Eternal Melody

Then what is she supposed to do? Sumire thought if she were honest like this, then it would be enough, but her thoughts broke off when Yuhi buried his face in her chest.

“It isn’t you, it’s me, I go crazy whenever you are around me. I must be crazy; why do I like you this much?”

Her eyes widened when she heard him say those words. Indeed if given a chance, it was something she wanted to ask him too. Why does he like her so much when others around her are prettier, talented, and have a better voice? At first, Sumire thought Yuhi liked her only because of her voice. But even when she refused to sing, he remained by her side.

Her thoughts broke off when he got off her and walked over to the bathtub area. Sumire took a deep breath before she followed him.

“I thought you got embarrassed taking baths together.”

“I do.”

“But you joined me?” He seemed half curious and half-amused. Yuhi tugged on the thin material of her clothes and frowned. “You should take this off; it’s already wet anyway.”

Right she joined him without giving it much thought. Sumire tilted her head innocently. “Take it off?”

Yuhi extended his hand out and flicked her forehead. “Brat, take it off yourself.”

She watched as he turned around, and Sumire sighed. That was an invitation! It was her best move to seduce him, and yet he had to respond that way. 

Sumire quickly removed the soaked garment of. 

She felt a bit self-conscious but shook her head. He has already seen everything.

“Finished?”

“Mm.”

Yuhi turned around but not after dumping a whole bottle of bubbles onto the tub. She rolled her eyes. “Yuhi-san, I thought your self-control was breaking or something?”

“It is, and that is why I’m taking measures.”

Sumire rested her back against his chest, and he flinched. She laughed at his reaction. ‘So cute.’

“So uh about earlier.”

This was one of the reasons why she ran away after dinner. 

“Taking blood will eventually become normal for you.”

“But Yuhi-” She doesn’t want to get hurt.

“Did it taste bad or something? Sorry, I should have asked you.”

Her eyes widened when she saw the expression on his face. “N–no!” Sumire exclaimed. “It was good, and I liked it.”

Yuhi laughed and ruffled her hair. “Then there is no need to worry.”

How can he say that so calmly? Unless he did that with other people?

“You know when you’re ready, I would also like to..”

Uh, what? She watched as his face turned redder. Wow, she never saw this expression on his face before. But ‘I can’t even make fun of him.’ How can she tease him when he looks that red?

It’s not just him too, and her heart is beating so fast.

“I didn’t say that to make you feel nervous.”

“I know, but I just am.”

Why does she feel like this? It feels so very foolish right now.

“I said when we first began dating that we could take our time with this stuff.”

Right he mentioned that he wouldn’t pressure her. Indeed he stuck to that promise; he does not directly pressure her but does so indirectly.

“You’re a beast,” Sumire mumbled.

“A beast?” Yuhi lightly kissed her lips. “Well, teasing aside, you’re a bit skinnier than usual.”

“Ah.”

“When I’m not here, you have to remember to eat.”

“This time, it isn’t deliberate. I was concentrating too much on Jun-kun’s song.”

Whenever she ends up focusing on anything, it ends up this way.

“For Kira Jun, huh?”

“Yuhi, what do you think?”

“I don’t know Kira very well, so it’s hard to give advice.”

“I see.”

“But if you want.” Yuhi brought his lips to her neck. “I can give you some advice as long as you give me something in return.”

“L-like?”

Yuhi chuckled. “It’s up to you.”

……

It was difficult for her to get up in the morning, but she somehow managed it. Sumire walked around the streets with a grocery list in hand. ‘The best place to get these ingredients from…’ Though there is a convenient store nearby, she wanted to make an extra special meal.

Sumire recalled Yuhi’s words from last night and sighed. It wasn’t a bad answer, but it wasn’t the answer she expected either.

Yuhi can say that because he has the ability but for her– Sumire shook her head. What use is there getting jealous? Besides, Yuhi isn’t a genius. He isn’t like Mamoru. Yuhi worked very hard to get to where he is now.

She understood that much whenever she saw his hands. ‘Rough hands from practicing too much.’ The amount of cough medicine he has the cabinets too. That person truly loves music.

Her thoughts broke off when she overheard people’s conversations passing by. “Don’t you think that guy looks like Kira Jun?”

“There is no way, though.”

Jun-kun?

Sumire looked around, and she found him immediately. On the sidewalk benches by the road, she spotted a man with teal colored hair. He had his headphones on and a laptop—stacks of paper on his lap. 

‘He must be working on the song too.’ Even though I haven’t finished composing yet.’

It is rare for her to be stuck so long on a song for another person. Writing a song about herself and her feelings is hard, but it’s easier to write about another person.

Sumire didn’t know when but at some point, she sat down on the benches too. Now that she thought about it, the summer she accepted Mamoru. Jun-kun gave her some advice.

He usually is coldhearted and wears an indifferent expression on his face. But that time, he yelled and told her not to hesitate. It was because he said those words that she chased after Ru.

So many people gave her strength when she doubted herself. Jun-kun was one of the many people. ‘I want to repay them back somehow.’ Unlike Kou and Ran, Jun isn’t as vocal about why he came to Tokyo. But Sumire understood it very well. This person is worried about her too.