Eternal Melody

"I see; well, they're lucky."

"I-- I'm sorry." Sumire apologized; she had her head bowed down and was completely averting his gaze. "I didn't have any intention of composing them a song despite hearing of their entry. They didn't ask one of me either. But, I met Sei-kun recently, and he told me about what they had been up to.

He told me how hard the three had been working. It may sound superficial. After all, just because someone says something doesn't mean it's real. He could have said that so I could compose them a song. But I knew he wouldn't do that. Sei-kun's words aside. I've kept track of their activities, so I am familiar with everything.

I can see it, and I can almost visualize them working hard. Masato and Masaru are complete opposites, and they always seem to be bickering at each other. Yet, they have a sense of harmony. I can imagine Dai-chan shaking his head every time they fight, and when he interferes, Masaru ends up teasing him—causing both Masato and Dai-chan to be mad at Masaru.

I can visualize their practice, Masaru silently and yet giving people advice while Masato silently admires Dai-chan. I can see how hard they have worked, almost like I am right there beside them… That's why…"

At that, Yuhi reached over and patted her head.

"Yuhi?"

He shuts his eyes; yeah, he already knew. He already knew when he heard of nanairo feathers entry. Yuhi knew that this would happen.

"It's alright. You have equal rights to compose them a song, and besides, it won't be a fair fight if they don't have your song."

"But entering a tournament when you just formed the group, is it fine?"

Yuhi chuckled. "Now you are asking that question?"

Sumire looked away, and he reached over and caressed her cheeks. Yuhi leaned forward and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "So just now, why were you messing around?"

"Im upset that you left me earlier."

Hah, he knew there was something wrong. "You know I can't say no to Akatsuki."

"I know." His thoughts broke off when she extended her hand out.

"What are you doing?"

"Your hair is wet."

It was then he looked at the window and recalled the small rain shower before he came inside.

"Yes and?"

"I can't have your color not showing."

She is a selfish girl, saying it with a monotone voice and a blank look on her face.

Yuhi doesn't bother repeating it. That black isn't an actual color, and between the two of them, she is the one with the brightest color. He made his hair dry with his black flames.

"Yuhi's color is pretty." At that, Sumire rested her head on his shoulders.

This girl goes ahead and does bold things. However, he didn't mind it. Although it's true that his feelings for her hadn't changed, although they remain the same. He didn't know why, but he felt as though. He felt as though that this situation between them was alright.

He is a simple guy; his old friends often said that where he was still around. Simple huh? Indeed he is; after all, anything satisfies him. As long as she was alive, it did not matter if he could not see her- then, as time passed, just her remaining by his side was enough.

That's all he needed. Even now, that hasn't changed as much. As long as she's beside him, he would be okay. Eventually, she would leave him; eventually, she would have to return to that place. To the place she originally belongs but for now. For now, he would treasure this.

Torii, Toma. It seems as though he has become a huge sap, huh? The two names of his close friends who he lost in an accident before.

Those two would laugh if they saw this.

"Aren't you cold?"

"I'm fine. Being beside Yuhi is the warmest place; it's the warmest."

At the end of her sentence, the black hair boy noticed the instant change in the girl's tone. She is quite the foolish one, isn't she? But he really can't leave her alone. Yuhi wraps them around in black light.

He recalled the earlier dream and sighed to dream about them during a time like this. He wonders what sort of meaning it has for the future. Torii and Toma, if those two met this girl, surely those two would also like him.

A completely different person, Yuhi knew what the others in school said about him and Sumire, how it was because he was hanging around her more than before. He knew that it wasn't good for the girl's already bad image, and yet every time, he tries to pull away, at least in school. She would give him that one look that sends any of his efforts and restraints down the drain.

He isn't any match for her.

…

After Sumire fell asleep, Yuhi quietly crept away. He walked down the long hallways till he reached the back staircase. He only just got out his cigarette and lighter when he heard the door behind him open.

"It seems as though you're not quite as a dog as I thought."

"It seems as though you're more than just an evil member of the Yakuza seeking revenge."

The man chuckles at that." Indeed it was a mere cover-up. Though there are members of the Yakuza after her, one word from me is all it takes for those dogs to remind them of their places."

Yuhi takes a whiff of smoke then, as he sighs. "For a cover-up plan, you certainly caused so much damage. HQ is a complete mess; no thanks to your people and those girls to have deepened their dark fate. You even went ahead and dragged back someone like Maon and Nakara back into this side of the world. For a cover up plan you've caused hell of a lot of problems.

Well it's not as though it was a bad move. With you 'Attacking' Sumire, that group couldn't take any action." He trailed off. "However, there is one thing I have to confirm. A lot had happened then, so many things happened at the same time so I couldn't be too sure. Was it your guys who killed that girl?"

"It was not one of mine." A cold and monotone voice, and yet Yuhi understood that this person did not lie.

"I see."

"You are no fool. But do you plan to seek revenge just because the girl was close to her?"

Yuhi shook his head.

"There isn't any need for me to do that. I will relay the message to Maon and Nakara who have been searching for the killer. Sumire cries in her sleep apparently and says 'Asahi' the two noticed that and well since then they haven't stopped."

If he wasn't so busy, he would investigate properly too.