Eternal Melody

YUHI

Despite managing to get some decent rest, Yuhi found himself troubled as he recalled Sumire's behaviour before she fell asleep. Seeing the girl was still asleep, Yuhi kissed her lips before getting dressed and entering the dining space. Yuhi decides to just ask Mashima during breakfast. Surprisingly he gives him answers.

"The media sent a video of you two leaving a karaoke place together. There was nothing intimate in the video, and you weren't even standing close to each other. But, Sumire looked absolutely horrified and distraught." Toh explained.

Yuhi frowned. Actually he suspected the reason for her behaviour, she did this often when they first became partners in the Holy knights. Women flung themselves at him all the time, some requesting that he pairs with them. During their briefs before and after the mission, Sumire would cling to him weakly and ask whether she was good enough or not. Her demeanour last night resembled back then, but he wanted to confirm it first.

What Mashima is telling him now confirms that the media did see him with Satsuki. Had they followed him inside, they would have realized initially he was supporting her from stumbling on her heels since she was very drunk. 

"That was the first day I met her, and I only saw her one or three times afterwards. It was nothing."

'Friends.' A relationship between a man and woman doesn't have to be complicated. He found common ground with Satsuki because she resembled Aika, one of his few female friends. 

Toh nodded. "I tried telling her that too. But after that day, she looked so frightened whenever it was brought up. So, I stopped saying anything and grabbed the mail and took charge of her phone for a while."

That explains why she stopped messaging him. He figured she was just busy. 'How naive of me.' Sumire has more insecurities than he thought. He should have told her about Satsuki. If she heard it from him, perhaps it would have decreased her insecurities.

"Terashima, it may be odd coming from me. But, I should give you some advice."

"Let's hear it then."

Although he still doesn't know much about Mashima. From what he does know, Mashima is a straightforward person. He is exactly like Sumire in that department. Yuhi shuddered when he realized it wasn't just this that made him similar to Sumire.

'They say when a couple are close, they end up having similar habits and speech patterns.'

Yuhi exhales deeply recalling something he heard from Asami and Aika before. He always thought he was similar to Sumire, so hearing that made him happy. But now that he has met Mashima, he understands that it's not just him.

This entire time he has been far too laid back, because despite all those guys liking Sumire. Yuhi was confident that Sumire's feelings for him would remain strong. But, Mashima Toh is different. When Sumire first spoke about him, Yuhi sensed something different. He could already hear the warning bells in his head then.

"Worries and insecurities are normal within a relationship no matter how solid or stable the relationship is. You and Sumire have a very stable relationship, too stable even. I know you barely have fights. "

"Are you saying we should argue?"

"I'm saying, at the very least once in a while you should voice out if you're uncomfortable or feel hurt. You two may act like a perfect couple, but sometimes your actions will hurt each other. Whether it is unintentional or not."

Yuhi recalled his discomfort the other day seeing her cuddling with Mashima.

"I understand why she didn't tell you. We can't even ask our partner about the insecurity we feel in fear of hurting them. Sumire didn't ask you, because she was worried that you'd end up hurt."

"..."

"Terashima, even if you and that girl had no relations. What Sumire felt was normal for a girl that has been cheated on and betrayed. Even if she asked you and you told her it was nothing. That fear won't go away. 'Someone I love is telling me something different from what I have seen.'"

In other words, the trauma from Nagawa's betrayal. He has been so caught up with the other guys who like her. He almost forgot about the pain and fear Nagawa caused her. It was easy to forget because the girl always found a way to smile even during the harshest moments.

Before Yuhi could say anything, Sumire slumped onto his back. "Mmm. Found you."

"Morning sleeping beauty." Toh called out. "Do you want eggs or bacon for breakfast?"

"Bacon, and a lot of it please."

Toh chuckled. "Got it." Mashima returns to cooking. 

Yuhi turned Sumire around and she buried her face in his chest. "Why are you so sleepy? Didn't you sleep?"

"Mm, I did. But, after I spent a few hours staring at you."

"How long did you stare at me?"

"Almost all night." Sumire admitted. "I couldn't help it. You're like a work of art Yuhi. Very handsome."

Here he is worrying about her being attracted to another guy. But, she always dismisses his worries so easily.

"I don't mind you doing that, but you can't sacrifice your sleep. Take a nap after this?"

Sumire nodded. "As long as you join me."

"Of course."

He can't give Mashima a chance- Yuhi sighed. 'I really need to control my jealousy.'

Yuhi briefly paused to kiss her eyelids but Sumire leaned forward to kiss him.

"Morning Yuhi." Sumire said softly.

"Y-yeah." 

Sumire laughed and sat down. She needs to stop messing with him. Mashima was looking away, right? This is really awkward after all. Mamoru would have been the better choice. Actually it's odd, Mashima seemed adamant about not coming along but he is suddenly here.

It didn't take long before Mashima finished cooking, Yuhi felt awkward about eating Mashima's food and offered to help but Sumire insisted that he ought to leave it to him. Yuhi takes a bite out of the omelette, indeed Mashima is good. If Sumire has been eating food like this during his time away then he is relieved.

'I want her to experience nice things, even if it seems simple, having good food can brighten anyone's day.'