Eternal Melody

SIENA

Tasuku must have figured that she wouldn't say anything else, especially in front of other people. Since she watched as he leaned forward over the bar. "Do you have a bathroom or anything?" he asked the man.

He nodded. "In the back. Do you need me to call someone?"

Tasuku shook his head. "No, we're okay. I'm just going to see if I can get her dried off a little."

The man nodded in understanding. "I'll get you a little towel."

"Thanks," Tasuku said, watching her from the corner of his eye.

After Tasuku was handed a towel, he wrapped his arms around her casually and led her to the back. It was a small bathroom but clean and there was enough space for at least two people. Tasuku made sure the door was locked, before he wrapped the towel around her hair and began to dry her off.

"Gee...what's with that face of yours Siena-San? Aren't idols supposed to be smiling. Right now you look like a wreck. I bet you haven't been taking care of yourself either. You've never been good at cooking, your arms are too skinny so I'm guessing all you've been doing is eating convenient store buys."

"You fool, why did you really accept this job?"

Tasuku laughed sheepishly. "You haven't been in touch in a while. I got worried. I noticed you were on TV a lot more, but your smile was off."

So, he noticed.

"The entertainment industry isn't fun and games. But, you should know that. Although the bullying just started recently. For a while, I have been feeling the pressure."

"Of being Sumire-san's equal- wait, what do you mean bullying? You being bullied?" Tasuku exclaimed.

Siena rolled her eyes. "Why is that so surprising?"

"No, uh. I figured you were just having a hard time adjusting to the industry since your doing more work now. But, I had no idea you were being bullied."

"Females can be dangerous creatures. It would be better if a guy was picking on me, I'd just hit him where it hurts."

Tasuku sweat fell. "For an idol you have colorful language. I don't know what is worse, you or Sumire-san."

"Definitely Sumire." Siena agreed. "I'm an angel in comparison."

Tasuku laughed. "Indeed, you are."

"Tasuku, why are you kind to me?" Siena wondered.

Tasuku averts his gaze. "What are you talking about? I've always been kind to you."

Indeed, the two of them were very close. Because the two of them were similar and didn't wish to get involved with people. They were always put together as a result. Since they both held the same views, most of their conversations were silent. No words needed to be exchanged for them to understand each other, just like what Mamoru has with Sumire.

Now that she thought about it. Once in a while the two of them would get close to each other. Like whenever she gets too distraught after a job, he would do something to comfort her. What was it again?

"Siena-san... " he said gently, pulling her into a warm embrace. "It's alright."

Ah. That's right, this is what he would do. He would gently pull her close like this.

"Siena, it's urgent. Sumire escaped from the hospital." 

Siena sweat fell. Uh, of course. She only half believed Asuka earlier and it seems her concert was legit. She turned to Tasuku who was already placing his cap on her head. 

"Right, where should we go?"

 ____________________

It was easy to guess where Sumire was. No, it wasn't to help Mamoru chasing down the strays. No, Sumire had gone directly to the Holy Knights headquarters. It was close by the ramen shop, so the moment they stepped outside they heard cries and people frantically running. Siena immediately understood. Tasuku and her rushed over as quickly as possible, but there was no need. There were several groups of people tied up and Sumire was pacing back and forth with her gun in her hands.

There was another group of people not in chains, individuals who looked malnourished and beaten. Siena immediately understood, those people must be the prisoners that Sumire pleaded for leniency only for them to be mistreated when she left.

"Oh, Siena." Sumire smiled. "It's good to see you my friend."

Uh oh, she knows what this smile is. 

"Uh Sumire, this-" Siena pointed to the people on the ground.

"Hmmm, it seems we had more trash than needed. So, I thought I'd do some cleaning."

"I-Ibuki, you-you can't do this-" One of the gagged men said.

"Hmmm? I can't? But, as far as I remember, I'm the leader aren't I? Or have we forgotten the ritual?"

"Y-your not-"

"Hmm?" Sumire pointed the gun onto the man's forehead. "I'm not? Are you conveniently forgetting how I beat Aki-san in front of you? How he only took on the leadership role, because my identity is special and as a student, I had to focus on my studies-"

"Y-your identity, everyone knows your the daughter of the Ibuki family-"

"It's a bit strange that everyone knows though, because before I debuted. Nobody in the underworld knew what my surname was. At the very least even if they knew, nobody made the connection. I do wonder how everyone conveniently figured it out."

"It wasn't me! Besides does it matter now? You ruined your own reputation."

This guy really ought to stop talking, he is asking for it. Siena could only silently watch in the background. Tasuku made no move to move until one of the prisoners coughed. So, he walked over and passed them his jacket.

Sumire glanced over and her gaze dimmed. "You know, didn't I leave strict instructions regarding these people? So, why I wonder are they in this state?"

"Ibuki, you must be insane. These people are still prisoners."

'They are but their crimes are simply because they are evolved humans.' Siena noted that the ones in the group were the ones who didn't commit any actual crimes. It's too bad there isn't any popcorn, this is such a good show. Quite some time has passed since she last saw Sumire like this.

Before anything else could happen however, the doors slammed open revealing Mashima Toh. Uh, this just got even more interesting.