Eternal Melody

When she woke up again, it is well past lunch time.

To think she overslept, but then again this is normal.

She still found her current situation strange especially since no signs showed stomach wise. Sumire looked around. “Where is Yuhi?”

The door was half open. Yuhi was talking to someone.

“I dont care what the Principal says. Sumire is my partner.”

“But she–“

Despite her half sleepy state, Sumire understood the situation. She got the gist of the conversation immediately and slowly got up. It occurred to her to cover the love bites Yuhi made but decided to be petty. She walked over and opened the door, halting the conversation.

“Yuhi.”

Yuhi left Toukos’ side. “You okay?” He lightly brushed their forehead together. “Fever.”

“Mm, can you finish here?”

“Yeah.” He squeezed her hand. “I was about to go shopping so I could make you a feast.”

Sumire laughed softly. “I’m sick though, I dont think a feast is appropriate.”

“You’re underestimating this chef.” Yuhi jokes.

For the next few seconds they crack jokes about cooking when Touko coughed. She almost forgot about this woman.

“Yuhi, think about it. This girl–“

Sumire immediately interjected, sensing Toukos tone.

“This girl got into an accident, no she murdered somebody.”

Touko flinched when she heard that reply. “You–“

Sumire sighed. “Honestly, I heard you were smart. But it seems like those were just rumors. Do you think Yuhi does not know?”

Actually, she never confirmed this with him before. But this is the best time to have this conversation.

Yuhi immediately followed her lead and nodded. “Well, of course, I knew. I was working as a member of the underground world, so I knew.” He pinched her cheeks. “I am still with this idiot, regardless.”

She frowned when she heard his words and felt the pain on her cheeks. “Ouch!” Sumire exclaimed. “What is with the name-calling?”

Isn’t this the perfect opportunity for him to praise her in front of the ex? Why is he insulting her instead?

“For stopping me earlier.”

Her anger vanished immediately. She felt her cheeks flush red completely off guard. “Your saying this now?”

What is he doing? Even if it is Yuhi, his ex is right there. Sure this sounds contradictory after what she said. But Sumire felt very weird about this.

“Of course, I am.” He hardly seemed bothered by Touko’s presence. “You know I can’t wait any longer.”

“This isn’t the time for this.” She kept her head low and avoided his gaze.

“Then let’s go back inside and talk.” Yuhi lifted her face and cupped her cheeks. “Okay, Sumire?”

“Yuhi-” Touko spoke up.

Yuhi glared harshly at the woman but did not say anything else. He quickly led her inside his room and closed the door. They waited for a few minutes before they both hear the sound of footsteps fading away. Yuhi dropped her hand the moment the sound vanished.

“Sorry about that, but she wouldn’t go away and kept insulting you.”

“You were…” Sumire didn’t know what to say.

“No, actually.” He backed her against the wall. “I was serious.”

“Mmm serious?” She is already tracing her hands on the collard shirt he clumsily slipped on.

“Yeah, so..” Yuhi paused. “Quit teasing me.”

At some point, her other hand made its way to the zipper of his pants. “Well, it’s not like I don’t want to.” Sumire nodded. She is prepared for something to happen. They live together and end up kissing a lot. Of course, eventually, something would happen. Sumire understood this better than anybody. “But, you said it before about the law.”

Yuhi sighs deeply. He tassels his hair with his free hand, and the other kept her against the wall. “I want to break some rules.” He brought his lips to her ear. “Don’t you?”

“Well, the offer is tempting, but you know my current state. I also think we shouldn’t.”

No matter what crazy desires she has towards him, she has to keep herself under control.

“Sumire, please.” His voice sounded needy and desperate.

It was hard for her to ignore his other hand, which left his hair. His hands felt cold, but she didn’t mind it, the hand roaming on her chest. She didn’t know what to do. Despite her confidence, she knew it would be challenging to proceed unless she…

“You trust me, right?”

Now that would generally be the ice breaker. The words that would lead to her going along with the flow would lead to something romantic. But she wants to treasure him and not rush things.

“I do, and that’s why.” She lightly kissed him. “I want us to treasure each other, to treasure this love. Just wait, Yuhi, soon I will be all yours.”

Yuhi slumped to the ground. A defeated look on his face. “Soon, huh? Can I at least do other things?”

“Sure.”

…

Following morning – Iro Road High School.

Sumire was busy reading No longer human for the fiftieth time since the time in the library. She didn’t understand what was wrong with her recently. This is the first time she has read a book this many times in a row.

“Word on the streets is you like to seduce men.” A familiar voice said.

She glanced over and spotted Shin. He wore his usual lab coat, and she noticed the large stack of documents by his feet. He must be marking papers again.

She laughed. “I heard already.”

“But have you–“

“Twice with Yuhi, once with Ru and a few times with Ren. Now, does that make me a slut?”

Does that make her one even though she was in a relationship with all of them when she slept with them?

“The first two aside, you–” Shin didn’t know what to say.

“Well, nobody really knows. I think Asuka suspected something, but she isn’t the gossip type.” Sumire trailed off. “Hey Shin, lately, Yuhi is indirectly pushy. “

“That doesn’t sound like him. Are you sure your not the one deliberately stirring him up?”

How rude! He makes it sound like it is her fault. Sumire recalled what happened the other day. Okay, so maybe it was her fault there. But it was natural after all those strange dreams she has about him recently. Those strange dreams, huh? If she asked Masaru-senpai, he would be blunt with her and say something about unfulfilled desires or something. Is that what this is? In the seventeen years since her birth, Sumire never thought of such things before.