Awkward Meeting (for Raiye-san)

Masato felt like wilting beneath Asteria's cold gaze. He showed none of his unease, though. Not when Haruka put herself in between him and Asteria, his ward glaring at the witch girl.

Manager and idol were still taken aback at Asteria's expression regarding Sindel. Even Haruka couldn't rise to Sindel's defense. Neither of them tried to stop Asteria from leaving. But once the witch was gone, Haruka found herself capable of rushing to Sindel's succor.

"Sindel-san?"

" ...I did what I thought was right.. "

"I'm sure you did," Haruka reassured her. She even held Sindel's hands in hers while gazing at her warmly. "We all try our best. And even if Asteria-san does not forgive you, I forgive you. And Asteria-san will understand one day. I'm sure she will."

Masato was considering Asteria's words. " The jewels will become useless within three days, do what you must afterwards. " He looked to Zera. "What do you think of it, Zera-san?"

Harsh words from a person that spoke the truth. Sindel could not deny that Asteria words were true. Every time she rehearsed the scene in her mind, those hard words Asteria kept giving her at every start, Sindel just couldn't seem to find the right words to speak back. This was off course, broken like a vulnurable twig when Haruka was close to her and took her hands, it was like she just got snapped back into reality in a way that could be deemed comfortable. Her eyes travelled down to their hands, how smooth Haruka's skin felt upon her own, still listening to the girl's words, which had the same impact as the witch's but these were not harsh... These were the words she needed to hear, it brought a smile upon her lips, one that was pure, a meaning that Haruka had given Sindel.

" You... Truly are kind Haruka.. I'm truly grateful to have you and Masato's support.. I'll work hard to.. Be your friend! "

While Sindel was showed her true self to Haruka, that pure angel she truly was, Zera had fixed her attention upon Masato. In all honesty, she had never thought about Asteria as some sort of magical person though she did see that special kind of glow in the girl's eyes. Her mind was set upon two things.. Asteria's words and Masato's question. The answer to the question was infact what Asteria said but could she believe it..? Could they believe it? Zera had no choice but to show Cerbera's jewel to the rest, not even Sindel knew the location of it since she never wanted to bother Zera with it.

Zera brought her hand up into the side of her hair, messing with something untill there was a small click sound heard. She had a special kind of device in her hair, hidden from everyone. She pulled out a small blue colored jewel, it had the shape of a orb, it was small, barely the size of a marble but it's ' reality ' lied within. She held the jewel up infront of Masato's eyes, for him to see. If the manager would look deeper within the jewel, he could feel various emotions rise with him... Compassion.. Friendship... Love.. Every single emotion that could fill the heart and mind with joy, it all came at once into one tingling feeling to whoever looked through it.

Though it was hard to describe a jewel like this, Zera never paid any mind to it. It was the opposite of what people would do. She looked to the side, not looking through the jewel because it was simply not where she belonged, she had to keep her own emotions in control, for her and Sindel's sake.

Haruka couldn't help but hug Sindel. She thought her new friend needed it. She knew that she herself needed it.

"I know, Sindel-san..."

The jewel mesmerized Masato. Its depths beckoned him with images and sensations. His compassion for Sindel... his friendship with Zera... his love for Haruka. That last brought his hands up to slowly reach for the jewel.

"Haruka..." he whispered, drawing Haruka's attention at last.

"Eh? Masato-kun? Huh?" Haruka began to look at whatever it was Masato seemed to be obsessing over...

Sindel was startled at first, she wasn't one to getting hugged that easily, heck this could probably be her first but within no time she wraped her own arms around Haruka and leaned into her, whispering out with quite a sweet tone. " ..Thank you, Haruka.. " By now Sindel had already accustomed to Haruka's presence, but this was still new to her.. Not that it was a bad thing. She did however take her attention elsewhere to the jewel Zera was holding, which wasn't really allowed since there could be Era of Hell members here but.. She turned Haruka's head to the jewel aswell, another sweet whisper coming out of her. " I'm sure looking at this will strengthen as to why you want to help Cerbera. "

Zera hadn't notice Masato going for it, she never did know who was gazing into it whenever she'd show it for Sindel or someone else, she hated the thing with pure passion but still had to keep it around for her sister.

Haruka found Sindel's arms to be very gentle and warm, but they barely distracted her. Masato was acting odd. She curiously followed his gaze, was guided by Sindel.

" I'm sure looking at this will strengthen as to why you want to help Cerbera. "

The images were different for Haruka. She had more friends, with Yatori-senpai and Momoko-senpai and Haruko-chan smiling at her, Sindel and Zera joining them. And the person she loved-

She went cold.

Cerbera was entangled with Masato. Both were nude and looked like they had just had sex with each other. They glanced at her with hungry eyes that invited her to join them.

Unconscious of what she was feeling or doing, Haruka began inching towards the jewel as well.

Masato's fingers already hovered over that glistening damnation. A few inches more and he would be able to take it from the seemingly distracted Zera. He reached out- and closed Zera's hand, breaking eye contact with the jewel.

The young manager shuddered with the tremendous effort. The golden warmth was gone. He was sad for it, but also glad.

"So that is why it is dangerous," he murmured. "It reveals to you all your feelings without mentally preparing you for them. You can go mad- no, you WILL go mad." Masato swallowed. "Please keep it now, Zera-san."

Haruka had similarly stopped in her tracks. She felt so... jealous.

"Cerbera-san... and Masato-kun... were together," she mumbled.

Zera quickly pulled the jewel back once Masato had told her to do so, hiding the jewel into her hair once more, making sure it was concealed enough.

She looked back from Masato and Haruka, nodding at each of them. " Luckily, this one is not so bad as the one my sister possessed, that one searches out your hatred, your despair.. Everything negative and mixes them together.. And you know the results. "

Sindel gently patted Haruka on the head, she did hear a mumble but couldn't make out to what it is. " Everything will be okay soon. "

"So that is why your gem can... cancel out Cerbera's," Masato replied to Zera. "They balance out."

Haruka wanted to tell Sindel what worried her, but the pat on her head quickly calmed her down. "I... I guess so..."

Cerbera-san and Masato-kun? That's impossible. Right?

"So what do we do now?" Masato asked. "If Asteria-san is right... perhaps we should just wait out Cerbera." That seemed to be the safest course to take.

" That would be best, yes. " Zera did think about it, it seemed a little dangerous to just hear that from Asteria but it was the safest route to go.

Zera looked over at Sindel and Haruka. " You two okay with that? Cerbera might return to normal without our help. We can catch her once she does. "

Sindel nodded, all she wanted was to get this all done with and lead a normal life with everyone else, looking over at Haruka with a smile. " Then we can all go have fun! "

Haruka's agreeing nod came more slowly and less lively than it should. She was still thinking of the image shown to her by the jewel, the image of Cerbera and Masato as lovers.

Why? Why did I see them like that? Does Cerbera-san like Masato-kun? Does Masato-kun like her?

She didn't notice Sindel's smile, and Masato's words took longer to reach her. Her manager looked trouble. "Is there something wrong, Haruka?"

"Eh? Ah, no, nothing's wrong..."

"You looked worried..."

"I'm not! Really! I'm okay!"

She blushed, knowing she sounded like she was faking it.

" At any rate.. We should get going. " Sindel nodded over at Zera. " We have some preparations to do.. "

Sindel bowed at Haruka and Masato, then turned to leave as if nothing happened today, she had some other things to think about.. Secretly..

Zera looked at Sindel leaving, then turned back to Haruka and Masato. " We'll try to stay in contact in three days.. See you two around. " Zera then turned to leave aswell.