Eternal Melody

"I looked at the schedule, so I know he won't let you out of his sight for a moment," Sano mumbled.

Yuhi could sense the frustration in his tone.

Sumire giggled. "Yuhi-san knows when to be romantic. Even though he is clumsy at it."

"I will be with Lucifer." Sano trailed off. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop them from discluding you."

"No, I understand. Lucifer was probably the one who gave the orders. San, you have power. But there is one person you cannot cross. So it was easy for me to figure out why I wasn't invited."

That's right, with Nagawa being one of the organizers. It should have secured Sumire's spot, but instead, she wasn't included. Lucifer himself gave the orders; it seems like Nagawa's hands are tied if the orders directly come from that man.

"Sumire, I will be with Lucifer. So, I will make sure that-"

Sumire laughed again and shook his head. "I know San that you can't disobey him. Please do not try anything. After what happened last time, it took you a long time to regain his trust. You do not have to continue to put yourself in harm's way for my sake."

Yuhi could only stare at her, stunned. Does she normally say such brutal words to Nagawa? Now he is starting to pity that guy.

For a minute, there is silence on the other end of the line before Nagawa speaks up.

"No matter what you say, I will keep you safe. This time around, I will make sure of it."

Nagawa's words carried such a heavyweight. If he knew this would be the trigger that dropped Sumire's coldness towards him, Yuhi wondered if he could have prevented it.

Sumire seemed visibly stunned hearing that, but before she could say anything, Nagawa ended the call. She tried to call him back, but there was only a voice message.

"Aah, what on earth was that all about?" Sumire grumbled. "He better not do anything dangerous."

"There are Hyou4 members everywhere, and Shin will be around. Send them a message to keep an eye out on Nagawa?" Yuhi suggested.

"That's true. I will message them right away."

Despite how nonchalantly Sumire was acting, he knew that Nagawa's words impacted her this time. Since he had been watching her since earlier, he understood.

"Did that make your heart skip a beat?" Yuhi casually asked.

Sumire looked at him horrified and yet couldn't deny it immediately. Yuhi sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with his hands.

"Wife, have you ever considered making an official harem?"

At those words, she lets go of their intertwined hands and hits him. She puffed her cheeks into a pout.

"I am guilty for my heart skipping a beat for something like that. However, don't tease me. My dear, you know I only love you."

'Something like that, huh?' He has to admit that Nagawa's actions since Christmas have increasingly made him worried. Nagawa allowed himself to get tortured for Sumire's sake. It should have stopped there, but it seems like Nagawa actively decided to participate as a member in those outrageous experiments.

That man had already made it clear that he would do anything, and he knew that Sumire was already aware. But after hearing Nagawa say it directly, she will have a hard time pushing him away.

Now that it has come to this, he can no longer idly stand by and watch. Yuhi grabbed hold of her hand again and walked towards the large tree at the end of the path. He pushed her towards the tree and leaned forward, bringing his lips to her ear.

"So, I think you know already. But, I have reached my limit on this." Yuhi mumbled.

This entire time he has been considerate and trusting that Sumire knew what she was doing. He was right to do that. Sumire knew exactly how to handle the guys who liked her. None of them could ever make a move on her because of that. However, recently she seemed troubled by Hino and just now reacted that way towards Nagawa.

Her entire face was red as she looked at him, surprised.

"Y-yuhi-san, are you jealous?"

"Very, the monster called jealousy is eating away my rational side. I just want to keep you locked up in a place where only I could see you. I no longer care if they are only your friends. I don't want to give you to anyone." Yuhi placed light kisses on her neck. "Be mine and only mine."

It feels like all the emotions he has suppressed this entire time are flowing. These words sound too possessive; any normal girl would call him out on this behavior of his. But he is tired of pretending to be a nice guy. Sumire is no normal girl either.

Even though he is clearly fuming with rage, she is blushing madly.

"T-that-that is, qu-quite romantic of you, Yuhi." Sumire stammered. "Um, I might get a heart attack if you say anymore."

Her reaction didn't surprise him. Previously Sumire had already made it clear to him that she preferred the aggressive approach.

"Then, I will continue. Stay still, so I can imprint my mark on you over and over."

If he marks her all over, will it be enough to drive away all the guys who like her? No, Yuhi already understood it wouldn't be that simple. Even if he took her away far from their reach, their feelings for her would remain.

"My dear, you-your truly my only one." Sumire panted as she ran her fingers through his black locks.

No matter how many times she says that he cannot dismiss the lingering fear in his heart. The fear that she would leave his side has always been there. When she accepted his hand, he feared she would one day leave him.

So when she actually did it, he didn't know what to think. He thought it was just a stupid fear that would never come true, but she did.

"Are you still upset that I left?" Sumire said knowingly.

".."

"Yuhi, even if I apologize to you over and over. I understand that I have already planted the seed of fear in your heart. Nothing I say or do will change your mind. But, even if that is the case. I want to continue telling you every day how much I love you and want to be with you."