First Love Syndrome (6)

He finally managed to get her to go to sleep. A deep sigh escaped Takahiro lips, as he made his way downstairs. This is more complicated than he thought so originally. His thoughts broke off when his eldest brother Kai extended a bag towards him.

"What's this..?" Takahiro asked puzzled as he accepted the bag.

"Your friend's belongings. A sick looking handsome guy gave it." Kai replied.

Oh...

"No peeking."

"I--I don't plan to." Takahiro stemmed. He has more tact than to look at girls belongings.

But, she really brought stuff with her. Or did she already have her belongings there? So, the two of them...Should he have said those words so casually? No, no it should be fine. After all, they. Seem.to have feelings for one another. If that's the case, he should support her. That's the best thing to do right now.

"Say your friend.." Kai started.

Takahiro replied, "Huh?" Since he was still debating in his head.

"Terashima Lila?"

Takahiro almost dropped the belongings on the ground. "Uh..bro that's.." he didn't know what to say.

"Well, her guardians contacted here when you weren't around, and I answered," Kai explained.

"Oh."

He suppose this was meant to happen. It's a good thing it was Kai. If it was any of the others, somebody would have leaked her secret already.

"That girls circumstances, are far more complex than you could ever imagine. As your brother, I want to advise you to stay out of it."

"That bad?"

Kai nodded.

Takahiro sank to the ground and placed his hand on his head. "I know it's complicated. But I want to help Lila-chan" He mumbled.

Kai looked him up and down before commenting, "It's not like you to do something like this."

"I know.. but aahhhh." Takahiro lightly screamed in frustration. He really doesn't understand it. But he wanted to help her.

"Well, I think I get it somewhat. She's the reason you gave up on your scholarship."

Takahiro sighed. "Bro, you're too sharp."

Kai laughed and patted his back, "Well, I am your brother. Don't mind it too much. This is the first time you've fallen for a girl; it's natural you want to protect her."

"..."

Takahiro is rendered speechless at his brother's words. For the next few minutes, he cannot say a word.

"Hey, Takahiro..?" Kai said.

Uh, what? What? What did brother say? Like?

"You do realize that you've fallen for her right?"

Takahiro finally regained his senses and asked, "Bro, what are you saying?"

"Ah, little brother of mine you're too clueless. Those strong feelings of protection you have towards her is because you like her." Kai commented with an amused grin.

Before he could respond, he heard a stumbling sound. Takahiro followed the source of the noise, only to find the girl going downstairs, he rushed over, "Lila-chan, I don't think you should get up."

"Haruka...Was Haruka here?" Lila said weakly. The girl's face was pale, and she looked like she was on the verge of fainting.

Is the connection that strong?

"Lila-chan, he just dropped off your stuff ..he left right away," Kai commented. Takahiro shot his brother a look, hey now. She panics when people know it's really her. However, Lila remained focused on the entrance.

"Haruka...Haruka's angry...I need to go back."

In her condition? Is she crazy?

Kai walks over and places something on Lila-chan's hand. A small sheet of paper.

[I'll get you in 3 days in the morning]

Oh.

"Haruka ...I need to get better. Um, I'm sorry..but Takahiro-kun. Could I have some food?" Lila asked, her tone softened.

"Uh yeah..."

............

An hour later. -Dinning room-

"Wahhh, this is yummy!"

"It's good. Takahiro made it." Kai said with a grin.

Takahiro panicked and exclaimed, "Bro, don't tell her anymore!."

But it was already too late. The girl was staring at him with wide eyes, "Wahh, Takahiro-kun is a genius!"

"Uh, I wouldn't go that far."

Lila laughed softly, as she replied, "Aha, you're too modest."

He really does not know what's going on. But if Lila-chan smiles anymore, his heart will...

______________________________________

Lila bends down and picked up the piece of papers he dropped. Oh…

There was a post-it note that read 'ask Lila-chan' with question marks.

Maybe, he didn't want to bother her.

Especially, after witnessing that. But she already has the original song, are these his edits?

______________________________________

May 10th, 2035

"You forgot---" Takahiro paused in mid-sentence upon stumbling on such a scene. He quickly hides behind a lamp post but catches a glimpse of the girls red stained cheeks as Karashima cornered her against the wall.

"...Haruka.."

"Don't be angry anymore." Haruka murmured.

"Haruka too, don't be angry.."

Haruka nodded slowly, before pulling back from the girl, "...Let's go back."

Lila must have realized that she just rushed off since Takahiro watched as she was about to turn back to his place. But Karashima stopped her, "Haruka um I have to get--" Lila said.

"I'll fetch it for you later. Come with me now."

Lila hugged Karashima, "Ah-huh, okay."

. . .................

What a complicated looking relationship.

Takahiro re-entered the shop with the girl's bag. His father calls out to him, and Takahiro says he just missed her. He returned to his room and put the bag down. He'll give it back to her later. His gaze landed on the signs that she stayed overnight and exhaled deeply. Damn, he didn't mean to have so much fun when she was here. He didn't think he would enjoy talking to a girl so much. Talking about something that's not sports. That was a first for him.

