13 Years Ago, May 27th, 2022
It took Lila quite some time to convince Kiryu to go into the water with her. But even then, he remained utterly unmoved. This isn't working as well as she thought also, now they are alone together. She fully understands that she wants his blood.
Kiryu noticed her staring and questioned, ".. What?"
"Say Kiryu-kun? Could I have your blood?" she asked.
If she asked politely like this, it wouldn't be rude right?
Kiryu paused for a moment, "Do... you need it?"
"I don't, but I've been starving and restless since I entered the mansion, cause I smelt something nice. I've been searching for the nice scent for a long time. Were you hiding somewhere?"
"I was putting my painting in a far corner and got surrounded..."
"Painting? Ah, show me when we go back inside, and I can compare it with mine!!," she said excitedly.
Kiryu-kun painted too? She can't wait to see it.
".... I see..."
"That reaction is too slow! Although I know I have a long way to go in contrast to my parents, I'll do my best, so I can one day surpass them."
"You already have a dream for the future?" he muttered surprised.
Lila nodded as she happily said, "Dream? Ah, my dream is, to become the number one idol."
He seemed to be in deep thought for a while. Lila questioned herself, did she say something strange?
"What about you Kiryu-kun? Do you have an interest in music?" Lila asked.
"Only an interest, unlike you I don't plan to make a career out of it," Kiryu replied coldly.
"Really? Because I feel you're the same type as me?"
She doesn't understand precisely why, but when she heard the sound of his piano. She felt something familiar.
"... The same type you have too much energy... And in the first place if you choose a career that's the same as your parents. Most people will think, rather I think so too - that you'll only pass through connections and be successful because of their influence."
"Wow. Your so kind Kiryu-kun!" she exclaimed.
"Huh?" He seemed puzzled.
Lila laughed softly, "That means you're saying my parents are amazing!"
What a kind person!
"Do you want some? Blood I mean."
"I can have some?!!"
With his confirmation, Lila took a few steps closer. Oh, she's feeling nervous. Kiryu, however, pulled her towards him, thump. Thump.
..........
It was embarrassing after a while. But Lila showed him around the area. The whole time though he didn't say much, and she felt her heartbeat gradually growing stronger. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and turned around. "Um, what's wrong--" Lila paused, seeing his expression. Ah.
"Lila."
"Um, yes?"
"Do you want to be my partner? We can do the ceremony ourselves since we both have the charms."
It was a straightforward way of asking, and she should have hesitated. But right at that moment where their gaze met, she felt it: a secure connection, a thread waiting to join together.
"Oo--okay..." she stuttered.
He seemed surprised at her response, so she quickly added.
"I think we're really compatible. I've never met anyone ...um like yourself. "
Kiryu pulls her towards him. Despite her embarrassment, she wrapped her arms around him. Mommy and Ren-san are right after all.
'Your hanyou instincts will kick in, and you'll naturally know what to do. '
"Lila..."Kiryu said softly.
..........
"Sorry, is your body okay?"
They're both only four years old even if hanyou children are matured more by four-three years than their natural age. That would still make their bodies seven years old. To perform a ceremony in such intimacy like that at a young age. Lila's cheeks burned red. Lila was thankful it was so dark, he can't see her expression. No their hanyou's, it makes no difference. He hasn't noticed yet. It is so good, why is that? She needs more to find out. She found herself wrapping her arms around his neck, and biting him.
Such lonely and bitter emotions that resemble her own, and yet it's so sweet.
"Lila?"
"It really is yummy. I wonder why? Do I need to drink more to find out?" she wondered out loud. She realized her mistake a second later only to find that Kiryu-kun had burst into laughter.
He's laughing, ah is he making fun of her?
Before she could scold him, however, she was briefly pulled into a warm embrace. His lips brushed against her hair as he murmured, "Thank you." Before pulling back.
........
Wahhhh? That was, that was very comfortable. Lila peeked at his expression; there seemed to be something different now. In contrast to earlier.
"Kiryu-kun? Um, I like it when you hug me. So do it again!"
