Eternal Melody

When the official announcement came out, he was right with her. But he still felt very uneasy. The reporters have strangely been obedient; is Nagawa controlling them? He doesn't understand why he felt so troubled by this situation.

It is not like she is cheating on him. This is what he gets for underestimating Nagawa.

'I was so confident that nobody other than Mamoru could love Sumire as much as me, but there are others after all.' He needs to learn more about the guys she dated that year. Otherwise, he won't be able to dismiss this feeling in his heart.

At some point, Sumire had positioned herself on his lap.

"My dearest Sumire, you're driving me insane today."

Sumire shyly covered her mouth as she laughed.

"Is our relationship okay, Yuhi?"

Yuhi sensed the fear in her tone and kissed her neck.

"More than okay."

"Oh, you- really, what are you thinking?"

"How I want another vacation soon so I can fool around all day with the wife in bed."

Winter break was great; he could spend so much time with her.

"Moron." Sumire trailed off and buried her face in his neck. "Sometimes I feel guilty because Ru is alive. He did everything he could to make me happy."

"Do you still feel like you betrayed him?"

"There are occasions where I do think that way. But if I think about it, Ru wouldn't want me to think this way. He was the one who encouraged me not to give up on you. He wouldn't want me to feel guilty for dating you."

"Did you talk when you went to see him in the facility?"

"Mm, the conversation was one-sided, though. I told him how lovey-dovey we were and how happy I was."

His sweatdropped. She really has no tac when it comes to these things, does she? Then again, Mamoru has always known about her feelings toward him. So that probably wasn't the first time he heard her discuss such things.

"Lovey-dovey?"

Sumire's cheeks reddened, and she briefly looked away.

"Why are you turning red now?"

"This is because your acting unpleasant."

"We already did it today, so I won't do anymore."

"Gangster."

Yuhi bent down and lightly kissed her lips. "I love you."

At those words, Sumire hid under the blankets again. But not before he saw how red her face was.

"Going to sleep, at last, I see."

"Be quiet."

It did not take long before he heard the sounds of her breathing. She even though she didn't feel well, she still stayed awake to reassure him. He feels so stupid worrying about her and Nagawa Sano when nothing is between them.

What he should concern himself with was Mamoru. That guy has not shown himself before Sumire since that time. But with his personality, he shouldn't hide for long. According to Hino's little brother, 'Even though Mamoru-san was hurt badly, he said he got this second chance to live to protect the girl he loves.'

If Mamoru is doing all this to protect Sumire, it won't be long before he appears again. After all, that organization is properly making a move now; they even went through the trouble of entering the entertainment industry.

'I have to protect her. I can't rely on Mamoru anymore.'

Yuhi bent down and gently kissed her forehead. "Sumire." He mumbled softly.

…

A few hours went by, and Yuhi remained in a daze as he sat in the dressing room in the TV station with a script in his hands. Hino's 'I signed you up for a movie comment.' did not just apply to Sumire alone. It is not as though he minded acting. But he still prefers jobs that focus on singing.

He heard a knock on the door, and a blonde-haired man stepped into the room. Yuhi watched as he immediately sat down on the couch and got his servants to prepare tea.

This guy doing whatever he wants is Sumire's fiance Makoto Soujiro.

"I thought I hadn't heard from you in a while."

"I have been occupied."

"At least keep Sumire informed. She was worried she offended you."

"She does not need to concern herself-" Soujiro paused. "Did you hear about Dark entertainment?"

"I did."

Soujiro placed an envelope on the table, and he walked over. "What is in-" Yuhi's eyes widened when he saw the photographs. A woman was clinging to a man's arm as they entered the hotel. Isn't this Hori Fuko's relative and this man she is with. "Mamoru?"

"I have managed to suppress the news for now. But the media is waiting for another opportunity to publish this."

"That's, is it really him?"

"I am sure you can identify him better than anybody."

Of course, he can. Yuhi ran his hands through his hair. "I thought it was strange that the media wasn't harassing Sumire over Nagawa's announcement. It's because they have something better to damage her with, huh?"

They were naive to think the situation would get better just because she defeated Takashi Yumi. That concert only convinced the fans, those greedy and selfish reporters? They want something more. He still does not understand why they insist on driving her to a corner this much. That is the one thing he has yet to figure out.

Sumire does not say much, but she probably misses Mamoru a lot. He discussed it a few times since she returned, and she told him that 'Ru has a plan. I will trust and wait for him.'

His gaze fell on the woman in the picture. It seems like there is no choice. If they intend to hurt her this way, then they should prepare for what happens to them.

"You'll help me out, won't you?"

Soujiro sighed deeply. "I am afraid you will go crazy and just kill her if I do not. I will help but keep in mind that you're a celebrity. You cannot go crazy."

"I know."

No matter how angry he is at them using this tactic, he cannot lose control.

"Say Soujiro, how can you be so calm?"

"What are you referring to?"

"Let's not beat around the bush. I already know you like her.."

"That is correct."

"Then why are you so dammed calm all the time? How can you watch her be with so many guys?"

Soujiro did not answer right away, which caused him to be even more frustrated. He does not understand this guy at all. How can he behave this way?

"It is not as though I am calm."

"Liar you-" Yuhi paused and saw a serious look on Soujiro's face. For the first time, he saw something different. "You can act calmly." He corrected himself.

He can't do that even if he wants to. It is a good thing that Sumire dated other guys when he was not around. If she was in a relationship with someone when he was still by her side, he would not be able to handle it.

"I am surprised you're not calm. You're the one she loves; why not have more confidence?"

Yuhi blinked when he heard those words from Soujiro. So even this guy can say comforting things like that? Have confidence in her love for him, huh?