Just Be Yourself (1) (Edit)

May 17th, 2035

(Light Academy Main Building Classroom 2S)

"Good morning!!---" Yumeko paused in mid-sentence, seeing the gloomy air around her group of friends, "What's wrong?"

"You should just enter alone Yumeko."

"Right, right."

Yumeko looked at them in confusion when she realized they were talking about the competition.

"Even though we don't like her, she's outstanding."

It's then Yumeko turned her attention to the piano in the back of the classroom. For once it was occupied. Long blue hair was playing the piano and singing. Ari-chan is a good singer. Although her friend hasn't performed many stages since coming here. Yumeko understood how dedicated to the music she is. She's outstanding. This tone is just like that person, although there are some differences. Perhaps that's the reason why, why she's still so persistence.

The doors to the classroom opened revealing brown hair. Ari-chan noticed and immediately got up and rushed past her, "Haruka!"

"Morning," Haruka greeted.

Ari extended her hand out and fixed Haruka-kun's hair.

"Thanks. Busy?" Haruka asked.

"Ah, no, I just finished," Lila replied. Just finished? But wasn't she halfway playing a song?

"There's a piano in my room; let's continue there."

"You'll listen to me play?"

"For a bit."

"Alright," Ari replied cheerfully. The girl paused and looked over Yumeko nodded in understanding. With one last confirmation, she watched as the pair left. Once they went, her friends started to gossip again.

"And there she goes.."

"I know you want to be her friend Yumeko. But she's never around."

"Right."

"She's a Karashima groupie; she's completely fallen for him."

"Even though you don't like him, she's sticking to him like glue."

Yumeko frowned at those words. A groupie? That's wrong.

If Ari-chan were a simple groupie or fangirl, Haruka-kun wouldn't stick with her for so long. Haruka-kun's feelings are obvious. But she wonders how Ari-chan feels about him.

"But it's strange. Don't you think Karashima-senpai is different from her?"

"That's true."

"Maybe it's because of her talent?"

"Ah, I can see it."

___________________________________________________

Dorms - Haruka's Room -

His thoughts broke off when he catches a glimpse of the blue hair girl, peeking through the doorway. A blanket wrapped around her, whenever Lila does this, she ends up looking adorable. Haruka placed the weights down and walked over, "I have to leave soon."

"Ah-huh."

Today, he would be going to the company. The boss came back. He has to give his report. But, he won't reveal her identity. He can't do it. Not when she's not in the best state to confront the company's people. He heard laughter and looked back at her, "What?"

"Haruka were hugging," Lila chirped. Haruka looked at her with questioning eyes and Lila added,

"I'm happy."

She's so weird and innocent. Haruka wanted to destroy those fantasies of hers. Haruka slips his hands down her waist, "You're beautiful.."

"S-stop.."

"Are you scared?"

Lila shook her head, "I want to cuddle Haruka. I don't want you to…" The girl didn't have to finish her sentence. Haruka understood. This girl is lonely; she's different than all the other lonely girls who come to him though. She doesn't ask for anything sexual to keep her mind occupied; simply being close is enough to put her at ease.

Haruka scooped her up in his arms and carried her, "Bed. We can watch some TV."

"Okay."

Although he had a room in the dorm like everyone else, due to his status, it was on a wholly separated area than everyone else's. He's not worried about being disturbed here too much. But, he does know that some crazy people try to spy from the windows. With that in mind, he made sure to close the curtains and returned to the girl on the bed.

There weren't any particularly good dramas on TV, so he just switched it to a music channel. Sure enough, the moment he did the words Dream stars, was highlighted on the screen. The girl in his arms stopped playing with his hands, and her attention was on the TV.

"Wah! They are cool!!"

Haruka looked at what she was pointing at and exhaled deeply. Of course, she's pointing out Misaki. But his gaze landed on the next frame where there were two girls. One with long curly hair, red headband and one with mid length short hair. Those two huh? They really are entering, he heard about it from Jaehee and recalled the girl's words.

'They want to prove themselves to you.'

What a pain, he doesn't want to deal with anyone but Lila right now. "Are you ready for the audition?" Haruka asked.

Lila nodded, "Ah-huh!"

"Try singing."

"Um, is that okay?"

"I won't give you any advice. I want to hear your voice."

Light laughter. "Okay."

The next few minutes Lila started to sing. Hearing a different song from the girl, he exhaled deeply. Well, it's fine this way. After all, when he first listened to her original audition song.

------

Light Academy Main Building, Music room 009

"Haruka Mmmgh.."

"Are you...singing for me?" It's just a lucky guess. But, Haruka can't think of any other reason why Lilas singing would change. The girl's cheeks reddened, and he blinked in confusion. He's right? Is it really for him?

He's flattered. But, "Change your song."

"Oh."

"It's not that, I'm happy.." he trailed off. "However people will notice. They'll think you're trying to bribe me."

"Ah…Oh, right um I'm sorry…"

-----

But this new song, it's clearly about her feelings for Austin Kiryu.

Lila noticed his frown and asked, "Ahhh? Um is it bad?"

"No."

It's perfect, and yet, it's for that person. His conflict must have been showing on his face; since the girl suddenly wore a dejected look on her face. Haruka exhaled deeply and scooped her up in his arms again and stood up.

"Let's take a bath together and relax a bit."

….

....

Haruka managed to get her to the bathroom, but his eyes twitch in annoyance when he saw the curtain separating them. Does she carry a portable curtain everywhere she goes? He exhales deeply, "Remove it."

"No," Lila said firmly.

Why is she acting so shy for? He's already seen everything. Honestly, Haruka doesn't understand her at all. Haruka thought if he spent more time with her. He would slowly learn more about her, but it's not like that. Instead, the more he spends time with Lila, the more questions he ended up with. Haruka wondered if it's the same for Lila too.

"I like you."

At that comment, he heard the sound of splattering water, and he knows she dropped something.

Haruka slowly removes the curtain. Since the girl was too distracted by the words he just said, she didn't notice, and he picks her up. "Wahh."

He placed her against the wall and slowly placed kisses down her neck, to her breasts. "Ahh, Ngh..."

Haruka raised his head and murmured, "You, are too stupid."

"Why--why are you insulting..."

"You are. Don't you know what happens when you enter a guys room? And spend so much time with them?" This girl is asking for him to touch her. She knows what sort of person he is after all, and yet she comes to him every single time. Even if she is lonely, it should have its limits. The girl, however, wasn't paying attention to his words, as she tries to cover her face with his hands.

He found this cute. Why is Lila trying to hide her expression? Usually, doesn't one to try to hide their body? He slowly removed her hands. "Why are you hiding? You're cute."

Self-control.

Self-control.

He can't touch her now. He understood that better than anyone, and yet lately it felt like his self-control is breaking. Haruka knows he can't. But having her so close to him like this is beyond torture.