Eternal Melody

At those words, Yumi shook her head. "That's not true. My journey to become the number one idol was difficult, and I experienced many things. But not like you. You're different. After each experience, you grew stronger. Everything you experience reflects whenever you perform. " Yumi turned to her with a soft smile as her violet-colored orbs went wide at her senpai's words.

"Both smiles and tears are valuable experiences you should use to shine even brighter. You'll be fine."

"But I am still-"

"Your afraid, I know. But I think people will change their minds quickly. Anyone who has watched you since your debut, whether your fans or friends, can tell. They can tell how much effort you put in, which will translate to happiness. That's Sumire-chan, the rainbow-colored idol."

"Rainbow-colored idol?"

Yumi nodded, extended her arm, and pointed to the visible stars from the rooftop stage. "You want to reach it, right? Something far beyond that starry sky?"

"Yes."

"If it's you, that dream is not impossible."

…

After that talk with Yumi-senpai, she had the sudden urge to attack her dear- no search for her dearest. It did not take her long to find him outside in the stadium's grass field. He was fast asleep. She watched him for the next few minutes, played with his hair a little, and kissed him, but he didn't wake up.

He's still sleeping. He looks worn out. Sumire gently caresses his cheeks with her hand. However, quite some time has passed since she came back. When it comes to touching Yuhi, she's still hesitant in doing so; even that action just now took a while.

She hesitates, not because she doesn't love him. But because she's still afraid. Afraid that she will truly forget if she gets swept up in the flow again. Once again, she would forget it, the pain behind her sin.

Yuhi, even though it was her journey of redemption. In the end, it was no good. During her journey, she realized how much she loved Yuhi. How in her life, there's only ever been one person that she could love so much. She's already at this age, yet she's still unable to truly express her affection.

'You know Yuhi. I thought it was fate that they met each other when they did. Out of all the encounters I have with others, the one with you has remained the most important.'

She bends down hesitantly before placing her lips against his. Yuhi. Her Yuhi. He seems so pained whenever he is sleeping. Since getting back, he holds her tightly whenever they sleep together. She's really sorry.

'I thought if I left for a long time, you would move forward and find somebody better. But it was no good for you either, even now-'

Her gaze landed at their intertwined hands. Even now, the two of them can only love each other. If she cannot escape this pain that comes with happiness, then she might as well confront it.

Sumire sensed him stir and turned away from him. A few seconds later, she felt lips on her collar.

"You shouldn't sleep out here; the grass is wet. It just rained this morning."

"Mmm, but it's comfortable."

'He truly is hopeless.'

"This white dress, if it was a bit longer, it would look like a wedding one."

Sumire rolled her eyes at that comment. "Your hidden motives are clear."

"What hidden motives? You'll be my wife in half a year."

Yuhi's wife, huh?

"I understand if you are still uneasy. But you should know by now that my purpose in life is to make you happy."

"What about your happiness?"

"If your happy, I will be too. It's killing two birds with one stone."

Is that how it is?

"I will be within reach. So sing to your heart's content."

"Singing five songs in a row with Yumi-senpai. I have to be honest is a bit frightening. Performing a single song with somebody of her caliber will take a huge toll on me, let alone five."

Initially, she was only supposed to appear for one song. But it received too much attention.

"You'll be fine. You have a break in between after two songs, right? I'll be backstage, and you can recharge."

Sumire shuddered when she felt his lips on her back, his hands on her legs.

"Yuhi."

"Only the birds are watching."

"Oh dummy."

'But he must be uneasy too. Yuhi must know why those people are worried about her concert. They didn't attack on the way here, but they'll do something. This day won't go by peacefully."

"Yuhi, uh--" Sumire laughed. "What are you doing?"

"Pinning you down, keeping you captive."

"I'll be okay; you'll rush to me if something happens, right?"

Sumire extended her hands and caressed his cheeks. "You worry too much."

"Those people are far too dangerous. I know your strong Sumire, but they use such underhanded methods."

"But you won't stop me, will you?"

"Because I understand how you feel about music. I also think the same way. You want to sing again, don't you? You can make any place your stage, but you want to try singing on a large stage and convey your feelings."

"Saying such serious things while pinning me down. It is hard to take you seriously." Sumire jokes.

"Well, you know I like this position." Yuhi quickly got off her, and she sat back up. "I think Masaru and Takahashi have spoken to you already, so there isn't much left for me to say."

"Mm, but I still want to hear it."

"There was a time where I started to hate music; it wasn't just because of that incident with Touma. But there was a time when I felt constrained by the entertainment industry system. Shortly after I debuted, I realized it wasn't all fun and games. I couldn't just sing the songs I wanted to. I couldn't just perform concerts. There were many other things I had to do. I felt burdened by all the restrictions." He trailed off. "That snowy concert where we met. It was around that time."

Sumire blinked, startled at those words. Was it back then? But he managed to perform so well on stage. No, it was one of his best performances, and yet he held such thoughts?

So they truly are alike. But didn't she understand that from the very start? This person has always been her ally. He will never leave her.

"I can't sing that song anymore." Sumire trailed off. "My debut song, superstar of tomorrow. I wrote it with the feelings in mind of our promise that snowy concert. But I only realized that afterwards. I thought I was writing for Ru."

From the very start, her music was all about Yuhi.

"I thought I made my mind up. If I achieve my goals, I will tell you my feelings. But I would tell you that it was all in the past and that I want to stay with Ru. But I realized after singing that song that I couldn't do that. I have chased after you for a long time and wanted to sing by your side not just as a fellow musician but as the person you love."

At those words, she watched Yuhi's cheeks color, and she quickly realized what she had just said. But it was already far too late.

"So uh." Yuhi scratched his cheeks. "That confession of yours was quite bold."

"I--I wasn't confessing!" Sumire exclaimed.

This is embarrassing; how did she end up blurting out such things? Even if she did get caught up in the moment, she should know better than to act emotionally like this.