_____________________________________

Car

Haruka instructed, "Wake me when we get there."

Lila nodded and watched as Haruka drifted off to sleep.

He must still be sick. He doesn't have to accompany her to work. Lila extended her hand out and made sure he was leaning his head on her shoulder. He looks so peaceful when he's sleeping.

............

Studio X. 1:40 PM

Haruka was sitting down on the couch in her dressing room, waiting for her. "Finished?" Haruka said as she entered the room.

Lila nodded, "Ah-huh.."

She immediately noticed how tired he looked. Oh.

"There's still time, so um...r--rest on my lap!" Lila offered, pointing to her lap.

Haruka is speechless at the girl's so-called offer, ". ….."

What is she saying now?

It feels weird, a ticklish feeling. But, Lila extended her hand out and played with his hair. "Haruka."

"Go to sleep, after me," he instructed.

"Eh?" Lila said surprised.

"Aren't you still in bad shape?!" Haruka stated calmly.

Haruka noticed. Even though their fighting. Lila bends down slightly, only to find his lips descended upon hers again.

"Nnmmgh."

Haruka briefly pulled away to tell her, "Let's make out." Haruka suddenly suggested.

"R-right."

Right? Uhhh-did she agree? Lila doesn't get a chance to think it through since his lips are on hers again.

"Mmmm." Her eyes are swimming with her mouth covered when he touched her. It's hard to breathe.

What was it that Takahiro-kun told her to do?

'Don't be assertive per se.

Bit, you should go along with what your heart wants. I know Austin Kiryu is still important to you. However, you feel more for Karashima-san than you think. Isn't it okay to see where those feelings will go?'

Don't be too assertive.

Go along with the flow? Is that fine? It felt like Kouta-kun told her the opposite. Oh, his fingers. There loosening her clothes again. Haruka-kun's desire for her. She's already felt it in more than one occasion. She understood it, as naive as she is. This person desires her; he wants everything about her. But she wondered if that desire mixes in with his feelings. Haruka-kun's feelings, she thought she knew the extent of it. But the other day proved so otherwise.

Like the other day, will she let it go that far again? She doesn't know. Right now, she wants to remain focused on this — the feeling of his lips.

______________________________________

The doors opened and revealed the late individual. Takahiro sighed a breath of relief; the director looked ready to scold her. But upon seeing Karashima-san stopped, Karashima walks over, grabbing the girls hand along the way. Everyone was staring at the sight with wide eyes. But nobody was thinking of gossiping. They just looked. "She was with me." Only four words. They are not even apologizing.

Hey, hey, hey, even if it's you Karashima-san. To his surprise, the director simply nodded, and clapped his hands, "Makeup artists, hurry over. We need to shoot quickly. Ari-chan, are your preparations okay?"

Lila stuttered a reply, "Ah--ye--yes."

The girl too seemed startled with how easy everything was. Presently he was getting his makeup done. Even now he still finds it strange, that even male artists need this sort of thing done. At first, he was very fussy about it, but he's gotten used to it now.

Maybe because he was paying close attention, he noticed it. While the director was barking out instructions, Karashima-san briefly bent down to kiss the girl, "Later…your free?"

Beat red, Lila shyly nodded and stammered, "Y--y--yes.."

"Good." It was a faint smile, but Takahiro could see it.

"Haruka.."

"Work hard," Haruka said.

Lila looked down, cheeks red. "Yes..um, thank you."

. . .

He wonders if the advice he gave her the other day was right. Sure, he told her to go along with her feelings. But, watching Karashima-san's attitude; perhaps he shouldn't have said anything. It felt like; the feeling Karashima-san has is stronger. Lila-chan's feelings are divided.

.......

Waiting Room

"If you're stuck on your dance, you could ask her."

Takahiro blinked in confusion, "Huh?"

"She's terrific. Even Ruka-chan noticed despite her concealing it. She helps Yumeko-chan and Ruka-chan when she can."Mikami said.

The reason why the clumsy mistakes from those have disappeared is her? He supposed that shouldn't be surprising. After all, he had seen it when she performed during the semifinals, marionette of the heart. Despite her injury, she managed to dance. And, when he briefly got to know her. She casually pointed things out with his dance. Since it happened in a casual conversation, he didn't think much of it.

"A genius," Takahiro replied. There's no other explanation, someone who is able to pick up dances that quickly and teach others in a short amount of time.

Mikami shook his head, "No, no. She's not like her mother and father. I watched her previous stages before; she was rather average. The only thing that really stood out before was her voice. Even then, there were issues."

"But, her debut stage was really good right? What do you think happened?"

"Hmmm, maybe a switch inside flicked?"

"A switch?" Takahiro repeated.

Mikami nodded, "The same as you; nobody realized you were a good dancer until you stood on stage."

"So your saying.."

"It depends on who is watching, what sort of feelings she wants to convey. If it's strong, we will see something special."

A powerful emotion huh?