Eternal Melody

They capture the truth and reality of the moment.

And expose the hidden secrets people try to hide.

The good and the bad, and maybe they can even capture your thoughts.

Makoto Soujiro, the third Prince of the Makoto family, has always been said to be a man of pride, honor. Someone who always remains calm and never lets his emotions show on his face—the ideal elite member, who in the future will be able to support his brothers.

At the age of twenty-two, he realizes that suppressing his emotions becomes rather difficult. He sighs as he leaned back on his chair. His gaze flicked onto the paperwork for a few seconds before shaking his head. Even if it is him, this much alone is impossible. It just so happens to be the rare day when he gave all his assistants and guards.

Soujiro knew better than to keep working them endlessly like that. Today happened to be his rare day off, that was until he received word that his brothers would not be around. His brothers were attending a business meeting proposal overseas.

They are trying to escape from the upcoming gunfire fight that is sure to happen in the near future. Soujiro understood that as members of the elite, they have to think of their own safety before all others. Because if something happens to them, how can the royal family continue? It's only natural they would run away. But at this stage, how can they escape?

One of the main reasons why he has stayed away from his fiance is because he is busy investigating the cause of all the incidents. It did not take him to learn that the one igniting this fight is a member of the elite circles.

Recently the family that attacked Ichinose Arashi has not made any moves and none of their branches either. What could those guys be thinking? Ichinose too, Soujiro was skeptical that he would stay quiet after what had happened.

But it doesn't seem as though he returned to Star Town, yet Soujiro had not been able to locate him in Tokyo either. Exactly what is that person doing?

Ichinose is a problem.

So is that family, especially their heir Kisaragi Aoi.

Soujiro had seen what kind of moves the guy had been pulling. The moves he had been taking have nothing to do with this game, this current battle. It was towards his fiance; he is trying to pull Sumire away from him. Indeed that kind of move would benefit the Kisaragi family, and he ought to worry because there is indeed a strong chance for them to be able to pull this off.

However, that may be why Soujiro wasn't worried even if he does something about it. As long as Sumire Continues to associate with that man, then he cannot do anything about it.

Even so, if it's not one guy, it's another. Exactly why did his fiance gather such a troublesome crowd around her? It gave him a headache. Why do all the men who like her come from powerful backgrounds? Is it just a coincidence?

Sometimes Soujiro wondered if he had not left for the trip. Would he have been able to prevent the tragedy that fell on the Ibuki household? But when he discovered who caused it, he realized that he could not interfere even if he was there.

He recalled clearly the gaze and the words the girl's best friend told him' If she finds out, Sumire won't forgive you.' Indeed he was well aware of that. Even if he wasn't directly involved, it doesn't change the fact that he knew who did it. To this very day he knew she still searches endlessly for the main culprit.

'I will not hate you,' huh?

In the end, she means what she says. She hasn't shown any form of dislike for him. She even drops by quite a bit like before. But she does not stay with him. Soujiro knew that he didn't have any more rights to make such a selfish request like that anymore.

That's right; it's because he no longer has that right, even if she does decide to leave him for another man.

If she decides to break off this engagement, then Soujiro knew he would have no choice but to comply with her request. He will have no choice if she decides to go with someone else. In the end, it seems nobody will remain by his side.

'You have to listen to me, Soujiro; as a prince, you have to conduct yourself properly. You cannot disobey the orders from above and must live your life according to the decisions of others. You do not have a say anything. The existence you lead is only for the sake of your older brother. There is nothing other than that for you. That is why you cannot disobey. Whatever actions you take will affect your brother; that's why it is best to just follow orders. Do not tarnish our name'.

He knew, he knew he couldn't do anything, that the reality was that he was actually powerless.

He sighed deeply again; it won't do him any good like this.

Soujiro looked at the window to see the grey color and picked up a parasol from the corner. He exited his office and walked down the hall.

It is strangely peaceful for once. Though there are still people hanging around the office at this time, there aren't as many as usual. This place is usually bustling with people; it's so quiet now.

His thoughts broke off when he heard singing; Soujiro located the source to find it coming from the decking area.

The person that stood there was his fiance Ibuki Sumire.

Sumire, so she came today. For Soujiro, just seeing her - made him lose complete control of his senses. He wants to embrace her, wrap his arms around her and not let her go. But he restrained himself when he saw the red color around the girl.

It was something he knew and confirmed with his own two eyes then. But perhaps there was a part of him that had yet to accept the situation' Soujiro, and I want you to be the first to know. I intend to pursue it, my career as an idol seriously again'.

Ever since then, he only saw her around during the souriee gatherings. Due to the number of formal greetings they had to do, they barely had enough time to exchange a few sentences with each other.

"The sorrow

born today

soars high towards the sky

The sky awakens

calls for wind

My heart trembles

I want to protect you

I want to touch destiny

Both hollow in your chest

and your overflow tears

I want to fill them with happiness." Sumire sang.

It started raining after the first stanza of the song, and he opened up the parasol, sheltering him from the droplets of rain falling from the sky. She is very foolish, isn't she? Though it was brief, he saw tears in her eyes.

Soujiro was about to step forward and reveal his presence till she spoke up. Sumire extends her hand out to reach for the sky.

"There are more things in heaven and earth than has been dreamt of in your philosophy Horatio," Sumire mutters. "I miss you."

When he heard that, his gaze darkens, so that's how it'll be after all, huh. Even though he already knew since he last saw her performance, hearing it directly from her is painful.

Soujiro shook his head; she's already drenched. At this rate, she's going to get sick. He makes his way over and extends the parasol over her head, "Soujiro...."