Kiryu laughed, he's smiling again! He pulled her into his arms once again.
"Call me Kiryu, Lila. From now on, we can spend many more days like this," he said softly.
"O--o---h um, I feel embarrassed... Ki--Kiryu." she stammered.
She's embarrassed.
"K--kiryu.."
Despite this, Lila summed up her courage.
"Yeah---" she cuts him off by leaning forward and planting a kiss on his cheek. She pulled away from his embrace and quickly turned her back to him, "L-- let's go back. We have to tell our parents."
Her thoughts broke off when she felt the warmth of his hand on hers. Her gaze softened. Is it possible huh? Even for somebody like her, to grab hold of someone's hand.
--------------------
Present Day.
As the last notes from the song fell, her singing came to an end. Kiryu, she does want to see him again. Once again, she wants to confirm it. Her feelings and his. This love of 13 years, is it something that can quickly come to an end? The emotions that have always felt so strong, are they actually weak?
Her heart is filled with pain. She doesn't want to let go of his hand.
___________________________________________________
Audition Room.
She wants to keep singing with the same feelings from that time. Ever since then, Ruka has noticed something has changed about her singing. A positive change for her. From now onwards, even more like that.
[ Shuttle Wise Game ]
"Helter-skelter: ready, go!
Come on!
Play ball!
Now it's summer, summertime, she
who moves first strikes a hit tune
Here comes the helper, ready to rumble
I'm gonna be number one, and you can bet I'll walk the walk."
Arin is right, it's not impossible.
__________________________________________________
Ruka-chan was so awesome!
Yumeko high fives her friend back.
"That felt great!"
"Good work. Yosh, I'm all fired up!"
Ruka smiled softly.
"What is it?" Yumeko said.
"Nothing, you seemed a bit down lately. I'm glad you feel better now."
Down? Oh. Yumeko shook her head, "No, sorry for worrying you. I'll do my best."
"Break a leg, Yumeko!" Ruka said.
"Yes!"
...…..
Alright, she can do this!
Yumeko stepped into the room, only to bump into someone. "Ah…"
It was Haruka.
As she recalled what occurred not too long ago between them; she flinched slightly. But he simply sighed, "We're having some problems with your song, can you wait?"
"Ah. Yes."
Haruka nodded and went past her towards the exit, as he shouted some instructions on the phone. A problem with her song?
___________________________________________________
What on earth is this mess? Did that stupid girl offend anyone? Geez, what a pain. Why does she cause him trouble even now? Haruka exhaled deeply as he made his way for the stairs, and followed the direction of the sound booth area.
His gaze darkened at the scene, and the ones in charge of the sound system froze upon seeing him.
"What, do you guys think you're doing?" he questioned.
"Uh...these girls said...they'd let us have sex with them for the next 5 minutes so.."
That time frame is Yumeko's audition slot.
Due to the amount of people auditions, they have no time to spare for extensions of any kind. So this was their plan? Think again.
"Move."
The workers at the sound system seemed startled but quickly hurried away. One girl however simply remained, "How about it Haruka-sama? You don't like that girl correct…" she trailed off, and her lips brushed against his ear, her fingers trailed along his shirt, "Why don't we have some fun instead?"
His gaze darkened, as he harshly yanked the girl off him and turned to the sound system. He didn't hesitate and quickly fixed the audio system.
___________________________________________________
Yumeko heard the sound of the familiar backing track, the rushing staff members stopped and the one in charge of the mic; quickly fixed hers up and handed it to her.
She has to sing.
She recalled the expression Haruka had when they bumped into each other. The usual cold gaze; and yet, fixing the sound this quickly. It can only be his work. How painful, this sort of feeling and yet she's somewhat glad. He's not doing this because he cares about her, it's probably for Ari-chan. She is pleased that he found someone who truly cares about him.
"The magic that girls had been longing for
Is an unimaginable world full of miracles
Where you can sing when it's showtime
After changing, I'm entirely ready
I feel like Cinderella."