Eternal Melody

June 24th, Tokyo, 9:00am.

On the morning of Sumire's birthday, Toh was in the middle of the final preparations for opening his new brand store when Narasaki Hino walked in. Toh stared at Hino, stunned; he had arranged a meeting with him. But it wasn't until a few days later.

Hino looked around. "Are you the only one here?"

"Yeah, I told the employees not to come till the opening day."

Or rather, he was a bit of a perfectionist, so he tends to shoo away his staff during the last few days before the opening,

"I see." Hino trailed off. "So, what did you want from me? Make it quick."

"Are you in a hurry because of Sumire's birthday?"

"We had plans today, but-" Hino held up his phone.

From: Sumire

Hino, I'm sorry, but I have a forty-degree fever.

Can we do something at home instead?

Toh thinks back to what he saw the other day. How did she manage to fight in that situation? No, it shouldn't surprise him. She has always been so careless, and her lack of self-care makes it worse. It's because she doesn't care enough about herself that she can rush into dangerous situations without thinking it through.

"There are already speculations about your relationship with her in the media."

"What, do you actually believe that?"

Toh shakes his head. "I am more than familiar with the workings of the Entertainment industry."

"But you asked anyway." Hino trailed off. "Sumire, she likes Yuhi more than you all think. I don't know if it's just me who sees it. But I can't hurt either of them. I have no intention of breaking their relationship ever."

"Does it make sense for you to give up without even trying?" Toh wondered.

The two seem very close if Narasaki actually made a move. Sumire would easily fall for him. In the past, Sumire viewed a relationship as a place to ease her loneliness and pain. She wanted kindness and comfort; Sumire felt at ease with Narasaki by her side.

This idiot is giving up even though he stands a chance.

"Yeah, because I love them both."

Toh sighed deeply. "Whether it's you or Mamoru, I don't understand."

Hino laughed. "I think Tsueno is more of the self-sacrificing type than me."

"I did arrange to meet with you, but not until next week. Why did you come here early?"

"You're clumsy with a gun, but because you fired those shots. I knew where she was."

He is not only close to Sumire, but he is even strong. Toh made a mental note in his head before nodding.

"It seems you are still in love with her," Hino mumbled. "Do you intend to betray Lucifer?"

"I already betrayed Lucifer when I fell in love with Sumire. I contacted you to let you know of my intentions. I intend to take Sumire away from here."

"What if she refuses?"

"She won't," Toh said confidently.

"Explain."

"Sumire will outweigh the pros and cons of the situation. If she truly loves Terashima Yuhi, she will leave him because she doesn't want to become a burden to him. If she stays by his side, Terashima Yuhi will continue getting dragged into danger."

Hino sighs deeply. "You understand her too well. Indeed, I can't disagree with that. But I am hoping that scenario will never occur. I want her to understand that she isn't a burden to anybody, and people will love her for all her faults."

"It's not easy."

"Yeah."

"If you want her to get better, however, you should leave her to me," Toh recalls his discussion with Mamoru. "Convince her to live together with me until Terashima returns, and of course, the children too."

He still doesn't know if he can love the children of his rival. But they are also Sumire's kids; he loves her too much to hate anything of hers.

Hino didn't seem surprised at his suggestion. If he was, he didn't show it on his face.

"Recently, her mental state isn't good, and I was planning on finding a roommate for her. But, it's hard to find anybody dedicated to looking after her. She has many friends, but I don't know anybody who would sacrifice everything for her sake if she was attacked. Could you do that?" Hino scanned him up and down.

"Of course." Toh didn't hesitate to reply.

For the next few minutes, neither of them spoke before Hino nodded, and Toh sighed in relief.

"On one condition. I will have a spare key. I will visit every few days, and these visits will come unannounced."

Toh sighed, hearing those conditions. Setting those conditions means he can't be intimate with Sumire because Narasaki could walk in at any moment. He doesn't want Sumire to be labeled as a 'cheater,' so he actually has no intention of touching her until she ends everything with Terashima. But when he saw her yesterday, he had the urge to pull that mask off and kiss her.

'I never thought I would one day be reduced to being the same as an average male.'

He nodded. "Is there anything else?"

"If I recall correctly, you're staying in an apartment building guarded by security. Are there any open places?"

"You're also moving in." Toh immediately understood.

"Don't get me wrong; it's not like I don't trust you when you say you love her. However, right now, you're still one of Lucifer's men. If you ever decide that giving Sumire to Lucifer is better than putting yourself in danger-"

Toh shakes his head. "Never."

"Alright, I understand. I will let her know. Or do you want to say it? You're a professor at her university now."

This guy has done way too much research. He even knows what apartment building he is staying in. It shouldn't be easy to get that information.

'I also did my background checks, but Narasaki Hino's family history is the one information I couldn't obtain.'

What type of family does this guy belong to?

"I think it will be easier if the information comes from you."

"That's true; can you get me in touch with Tsueno? He keeps running away, even if I am strong. That guy is too fast for me."

"I will pass on the message."

Hino's gaze fell on the dress he was finishing off. "If you want to give that to Sumire, you should do it before her next concert."

Before Toh could even react, Hino had already left him alone in the shop. He sighs deeply and looks at the dress on the mannequin.

'Leaving, reappearing and saying something harsh before disappearing again. Sumire is definitely angry at me.' Although they have been exchanging messages, there is no doubt that she will be angry when they meet face to face.