Eternal Melody

A few hours later – Horizon Stadium –

Sumire didn’t know how she managed to get to practice after that. All she remembered was vaguely seeing Shin, so she supposed he dealt with the situation before he dropped her off here. 

Since she came, she has not done much. Her wounds hurt, so after a few songs, she stopped to take a break.

Sumire stared at the magazine for the one-hundredth time. Atushi told her that Yuhi would like anything that comes from her, but she wonders if it is okay to make him something handmade. It is almost winter again, but September just started, so it is still warm out. 

Still, the only thing she can find in this magazine that is easy to make is a muffler or a hat. Yuhi doesn’t have a hat for winter, does he? She noticed that when she was going through his stuff.

Still, her mind kept wandering to what happened two hours ago. Sano appeared, and she drank his blood, right? But what happened after then? How come it is a blur to her? What happened to him?

“What are you doing?”

Sumire immediately hid the magazine, and Yuhi raised his eyebrow. “Why are you acting suspiciously?”

“N-no reason.”

This is embarrassing, and she doesn’t want him to see her doing weird things. 

Yuhi was curious, but he didn’t say anymore and passed her a drink and a small bag. “Here, take a break.” 

It was ice coffee and doughnuts. Sumire laughed. “No more pastries.”

“If you want some, then I will make it when we go home.” Yuhis gaze fell on the guys of Quatro Light. “And so?”

“You guys didn’t have much time to practice the song since I only just completed it.”

“But you’re confident?”

Sumire nodded. “I am.”

There is no way she made a mistake. She confirmed these thoughts when she worked on those solo songs.

Her thoughts broke off when she noticed something. Oh, he is getting closer to her again. So when he kisses her deeply, it does not surprise her.

“No more?” Yuhi mumbled against her lips.

“It’s okay.” Because it is, isn’t it? She likes it whenever he kisses her like this.

Yuhi ran his hands across her cheek. “Don’t push yourself, even if you do like this.” 

“I’m not.”

“Is that so? But I think we should stop.” Yuhi wiped her cheeks with a cloth, and she panicked.

“How did you get this scratch?”

“Uh–“

“Is this from a razor? Did you–“

“N–no I didn’t do it. I just stopped a fight on the way here.”

“Just your face?”

“My neck, but just a little.” Also, her arms, but she can’t tell him that part. If he hears about it, then she won’t be able to play.

Yuhi brushed his hands across her neck where she placed the bandage. She styled her hair, so it covered that part of her neck. But it seems like Yuhi noticed.

“It must have hurt.”

Sumire sensed the pain behind his words and flinched. ‘Why…does he look so concerned? This isn’t the first time I have gotten injured.’ Or rather, the wounds she had recently were more serious than this—the ones from the accident. 

Since that time they came back from Star Town, something has changed. She wonders what it is.

“Go to the hospital later, okay?”

“T–there is no need.”

Besides, the Nagawa family own the surrounding hospitals. She doesn’t want to see him again so soon. She was having a hard time remembering exactly what she did earlier too. She must have drunk, right? Otherwise, why else would she be able to move around freely like this?

One of the things she learned about this ability of hers is her wounds heal fast after she has had some blood.

“You know Nagawa is working hard for you, right?”

“But he is related to the incident–“

“Sumire, didn’t you realize that when he explained the thing about the emblems?”

“..”

“So, I know you don’t hate him.”

“Yuhi that’s—“

“You also drank from him.”

Her sweatdropped when she saw the gloomy aura around him. “I think he offered since he saw my condition.”

But what happened next? Gah, why can’t she remember? Sumire felt very frustrated.

Her thoughts broke off again when Yuhi cupped her cheeks and suddenly placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Ah-?”

“You worry too much. Sure, I do get jealous, but it is not like I am clueless. I can see that he genuinely cares for you.”

“Wait, but at the start, you were all like he should go to jail and stuff.” 

Or rather, what is this drastic change in reaction? Yuhi was so against Sano before, but recently he is so accepting. Sumire thought it was just her imagination, but now that he has admitted it, she felt bewildered.

“That was before I got to know him. I’ve seen how he talks and how he looks at you, Sumire. He genuinely likes you. It isn’t because you messed with him and led him on either. The look he has on his eyes shows that he has liked you for a very long time.”

“How would you know?”

Yuhi kissed her again. “Because you silly girl, it is the same look I give you.”

He admitted there that he had liked her for a very long time. What is she supposed to do with such feelings? Yuhis feelings for her keep growing, and it seems Sano is genuine. 

“Yuhi, you know-“

“Hey, it’s okay, you don’t have to explain anything. I didn’t say all that to pressure you for an answer or make you feel anxious. I understand it is hard for you to accept other people’s love right now. You don’t have to accept it, and I just wanted you to know. It isn’t just me who loves you, and you are wanted and loved by others too.”

Her eyes widened when she heard him say such things. How? How can he say that to her? Her thoughts broke off when she felt Yuhi pat her back.

“Ssh, it’s fine, Sumire.”

This isn’t fair. If he says things like this, then she can’t say anything back.

He must be doing this deliberately.

“Is it okay for others to love me? You are a selfish guy Yuhi so I thought you would want to keep me all to yourself.”

Yuhi sighed deeply. “Well, I can’t disagree with you there. Truthfully Sumire, I do think that way sometimes.”

“Sometimes?”

“All the time.”

Sumire laughed when she heard that. “But you never–“

“I never complain. Truthfully after you told me about your relationship with Sano, I have been trying very hard to avoid making the same mistakes.”

So it was something like that. No wonder he doesnt overreact when other guys talk to her. “I didn’t mean to make you suppress your feelings like that.”

“No, you were right. Right now, the one you are seeing is me. I should believe in the feelings you have for me. Even if you have unsettled emotions from your previous relationships, that doesnt matter since we are together.”

“Yuhi I—” 

“Mimi!” Kou interjected. “Somebody left this for you.”

Sumire looked at what was in Kous hands, a small note with a letter Y and purple colored lilies. Ah?!