Eternal Melody

'Another rival.' Yuhi exhaled deeply. His future wife is far too popular. If they lived in imperial times, she would have enough men to form her own harem. It is not like he does not understand it. Anybody who meets her and spends time with her is bound to fall in love with her.

His thoughts broke off when he saw Sumire staring at him. "Are you upset?"

"Just a little," Yuhi admitted. "Sorry, I didn't realize that he meant that much to you."

Although he could not determine the extent of their relationship based on rumors, he did not think Sumire would care for another man other than Mamoru.

"It's alright. I have already chosen you. We are going to get married in half a year, have plenty of children, and grow old together."

Yuhi felt his heart melt at her words. He liked every single word she said, but what stood out to him was. "You want to have loads of kids?"

Sumire's cheeks reddened, and she averted her gaze. "I suppose."

"Do you know what we have to do to have so many?" Yuhi did not hesitate to ask such a shameless question.

Wasn't she the one who brought it up?

He brought his lips to her earlobe and kissed it before his lips made their way towards her neck. "Do you know?" Yuhi repeated. "If you don't, I can show you."

"O-of course I know. Le-let go of me." Sumire struggled in his arms. But he knew she was only pretending. This girl is stronger than him; if she truly wanted to get away from him, she would have easily done so already.

"If we're going to have a lot, I think we should start now."

"W-were outside!" Sumire exclaimed.

Yuhi laughed at her words. "Silly girl, since when was setting important?"

Besides this is a beautiful area, didn't she say something the last time that if they have to do it outside it should be in a beautiful area? It was almost like Sumire understood since she wrapped her arms around his neck and mumbled.

"I'm nervous."

Yuhi felt his heartbeat increase when he heard her say those words. What is she talking about? How can he continue to tease her when she acts this way.

"Me too," Yuhi mumbled.

Sumire laughed softly. "Then I suppose we can continue later. Let's calm our nerves and eat first, okay?"

"Yeah."

All he could do was agree as he returned to his seat opposite her. Yuhi watched as she happily ate the various dishes on the table. It was just street food, and yet the girl seemed very content.

"What is your schedule like?"

He knew with Hino as her manager, she would have a lot of work to do.

"Ah, I will send you a copy." Sumire took out her phone and sent him a message.

Yuhi scanned his calendar that was now synched with hers and noticed something. "What's happening on the second?"

At those words, Sumire awkwardly looked down again.

"Nagawa?" Yuhi guessed.

'Just after the talk regarding the other rival ended. Hah, she really isn't giving me a break, is she?'

"If you don't want me to see him Yuhi, I won't. It's just Hino told me the other day that Sano didn't go on a business trip like he said, and he is here in Japan still. But nobody can reach him. It's just what if-" Sumire did not continue, and Yuhi understood.

"It is okay if you go see him."

After hearing how she felt towards another guy, his guard around Nagawa Sano suddenly dropped. Unlike this new guy, her sudden concern for Nagawa felt like nothing.

Sumire extended her hand out and squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Yuhi, for trusting me."

"I trust my looks. You like handsome guys, and I am clearly more superior in that department." Yuhi joked.

Sumire laughed. "That is true." She trailed off. "I wonder what is wrong with him, though; it is unlike him not to answer anybody's calls. Maybe he is sick.."

Yuhi exhaled deeply. "I think I am jealous after all."

"Aha," She laughed softly. "You don't have to be. It's just Sano doesn't have anybody now who will look after him. He had already ended his engagement with Miss Penelope. Miss Penelope still cares for him, but her grandmother sent her abroad. So right now, there is nobody who can look after him if he is sick."

"Even though his family runs a hospital?"

"That guy has far too much pride. Whenever he got sick, he always made sure he looked like nothing was wrong when people came by to visit him. But, only when he was around me did he show his weak side."

'Forget what I said a few minutes ago. Nagawa is still a threat.'

But he truly does find it strange how these guys all played a key role in her life. Sumire has a hard time trusting people, after all. The fact that these guys managed to leave such a large impact on her means they could have easily snatched her from him.

No, they can still do that now. Even if Sumire loves him deeply now, there is a chance her feelings could change if those guys play his cards right.

"Does he not have a housekeeper or someone?"

"Ah." Sumire suddenly exclaimed. "There was someone before. But she must have retired. I haven't seen her around."

"Then maybe we should find somebody for him."

'So he can stop stealing Sumire when he is sick.'

"I suppose, but he is very stubborn he probably won't accept. It's alright, Yuhi. I will just check on him for a day. I have a lot of work the next day, so I won't be able to cancel anyway."

"Mm." But Yuhi already knew that the girl would cancel the next day. He should discuss things with Hino in advance.

"Since we are on this topic, he treats you well now, right?"

"Right, he is very good to me now. It reminds me of how things were when we first went out." Sumire laughed. "He behaved like such a gentleman. It was the first time I had a man spoil me as much as he did."

'First time, huh? Whenever I tried that in the past, she drew a firm line between them.'

"At first, he was very cautious about picking me up from school. But he realized it wouldn't make me feel good if I kept the relationship a secret. So he would openly pick me up from school, and he always had a bouquet of flowers in his hands. It was very romantic."

Flowers? He can do that too. Yuhi made a mental note in his head.

"At first, I didn't know how to react to his treatment of me. He was good to me. I could tell that much. But I still wasn't sure about it. However, after we went on a short trip together, I learned to accept him. He took me to a private island and showed me how beautiful the scenery was there. It truly made me feel special and loved."