Eternal Melody

SUMIRE

Masaru whistled. "That one is going to be popular with the ladies."

"Oh, please. Yuhi-san is terrible at flirting."

"But you're not." Masaru pointed out. "But, they really do look like you."

"I see we have guests.." Another voice said. Sumire turned to see Toh entering the room.

She walked over and helped him with his tie. "All done?"

Toh nodded. "I'll be able to watch your concert without any worries." He turned his attention to the kids. "Sumire is prettier, but they do look alike."

Sumire playfully stuck her tongue out. "One comment too much."

Toh chuckled. "I can say more things. Like my fascination with your lips."

Sumire rolled her eyes. "I thought your fascination was looking at me."

"It is one of many."

"Long time no see Mashima. It seems you haven't changed, your still shamelessly clinging to Sumire."

Toh sighed. "If we are talking about who is being shameless. Aren't you doing the same? You weren't even invited for the contest. Nor did she send you a ticket for her concert."

Seeing the lightning bolts between them she sighed deeply and stepped between the two. "Alright, that's enough. No fighting." She turned her attention back to Toh. "The bath is ready, you should go get freshen up."

"Join me?"

Her cheeks coloured and she shakes her head. "We have guests."

Toh chuckled as he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Alright, maybe another time."

"Pass." Sumire mumbled as she watched Toh walk away.

Miya was calmly drinking her tea. "You know, if I didn't know any better I would think you were dating."

"Uh, but we aren't-"

"It looks like it, right Tachibana?"

Sumire stole a glance at Masaru and saw that same dangerous smile on his face. "D-don't misunderstand, he's just-taking care of me."

"I wonder how much taking care he is doing, if you're covered in his scent."

"I've been drinking his blood." Sumire argued.

Masaru paused. "You have? And you're okay with it?"

Sumire tilted her head. "Am I not supposed to be drinking his blood?"

"For purebred hanyous" Miya spoke up. "-they can only drink the blood of their partners, or potential candidates."

P-potential candidates-? Now that she thought about it, Toh mentioned that there is a chance he is her partner. Is this what he meant? Is that why he keeps insisting that she takes his blood and not Hino's.

"If you haven't had any side effects. Then it means that Mashima is a candidate. If that's the case, I can't really say anything. But, you still have to be careful. He is on Lucifers side."

Sumire frowned at those words. Indeed, Toh is on Lucifer's side. He didn't jump in to help earlier. But he didn't do anything to aide Lucifer either.

"It's fine. I know your both worried, but Toh will never hurt me and Hiriji either."

Miya sighed deeply. "Sometimes I think you're too trusting. But, if you're sure-"

Sumire nodded and her gaze softened. "He is the only one I can be sure off right now."

_________________________

After the two left, Sumire sat dazed and picked up Satomi as she raised him up. "Why is love so complicated, little one?"

She hears a low chuckle behind her ear. "What's so complicated when you have a boyfriend and three children?"

Sumire turned to see a very naked Mashima Toh. Thankfully, he wore a towel around his waist. Droplets of water remained on his chest.

"Like what you're seeing Ibuki?"

"I like what I'm seeing, but I've always preferred to look and not touch."

Toh smirked. "I do love all the cute little lies that escape your pretty mouth." He takes a seat beside her as she placed Satomi down on the couch, with a bottle of milk in his hands.

Toh's thumb started to draw slow, seductive circles on her thigh, and she felt warmth heat her core. His other hand stroked her inner leg, and Sumire felt like she was going crazy. He normally doesn't take it this far, what is he doing?

"So, are you nervous?"

"What are you referring to?" Sumire asked nervously.

"The concert."

Oh, right, the concert. But, why does it feel like he is asking about something else?

"I know you're nervous, beautiful, but I will be right there back stage. So during your break, you can come to me."

Sumire laughed. "That does sound very reliable."

"What happened earlier today, I have to apologize for. I told Lucifer that I'd be going with you to the studio, and I'd be late to my other jobs."

Sumire sighed deeply as she rested her head on Toh's shoulder. She felt a bit nervous because he was still naked. But, she immediately relaxed when Toh removed his hand from her inner thigh to grab hold of her hand.

"From now on, he will be appearing before you more often. I may not be there all the time. So, I want you to be extra careful."

This is what she likes about Toh. He doesn't give her any empty promises. Nor does he bother with saying fancy things like he will protect her. He says those things but also adds that sometimes there will be circumstances that prevent him from doing so.

Everybody around her is telling her to be careful around Toh. But, don't they see it? If Toh wanted to harm her, he would have done so a long time ago. After all, he is in a good position where he could hurt her easily.

"I think you should put some clothes on." Sumire suddenly backed away when she noticed something bulging from the towel.

Toh chuckled. "Are you sure beautiful? Maybe you should drink my blood now."

"Pass."

He kisses her eyelids before getting up and walking over to the kitchen table. "I see you have my outfit ready."

Right, before Miya and Masaru came here. She was busy trying to calm her nerves, so she ended up doing some cleaning, and preparing Toh's clothes before the kids woke up. Her eldest son being absent because he was with the guys in akagumi. He really likes spending time there.

She treats the guys in akagumi as family so she doesn't mind him being there. But should a kid really spend so much time in a bar? It's probably because she had to keep his identity a secret, and Huan spent the most time in bar akagumi.

'I need to take him out more. I should ask Hino to clear my schedule for a bit.' Nobody can blame her for spending more time with her kids.

"I'll get changed into this, and we can get going."

"There's still some time. Don't you think it's too early?" 𝗯𝐞𝗱𝐧𝗼𝐯𝐞𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"If we don't go now, you'll be pacing back and forth again." Toh pointed out. She hears the sound of rustling, and immediately turns around.

Sumire sighed deeply. "Was it that obvious what I was doing before you came here?"

*Unedited*