Eternal Melody

Sumire was about to walk away when she heard the sound of something hitting a desk, and she bit her lip. 'I shouldn't go back in there if I do, once again-' Her thoughts break off when somebody reaches over to open the door. It was Hino, who had been standing by in the hallway. The door didn't open, meaning Sano had locked it. She was about to suggest getting the master key from reception when Hino kicked the door down.

She stared at him dumbfounded as the door came crashing down.

'-and he calls me and Yuhi-san violent!' She would have called him out on this behavior but sees the worried look in his eyes. Sometimes she forgets that Hino and Sano are best friends.

Sumire follows Hino inside, and they find Sano on the ground by his desk. It looked like he had been trying to get on the chair but ended up losing his balance, he tried to grab hold of the desk to steady his fall, but it didn't end well.

"Oi Sano."

"Don't shout; you'll make him feel worse." Sumire took out her handkerchief and started to wipe the blood from Sano's face.

"For somebody hesitating, you're sure quick to help him." Hino helps her bring Sano over to the couch.

"Of course I am; look at him," Sumire exclaimed.

"Now, who is raising their voice? You truly do get worked up when it comes to Sano."

Sumire paused for a few minutes before sighing. "I will get a nurse or another doctor. He hit his head. I think it should be checked out."

She proceeded to leave, only to feel somebody grab hold of her wrist. Sumire knew, even without turning around, that it belonged to Sano. He was looking at her with flushed cheeks due to the fever.

"Stay," Sano said weakly.

Hino flicked her forehead lightly. "Stay with him. I will get the doctor."

Sumire nodded, and with that final exchange, Hino exited the room. She turned her attention back to Sano, who was still holding her wrist.

"I am not leaving for a while now, so you can let go."

Sano didn't, and she sighed again. She tried to remove his hand, but that led to him yanking her towards him. In the next second, she is on the couch and resting her head on his chest.

"San-"

"Just stay still," Sano mumbled.

Sumire reluctantly listens and continues to sigh. 'I could pry him off, but he will end up doing something stupid again. I will wait until Hino returns with a doctor.'

Should she bother asking him why he is suddenly taking her hostage like this? For a while now, she has decreased her meetings with Sano and sent somebody else to fetch her medicine from him. She has deliberately been avoiding him.

Sano pulled her closer and mumbled in her ear. "Your really going to stay?"

"I said I would."

"But it won't be long; you will leave again soon."

Sumire doesn't say anything to that. What else can she say to him?

"Your so warm."

"Then I don't think you should be hugging me-"

"No, I'm colder now, so this is nice."

'My dear, please don't blame me for this later.' Sumire reluctantly turned around so she could face him. This is the man who broke her heart. He dumped her in the most heartless way, but now he looks so vulnerable without her.

"What are you thinking?" Sano suddenly asked.

"How much of an idiot you are."

He genuinely seems to care for her. If he had shown her this attitude before when they were dating, 'I would have fallen in love with him.' When she first proposed their relationship, she only did so to fill the void in her heart. She only 'used' him. However, the possibility of her falling in love with him was quite high, too, if he treated her well and showed her that he genuinely cared.

It was almost like Sano understood what she was thinking.

"Have I truly lost my chance with you, Sumire? I don't want you to answer this now. I know you may think you have an answer already. But I don't believe for a second that non of my actions have moved your heart."

She sighed again. "Your acting so conceited." Sumire trailed off. "Tell me something, San, are you truly sure that I am the one your in love with?"

"Are you starting to doubt me?"

"No, no. I have always doubted your words, even more so after we met again in Tokyo."

From the moment she saw him again, she doubted everything he said. His behaviour has indeed changed, and she now has a better understanding of him. But, she has always maintained a neutral stance whenever he said anything to her.

'This way, I won't be disappointed if he lies again.'

"I won't lie to you anymore."

Sumire stared at him suspiciously. "Do you expect me to believe that just because you said it?"

"Not at all. I am aware of what I did; it's natural that you doubt me."

This is making her head hurt. Why does he keep behaving like this? When they first met again, he was still his usual jerk self, so she could still treat him coldly. But when did that change?

"Even if I apologize for the past again, you won't accept it. So, instead, I will say this. The fact is, Sumire, you weren't the only one who wanted that relationship."

"I know you wanted to use me for my connections in the business world.-"

Sano shakes his head. "I wanted that relationship because I wanted you. I wanted to know everything about that girl with the innocent smile and yet sad and lonely eyes."

His response only made her sigh again. Truly this would sound sweet if it came from any other guy. But it's from him.

"I will still meet with you. I will pick up my medicine myself and won't ignore your messages. So, in exchange, can you not harm your body like this again?"

If she ignores him, he may end up doing something drastic, 'like taking his life.' She isn't an expert on psychology, but she did date, Toh. She spent a lot of time observing his work. If she continues to ignore Sano, he may end up dead someday.

No matter how much pain he brought her in the past, she does not wish for him to die.