Eternal Melody

They were both so silly, but she was the most foolish one. If she had accepted his hand a long time ago, she might have been happy long ago.

But, sometimes, she is frightened. She is so happy now that it feels like a dream. What if she wakes up from this dream one day and he is not by her side?

'I would hate it so much.'

"The reason I brought you up here is also because I wanted to discuss something." Yuhi picked up his phone from the ground. "Here."

Sumire stared at the photo on the screen to see an image of two people entering a hotel. She recognized one of the people as Hori Fuuko's relative, and the woman was clinging to a man with brown-colored hair.

"Ah." Sumire immediately understood. "Is this what Soujiro found out?"

When they were talking in his place, it looked like there was something he wanted to say. So it was this.

"You're not shocked at all." Yuhi pointed out. "That's good; I didn't know how to explain."

At those words, she sighed. "I think the media forgets how long I have known Ru. I have known him since I was seven years old? Since then, I have spent the most time with him. I know him far better than he does himself. Ru has never shown interest in other women that were not me. He actually shows visual discomfort around women." She pointed at the photo. "Look at his face and how he is casually moving away?"

Yuhi peeked over her shoulder, causing her heart to beat fast. "Huh, you're actually right there. I see; no wonder they don't publish the photo. They are afraid the sharp netizens would catch on."

"Exactly, so until they catch an actual photo of Ru smiling with this woman. They can't use this news."

"But the media knowing Mamoru is alive, that should clear their hostility towards you?"

"Not quite. Now they can change the story too, 'Tsueno blames her for the accident and found his true love.' They might cook up a story that this woman took care of Ru when he was hospitalized, and their they fell in love."

"It's scary how accurate you are at predicting their moves."

Sumire chuckled. "It's because I am just as twisted as they are." She trailed off. "They assume that Ru has not met with me since the accident. So, of course, they can lie all they want."

"I don't know what Mamoru is thinking, so even if they post this. I do not know if he will stand up for you."

"But he will," Sumire answered confidently. "I do not know what type of deal they made. But it's probably to do with me. Ru has always had this bad habit of doing stupid things to ensure my safety. He will never harm you."

At those words, Yuhi grumbled. "He hurt you, though."

"Yes, but he was under their control then. What frightened me more than getting hit by him was his pained cries. It was the first time for me heard him in so much pain. I was shocked, but it did not take me long before I cried. When I did, he snapped out of it and caught me before I collapsed."

She heard him despite being in a weakened state. 'Ki, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I turned into this beast, so I could protect you. But in the end, I hurt you. I'm so sorry. Please return to Yuhi.'

Even though he could have easily kept her beside him, he let her go. He even admitted to her that it was all for her.

"Atsuro and Soujiro aside. I wanted to ask, do you still love Mamoru?"

Her gaze softened when she heard his tone. Sumire wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Sometimes there is no need for words; sometimes, it is easier to convey her emotions through actions. Yuhi has done so much for her; he has made her so happy since they started dating. How could she possibly leave his side?

It does not matter how many other guys still love her. Their feelings would not sway her in the slightest.

After a few minutes of kissing, she pulled away. "If I still loved Ru, could I kiss you like that?"

She watched as a dark aura wrapped around him at those words, and he crouched to the ground.

"H-hey, uh Yuhi-san?"

"Damn you," Yuhi muttered. "Are you practicing kissing on someone? Why are you becoming better at it than I am?"

W-what is he talking about? Just now, she kissed him like she normally would. There was nothing different than her thinking how silly he was for feeling uneasy.

Sumire took a deep breath as she crouched down too and brushed their forehead against one another. "I do practice."

"You do?" Yuhi raised his eyebrow. "Brat, your practicing on Nagawa, aren't you? You take advantage of those surprise kisses that he gives you."

"Your imagination sure is wild, Yuhi-san, but not wild enough." Sumire leaned forward. "The one I practice on is you."

"Huh?"

Sumire laughed and shyly covered her mouth with her sleeve. "You see, Yuhi-san, I practice on you when your fast asleep."

"When I'm asleep?"

"Mm. You always take the lead when we kiss; even if I initiate it, you end up in control. It's nice that you always try to please me, but Yuhi-san, I want to make you happy too." Sumire understood how misleading these words sounded. But she genuinely wants him to enjoy it whenever they are together.

She can't always be the happy one. Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi stood up, and she suddenly felt her body being lifted into the air.

"You silly woman. Do you think I feel nothing when we get intimate?"

"W-well, I-I don't know."

She ends up becoming dizzy with happiness whenever he touches her. Sumire explained this to him, and he laughed.

"You truly are a vixen." Yuhi lightly kissed her lips. "My heart always beats when we are together." He moved her hand towards his chest. "I didn't realize that you were attacking me in my sleep. So, you only stopped at kisses?"

"Ahem, so maybe I had a look at other parts of your body. But I could only look. If I touched, I might have died."

"I guess I can let you attack me tonight."

"N-no," Sumire exclaimed, realizing what he was getting at. "We got distracted; let's return to doing homework!"

If she allows him to have his way with her, then she won't get a decent wink of sleep. Still, she feels happy; being with Yuhi, she can smile more naturally. She can laugh more.

This is what Ru wanted, isn't it? He wanted her to feel this joy of being with her loved one. But then, where does that leave him? Right now, the one who fought so desperately to make her smile and be with her loved one is alone and suffering.

Can she truly leave him alone?