Eternal Melody

So Sumire asked Shouko that question. Even though that time he was in Holy Knights, she never mentioned it. However, she did talk about being jealous. Still, he watched the girl talk away. He supposed talking with her was the best option after all.

"Chou-sensei tends to go for the guys who are the good looking and smiling type like the class President. That's why he was bitter towards Riku at first.." She chuckles.

"It was amusing watching those guys completing his challenges three seconds and perfectly too. Then Toujo-san suddenly showed up and issued them a challenge. I was honestly scared when I saw that serious glint in Asou's eyes. He always takes matches seriously, after all. Though right afterward, the other members of the cast started asking him for advice. It was nice since, at the start, others treated as outcasts."

Such a gentle look in her eyes, so this is what the others were talking about. "You seem like you're having a lot of fun."

When did she bond with their classmates like that?

Sumire laughs softly. "Aha, is that what it seems like? But yes, it is fun. Yuhi-san, what about you? "

"Hmm me?"

"You're not going to talk to me about your adventures? I would like to hear it. Although since it's you, you were probably causing people trouble."

"Hey, hey, why do you still have that impression of me?"

"Secret."

Yuhi felt his cheeks heat up once she said those words. Man, even now, she still does this. Clearly, it didn't go unnoticed since she chuckled, but he noted that a light pink also appeared on her cheeks. Whether or not it was due to the darkness of the night, but his vision distorted. Or maybe this is what people call being blind in love. Either way, at least he can't mistake the smile on the girl's face.

Even though he is older, it feels like they've returned back to the days in middle school. It's almost as though they're still children. But he is no fool. As each day goes by, Ibuki Sumire grows even more beautiful. Besides, she already has one child.

The child, huh? Yuhi honestly did not have a proper opinion on the kid just yet. Both Sumire and he did not experience normal family life, so he understands that she is confused too. There are days where it feels like she wants to hold onto the kid and not let go. But there are also days where he finds the child crying, and Sumire crouched down on the ground frightened.

Her condition has gotten better, and she does seem happier lately.

"The nights are still cold, aren't they?" Sumire asked.

Yuhi merely nodded and did not respond.

His thoughts broke once they arrived at a familiar park; the cherry blossoms are still in full bloom. The pink petals scattering due to the strong wind, he watches the brunette's gaze. "So pretty."

Yuhi watched as she ran over to the center and began to spin around, holding the petals in her hands. He, too, made his way over. Although he usually passed this place before, he did not pay much attention before. He could see why she called it pretty. How strange for there to be cherry blossoms when it is July already.

But these trees only look beautiful to him because of her.

"Yuhi?"

"Hmm?" Yuhi could not help but stare at her.

"This kind of feels like a date. "

"Hah, if this isn't a date, then why did I spend that much money?"

Sumire sighed. "Don't be so petty Mr number one, your loaded so--" He cuts her off by backing her against the large tree in the center. Both of them dropped their bags as he cupped her cheeks.

"I can't take it anymore. You drive me crazy."

"Y-Yuhi.." Sumire laughed. "Uh, wait, time out."

"No time out. I want you all to myself." Yuhi buried his face in her chest. "Besides, lately, I haven't done anything; you have to make it up to me."

"Unpleasant."

"The unpleasant thing will come later, so let's go home."

He lifted his face from her chest, and in the next second, he felt a soft pair of lips on his cheek. "Then Yuhi-san has to listen to my requests today."

What kind of requests will she have?

Really, what is she saying suddenly? But he can't deny the girl's words. To anyone, it would look like a date after all, and he, too, felt the atmosphere. However, he doesn't want to get delusional, and he doesn't want to get his hopes up. To his surprise, though, the brunette suddenly reached for his arm.

"Can I borrow your hand for a bit?"

"Sure."

His eyes widened when she used his hand to pat her head. Oh, this, it's almost the same as that time. But he knew something differed this time.

He, too, does the same.

A conversation they had before he departed appeared in his head. It was the day after she rejected him.

'You know Yuhi-san. It really would have been better for you if you fell in love with a cute little kohai who is a completely normal girl with dreams and not someone who is cursed. Maybe it would be easier for you. Perhaps if I were normal, then we would have met differently.

I would have seen you and thought, what a cool senpai and fangirl like other girls. We would end up brushing against each other in the corridors, and you would end up saving me from strange guys. Then one day, I would call you up to the rooftop and confess. I mean, even if you did have feelings for me, Yuhi-san, you surely won't be able to do something like that.'

'But you know none of that can happen now. It can only remain a dream.'

That was also the day he left to go to Tokyo, the day he decided it was not enough. He still has to do more for her to come to him. It was because she turned him down then that he even got this far in a short amount of time.

A dream, huh? Is the relationship they have now something as fragile as a dream? One day will she leave his side? Yuhi shook his head, and there is no use thinking about such things now. Besides, he looked over at the girl who secretly glanced his way. He ought to deal with her teasing him so much.