Eternal Melody

When Sumire next opened her eyes, four hours had passed. Her gaze fell towards the clock that read twelve and she sighed deeply. Why did she sleep so much again? This happened yesterday too. Yuhi fell asleep so she decided to do the same. The next time she woke up, the day was over and everybody was packing up.

She still felt sleepy even now and wanted nothing more than to dive back into the covers and rest. But Sumire knew if she did not get up now, she would not make it for the concert tonight.

The concert huh? Despite all those preparations, Sumire felt that it was useless now. The reporters on the grounds will keep a close eye on her. At this stage she might as well perform normally. But could she?

Since the festival started, Sumire avoided walking alone. But she knew it would be bad for her to call Yuhi out just to get her. It should be okay right? The classroom isnt too far away from here.

She took a deep breath.

It should be fine.

Sumire quickly got up, she fixed her hair with her hands and fixed the creases on her clothes. She made up the bed and exited the room quickly. For some reason the halls were not as crowded as earlier. Did the guests go to lunch outside?

No sooner did Sumire exit the infirmary though, she heard the sound of a shutter.

“Ah, so you finally came out. I got tired of waiting for you Miss Ibuki Sumire.”

At that comment she flinched when she heard the voice. It was a reporter she recognized very well. He was one of the rather persistent types. During her debut banquet he asked so many questions that it ended up sounding like an interrogation. Her agency had to politely escort hi out of the premises then.

She did not think much of it then, especially when she realized how young he was.

Sumire turned around and saw a man with ginger coloured hair and chocolate brown coloured eyes. He wore a grey coloured suit with the collar unbuttoned and a loose midnight blue coloured tie. A auburn red coloured best shirt with orange crosses on the side and auburn red pants.

“Mr Zen.”

“Mr sounds so informal, we are the same age just call me Zello.”

Sumire did not say anything as she cautiously looked at the camera in his hands. It was a separate incident from the car accident, but during the time she dated Sano she got into an accident. The last thing she saw was that camera. But Sumire knew that this person was not the cause of what happened then.

“Then Zello, is your father well?” The one who caused her unease and distress is this mans father.

At that comment she noticed him flinch and Sumire said. “I apologize. Quite some time has passed since I last saw you and after what happened I am wary towards reporters.”

Besides after this mans father was hospitalized, he started acting differently.

Zello sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that.” He quickly put the camera away in his bag. Her eyes widened.

“I came here to apologize to you.”

“Apologize?” Sumire repeated.

“Yes. It was my agency that published the news regarding your incident a few months ago.. I told them that we shouldnt say anything, that this time around we should leave it to professionals. But they would not listen.”

“Of course not. Its your job as a reporter to capture everything and report all the details.” Sumire trailed off when she saw him shifting his gaze. “So you were the one taking pictures of me yesterday?”

“No, my senior borrowed my camera yesterday. He gave it back today saying his camera arrived.”

So if Zello was not the one who followed her then who was it? Sumire felt a sudden unease wash over her.

Her thoughts broke off when Zello clasped her wrist. “I am sorry for everything. Please let us be friends again.”

Sumire blinked when she heard his words. No even more surprising was, her gaze fell on his hand on her wrist. Normally when guys touch her, she flinches immediately. Due to what happened with Sano, she developed a slight trauma.

Her gaze softened. It seems like she cant push away such earnest people.

……..

When Sumire entered the room the flower arrangement club used for the event. She noted how one by one each member was getting caught. According to one of the helpers, at first nobody could get the right room. But in the past few minutes, everybody was getting caught. Sumire felt her heart speed up when she heard that announcement.

Could it be that somebody caught Yuhi out already? Four have passed, so it would not be a surprise.

Forget it, she ought to head to her location already. Just as Sumire proceeded to go there, she felt a hand clasp against her mouth and dragged her into one of the tents.

For a moment all sorts of crazy ideas played through her head. But the person suddenly let go of her.

“Hey what do you think your d –” She froze in mid sentence, realizing the person who had kidnapped her. It wasn’t an assassin or that creepy man.

“Ssh.” Yuhi whispered.

“What are you planning?”

“Eh.” Yuhi trailed off. “Well my room is close to the exit. Guests rarely come my way. So I guess I’m really bored. Stay with me?”

A relieved sigh passed her lips. Yuhi answered the question she worried about this entire time just like that.

“If you know, don’t kidnap me.” Sumire said, trying to tug her hands free from his grasp.

“But it’s dark here,” Yuhi said. Her eyes went wide realizing. That’s right.

That’s right Yuhi is afraid of the dark. “You still won’t stay?”.

“Fine..just for a bit.” Sumire reluctantly agreed.

From where they were despite the fact it was dark, they could still the majority of what was going on. Some people who get ozaki-kun wanted to try again. Her sweat dropped, well it is fifteen rooms. It would be difficult for them to get anyone. Even though the 5 were relatively spread out. It doesn’t seem like he was going to let her go anytime soon.