Eternal Melody

Before she could hear his reply, she unconsciously took a step back. He has her trapped against the door in seconds.

He stared at her only for a moment before he bit and sucked on her bottom lip, and eventually, he pried her mouth open. Oh, this fool, what is he doing?

After kissing for a few minutes, he drew back.

"Yuhi-san."

"Please don't be mad anymore."

"Mmm, is it a bribe?"

Yuhi responded to that by kissing her more. Yuhi, was he that upset that she was angry? His shoulders are trembling. So, what happened in the cafe just now? Was that not an act? Maybe it's because he seemed more cheerful than usual, and that's why she misunderstood?

No, that entire situation was still uncalled for. Even if they hired the media to take pictures and set up a fake scenario, it would have been nice if he had consulted with her first. Maybe she is being petty about nothing, but she truly- Sumire felt Yuhi's hands on his shirt and frowned.

She lightly hit his stomach and pulled away.

"S--sorry uh--"

Hmph. If Yuhi thinks he can bribe her, then he is wrong. "Explain to me why you were acting so oddly in the cafe and your plan."

She wants to know if he was pretending to be kind.

"Listen, Sumire. I think you misunderstand something. From the very moment we met, I have always been sincere towards you."

"The moment we met?"

"Since the time we were kids that you don't remember, since that snowy day, since the first time I joined the holy knights. Since you came to Tokyo since we started dating-"

If he puts it that way, they have had many first encounters with each other. This isn't the time to think about it, but she finds it quite romantic.

Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi caressed her cheek.

"From the moment we met, I have already decided to give you all my heart."

"Then that means I have at least one ally. Thank you."

"Is that all?" He suddenly leaned forward again.

"Y--yuhi.."

"I told you previously. I can't hold back when I am around you anymore. You dressed up so prettily today."

Oh, so that's why he behaved this way? She did think he was being a bit too needy. Moreover, there was his reaction in the cafe too.

Her gaze softened, and she chuckled.

"Hey, it's not funny."

"If Yuhi-san wants to continue. We ought to do so in the privacy of our own residence."

Yuhi, however, grabbed hold of her wrist. "Before we go, I think you should drink my blood directly."

Could it be? Is that the reason why the pain stopped, to drink Yuhi-san's blood in a bedroom? Uh, she suddenly feels embarrassed. Even though they were kissing passionately just now, this is a bit too much. Yuhi had already unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his neck.

D-does she really have to do this now? Yuhi wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her closer. Ah, forget it! She might as well just go ahead. Sumire leaned forward and brushed her lips against his neck. No matter how many times she does this, it feels strange.

After a few minutes, she drew back, and Yuhi placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "You don't have to feel embarrassed every single time."

"That is easy for you to say; at least I don't have strange thoughts."

"Hm? Are you truly saying that? Then maybe you need a reminder of the last time."

Sumire's cheeks reddened more when she understood the meaning behind his words. "If you tease me anymore, I will get angry again."

It was just a joke, but a gloomy aura appeared around Yuhi again. Uh, why is he like this recently? Yuhi was not the type who would express his emotions easily in the past. She wonders what changed?

She took a deep breath and slumped her head in his chest.

"My unease has been growing recently. But I am not truly angry at you. I am just throwing a tantrum."

Yuhi caressed her hair. "Is it hard after all? Returning to the entertainment industry?"

"Yes."

She thought she prepared for it. She thought she was prepared to face all the hostile and judging stares. But, it seems that was not the case. She is still afraid of people.

It is a good thing that Hino became her manager. Even though he does not know how to handle her breakdowns, at the very least, he notices whenever she is uncomfortable and finds a quiet place for her to calm down.

"It's hard, Sumire, but ,remember that you will always have at least one person on your side no matter what happens."

"One person?"

"Mm, can you guess who?"

He is so silly, but she is truly only at ease when she is around him. If it was not for this person, she would have let her nightmares consumed her a long time ago.

..

Soujiro sent her a servant to fetch them, but Yuhi tried to do something after that emotional moment. Naturally, the servant was loyal to Soujiro and informed him, leading to this awkward situation. It seems like Yuhi must have sent Miss Hasegawa home; no, she probably stayed in the cafe with Hino.

"Goodness me. Even if you two are to get married soon, at least have some decency when you are in another person's home." Soujiro commented.

H-hey, she said something similar. Yuhi-san is an idiot; he always gets her in trouble. But he most likely did that stuff to calm her down. There was a time in the past when she felt so lonely and could no longer take it.

She still had a degree of self-control when she dated Sano, but she almost sealed her heart after the breakup. That was why when she met Toh, it naturally progressed into that type of relationship.

'I already told Yuhi-san about Toh, but he still doesn't know how much she fooled around.' Since it happened before they dated, she has no obligation to explain it to him, but it still feels weird not telling him.

'Couples share everything.'

'It is a sign of mutual trust.'

A sign of mutual trust, huh? She said to Soujiro once that if she didn't trust Yuhi, she wouldn't be able to trust anybody else ever again. Yuhi probably has no idea that he received her trust long ago. Then again, it is only normal for him not to have noticed with her unusual behavior.