Eternal Melody

It was just four words that anybody could say, yet it sent a wave of happiness across her heart. She extended her hands out, indicating she wanted a hug, and he happily obliged. The moment she was in his arms, a content sigh passed her lips.

“Yuhi-san, stop being so good to me.”

“Hmm? I wondered what you were thinking about so seriously, but I think you already understand why I’m so nice to you.”

Right, because of his feelings towards her. She has had plenty of chances to see how he behaves in front of other people. In front of others, Yuhi is very cold-hearted; whenever others talk to him, he would have that stiff look on his face and mumble one-word sentences. 

Is it because he understands that all those people who approach him have ulterior motives? 

It is only normal for the people around them not to be sincere in this business. No matter how many times she glorifies her dreams, she understands full well how shady and corrupted the Entertainment industry could be. 

It is sad, but it is not enough to just like singing. Hence why she chose to become an idol rather than a singer. Idols have bad images, and many harsh critics say idols are not singers. 

Indeed, idols certainly focus more on their appearances rather than honing their music skills. But she wants to change that, which is why she made a vow with her close friends to infiltrate the idol industry and change it.

She made that decision, but why did Yuhi also enter this field? He debuted as a singer. Why did he suddenly become an idol halfway? She was curious but knew it wasn’t an easy topic to ask.

“So hey,” Yuhi suddenly mumbled. “I know you’re more open about this stuff, but you don’t mind hugging me in public?”

Sure enough, the moment he said those words, Sumire finally took a look at her surroundings and realized that the lounge area was no longer empty. The receptionists returned to the desk, and people exited the rooms.

Her cheeks colored when she realized that they had been there for a while now. Sumire hits Yuhi’s chest. “Why did you just tell me?”

“Hm? I just noticed.” Yuhi said innocently.

He is definitely lying!

Sumire pulled away from his hold with puffed cheeks as she looked away.

Yuhi only laughed and circled her until he stood in front of her again. He wiped the corner of her eyes casually with his sleeve. 

“Where should we go for dinner?”

Sumire was about to reply when something came to mind. “The bar. The party.”

It took her a moment to realize why the others hadn’t come to see her live. It was because of the party; they must have spent that time setting up.

“We need to go!” Sumire briefly glanced at the time.

Because the reporters chased her at the end and she could not escape, quite some time had passed. The others would surely be waiting for her. She recalled how excited they were when Yuhi said that she could go. 

….

However, during the entire journey to the bar, Yuhi was sulking how it wasn’t fair that he couldn’t hog her to himself. Sumire facepalmed. Didn’t they already discuss this? Why is he sulking about it now? 

It would indeed be nice if they spent time together. It was Christmas eve, and many couples on the main street walked together.

The bright and beautiful illuminated decorations made her happy. She could hear merry chatter and Christmas music from the shops on both sides.

Occasionally she would stop and ask Yuhi if they could have a look at the stalls. 

Sumire’s gaze fell on the various ornaments when she suddenly felt something brush across her hair. Yuhi placed a gorgeous purple sciatica flower hairpin across her hair. With a gentle gaze in his eyes, he mumbled.

“This suits you.”

She could only avert her gaze at his direct words. He is truly acting weird tonight. Did he notice that she sang for him? If he did, he would have mentioned it by now. Moreover, she tried her best to conceal it.

It would be bad for the media to get hold of her true feelings for Yuhi. Since they started dating there, have been many speculations regarding their relationship. Speculations huh? Sumire laughed when she thought of those far-fetched rumors.

Some said she was his mistress, his plaything, and they met when she was selling herself at the bar. It seemed the general public knew about her visiting bars and entering despite being underaged. There were other stories, but all of them portrayed her as some kind of seductress.

Sumire sighed deeply. As if she could seduce Yuhi – look at him. Even if he is handsome, just holding his hand makes her nervous. 

Yuhi quickly paid for the hairpin, and the two continued walking hand in hand down the busy street.

He is truly unusual; she thought she better understood him now that she is his official girlfriend. But there are still many things that she does not know about him. 

“By the way, did you notice that a reporter has been following us since we left the stadium?”

A reporter? Sumire casually scanned her surroundings and made it look like she was looking at the shops. She spotted a man wearing a grey cap and dark-colored clothes. There was a large camera dangling around his neck. At a glance, he seemed like a normal person. But Sumire could tell.

She clung to Yuhi’s arm and sighed. “It’s Christmas eve.”

These people do not have families to return to and spend the holidays with?

Then again, she cannot judge their circumstances. This person probably wants a picture. Hmmm, what could she do? Yuhi suddenly wrapped his waist around her and frowned.

“Don’t do something stupid.” Yuhi quickly advised her. “Did you know your manager has people following you? Those people will take care of him.”

Sumire blinked when she heard Yuhi’s words. Her manager has people following her for what? Moreover, it was not Hino’s style to keep her safely guarded. 

Something must have happened for him to take such precautions, but what could it be?