Eternal Melody

Each word that leaves Sumire's lips has the feeling of spring. He knew she was speaking nothing but the truth. She is not messing with him like she did at the start of their relationship. She seldom quotes Shakespeare now, meaning she-Yuhi paused, noticing how warm her skin was.

He frowned, raised his face from her neck, and placed his hand on her forehead; heat immediately transmitted to his palm. Is she sick again?

'I know she has a weak body. But doesn't it seem like this happens more frequently now?'

Yuhi picked her up. "Let's find somewhere to rest."

"But the enemy-"

"-they clearly aren't here. You need to rest before we head back." Yuhi interjected.

If the staff and other artists realize that she is sick, she won't be able to participate. They found a bench not too far away, but ,Sumire's body seemed to turn cold, exactly like ice during that time.

He regretted not bringing his bag with him. Since he started dating her, he always carried medical supplies with him.

Yuhi sat down and hugged Sumire tightly.

"I have to keep you warm; this is the only way."

Sumire blinked and laughed. "You don't have to explain it to me. I like it when you hold me." She trailed off. "It's really warm. My dear, when will we buy the house?"

"Hmm, I'm still looking around for places."

They need an area with good security that isn't too far from the town. But far away, so the media will find it troublesome to go out there. The area Soujiro's mansion is in fits those requirements, but he doesn't like the idea of becoming neighbors with one of his love rivals.

"I don't mind where we go as long as we can be together. But, if there is a requirement. I want a home where there is a large garden. I want the children to run around freely in a field of flowers."

Yuhi didn't know what to say to this. He felt incredibly guilty hearing her speak. Here she is planning their future, but he has only ever focused on how to keep her beside him now.

"I will help you plant the flowers." Yuhi managed to say.

"Mm, please do, and I would also like to make a request."

"A request?"

"When we get married. I hope you will allow me the privilege to wake up with you by my side." Sumire trailed off and laughed. "I know it will be difficult considering our careers, but I would like it very much. Waking up with you beside me and falling asleep in your arms."

"Is that, is that all you want?" Yuhi mumbled.

She could have so much more; he has the luxuries to give her anything. But all she is asking now is for him to stay by her side.

"That is all I ever want," Sumire said with tears in her eyes as she smiled brightly.

"I have to confess, this entire time, I have only been thinking of the present. Even though I was the one who first confessed to you when you rejected me, I actually thought it was normal. So when I learned that you actually had feelings for me, I didn't know what to do. Sometimes I think maybe it was fortunate that I left star town. If I had stayed, I wouldn't have been able to sort my feelings out properly." Yuhi admitted.

This is why he gave her that time limit of a year. He made it seem like he was being considerate to her, but he wanted to sort out his mind.

The reason he confessed to her was because he actually knew that she would never accept. He cried when she rejected him because he understood that a person like him could never find happiness. So when he returned to her place and found evidence that she liked him.

To his surprise, Sumire shakes her head. "You don't have to explain anything, Yuhi. I already knew."

Yuhi looked at her, puzzled. "You already knew?"

"Mm. I said this before, Yuhi-san, but I know everything about you. I did do my fair share of watching you, after all."

"Well, yes, but this-"

Sumire placed her hands on his face. "Look at me, Yuhi-san, and look at me properly. I think you have underestimated my feelings too much. I have always loved you. Even with lost memories, I always felt like something was missing." She trailed off. "The reason I didn't tell you what happened during the time I ran away was because I didn't want you to misunderstand. But it seems like I will have to tell you now."

Yuhi wanted to tell her that she didn't have to go that far. But the curious part of him couldn't hold himself back anymore. He wants to know everything about her; he wants to learn everything. It has already been months since she left his side and then returned. However, he has not said a word.

"Where to begin, mmm. I suppose I should mention how they didn't exactly know what to do with me when I first arrived there. They couldn't harm me because my blood would act as a shield to stop them if they tried. So I think they actually did their best to treat me with respect at first.

They confined me to a small wing in the facility that nobody used anymore. No high-end security prevented me from leaving, but there were no doors either. They confined me in a space with no exits, windows, or light source." Sumire explained.

Yuhi felt sick already hearing those words. How is that treating her with respect? In a room with nothing, it's possible to create one like that with an evolved humans power. But why would they put her in such a place?

"Honestly, it didn't bother me at first. It felt like I had already gone through something like that before. But, after staying there for a week, my mind started to break. It's strange, it has happened before, but even with that knowledge, I broke down.

During one of my panic attacks, Ru appeared. He looked furious. It turns out that room wasn't where I was supposed to stay. He got me out of that place, but even after I started experiencing severe side impacts, I stayed there for three weeks." Sumire paused and laughed. "Yuhi-san, calm down."

Yuhi shakes his head. He couldn't; he was furious. Why did they treat her like some type of animal? Were they trying to break her down mentally so she would lose control of her powers? If it's like that, then the facility and the Black Alice organization share a stronger connection than he thought.

For a while, after she returned, she seemed to suffer terrible nightmares. It seems like this was the reason why.