Eternal Melody

TOH

Akane shakes her head. "Kanade is only being impulsive because she realized that the company isn't going to hand over my endorsements and movies to her just because she is back. She may have stolen a few of my jobs, but she can't take the major projects."

'Nagawa Kanade, just thinking of that woman makes my blood boil. She is lucky I was too focused on getting Akane to the hospital otherwise I would have hit her. I don't hit women ever, but seeing that sight? I almost lost all my morals.'

"Why don't you ask Mashima-san for help? Aren't you two-"

"I would be overstepping, he already did a lot for me, giving me that movie and if it weren't for him? I'd probably still be in critical condition."

Since Nagawa Akane is a relative, Sano couldn't operate on her. Toh didn't trust any of the other doctors not to mess up, so he personally operated on the girl.

Toh stood there watching her for a few minutes before feeling Akane's gaze on his. She sighs deeply. "It's cold, close the door."

Toh smirked. "Do you wish for me to warm you up Akane dear?"

"Like I can handle your stamina when my body is like this."

Toh turned to Jia and bowed. "I'll be looking after her, as for her work. I'll personally make calls and rearrange things. Do not worry, I won't allow her sister to take anything else."

Jia sighed in relief and nodded. "I'll leave this to you Mashima-san." Jia turned to Akane and clasped her hands. "You have to take care of your health okay? I'll drop by as much as I can but I'll be maintaining your social media accounts to make sure everything is normal."

Akane nodded. "It's okay, I understand."

After Jia left, Toh walked over to her bed and sat on the edge. "You have a good manager, you don't find many of those in the entertainment industry." 

"She has been with me from the very beginning, she's an old friend. Originally, I wanted to debut with her. But, she was turned away because everyone found her looks to be too plain. It was heartbreaking watching her give up on her dream. However after studying abroad, she returned and explained what she had been doing. She studied business management, and returned to be my manager. 'My dream may have changed, but I still want to be by your side.'" Akane said fondly.

Toh blinks seeing her expression. It's certainly rare to see her this way. 

"From then on, we have done everything together." Akane paused. "You overheard that she wanted to come with me, and that she warned me."

Toh nodded. "It's not like you not to pay attention to a warning."

"I wanted to confront them. I just didn't think they'd resort to violence."

At those words he frowned. "Have they never resorted to violence before?"

"A few times, but brother Sano would always take the blame. Once they realized he was going to keep shielding me. They focused on hitting him instead."

Toh sighs as he extended his hand out and caressed her cheek. "I don't really want to hear about your brother being a good person."

Akane laughs weakly. "I guess that's like you." She trails off and suddenly turns quiet.

"Are you alright? Should I get your brother?"

Akane shakes her head. "The child, I lost it didn't I?"

Toh paused. "You knew?"

'I suppose that explains why she was holding her stomach.'

Akane bit her bottom lip. He knew she only did that when she was nervous. So, he grabbed hold of her hands and gave it a gentle squeeze as she continued. 

"For a while, I noticed symptoms. At first, I didn't think much of it. But, Jia had gone through this before and she bought a test for me. It was mid-day, when I had the chance to check. I had other work to finish, and I knew I'd be seeing you later for dinner."

"But, you messaged me to see you in the studio."

"I wanted to ease you into the conversation, before our meal." Akane shakes her head. "It doesn't matter now, the child is gone isn't it?"

Hearing her pained tone, Toh's gaze darkened. He should have just handed Akane to Evans and rushed back to kill those bitches. 

Akane isn't the type to cry, so seeing the tears forming in her eyes now broke him. Toh pulled her into his arms and she sobbed. 

"I'm sorry, I-I know it's silly to cry. It's not like I had long with the child, at least not properly. However after I learned the truth, I was protective over my stomach during the shooting. I thought to myself even if you didn't accept the child, I'd go abroad and raise it-"

Toh cupped her face and wiped her tears. "Why wouldn't I have accepted the child?"

"Because, you're in love with Sumire-chan." Akane trails off. "Despite what you said, I've seen how you treat her kids. You treat them like they are your own."

"That doesn't mean I would have just abandoned you. I would have taken responsibility, Akane, I want you to know this."

Akane teared up again and he laughed. "Maybe I should reassess you about being a cry baby."

"Oh be quiet, I'm really emotional after the miscarriage."

Toh paused. "You're lucky Akane, had we been a few minutes later. There would be a high chance of you not only being in critical condition, but-"

"Not being able to give birth again?" Akane finished.

She really is a smart one. Toh nodded.

"I protected my stomach as much as I could. I, never thought I wanted a child so much."

"Most people don't." Toh paused. "Sumire was the same way."

"She was?"

Toh nodded. "Perhaps it's because she didn't get along very well with her family. But, the concept of family was very foreign to her. She often told me that she was frightened to have a child. 'I'm so messed up, I can't even take care of myself, so how can I look after a child?'" He trails off. "So, when I heard she gave birth to Mamoru's child. I almost rushed back."