Eternal Melody

A year ago - Star Town-

It was the first day for his shoot for one of his latest movies. Recently he has received more jobs involving acting. It does not bother him; he is flexible enough to do any job. But on days where it is raining like this, he would rather stay inside.

The increase in rain led them to head inside the building used for one of the movie scenes. The director is most likely deciding on the shooting order. He was wandering around when he found Sumire in the chapel.

"What was that you were mumbling about?" Jun said, making his decision.

He usually does not pry into other people's affairs, but Ibuki Sumire differs from other people.

"Oh, so you heard." Sumire trailed off. "Jun-kun, do you think you can you keep a secret?"

"I do not find the need to endlessly blabber about other individuals' personal lives in the first place anyway. Therefore I suppose I can give you a favorable response," Jun said in a monotone voice.

"I have amnesia."

Jun could only stare at her with wide eyes for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"From what period of your memories do you seem to be missing? As I can see, you're well aware of Senbi Nao being your childhood friend."

'I wasn't expecting that at all. I thought I already had a good understanding of this girl, I thought I collected enough data, but it seems that is not the case here.'

It seems he will have to observe her for a bit longer.

"For some reason, I have always felt like something was missing. Like there was something important that I had forgotten, I didn't understand what it was. Yet my feelings told me that it was necessary. Every single time I fell in love, something would always go wrong. It wouldn't last long; it would always come to an end. In the end, she probably won't ever truly understand the meaning of love.

The meaning of being close to others or even being friends, I never once thought I needed them in the past. I always believed that I didn't need anyone, that it was okay to stay by herself. Yet, there was indeed someone who taught her the meaning of being close to others. Someone I couldn't remember."

"In those memories that I lost. I felt as though there was someone that I loved deeply. That's why every single time I go out with someone, it always ends eventually. I always end up comparing it to that feeling. That feeling of loving someone so dearly to the point it feels like somebody is stepping over my heart and crushing it into small pieces."

....

Jun snapped back to reality when he realized Sumire was standing directly in front of him.

"It is strange, but maybe I am thinking too deeply."

What is she talking about?

"Jun-kun, you've always reminded me of someone."

Remind her of someone?

Before Jun could say anything else, somebody yanked Sumire away. It was Narasaki Hino. A disturbed-looking expression was on his face.

"Sumire," Hino said sharply. "I thought I told you. You can't force yourself to remember things. The strain it has on your mind is too severe."

"But not remembering is just as bad." Sumire sighed. "Don't think I haven't noticed Hino. You act very sensitively when it comes to the guys in M5. You only behave this way when it comes to the past, so I just put two and two together."

"Damn."

"You know I dislike it the most when you hide things from me."

Sumire walks back up to him. "Jun-kun, you told me you lost your memories before. I thought there was a chance that we knew each other."

Jun blinked at this sudden theory of hers. 'I knew her in the past?' For some reason, he can't dismiss that idea.

"But hmmm, I still can't remember. Hino here is being too stubborn, so I will never get anything out of him."

Hino sighed deeply. "You keep causing problems."

Before he could get any words out, the doors opened, revealing Yuhi. "Hey Jun, you left behind--"

The brunette by his side quickly vanished. It surprised him how quickly she disappeared and landed in Yuhi-san's arms. No, what surprised him more was how she suddenly kissed him.

"Man overboard." Yuhi laughed. "I didn't think I would see you here."

"Mmm, me too! My dear, it's telepathy."

"You're so cute."

'What an idiotic couple. Just now, she seemed so serious, but her behavior changes when she is around Yuhi.'

In the past, he had a conversation with Sumire about those foolish girls in his class harping on and on about romance.

Why do people change so much when they fall in love? He had a hard time understanding, at least back then.

"Yuhi-san, she is here because of the bet."

"Oh right. I have indeed hogged you since you came here. You should have more time to spend with Kou and the others who went out of their way to come here."

"Che, if I have free time, I would rather spend it with you."

She is as blunt as ever. But this is one of the things he liked about her. Ibuki Sumire is not the type of person who would hide what is on her mind. She is not the type to pretend in front of those dear to her.

"What were you two talking about just now? Why does Hino look like he is going to hurt someone?"

"Oh, you see, uh."

Jun quickly interjected and briefly explained what had just happened.

"You wanted to know if Jun was with us in the facility?"

"Yes."

"Well, you didn't have to worry your pretty head about this and just ask me." Yuhi turned to him. "Yes, he was."

Huh? Jun blinked, startled at the sudden revelation. Huh? How come-

"Jun, I don't know how much you do know. But you had an accident when you were younger. Your brother had no choice but to leave you in the facility because no other medical center was willing to accept you. Because he was worrying that much, Kou also came with you."

Kou also came with him? An accident when he was younger led to him losing his memories. Jun placed his hand on his head; it felt like all the pieces were coming together. But the moment he tried to focus on it, a wincing pain appeared in his head.

Sumire walked over and placed her hand on his forehead. "I think you're coming down with a fever Jun-kun."

"I knew it." Yuhi sighed. "Jun acts like a robot half the time, but he is a normal human; nobody can have this much energy after not sleeping for a week."

"A week? Not even a little?"

"That's the thing, he closes his eyes for like five minutes, but I don't think he is sleeping."

"Jun-kun, you have to lay down!"

So this is how he found himself on a rather old-looking couch in one of the downstairs rooms. Sumire put all sorts of blanks to make it comfortable for him. Yuhi went to find the director and dragged Narasaki Hino with him.

"It is chilly here. I guess the heating doesn't work."

"Sumire-san, I apologize."

"Hm? I find it weird that you are apologizing." Sumire pulled a few things out of her bag. "It is a good thing that I come prepared for these things."

"Sumire-san, aren't you too calm?"

"Maybe it's because I don't remember yet. I see I knew not just Yuhi as a child but also you and Kou." Sumire laughed. "I suspect the other two as well. It will be hilarious if it turns out to be true."