Eternal Melody

"I'm sure you've noticed. But I wouldn't trust that guy."

"I know that full well. Don't worry. Did you think I wouldn't be able to notice?"

Yuhi scratches his face. "Well, that guys, unlike all the others you know? Even if it's you, it's not that simple."

But despite how sneaky and sly his bodyguard - aide was. Yuhi had to admit that he was someone who he could trust.

Suddenly Sumire leaned forward, "You're wearing your glasses today?"

"Because I've had work to do all day."

"Huh. I see, got it."

Come to think of it. The first time she found out he wore glasses, her reaction had been the same too.

Even so, this distance is a tad bit dangerous for his liking. Yuhi was about to shift away when she reached over and removed his glasses from his face.

"Even so, you are not working now, are you? I believe you do not need these right now."

Oi oi! What's with that? Just a few moments ago, she was acting so shy and blushing madly. Now she is acting so bold.

Gee, this girl is doing everything at her own pace. "I didn't think you were so interested."

"Nay seems nay they know."

His eyes went wide.

Sumire smiles. "It seems like you have a strange impression of me?"

"Not just with me."

He recalled the things he hears about her in school. Yuhi understood, though, that despite her brilliant performance, some weren't too pleased with her.

Some people were beginning to disregard her. Since Akatsuki is the student council president, Yuhi knew about it all too well. It looks like they haven't done anything but just made remarks. As long as it doesn't get too out of control, then it should be fine. If it does get too crazy, then he will handle the situation directly.

His thoughts broke off when he saw the girl shiver slightly. "Cold?"

Sumire nodded. "Yeah. This jacket isn't all too warm."

Yuhi reached over to the back of the couch and fiddled around until his fingers laced against a familiar cloth and grabbed hold of it.

He brought about a red blanket and wrapped it around Sumire.

"You are careless. If you knew you were going to be tending to the plants today, then you should have worn something else."

Sumire laughs lightly. "Ah well, I lost my coat and scarf along the way. Straight after lessons ended, I had work to do."

Work huh? "With the guys in Quatro light?"

"No with Yamaguchi-san. Shin hasn't been feeling well as of late. I was planning on taking a few days off, but Atsuro reassured me and all that he will take care of it..." She trails off. "But I'll admit I felt restless; that is why I kept myself busy this entire time."

That's when Yuhi looked at her properly and noticed the bags under her eyes. The circles were rather dark, and her eyes tinted a pale red mixing in with her usual violet ones.

Her completion seemed a lot paler too. Although it's like her to do something like this, it still doesn't make it okay.

She hasn't changed at all since the first time they met, huh?

Yuhi grabbed hold of her hand and made sure that she laid down on his lap. At this action of his, he noted that her cheeks turned red again.

"W--what are you doing?" Sumire stammered.

"Isn't that obvious? You're tired, so you should sleep."

"B--but why in this position?"

She is cute when she is flustered. Normally she is so calm and composed.

Yuhi shook the thought out of his mind as he constantly reminded himself, self-restraint. Self-restraint huh? A deep sigh escaped his lips. Either way, he supposed a little contact wouldn't do any harm.

Yuhi entangled their hands together. "Uh, Yuhi-san?"

"This is so I can prevent you from escaping."

Sumire didn't respond. But nor did she leave either; instead, he glanced down to see she had turned to face the other way and covered herself with the red blanket.

"Idiot." She muttered ever so quietly. But he heard it loud and clear.

Yeah, he probably was.

But whenever it came to her, everything was different, and that's why it's fine. He edged closer to her, and she immediately turned around. She buried her face in his arms.

"Yuhi, the last few days, thank you for everything."

Why is she thanking him for?

"For?"

"Everything." She leaned forward and kissed him. "I love you, Yuhi."

"I know."

"Let's go out onto the balcony for a bit."

Sumire nodded and stood up. He wrapped his coat around her shoulders. "Alright, let's go."

"What about you?"

"I'm not the one with a shirt only." He joked. It was long enough to be a dress, at least on her.

Sumire rolled her eyes. "Well, somebody won't get my clothes."

"I'll call him again." But he liked how the last few days she only wears his shirt at home.

For the next few minutes, nobody spoke, but Yuhi's gaze remained on her. He knew, based on the fact that she let go of him, that she was going to ask him something serious.

"Kojiro Sakuya. Can we talk about him?"

Yuhi flinched when he heard the name, but his gaze softened. 'It seems like she worked hard, huh?'

"When did you find out?"

"Shortly after you left, he caused a disturbance again, and this time we caught him in the act."

"I see."

"Why didn't you tell me directly that he was the one who slaughtered your family?"

"Because at first my memory of it was a blur. But eventually, it made sense the reason I ended up in that forest."

"The real reason?"

She really knows him well.

"If I told you, you would have confronted him."

"You were worried I would get hurt." She nodded, understanding.

"I'm not underestimating you, and it's just I remember it clearly. His cruelness."

Sumire deeply sighed. "You know Yuhi-san, this is your weak point. You're way too kind. Even though you figured it out, you still treated him normal, so you didn't endanger those around you."

Too kind, huh? Perhaps that is what it is. Even though he spoke about revenge, he can't do what needs to be done in the end.

That man was right in front of him, and yet what did he do?

"It's not like I can't sympathize with Yuhi-san. But, by not telling me, I questioned my status as your partner."

"Partner, huh? You were my boss."

"We were partners." Sumire sighed. "Don't tell me that even now you think of yourself as a hunting dog?"

Yuhi didn't answer, and he noticed her expression turn dark. He walked over and pushed her against the railing as he leaned forward. He traced her lips.

"Sumire. Your very pretty."

"Mmm, what are you doing?"

"It's bad, and I keep wanting to attack you."

"Then attack."  He brought his lips towards her neck, and he felt her shudder. "Yuhi…"

"I'll stop; this isn't good for you."

"But don't you want to?"

"Yeah." He has some bad thoughts about her. But even more than that. Yuhi brushed their foreheads together. "I would rather you experience a normal relationship."

"I see, but what if I wanted to do those things?"

"Well." His lips curve to a smile at her suggestion. "We can but in moderation."

"Then let's go back inside and be moderate."

Wait, wait--? This girl is seriously messing with him. Why does she even want to...

Yuhi ran his hands through his hair. "Look, Sumire, I know I said some outrageous things at the beginning of this relationship, but I was only-"

"You were only joking?"

"Well, not completely, but-" His sentence fell short when she kissed him softly.

"But nothing. Yuhi-san, you have to stop being so careful around me. I am not a child."