Eternal Melody

But at the same time, she could relate to Veronica; after all, she was in a similar situation. Back then, she thought that she would put up with anything as long as she had feelings for Sano. But who was she trying to fool?

'The feelings I had for him were so weak; did I truly have to put myself under that situation?'

"I did consider it. I considered leaving him. I agreed to meet with his mother that day, so I could tell her to stop. She wasn't only targeting me but affecting my family members too. I have a little brother, you see, after our mother's death, our father was always working late.

So it was just us two. One day I caught my father with his superior, when I saw who it was I wanted to hide, but it was too late. His superior was Evan's cousin; when she saw me, she hurled all sorts of abuses. Then, later on, she made a move on my father."

Sumire already knew where this story was heading. "Your father started to change. He trusted her more than you two."

"That is right, then one day he just kicked us out of the house. I managed to rent a small apartment, and we were getting by for a while. But the constant abuse did not stop, and my brother would come home injured every day. It seemed like the school was on it too and the police, so I could do nothing. I considered telling Evans, but I saw how stressed he was with work."

'The Nagawa family are worse than scum.' Sumire came here to get the details from Evans, knowing that he would have more information. But to hear it directly from one of the victims made ms sick.

"I thought if I broke up with him, then maybe I can save my brother at least, but it wasn't like that. My brother ended up in an accident at school; he fell down the stairs and is in a long coma now. That day I was finishing my job and rushed to the hospital when a bike hit me. My leg was severely hurt, but I stubbornly went to the rooftop to meet with Evan's mother."

"Wait, she was there with you?"

"She pushed me." Veronica was trembling, and Sumire walked over and placed her hand on top of the girls.

"You have to tell me everything. I will help Evans with this; that is why I came here."

'I need to destroy the Nagawa family.' After she investigated the Black Alice organization, Sumire quickly realized something. They tricked Sano. His family members, specifically his mother, were already working with them. The route of the Black Alice organization is the several founders. Nagawa Mira, that lady, she needs to take her down.

Veronica nodded, and she provided more details on the accident and the events before. After she finished listening, Sumire finally understood. It seems like they do this with any women who get close to their sons. But why? Veronica's case aside, there were girls there from noble families.

All the sons ended up with a fiance too, so it is not like they are overprotective. What do all those girls chosen have in common other than their lineage?

"Sumire-chan, are you not scared?"

"Mm, I'm not because just like you, Veronica-san, I have somebody out there who will protect and have my back." Sumire trailed off. "That day Evans-san reduced you, later on, San told me that he left an important meeting. It seems he was aware of the situation and had plans to counter it. If he succeeded in that deal in the meeting, he would use it as a bargaining chip for them to leave you alone. He abandoned that meeting the moment he heard you were in danger."

Veronica burst into tears then. "I was always causing him problems. But I think by not telling him anything, I made it worse."

"It is alright; you did well."

After crying like that, the girl eventually fell asleep. Sumire brought the girl to what looked like her room. Evans entered the room after a few seconds. He turned to Veronica on the bed.

"Did she tell you everything?"

"Mm."

"I intended to say it, but I believed it would be better if you heard it from her."

"Indeed, my resolve won't waver now. I will take down the Nagawa family. Evans-san, I will grant your wish."

Evans nodded. "I apologize for troubling you with this, but even though I can shield Veronica from harm now. Recently my company has had to clash with the Nagawa family a lot. They already know what my weakness is. It is difficult for me to make a move."

"You do not have to worry about this anymore. I will help you." Sumire trailed off. "But why did you not contact me sooner?"

"I would have, but I heard about Tsueno Mamoru's condition. You were not in the best state to assist. I knew how it felt to nurse a loved one, so I knew what you would choose with your personality. Then the accident happened shortly after I returned."

"Wait, shortly after you returned?" Sumire repeated his last words, and Evans averted his gaze.

"It seems like they were trying to pin the blame on me. But somebody helped me win the case."

"Somebody helped you?"

"I do not know who they were. I tried to look into it, but I could not find any answers. But one day, a note turned up at my door saying that next time I have to be careful since I will be an important person who will support you one day."

'That wording sounds familiar. But I don't think he would do something like that. But then again, I have a hard time understanding that person.' He always wore a smile on his face as Mamoru did, but something was different about him.

"There is one person I suspect. Sumire-san your fiancee is Makoto Soujiro correct?"

At those words, she immediately stood up like something just came to mind. Right, that wording is familiar, but Aki-san would never use it without joking. The one who would say those words seriously and consider the future is Soujiro.

"I apologize for cutting the meeting short, but I believe I should be on my way."

Evans nodded. "Then we shall discuss things another time."