Eternal Melody

Sano was very impatient to see Sumire, and since he obviously couldn't concentrate. In the end, Sano helped him with most of the work, and they both headed to the manor. The moment they arrived, Hino found Sano inspecting the place. He watches him, confused for a few minutes.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Hino asked.

"I'm just ensuring Lucifer hasn't installed any spy cameras anywhere," Sano said worriedly as he moved the plant pots to the side.

"You don't have to worry. I inspected this place before they bought it. Moreover, is this really your first visit? I am sure she invited you before."

"I didn't want to see her in this house as a newlywed. But well, since they didn't get married anyway, it's fine now."

"You realize that the wedding was postponed, and it will continue when Yuhi returns." Hino reminded him.

Sano rolled his eyes. "I am not worried about Terashima. After all, he will be gone for at least half a year. I can use that time to win her over."

At least half a year? Why is Sano so confident about- Hino looked at him, alarmed. "Sano, what did you do?"

"I just pulled a few strings, so he stays there longer."

Hino shakes his head. "You're insane."

He needs to call Yuhi later and inform him what is going on. He will not let Yuhi stay in the US for half a year. Two weeks apart is already driving Sumire crazy. But six entire months? He won't let that happen.

The minute they step inside the house, Hino hears the sound of something crashing. He rushed to the source of the sound, alarmed to find an angry Sumire and Kusajishi Atsuro opposite her holding his red cheek and a broken vase on the ground.

Sano immediately went towards Sumire and grabbed her now bleeding hand. "You're hurt."

"San?" Sumire mumbled.

"I'm here."

Sumire still looked furious, and she seemed troubled seeing Sano. But she clearly didn't want to stay in the room anymore and let Sano walk her back to her room.

Hino sighed deeply. "What did you do now?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing, he says; she wouldn't have gotten angry at you if it was nothing."

"I just told her it's too much of a burden for her to take care of twins. So she ought to send the twins away."

"That was wrong of you, and you know that."

"But it's true. She isn't emotionally stable recently; what if something bad happens? She will regret it more if the twins get hurt because she had a panic attack or something. Trust me, Narasaki, this arrangement will go wrong eventually."

Hino couldn't say anything to that, as much as he wanted to deny it. Kusajishi Atsuro was actually speaking the truth. Sumire raising the twins in this 'safe' area was a problem. It's too isolated; even if it keeps her safe from the media, this isolation isn't good for her mental health.

When choosing this location, Yuhi probably didn't think of the possibility of him not being with Sumire. Granted, initially, Yuhi didn't even want to accept the offer until Sumire sprung it on him last minute.

Atsuro pulled out a cigarette and lighter and inhaled. "You are already doing so much for her. Have you not thought of moving in with her until Yuhi returns?"

At those words, Hino looked horrified, and Atsuro sighed.

"You like Sumire, don't you?"

"Of course I do."

"Then, I don't understand why living together is an issue."

"It's because I love her, I don't think-" Hino stopped mid-sentence, but Atsuro must have understood.

"That you can control yourself, huh? Well, it's nice that you're being so considerate. But do you really think you can keep up with that behavior for long?"

Hino sighed. "Your very blunt, aren't you? I can see why Sumire was reluctant to meet with you before."

"I'm only doing it for her own good; you all baby her too much. She needs to see reality."

"In her current state? You said it yourself how fragile her mental state is right now. Being too blunt will only have the opposite effect right now."

Atsuro looked at him for a moment and sighed. "You know if you actually made a move on Sumire. Yuhi would be in trouble."

"Ha, if I ever make a move, that's the day my relationship with Yuhi ends, and I won't risk that."

He treats Yuhi as his family, he doesn't want to do anything that destroys that.

"I see. But it's good that you stayed behind. However, Shin and I would have looked after her just the same. It would indeed be difficult with our careers."

Something tells him that Sumire wouldn't let Atsuro pick her up from school, risking false rumors.

"She is very different when she is with you. Sometimes I think she may have a crush on you."

"I doubt it." Hino shakes his head. "Anyway, I can't move in with her. But, I will drop by often."

Rather recently, he has been staying overnight because of her increasing nightmares. But there is no way he will say that. It feels like he is breaking his own rules.

"Yeah, you're a very strange guy. But, I think your what she needs."

So many people have told him that, yet he has a hard time believing it.

"I will drop the medication later, so make sure you're here with her then." Atsuro quickly left before he could say anything else.

Hino could only sigh deeply and slump on the couch. This is frustrating, after all. He spends so much time with the girl he likes, yet he can only remain distant. No matter how close they get, there is a wall that never vanishes. If he even attempts to break that wall, something else will crumble. Can he risk that?

He is already estranged from his real family. He doesn't want to damage his second family just because of a girl.

'I tell myself this every day whenever I think about making a move on Sumire. But, it's difficult after all.'

Sumire isn't just a normal girl. If she were, maybe it would be easier for him to give up. All he can do now is stay close to her like this. But for how much longer? When Yuhi returns, he won't be able to spend as much time with her.