Eternal Melody

"But she really is a fine woman. Too bad she has gone through some messed up shit. Hey, how many times has she cheated on you?"

"Zero."

"Because I want to be the next one--" Kei paused, hearing his words. "Zero?"

"You heard me."

"Huh, that's unusual. Were the rumors wrong?"

"A rumor?"

"They said she is a slut who would sleep with anybody. Judging from her looks I thought it was true."

It's just a simple rumor and yet if Kei believed it, then there must be more to it. How annoying, how many more rumors are there about her?

'I thought I was doing a good job destroying those rumors but it seems like I have missed a few.'

"But you're serious?"

"Is it bad if I am?" Yuhi questioned.

What is Kei even doing here? It seems like he has returned from abroad for a while now. If he wanted to harass him regarding Sumire, he would have easily done so a long time ago. But, he is only waiting now.

"What do you want?" Yuhi asked.

"Ibuki Sumire, I was thinking of making her mine."

At those words his gaze turned cold. He knew even without asking for the details that his old friend was serious. But, how many people has he had to deal with since he started dating her? No even before then.

Moreover Kei is not Sumire's type-

'I do have a type, it's a guy like you Yuhi.'

Recalling her words, he felt his cheeks turn red. That girl shows her feelings for him far too easily.

"Are you that confident? Grinning like a fool like that all to yourself. Do you truly not think I can take her away?"

It has nothing to do with confidence. After all how many sleepless nights has he gone by, thinking that she would leave him? Even before she disappeared for a few months, he already held this fear in the back of his mind. To think she truly ended up leaving.

Ever since she returned, he makes sure that she falls asleep before him. He ensures that she is securely in his arms, and even then he waits a good two-three hours before falling asleep.

'I have no confidence that she will remain by my side, even more after discovering that Mamoru is alive.'

There are many guys who like her, but amongst those many. The only one who truly made a difference in her life is Mamoru.

________

A few days later.

She had suffered for the whole day due to the fever that afflicted her body. However, her body temperature returned to normal on the second day. But she wasn't allowed to get out of bed until the sixth day.

Her dear can be a slave driver. She tried asking Hino to persuade Yuhi to let her out, but Yuhi explained everything to Hino already. Hino being Hino agreed and even gave stricter instructions.

'It's unusual being cared for this much, but I don't dislike it.'

Its refreshing, she doesn't have to hold back her pain and suffering when she is in pain.

'But, I am dying to draw right now.' She quickly made her mind up and mustered what little strength she had left to get up, before walking over to her desk

She laid out all the tools she needed on the desk. She then pulled out the last sketch she had drawn.

'If I keep missing school like this, then the preparations for the festival will end up delayed. Although I have been corresponding with the others via video chat, talking in person is still better.''

Moreover, she wants to check on Jun-kun's condition properly. What is the current state of the rumors? Her being sick aside, is it still far too dangerous to go outside?

If she asks Yuhi directly, he won't hide it from her. But he certainly won't be happy. She doesn't like the idea of sitting around here and waiting for him but, 'I don't want to see a pained expression on his face either.'

The last sketch she had drawn was a picture of her dearest. No matter how many times she draws Yuhi, it feels like she can never capture everything.

Even though she is in the best position to see every detail about him. It's difficult to capture that image into a drawing. She picked up a brush, and dipped it into the paint palette. What colours will she mix today? What colours can capture how bright and vibrant this person is to me.

Each brush stroke gradually made the drawing look more and more life like. But this still isn't enough, more and more. She has to do more.

Her thoughts broke off hearing the sound of the doors slam open.

"Yuhi, I came over to play-"

Sumire looked over and saw Yuhi's friend Kei. She met him briefly a few days ago and since then he uses whatever excuse he can to come over.

Kei's gaze fell on her and she returned to focusing on her drawing. However it did not take long before she felt her concentration breaking. Richard had sat down on a stool which he brought over from the corner of the room right beside her. He intertwined a strand of her hair on his fingers and kissed it, one of his hands on her lap.

"What about today Sumire-chan?" Richard whispered in her ear. "They say I'm very skilled."

Sumire sighed. "Your lines are getting worse."

"But you could easily kick me out but you don't. You're quite the vicious woman, although I am not an honest man myself."

"It's not like we have done anything." Sumire stated flatly.

At those words Kei stood up.

"Allowing another man into your boyfriend's home while he is absent. Does Yuhi know you're like this?" Kei ;leaned against the pillar and took out his cigarettes.

Sumire holds out his lighter which he left the other day.

"Yuhi likes everything about me, and the reason I keep letting you in here is because you're useful to me."

This man is a player, who has slept with so many women. He even chases after women. The women he sleeps with are members of Dark entertainment. He is useful because he can provide information.

"I can provide you with more than information." Kei cupped her cheeks. "I know what you truly want."

"What do I truly want?"

"You want--" Kei whispered in her ear before drawing back and brushing his fingers across her lips. "Am I right? Or am I wrong?"

So he isn't a simpleton after all. Still, her gaze dimmed. Does he truly think just because he has that information he can do whatever he wants?

*Unedited*