Eternal Melody

Sumire remained backstage as she watched the other guys join Yuhi on stage for the MC and live performance. They act so naturally around each other now, to think it was not too long ago when they were suspicious of one another.

Her gaze softened, seeing Yuhi's bright smile. He always says that a smile suits her better, but the same goes for him. He can smile naturally now and laugh alongside people. This is what she has always wanted from him.

'Is there something you have always wanted to do? Something you have always wanted but felt too afraid to take the first step?'

Yuhi, thank you so much. 'Without your care and presence by my side, I would have forgotten all about it. The dream I want to share with everyone.' It is still frightening, but even Yuhi has faced his fears. The message he wanted to show her by singing this song is to show that he has overcome it. The pain and anguish he felt when he first sang 'sky.' That's why she has to do the same.

There are so many people here; this audience far surpasses the stage she had with Yumi-senpai. But, even though it is frightening, she still wants to sing. In the end, it seems like no matter what happens, she will always like singing. No matter how painful it is, she will still return to it.

The reason she has this dream is because of Yuhi. 'I remember it clearly. Our first meeting, but the only reason I sang that day was because of him. What would he think if he learned I sang in that area after seeing him get his operation?'

A dream starts somewhere because of the inspiration and courage given after watching another person. She saw with her own eyes how bravely he fought to protect his vocal cords. Yuhi's strength and determination are what gave her the courage to sing.

Her thoughts break off when Hino speaks up.

"Can you do it?"

"Mmm, I will be just fine." Sumire nodded.

Hino scanned her expression, clearly concerned, and she laughed softly. "If I do a good job, manager, you have to listen to a request of mine, alright?"

Hino sighed. "You and Yuhi are truly alike. He used to say stuff like that when he first debuted."

"Then my manager has experience."

Her thoughts break off when he grabs her wrist and leans forward to whisper something in her ear. For a moment, she was shocked, but before she could say anything to him, the other guys were already leaving the stage.

Hino pushed her forward, and she glanced up to see Yuhi looking at her. He raised his hand, and she blinked before laughing and returning his high-five. "Switch."

Sumire stepped out onto the stage for the second time. The excitement and tension from Yuhi's solo and the performance from M5's stage had yet to leave. But this is okay, 'I want to show them how to love music even more.'

"Why? I've completely forgotten how to love

meetings will come someday with the beginning of parting2

somehow, I have decided upon that idea

you tied the loose shoelaces of my dirty sneakers

your shy smile suddenly shone in the sunlight

it's not that I love for want of love

you gave me the courage to love straight-forward

the two swear to the journey from now

that no matter what occurs, the two hands will never part

it's weird; the everyday landscape begins to seem special

the flowers, birds, and sea, the wind, mountains, sweet sun

when everything shines and cuddles together hana

I found the last piece to the unsolvable jigsaw puzzle

your broad back protects me, and I'll continue to follow you

for eternity." Sumire sang.

...…

Three days later, the mountain region Tokyo.

After the concert ended, she was ambushed, and by the time she finally escaped with Yuhi, it was well past midnight, and both of them were too tired to do anything. The following morning they could only relax for a short while since Hino insisted that they both have to do interviews. Sumire thought their trip to watch the stars with everybody would be delayed a bit more. But earlier, Yuhi did 'kidnap' her from her workplace.

Hino called her to check that she was okay and that Yuhi wasn't angry at her. 'He has been nagging at me, decreasing your work, and seemed to be quite upset that he couldn't see you the past two days. So, I thought he would be mad at you.'

How silly; the only times Yuhi is truly angry at her is when she endangers her own life. For any other matter, he will grumble a little, but he won't get angry at her.

"You said we would come here with everybody. But Yuhi-san, you dragged me away from everyone the moment we arrived." Sumire sighed.

Although she could still see the others from below the hill, they were still quite far away.

Yuhi lay down on the grass beside her also sighed. "I am not going to hide it from you. But I wanted to come with you here alone."

"Then you should have said so."

"How can I refuse when you were so enthusiastic about helping Asuka?"

"Then, what are you doing right now?" Sumire questioned.

"Snatching you away," Yuhi replied immediately.

Sumire sighs again, hearing his reply. This person can truly be selfish at times. However, she does understand his point of view. They have not seen much of each other in the past three days. It is only natural that he feels frustrated. 'I am the same. I almost walked out in the middle of recording the other day.'

For the past three days, she has been swarmed with work. She seems to have severely underestimated the impact of her performance. It was received far too well. Contrary to what Hino believed, the music producers didn't hesitate to approach her. It surprised her to receive so many business cards.

Hino, however, swiftly took control of that situation and took the cards from her. Sumire didn't mind; at the moment, she truly had no interest in debuting internationally. It is still far too soon, no matter how skilled she is. She is still new to the industry; she needs to climb the ladder just like her fellow artists. If she jumped to debut internationally, she would be seen as arrogant, and people would dislike her even more.