Eternal Melody

YUHI

Right now he is a blank canvas, but no matter how much paint is used. The picture will end up in dull colours. With the way things are now, he can't sing the songs Sumire loves.

'I miss her.

I want to see her.

I want to hear her laughter

I want to touch her, to stand by her side.

I want to hold her and never let her go again.'

Yuhi closed his eyes. Sumire often said things like he shouldn't be too kind to her because it would mean her giving her entire self to him. But, he can say the same thing right back at her. It's because he gave her too many pieces of himself. The moment they were apart, he began to fall apart.

His thoughts break off hearing a knock in the door, hearing Ran's voice. Yuhi lets him inside.

"I thought you all had jobs."

"Yeah, I'm about to leave. I just saw Takeyama."

Yuhi laughed. "So, you decided to see me off?"

Ran sighs. "I had something to give you before you went."

Yuhi blinked. "You even got me a present? Since when did you realize that I wanted to-" He paused seeing Ran hold up a sketchbook. But it wasn't just a normal sketchbook. He recognized it. It was the one he gave Sumire when she first came to Tokyo. 

He has seen her use many other sketchbooks for their school projects. But, occasionally he would find her drawing in this one. Whenever he tried to peek to see what she was drawing, she would hide it quickly and say 'The surprise isn't ready yet, you're going to have to be patient my dear.'

"She gave it to me in the airport. When I realized how important it was, I realized she finally forgave me."

Yuhi laughed. "She can really hold a grudge."

Ran sighs. "That girl has given me a hard time ever since I met her." He walked over and placed the sketchbook in his hand with an envelope attached. 

Yuhi noticed the seal was slightly opened and raised his eyebrow.

"I was curious and overlooked the contents but, I shouldn't have looked." Ran sighed. "I really do give up, you two can act like a disgustingly sweet couple all you want."

"You think we are good together?"

"I didn't say that, but yeah." Ran nodded. "You two make a good couple. I think that's why Kou, Tetsuo and Jun gave up too."

Yuhi blinked. This is his first time hearing this.

"They gave up?"

"Since before we even formed the group. You didn't realize? Why else do you think the others agreed to be in a group with you."

Ran makes a point there. They didn't have to join him, they could have easily competed against him. After all they were the only group that was on his level. 

"I see."

"When you return, you have to talk to the others even if they already know."

Yuhi nodded and after a few more words, Ran quickly left. He turns his attention to the letter first.

Dear Terashima Yuhi,

Here I am with yet another letter. I considered sending this as a text message but, this feels more like us. Who am I your wondering? Of course, I'm your cute, adorable wife to be. 

Thank you very much for today, I had a lot of fun. 

Thank you for showing me your special place.

I don't think you realize how much it means to me knowing that you trust me.

When I was still missing Ru, I pushed you away as much as possible. I didn't want to get close.

I was afraid if we became too close, I'd rely on you too much. I'd give you even more of me than I already have.

I said that to you in hopes that you'd give up. But, it was a lie.

Amongst my many other lies, this one isn't necessary. 

I didn't have to tell you this lie.

There was no meaning to it.

No meaning other than me being a coward.

You see Yuhi-san, even before we started dating.

Perhaps from the moment we met in the facility.

I had already given you everything.

I have lost count of how many days we have spent together.

But, there is one thing that hasn't changed since our many first encounters.

How my heart still flutters whenever I see you.

(It flutters too much since we are with each other most of the time, but surely you have noticed that?)

Ever since I met you, everyday has been wonderful.

Before I was just an empty shell, living each day like a robot. 

The same cycle that never ends. 

But after meeting you, I have found things to love in this world. These things? I associate every single one of them with you.

I'm so thankful that I met you.

When you get this letter, I have no doubt you are off pursuing your dreams like you should have been from the start.

When we meet again, I want to tell you properly, without holding back anymore, without being afraid.

I love you

Terashima Yuhi.

I am looking forward to repeating those words for the rest of our lives together.

Sumire

PS: I made a scrap book of our lovey-dovey memories. It's really embarrassing, so I really hope you don't see it until after you receive this letter. 

Yuhi blinked. Geez, she really is something else. Yuhi sits down on the bed and flicks through the book. There was a mixture of photos, and drawings. His eyes widened seeing her sketches, all of them were him. In different areas in Iroroad high school, on the roof, the classroom. The one in the classroom caught his attention, after all wasn't she the one who said he shouldn't spend so much time looking. 

Really, she finds a way to render him speechless every single time.

'I'm really bad at drawing portraits Yuhi-san! So, I won't show you any of them.'

She calls this bad? Seeing little post it notes on the sketches, he laughed.

It's really hard to capture how handsome you are on paper my dear. But, I did my best so don't laugh okay?

-I think you're wearing way too many clothes in these sketches. I wonder if that offer you extended to me before we started dating is still eligible.

Yuhi paused and thought back to the offer he made to Sumire before they even started dating. He was only joking around with her, to see her reaction.