Eternal Melody

A few hours later - Yuhi's main apartment.

Sumire's gaze fell onto the TV screen; it showed an image of a girl with ginger-colored hair. Her gaze lingered on her for a moment before darting to the present from the media.

It was a photo of the girl on the screen and Yuhi from a few years ago. Sumire sighed deeply. The media are playing petty tricks again. But this must be the woman Hino was talking about. Hino mentioned before that there was somebody he liked before, but that person liked Yuhi.

'Childhood friends, huh?' It's not like she can criticize Yuhi for having a female childhood friend. The media are doing this to target her.

They have nothing better to do. She understood that now they could no longer use her not going on stage against her but for them to resort to this move. 'How petty. Do they have no better cards to play?' But despite how petty this move was, she felt slightly upset after seeing the photographs.

It is a first for her to see such a carefree expression on Yuhi-san's face. She wonders what they talked about for him to smile like that? For Yuhi-san to let his guard down and smile.

Sumire sighed deeply. Even though she was the one who wanted Yuhi to live a normal life, now that she has seen actual evidence for it, she feels a bit guilty.

Her thoughts broke off when she heard the sound of the door opening. Sumire immediately got up.

"My dear-" Sumire's sentence fell short when she saw his flushed face. Did he drink a lot?

"Mmmm, I found my wife."

Her cheeks colored at his words, and she coughed. "Your wife?"

"Sumire, she is so pretty."

'I can only imagine what nonsense he said to other people.' Sumire managed to get him onto the couch. But the moment she turned to walk away, he pulled her down until she was on top of him.

"Are you going to seduce me, wife? I don't mind."

This man is so shameless. Sumire looked at him for a few minutes. But he is incredibly handsome. 'I used to think I have a weak spot for handsome guys, but I only react this way towards Yuhi-san.'

Sumire leaned forward and kissed him. She kissed him only for a few minutes, but it didn't take long before she felt his hands touching her breasts. He works way too fast.

"Alright, that's enough, Yuhi-san. I'll get you something for your hangover."

She made her way over to the kitchen and opened the pot open. It's a good thing she made this earlier. Normally she isn't good at making soups, but she wanted to practice. Soup is good to digest when one isn't well.

"Hey, Sumire."

"Hmmm?"

"In a few days, my childhood friend is coming back, but it's a girl. I don't want you to misunderstand."

'I see.' Sumire picked up the ladle and scooped up some of the soup before placing it in a bowl. She walked back over to him and passed it quickly.

He is the type of person who considers situations like this and discusses it with her. If he didn't tell her, and she learned about it from somebody else, it would certainly cause misunderstandings. Well, in this instance, somebody already beat him to it. But she still appreciates his efforts.

"This is really good; you've gotten better."

"It's only hangover soup."

"But it really is nice. I like your cooking."

Sumire felt her heartbeat speed up when she heard those words. Every single time he says the words like she ends up reacting this way. She is so silly, acting shy just because he used those words. This person is truly doing something to mess with her mind.

She was so occupied in her own thoughts that it took her a while to realize how close he got. Before she knew it, he was on top of her, and she lay down on the couch. Yuhi had quickly discarded his shirt. "My dear--"

'He did say they would continue tonight.' Sumire quickly relaxed.

"Yeah?"

"Is your friend pretty?"

"Don't be jealous." Yuhi kissed her forehead. "She is a good girl; you'll like her."

A good girl, huh? Sumire closed her eyes and focused on the feeling of his lips on her neck.

"Do you like it?"

"Mmm, it's good."

Yuhi chuckled. "I see your honest today."

'Only because I saw something unpleasant.' It's not like she isn't embarrassed. This is very embarrassing for her. However, more than that-she wants proof that Yuhi is hers.

It doesn't matter how many pretty female childhood friends he has. The one Yuhi likes is her. The one he wants to be with now is her and her alone.

Sumire extended her hands out and ran her fingers through his cheeks.

"Yuhi."

"What's wrong? Do you want to stop?" Yuhi asked kindly.

She shook her head. "I like it."

Yuhi bent down and kissed her fingertips. "Then I'll do everything you like today."

....

When Sumire woke up, she found a pair of familiar hands caressing her hair. It belonged to Yuhi; from the looks of things, she had fallen asleep, and he brought her to the room.

Despite her dazed state, there was a nice smell. "Food."

Yuhi blinked and chuckled. "Alright, my princess." He turned to the side table and picked up a tray. "Sorry for wearing you out too much. I was drunk."

"Ah-huh." Sumire looked him up and down. He still wasn't wearing many clothes, causing her cheeks to color. "W-well, it wasn't bad."

"Mmm."

"Y-yuhi, you know-"

'You don't have to look at me with such gentle eyes.' It would be better if he teased her, but instead, he was looking at her with so much affection.

Sumire quickly turned to the food. It was chicken katsu, teriyaki chicken.

Now that she thought about it, Toh often said it in the past. He said that meat is good to eat to replenish strength-- Sumire recalled what happened not too long ago. This idiot, it's his fault that she did more than usual.

It wasn't bad for her to take the initiative like that. Moreover, Yuhi's reaction, her thoughts broke off when she felt Yuhi brush his forehead against hers.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? I know your still--"

"Mmm, but I am getting used to it. But, Yuhi, you really are a pervert."

Yuhi paused and laughed. "Well, only around you."

Only around her? "What about your friend?"

"Sumire?"

"I mean, you're close with her, right?"

Otherwise, she doubts Hino would make that type of expression.

"I don't know what Hino said, but she is a nice girl."

"He didn't say anything."

He didn't have to; his expression gave it away. It is rare seeing Yuhi this defensive, though, so something must have happened. Sumire pushed the tray away. She only took a few bites, but she wasn't in the mood after hearing that.

Yuhi doesn't react like this to other girls.

'She is special to Terashima Yuhi.' Sumire recalled the words on the note. A girl special to Yuhi who isn't her. It made her feel sick.