Eternal Melody

”Huh, I guess I have a better view to stare at now.”

Wait, don’t tell her- Sumire looked over, and her eyes widened when she saw who sat beside her. She blinked once and then twice. Is she seeing things? Why is Yuhi-san next to her?

Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi cupped her cheeks and laughed. “You’re not dreaming, stupid.”

”T-then-“

”It seems we are truly fated.”

Was it really a coincidence?

”Let’s work hard the next six months.”

”Uh, right.”

Her seatmate for the final semester automatically becomes her partner for most of the assignments. Although one could choose anybody as their partner for the final assignment, some get used to working with their seatmate from the last semester and automatically pair up.

But some have decided who their partner will be since last year. At the very least, she doesn’t have to switch and make the other person feel uncomfortable.

”You two appear to be having fun.” A familiar voice said.

Sumire turned to the voice and spotted teal-colored hair sat in front of her. “J-Jun-kun?” 

”Did I not say so before? I transferred to the art department for the final semester.”

No, she didn’t hear anything about that! Sumire looked over at Yuhi, who didn’t seem surprised. He should have at least told her. Anyhow, if it’s Jun-kun, he probably transferred to conduct more observations on people, so he bears no malice. 

He can’t be so hostile towards anyone with his personality. Their homeroom teacher Shusei enters the room and tells them all to settle down.

”As you all know, graduation ends up delayed for our third years because of the large festival happening at the end of the year. This arts festival will be on a different scale than the last. All sorts of people from all over the world will be attending. Yes, this is a global event. This means recruiters from all across the globe will be here. 

If you are skilled enough, there is a high chance you will be scouted. The next four months are crucial in choosing your partner. Although some of you may have chosen already, I will not be accepting any final forums until the last minute.”

Sumire stares at the flier that the teacher handed over to her. It does seem like a huge event. Although she participated in the festival in June, due to her disappearance for two months, she did not participate in the last one; even when she came back, she could not enter the last minute due to spending time in the hospital for her injuries. 

These next six months are crucial for her to make more memories in high school. Yuhi has already decided on her as his partner, and they already have a theme. She knew he had already started on the sketches, but as for her, she still didn’t know what to draw.

”Because the event is so large, there will be comity of students from the third year. This year, the ones chosen for this comity are from both the art and music side.”

”Sensei, just hurry up!” 

”Is there anyone from our class?” 

”Three people. Terashima.”

Yuhi sighed deeply. “Damn, what a pain.”

Oh as expected of Yuhi.

”Kira Jun.”

Jun-kun too? It’s probably a popularity thing.

”Ibuki Sumire.”

For a moment, Sumire thought she heard things. Eh? Why her too? 

”This suddenly doesn’t seem bad. I get to flirt with Sumire in the committee? I guess I will be attending meetings.”

”You should be attending anyway!”

Sumire was still in shock. This is hard for her to believe; why was she chosen? It seems some others seemed dissatisfied too.

”Sensei, why was Ibuki chosen? She only came here last year, and there was a time when she disappeared.”

”Right, it’s unfair!” 

”The committee is for distinguished students.”

A deep sigh escaped her lips when she heard those words. If its background and prestige, she is still a noble. In fact, since she is the sole person left of the Ibuki family bloodline, so she has more prestige than anybody right now. But even so, she is not one to flaunt her status. To her surprise, before sensei could utter a word. Yuhi slammed his hand across the table.

”So the rest of you think you are qualified to judge her?”

Yuhi pulled out a familiar sketchpad from his backpack. Sumire felt her cheeks color when she realized it was hers. But before she could say a word, Yuhi tossed it towards sensei, who put the sketchbook on the projector, and soon it appeared on the large screen.

”These are the sketches Sumire did during Christmas and New Year. If you guys still have a problem, then prove it with your drawings rather than your mouth.”

Yuhi is basically declaring that anybody who still has opinions regarding this decision should prove they are better than her by drawing the same stuff but better quality.

”Those are sketches?”

”Woah, Ibuki is really good.”

”Stupid, we already knew that from the painting in last year’s festival.”

The doors opened, revealing Aika and Asami. Judging from their appearance, they must have been at a photo shoot. Aika raised her eyebrows; she clearly heard the commotion from the outside. She walked in right as those girls said Yuhi-sama was just covering for her.

”Sumire, just come up here and draw.” Aika pointed to a large canvas at the front. “Sensei, can she use this?”

”Hey, that’s a F100-” Shusei trailed off. “I suppose if it is Ibuki, it’s fine. Ibuki, sorry about this. Come up here.”

Sumire sighed deeply. How annoying; it’s true it’s better for her to prove using her ability. But even if she does exceptionally well, it is not like these girls will change their opinion. 

She stood up and proceeded to walk to the front of the classroom when Yuhi grabbed hold of her hand and turned her around. The kiss was brief, but it was more than enough to embarrass her. Sumire felt her entire face redden.

”If you do a good job, we can continue this later.” Yuhi softly kissed her forehead as he said those words with a mischievous look on his face.

T-this hooligan! He is bullying her again.

But even though he said if she does a good job, he has already made plans to continue, later on, meaning he trusts her ability. Those nearby who heard their exchange was already making small flags that said go Sumire.

This is a waste of time, but if Yuhi-san rewards her, then maybe she can work hard.