Eternal Melody

Sumire glared harshly at the person beside her.

"D--don't glare at me like that. I warned you, didn't I?"

She wanted to tell him it was a bit late, but that was just an unnecessary outburst of anger. She needs to control her temper more. Besides, it seems Yuhi-san got wet too.

Sumire averted her gaze from Yuhi and tugged on her shirt that was hugging tightly into her skin. The unusual cold seemed to gradually vanish, yet she felt short bursts of pain in her chest.

This is bad, and this hasn't happened in a while. She was more sensitive to the cold than most people. She never knew if her chest pain was related to her asthma or not since most of the time, and she had a hard time breathing. Her anxiety can cause breathing problems, too, and that will lead to pain.

Her thoughts break off when she hears the sound of rushing footsteps. The shop owner exited the shop with a worried look on her face. It was a young girl with dark brown hair tied in a bun, wearing a forest green maid outfit.

"I'm so sorry, miss. I'll dry those clothes for you, so why not stay in my shop while you wait?"

They really shouldn't be staying in one area for long. Because it doesn't change the fact that Yuhi is a number one idol. The paparazzi seem especially desperate after what happened the last time. It wouldn't be surprising if that reporter who returned told them what happened. Even so, it is partly his fault this happened, and she can't walk around like this.

"Then we will take you up on that offer."

…..

Sumire already knew the clothes would be strange based on what the shop owner wore. It seemed like this was one of those old-style cafes, so there were many traditional clothing to choose from. Unfortunately, there were no plain designs, so she ended up wearing a rather flashy-looking kimono.

She entered the room Yuhi was waiting in. She found him on his phone and some snacks on the small table in front of him. For a moment, Sumire simply looked at him.

Even though he is just sitting like this, he looks perfect.

Pure black hair, and yet it seems to shine when light reflects on it—pale skin glistening in the dusk. Sharp and chocolate brown eyes, Yuhi is perfect.

After their first encounter, Sumire recalled how she ended up drawing so many pictures of him for days. She didn't want to forget it, even for a moment, the many different expressions that he showed her.

So she drew like crazy; she remembered the scolding her mother gave her then. It is a good thing she did not throw those drawings away. It was one of the few things she managed to take out during the incident.

Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi called out to her. "Instead of staring, come over here already."

"I wasn't staring." Sumire walked over and sat down beside him.

"Huh?"

She did not even have the chance to respond before Yuhi removed the hairpin. He then restyled her hair with his hands.

"You have silkier hair than most people, so I am sure you have a hard time."

Yuhi tied up all her hair with the ease of someone skilled at the process. It bothered her a bit when she realized how skilled he was. Fixing a girl's hair like this, and there was that previous case where he painted her nails.

Since she came here, Sumire heard many rumors about Yuhi. There are some very awful ones about him, and Sano often reminded her of them. But she never paid too much attention to it. At least before they went out, now they are together, she is more mindful.

Believing in them immediately would be wrong, but she cannot dismiss them entirely. Ninety percent of rumors are lies used to deceive and hurt others, but the remaining ten percent are truths shrouded in mysteries.

More importantly, she felt her already red face turn hotter.

Why does her face get all hot when all he does is touch her hair? She must not let Yuhi see her face right now. She teased him earlier, so he will most likely use this chance to get back at her. Still, it was difficult to stay still. Even more, than Yuhi kissing her or doing anything else, she felt more nervous about him doing something like this.

I promised Soujiro to be happy, so I shouldn't push Yuhi away so much. But it still felt strange. Is it okay for me to rely on him so much?

After what felt like forever, but it was only a few minutes, he pulled back." Alright, done."

She checks her hair in the mirror once Yuhi finished.

Naturally, it was flawless. He is good at cooking too, and household chores. It feels like she ought to work on her feminine skills.

"It is very nice to see you this way," Yuhi commented. "Although, Mamoru has probably seen all of these sides of you."

Yuhi said the next half said so quietly, so she wasn't sure if she heard correctly.

"Did you say something?"

"No, it's nothing."

He is denying it? That's unusual from him. Then again, it is something to do with Ru. No matter how accepting and kind Yuhi is, Sumire noticed how odd he acts whenever she mentioned Ru. It is only normal for him to act that way. She has gotten used to him being so accepting that she forgets that his reaction now is normal, unlike his initial behavior.

"Oh yeah, the shop owner brought us some snacks earlier. The regular customers left her these. Let's have some."

Sumire rolled her eyes when she heard that comment. She thought so when the shop owner showed them inside, but the girl kept looking at Yuhi. Why does he keep attracting such pretty people for? It makes it harder for her to hold back. But she ought to control her temper now that she has returned to the entertainment industry.

Unlike before, she does not have somebody covering for her every move.

To think she only just realized how much Ru was protecting her from everything. Ru and that person did so much for her. It is stupid to notice these things now. Her gaze fell towards Yuhi, who talked about the snacks; this person, too, has sacrificed so much already.

How much more will he sacrifice for her?