Eternal Melody

It seemed like Nagwa didn’t want to leave Sumire since he also tagged along. This Phoenix stadium is rumored to have been built solely for Takashi Yumi since all the concert venues in Japan never have enough space. But in an area as large as this one, her fans should be able to fit. 

Thankfully the stadium roof was on; otherwise, he would have advised Sumire from going out. 

There, on the edge of the large stage, was Takahashi Yumi.

“Yumi-senpai.”

The woman turned around and blinked before she burst into laughter.

“Yumi-senpai, this isn’t funny!”

Yumi chuckled. “But isn’t it? Even my dear one has a hard time finding me, but you’re always spot on.”

“That’s because after announcing something like that, naturally, you would be excited and end up practicing.” Sumire trailed off. “It is something I would do too.”

“So, did you get excited?”

“Of course!” Sumire exclaimed, but she looked down. “But I am still afraid.”

“I understand that, but I told you when I first came here. I like it a lot that etude of radiance. You wrote that song when you were on a break; you have never lost the radiance in your heart. The light from your eyes has never faded. Ibuki Sumire-chan, I am positive if it is, you can achieve something I could never have done.”

“Then this stage.”

“It is to elevate the new generation, my successor- no the future of the entertainment world. Ibuki Sumire, will you take on my challenge?”

To his surprise, Sumire suddenly dragged him over,

“I understand what you are saying. I will accept this stage, but I can’t elevate the entertainment world alone.”

Yumi’s gaze softened. “Then Sumire-chan, can I borrow Yuhi-kun for a moment?”

Sumire looked at him with suspicion. “Yuhi, you can’t flirt with senpai.”

Yuhi lightly tapped her forehead. “Quit it with that already.”

Sumire laughed. “Then Yuhi-san, I will wait for you.”

He leaned down and kissed her forehead, and grabbed hold of her hands. “Yeah, behave.”

“Mmm, thank you.” With those words said, he watched as she left with Sano. He turned to the purple-haired woman and sighed.

“What did you need from me?”

“Oh my, aren’t you sharp? But well, I wanted to test your resolve too.” Yumi trailed off. “That girl is amazing, isn’t she? She can lift people from their slumps. There was a time frame for you, right? Where you were unable to write any new songs and were in a slump?”

“Yeah.”

“The same went for me, and that was when I met her. That girl she didn’t have anything. She wore nice clothes, but she seemed very upset, but once she picked up a toy mic somebody threw away and started to sing, she shone so brightly.”

“If you just announced that she was your kohai from the start.” 

Yumi nodded. “I know, I considered it many times. I have had my own share of bad experiences of the media attacking. It is not like I do not understand. However, Sumire-chan she wouldn’t want that. It was something my partner Sora Yuuko who also guided her, said. She said that Sumire-chan wouldn’t want the misunderstanding to be resolved just because somebody powerful stepped in.”

“She would rather find the truth and reveal it.” Yuhi finished.

So this is the reason why she behaves that way regarding the investigation. She wants to find out the cause of the accident, not just for her sanity but for her fans.

“Even if the truth comes out, there will always be those who will believe the false theory the media has cooked up the last few months. The chances have increased more since she refused to make any public statements and just vanished. The media could say anything about her, and nobody could counter it. Even if she explains now, the seed of doubt will never fade.”

Yumi nodded. “That is exactly why I genuinely considered intervening. But there was no need,” she looked at him and patted his shoulder. “A man who works so hard for his woman is very cool, you know?”

Yuhi averted his gaze. It was only natural for Takashi Yumi to know what he has been up to, but it still made him feel embarrassed. 

“I don’t think she has realized yet; she is so slow when it comes to these things.”

“Then do you want me to tell her how you have been fighting the media for her sake? Not just the media but every single artist in the entertainment industry? Should I tell her about your little protests on the streets? Or how about you visiting every person who has a bad opinion of her? Should I mention how you lowered your head and told them to trust her?”

The more Yuhi listened, the more he wanted to escape. Damn, he didn’t think she would know that much, especially the last part.

“I don’t have to do anything; as long as you are around Sumire-chan, then there is a chance she will return to the stage. But,” Takashi sighed deeply. “That other one who was here just now is the main reason why she hasn’t gone back.”

“Nagawa?”

“Yes. When I first came here a few months ago, I asked Sumire-chan about him, and she seemed to be very fascinated? Well, whatever it was, it was no good. It was interfering. Since her attention was elsewhere, naturally, she wouldn’t be able to sing.”

“But that isn’t directly due to Nagawa; it was because she had something else to do.”

“Sumire-chan is the type of person who conveys her feelings through her songs. But she can’t do that with him.”

Yuhis eyes widened, understanding where she was getting at.

“I don’t know what happened, but it seems that she isn’t too focused on that stumbling block.”

Something came to mind after he heard those words. Could it be because she slowly started to regain her memories? So that means it would be because of him. Does she finally understand her feelings?

Yumi’s gaze softened. “Well, I don’t need to hear the reason. I am just glad to see she has cheered up.”

“Even if she battles against you, she can’t enter the idol rankings now.”

“I know, the idol board disqualified her. But that is fine; she can forge a new path. She has so many reliable people beside her, so I am sure she can work hard again for next year.”

This person is even stranger than Sumire. But now, he is starting to understand why Sumire behaves the way she does. It is because of Takashi Yumi’s influence. No, based on what the older woman just said.

“She has even influenced the legend to this extent.”

“A former legend.”

“Are you that confident?”

Yumi chuckled. “I am surprisingly better at finding talent than actually singing. That girl is fine now. I know she said she is still afraid. But it isn’t like that anymore; that fear has already turned into strength. The reason she says she is still afraid is due to the habit. But even you can see it right, Terashima-kun?”

Indeed he could see it; he doesn’t bring it up often about her returning to stage. But whenever he does, Yuhi sensed that something had changed now. There is an unwavering conviction and strength in her voice.