the rest, huh? He's heard those words before.

........…..

When he stood up for a while. Haruka finally gets close to observe the woman. Haruka noticed immediately. "Ookoya-"

The girl placed her hands on his mouth and closed the proximity between them. From a glance, it would look like she was coming on to him, but he could see the concealed dagger in the girl's hand.

.......

When they were far from everyone else, in the hallway. Haruka immediately asked her.

"Does she know?"

Haruka didn't make it clear, but Ookoyama Ritsuko already knew.

"She does."

Haruka is speechless at this response of hers. He thought she already knew last year. But after the outing they had, he thought so otherwise. If, if she knows he's the enemy. Then how come?

How come, she's still staying by his side? As these questions ran through his mind, he noticed Ookoyama's piercing and cold glare. It's natural though. He is the enemy.

She doesn't speak for the next few minutes. Haruka felt the temperature in his surroundings drop. Some idiot must have switched the heating off. Finally, Ritsuko exhaled deeply. "I don't understand why Lila-sama is letting you go, but I'll be considerate leave this bar now."

"Why?"

"And that woman you're with, leave her to rot alongside everyone here."

With those words said. Haruka understood it immediately. So that's why. Haruka exhaled deeply, "Look; I have my job here." The boss told him to accompany that woman all night lo—

Huh, wait. So this is the reason why. Good grief. Haruka doesn't want to clash with these people. For now. "All right." Haruka agreed.

Ookoyama Ritsuko's eyes widened in surprise.

"Just like that?" Ritsuko asked.

Haruka nodded, "Yeah." He wanted to end this conversation and leave quickly. It felt like the woman from earlier would cause trouble if he doesn't go now.

"No catch?" she questioned.

"None."

"... I see. Are you and her--"

The sound of a massive bang cut Ookoyama's sentence short. Haruka blinked, is that a bomb? It sounds like it. Is she planning on blowing the place up? The girl immediately takes out her phone. Haruka heard a few bits of the conversation, upon realizing this. Ookoyama quickly walked a few steps forward.

When she returned, the girl was already ending the call.

"Yes, yes. I understand. I'll go over."

She turned to him and said only two words.

"Please leave."

Haruka nodded. He was on his way out, anyway. Haruka turned to leave only for Ookayama to toss something, by reflex he catches it. A small parcel with a ribbon. Oh.

"I can't meet with her for a while. But that's from Miu and me. Give it to her."

"All right."

Without looking back, he hurries down the dark corridor and doesn't stop to look back.

........…..

No sooner had he entered the bar, he noticed how chaotic it had become. Smoke from the upper level was causing everyone to panic. Well, he's not staying. Just as he was about to leave, Haruka finds that a woman had flung herself at him, clutching him. A deep sigh passed his lips as he lightly yanked her away from him. She seemed surprised, and with a trembling voice said.

"You're supposed to protect me."

"Change of plans."Haruka was in a hurry; he doesn't want to end up having to use his powers.

"You can't do that!!" The woman was almost hysterical.

He only said three words too. Haruka exhaled deeply.

"You may be important. But the boss doesn't mind losing a small fry."

In fact, they only need to use her as a camouflage. In reality, she's just someone used to kill time. Haruka didn't think her attitude would change so fast; he thought she would at least wait a few more minutes to persuade him more. But instead, the woman didn't do that. In a flash second a blade is swung at him, and he only barely dodged it.