124 Silver Star (5)

Bar, 11:00 PM

Haruka didn't know how many bottles he drank, the surrounding bottles kept piling up and the workers didn't bother clearing it up. Perhaps they realized he was in a terrible mood. It's not like he didn't know, what would happen if the two met again. She made it clear to him, despite his help with the song, she still turned it into a love song for Austin Kiryu. That should have spelled a rejection, and yet he still couldn't give her up. He recalled her tears earlier when he tried to touch her after she returned to the room, and sighed once more. He's probably traumatized her after their first time, and yet, 'I want to answer you properly Haruka.'

She already said those words to him, he ought to take it as a sign to

"Haruka-sama, why are you in such a bad mood? I'll cheer you up."

Haruka exhaled deeply, who is this woman? Oh right, some minor artist who wants to get in his good books. He doesn't want to deal with this right now. Perhaps sensing this, the woman switched tactics, "Then, I'll do it for you..." she said seductively in his ear.

... He wanted nothing more than to shove this woman away. He doesn't need a woman like this anymore. Not when he's so close in getting the woman, he really wants. He's so close in getting it, something normal. His thoughts broke off upon spotting someone familiar surrounded by guys. Huh? It's that woman. Seeing her expression, he sighed and yanked the woman off him and walked over.

Haruka pulled the girl towards him.

"H—Haruka?" Selia stammered.

"Geez, what the hell are you doing here?!"

He doesn't wait for her to respond and turned to the guys, upon seeing him however they immediately scattered away. Once they left, he let go of the girl.

"Um… I was.."

He noticed something familiar about the girl's clothes. The universal S academy assistant uniform...

"Assistant?" he murmured.

"Yes.."

...

He brought her back to his table, and for a while, the two sat and drank silently. Before she slowly explained her situation to him. So she ended up at Universal S Academy. What sort of strange coincidence is this, what's more?

"Austin Kiryu's assistant?" he repeated.

"Yes." Selia nodded slowly. "He told me, he wanted to take a walk alone. So I came here."

Alone? He's with that girl, surely. Still, the rumored assistant ended up being Selia. From the girl's explanation, Haruka understood. She likes him, it appears to be serious too.

Seeing the girls expression, Haruka sighed. Guess there are more important matters to address right now.

"Let's take a walk. We ought to talk right?"

Selia nodded, "That's true."

___________________________________________

When Lila finished drinking his blood, her face is beat red. "I'm sorry."

"It's been a while, I know."

That felt nice, she's never bitten him like that before. Did she..learn that from Karashima? He shook his head at the thought, stop, there's no use getting jealous.

"Are you, eating properly Lila? You look frailer than last time…"

"Kiryu...You don't... have a girlfriend?"

He shook his head, "No."

"We broke up?" Lila asked.

"It is more like, this relationship still stands whenever we meet. Unless you want to end it."

That's right, these were the conditions he set before she left. But she probably doesn't understand it.

Lila is silent for a while before she spoke up.

"Kiryu, if I found somebody else.." she trailed off, before quietly adding, "Would you get mad at me?"

"Did you fall for him?"

"That's not it, I'm slightly confused. I wanted to meet with you and sort things out…"

"All right, let's talk." Kiryu sat down on the bench and Lila cautiously gets closer to him. He pulled her towards him.

"Tell me Kiryu. I love you right?"

Kiryu nodded, "Yeah, you do." He could tell that his Lila still loves him. If there really wasn't anything, she wouldn't have allowed him to kiss or get close to her.

"My Kiryu, I think I'm weird. I know I love you. But I can't push Haruka away and I have dreams about him..."

"..." Kiryu paused, before he brought his lips down to her neck, "Let me see." He's only doing this because he knows she's struggling to explain. It must be difficult for her. She's never gone through this situation before.

___________________________________________

Lila wasn't sure what to think when Kiryu suddenly stood up and left without saying a word. She wanted to call out to him, but couldn't find her voice. She doesn't deserve it, to chase after him. If he drank, he must have understood. It's over, this is the end. This... Her thoughts broke off when she felt someone catch her.

"Haruka?" she murmured. Her vision had gone blurry slightly, but she could make out it was him. He appeared surprised to find her there.

"What are you doing? Where is he?" Haruka asked.

"..."

Her silence must have been enough of an explanation. "Come back with me?" he asked.

"Yes.."

___________________________________________

Following morning, seeing how she wasn't able to move Haruka carried the girl. It was way past lunch, and he wanted to take her to a nice place and eat with her. It surprised him, even thinking in this manner.

His action flustered Lila, who tried to conceal her red stained cheeks with her hands, as she stammered, "H-Haruka, put me down.."

"Didn't you say you couldn't move?"

"B-but that's because.."

Because of what? His lips curve to a smile as he placed the girl down on the counter in the hallway.

"D—dont do that...here…"

"Afraid he will see?"

"Haruka…"

He wore an indifferent expression as he confirmed his words. Tsk, so it bothered her? Irritated Haruka tore the top half of the girls clothing, "I don't care. Let him see."

Forget holding back if he doesn't make it clear to her. Then... He paused seeing the girls tears. Didn't the two of them fight last night? Why is she still worried about Austin Kiryu seeing? Why is he stopping, he should just..