Become a Princess just for you (Hibiki x Laala)

Chapter 8: Casablanca and Lavender

I was being kabedon by Kaitou Genius, no, Hibiki-sama.

- "Tell me."

- "I can't show them my weak heart... I can't easily confide my worries, my fears, my anxieties... So I just keep on wearing my masks, keep staying in my idol persona unless I am alone."

- "You have no one to share your burden?"

- "No one will care about that. I know it. They have their own problems to worry about." - I smiled, "As long as I keep my masks in tact, they will never know."

- "Manaka Laala. You want to show everyone your true self?"

- "I do. But I just know it is impossible." - I just smile sadly.

- "You really wish to be top idol?"

- "Of course I do. But I can't just leave my friends alone... That's why I never sang my own solo song."

- "Then just strike for it. Show everyone your talents. Show everyone who you really are."

- "It's not simple..."

- "Sing your own song. I want to hear it now." - He let go, and kneed down in front of me, giving me his hand.

I just nodded obediently, held his hand and sang a part of the song I had written as Aria.

"Count the lights of the stars quietly/ Hiding my sadness/ Have you noticed?/ Just thinking of you/ Makes my chest hurt/ I can't sleep/ On a night like this/ Oh, just let me have a wish"

I wondered what he thought of my song...

- "It's good." - He complimented me, "From now, I will be the one who help you carry this burden. I will become your shoulder to cry on, your ear to listen to even your smallest sorrows. I will help you." - He pat my head and removed the two ribbons tying my twintails, letting it loose.

- "Eh??? Why?"

"I've been wanting you to look at me only... But why do I become scared now?"

- "I need you, my lavender."

My eyes widened. I felt myself getting light-headed.

- "La-Lavender?"

- "Yes. Lavender suits you more." - He kissed my hand.

- "Thanks... Hibiki-sama..." - My eyes softened.

- "You know?" - His voice seemed surprised.

- "Yeah... I remember your voice..."

- "So you gonna tell your friends my true identity?"

I shook my head, "No."

- "Tell them to arrest me?"

- "No."

- "Why?"

- "It's my deepest secret, I can't tell you." - I sighed lightly as I said, "Hibiki-sama, my birthday is coming up... Can you come to my birthday?"

- "Huh?"

- "I know that our birthday aren't near each other... But I want to celebrate it with you."

- "In PriPara?"

- "Yes. I overheard them talking about preparing my birthday in PriPara."

- "Well, I'm not sure I can come. But take this." - He gave my a bouquet of blue irises, "Iris. It symbolizes faith and hope. I will watch through PriPara TV if I can't come."

- "Thanks, Hibiki-sama."

I stood up as he was about to leave. 

Suddenly... The door opened with a loud sound.

Ajimi-sensei's mascot split a lot of sunflower seeds from his mouth to Hibiki-sama and everyone ran in. 

I was still in a daze holding the bouquet so I didn't hear them calling me. The moment Hibiki-sama flew away, I didn't chase after him anymore.

.

.

.

Later, PriPara Police, PriPara Nurse along with Mirei and Shion met each other near the river bank. They seemed to be curious with the bouquet in my hand.

- "Mmh... He gave me this."

- "Huh??? Why???"

- "It's a secret."

- "Laala!"

Sophie seemed to notice something on my hair. "Laala, what is this?", She pointed at my hair. Mirei gave me a mirror so I could look at it.

- "Lavender... flower?"

"Hibiki-sama... Thank you..."

- "He put it on your hair?"

- "Maybe. I didn't realize it until now. I think he is not a bad person at all." - I smiled, ignoring all the complaints about the DreTickets from my friends.

~ End Chapter 8 ~