Eternal Melody

Meanwhile, downtown Tokyo.

Sumire slumped her head on the desk. She arrived too early. It was risky, but she chose a small cafe to meet up with her friend. She still felt feverish, but Eli gave her a shot, so it was okay to move around. Initially, she intended to rest. But how could she do that?

She thought about what happened with Yuhi earlier, and she felt her cheeks turn hot. This is so strange; why does she feel like this? What happened to having the most control in the relationship?

After her relationship with Sano failed, Sumire ensured that she would have a degree of control if she dated somebody again. But Yuhi-san, she cannot control him. His love for her is too strong, and she does not know how she can contain it.

He held back this entire time because he wanted to respect her wishes and her love for Ru. 'I was grateful for that, I accepted his confession, but she was still in love with Ru then.'

Her thoughts broke off when she heard the sound of somebody pulling up a chair. She looked up and saw Asuka. "You have to help me. Yuhi is acting weird."

"I wondered what was so urgent that you called me out like this. But I see it has something to do with being a stupid couple--"

"I--It's not stupid!"

"You ran away?"

Right she did run away when she heard the sound of the door opening and realized Yuhi had returned. She escaped through the back door and bolted out of the gate in seconds.

"I-I don't know what to do when Yuhi acts like that!!" Sumire exclaimed.

What is she supposed to do when he openly shows his affections like that? Just the mere thought of it embarrassed her.

"Is it that surprising, Sumire? Yuhi has always liked you. He was more subtle before, but his feelings have always been there."

"I know, but Asuka, I am afraid." Sumire raised her head. "Is it okay for Yuhi-san to love me so much?"

"Yuhi has already accepted everything about you. He knows about the incident and what your capable of. The captain has already told him how terrifying your abilities are, and I am sure Aki has messaged him secretly. So Yuhi is well informed about everything, but he remains by your side, and his attitude towards you has not changed."

"That's true."

She assumed that things would be awkward between them for a while after he discovered everything, but it was not like that at all.

"I understand that you're uneasy and afraid. But slowly, even if it is slowly. Please accept his kindness and love."

His kindness and love, huh? Sumire briefly closed her eyes. Yuhi thought she was sleeping then, but she wasn't. It is difficult for her to fall asleep so quickly; he should know that. "When he whispered sweetly in my ear that he loved me, I wasn't afraid. I think I have already accepted it, Asuka. But that is exactly why I am more uneasy now."

It's exactly because she has accepted it. If Yuhi-san were to betray her now, she would be devastated.

"Did you truly tell him everything?"

Sumire laughed when she heard Asuka's tone. "Mm, but just recently. I told him during the new year everything that went on between Toh and me. He seemed surprised and troubled by the news. When I cried, he truly seemed at a loss. But he still comforted me."

Even though she was clearly making him uneasy, he still comforted her. "I think I fall in love with foolish types far too easily. Yuhi-san is smart, but he is a fool when it comes to love."

"Because he is willing to do so much for you?"

"So much, huh." Sumire recalled how easily he punched that reporter without hesitating."I feel like I should put a leash on Yuhi-san; what if he hurts people for me again?"

"We already dealt with the previous incident. Relax, nothing like that will happen."

"Isn't it troublesome for you?"

"My captain has no problem with it since he learned he is only a substitute. He is even more loyal than ever to you. This is not enough if you're asking what I think as your friend. You have done a lot for me, Sumire. I may not be good at expressing my gratitude through words. But the reason I stay by your side has nothing to do with loyalty due to your strength." Asuka sips on the cup of coffee. "It is because I genuinely consider you as my friend.

Her gaze softened when she heard those words. That is right; things are not like how they were in the past. She now has people who genuinely care for her. She is not alone, and that is why she can endure anything, even if it is still painful for her to sing.

'I sang with all my heart out and poured out so many emotions, but that was only because I was thinking of Yuhi-san.' Yuhi-san is truly her source of strength now; without him, she would struggle.

Her thoughts broke off when Asuka slipped a small box in front of her. "Although this is a bit late. This is your Christmas gift, and congratulations, Sumire."

"I did manage to beat her, but somehow I don't think I can perform like that again for a while." Sumire's gaze dimmed. "Yumi-senpai is a monster; she did not break a single sweat after that concert. I managed to beat her that time, but idols constantly evolve. The next time I may not be so lucky."

It was luck and her powerful feelings for Yuhi-san that won against her senpai. But in the future, it will not be so easy.

"Hmmm, how can I beat her long-term?"

Asuka sighed. "You just returned to the entertainment industry; take it easy."

"Even if I want to, I have a demon manager now. Hino can be frightening."

"It's good that you don't have to do everything yourself anymore."

Asuka genuinely looks relieved. It seems like she has worried her a lot. Her and Atushi came all the way here for her sake. They didn't hesitate to change all their career plans and follow her to Tokyo. She is truly thankful to them.

"About Futaba."

At those words, Sumire's sweat fell. "Can you still hold her back? I tried to persuade Yuhi-san, but he seems to be very against Futaba coming here."

"I'll try, but do you know why he is behaving that way?"

"He told me." Sumire nodded. "It was pointless trying to persuade him that the others meant well. At the time, I didn't think much of it; it didn't bother me. I only wanted to see Ru."

For the longest time, she only wanted to see Mamoru again. 'I still have something to say. How could you leave me before I told you my feelings?'

'I love you.' Just those three words, if she told him much sooner, what kind of expression would he have on his face? He would have smiled foolishly and turned red, and yet he would grab her hand and tell her that he was happy.

If things turned out well between Mamoru and her, she would most likely not entertain the thought of being together with Yuhi anymore. She would have truly been able to let him go.