Just Be Yourself (6)

Light Academy Main Building Conference Room

"Instead of worrying, why don't you just go see her," Mikami said, breaking the silence between them.

When he saw the address on the paper, Kouta looked away and said nothing. He wasn't expecting this to happen at all. If it weren't for Takahiro who was returning from an errand, then the damage could have been a lot worst. He felt frustrated, very frustrated. He suddenly had a job around right after Karashima left. He should have suspected it, especially after what happened earlier. But it didn't cross his mind...

But didn't it? He told Yumeko to be careful. He didn't think it would be like this though. At most he expected another attack from the fangirls. Something even his stupid sister is capable of dealing with. But instead. Someone with powers. Someone with powers attacked from the roof. Judging from that distance, it was someone powerful at least.

He let his guard down. Nothing's happened recently. Why would it? She's always by Karashima's side. People aren't stupid to attack her with Karashima there. But, he wondered why did they use this moment to attack her.

There's been plenty of incidences where Karashima has left her side, and yet nobody attacked her like this. What is he missing? There has to be a hint somewhere. His thoughts broke off when he heard the sound of his phone. This ringtone, sure enough when he picked it up, the words read 'Austin Kiryu.'

Great, just great…

"Hello? Kiryu-san?"

His first words weren't his usual greeting but instead,

"What happened to Lila?"

Of course, he knew already. The two share a deep connection, hanyou or not... Kouta took a deep breath before he relayed the information.

"It's that bad?" Kiryu asked.

Kouta replied with a single word, "Yes."

"You didn't see who?"

"I'm sorry; they planned it during the time I was away."

And coincidentally Karashima too was away from her. It's easy to distract Takahiro also and Mikami, Mikami had been nearby but, 'One of the girls from another class was getting picked on…' Isn't that too much of a coincidence?

Austin Kiryu must have understood from his silence since he spoke up, "I'll do something about it. Where is she now?"

Kouta does not say a word.

"With Karashima?" Kiryu guessed.

"Yes."

"...I see."

'I see?' That's it? He expected something else — a scolding of some sort.

"Well, the timing is perfect. Someone is coming over, make sure you greet them too," Kiryu trailed off, "Though knowing him he will go straight to Lila."

Kouta's eyes went wide. He already had a feeling he knew who it was.

"It's not that I don't trust you. But it's high time he came back to her side." Kiryu explained.

"You don't mean…"

"He should be there already."

So that's how it will be, of course. He failed at his job. "Kanehera, keep looking out for her."

Huh?

"That guy's useful yeah. But she's part of her memories back here. Right now, you're the one she needs to rely on for her memories over there. For her new journey, your the only one who can help her."

"Kiryu-San.," Kouta said.

"I'm counting on you."

With those four words, the phone line went dead.

"Kouta?" Mikami said.

He exhaled deeply, "Call Takahiro back here. We should discuss this."

Mikami nodded, "That's true."

Even with Senbi Takeshi here, there's still something he can do. He finds that a bit strange. But he should believe in the words of that person.

___________________________________________________

What's with this random job? Soichiro clearly knew about her injuries. A deep sigh escaped her lips, let's hope nothing happens on this so-called simple errand. She may have to resort to drastic measures. What's more...

Lila leaned against the railing slightly. This job will be difficult.

Her body is completely exhausted and drained of strength. She really hoped this doesn't end up violent.

If she can't fight physically, then she would have to use her powers. As of late, no since escaping Soichiro's training and starting school. She's avoided using her powers as much as possible. She doesn't want it to use her powers and see the darkness become evil — her precious darkness.

Lila felt her legs give out, and she crouched into a ball shape on the sidewalk and sighed. This won't work. She ought to call Soichiro, Lila took out her phone and found only one contact there.

Haruka deleted everybody else's number, but that's pointless. She knew them all off by heart. But if this is something that can reassure him, she should keep it that way. Honestly, she had mixed feelings about what happened earlier between them.

Lately, it felt like she was getting closer to him. For a while, things were awkward after she ditched him on her birthday. But then they slowly fixed things. Why did this have to happen?

Haruka… He loves her, but, she shudders as she recalled the events from earlier. That was scary. Why did he do that? Even though he's usually so kind to her... Before Lila could dwell on it, she felt something approach.

It happened all too quickly, yes; it was the same as what happened with Yumeko. Except this time around she sensed more malice. She was ready and yet as she raised her hands to block, a wincing pain spread. A pain that was too much for her to bare. But it ended far too quickly, as someone sliced the energy source in half. There stood a person with black hair, wearing a familiar navy blue cloak.

Ah, "Takeshi?" Lila murmured. This person is Senbi Takeshi, from the male idol group Seven Stars and one of her guards.

"Are you unharmed?" He asked.

"Yes..."

Lila froze in shock, but when she saw his gentle smile, her eyes light up. Uwah...uwaah really?

"I'm sorry for not finding you much sooner. Rather, someone made sure to keep me away from the media, so it was a real pain…" he trailed off, meeting her gaze. She hadn't said a word other than his name when their eyes locked. He understood.

"I've already fulfilled my other obligations. No, the promise I made you. So you don't have to worry."

She lets out a relieved sigh. Maybe it's because she heard that and the fact that she's overwhelmed that he is here. Her knees gave up, and she collapsed on the ground.

"Princess?"

"I'm all right, just tired."

Takeshi crouched down, his gaze darkened, and she realizes the gloves she wore had come off.

"...Your hands?"

She tried to hide them, but he's already seen them.

She didn't need him to explain.

He deeply exhaled.

"You're still careless…" he muttered. Takeshi removed his rucksack and rummaged inside. Noticing the bag for the first time, Lila is curious. He rarely wears a bag.

After staring for a long time, Lila noticed something.

The bag Takeshi was taking things from, "Say is that the bag I made for you.."

When she saw him shift uncomfortably, laughter escaped her lips.

"Don't laugh. Not like I had anything else. I figured someone had to use this before it rotted away."

"Ah, how mean!"

"Found it."

Seeing him pull out a jar, she flinched recalling what happened last time, but Takeshi grabbed hold of her hand and poured the contents. She winces in pain slightly but felt the sudden smoothness over her injuries. "It works?"

"Well, it will help soften the wounds. After you've rested for a bit, let's go see Eita-san."

It felt strange, strange to have him here.

In this place, in this place where everything is different.

"Princess. You don't have to worry anymore. I will be by your side. Nobody will hurt you again."

She lets him embrace her, something the two did a lot when they were younger but stopped.

___________________________________________________

It's not like her to cry in front of him. Even though it was something, she would do in the past. She must have endured a lot. His gaze flickered on to the girls bandaged up hands. It must have been painful. It only happened earlier this morning; he should have arrived sooner.

"How is it?"

"It's fixable."

"Look Princess what did I tell--" Takeshi trailed off when he saw a dark, grim expression on her face. He turned back to Eita-san.

"But, I don't think you'll make it in time."

Takeshi clenched his fist as he understood what the older man meant. She won't make it in time for the tournament, huh?

"The guitar, "Eita muttered, "If it's playing the guitar. It will be less painful because of the strings. You must change your song."

This surprised him too. Last time, Lila said she would sing her cinderella song during the first round of the audition. A lot of things must have changed with her. He noticed it earlier too. She looked like she was on the verge of tears and yet there was strength in her gaze. A different sort of strength. A lonely one...