Eternal Melody

"Sumire?"

"Ah, I'm just going to make a call. You two continue discussing." Sumire quickly exited the room without looking back. She hurried down the hallway and quickly climbed the stairs leading to the rooftop.

Sumire perched herself on the top and took a deep breath before she dialed a familiar number.

"Hello?"

She almost dropped the phone and heard a familiar voice. M-moreover, why did he have to pick up on the first ring?

"It's me."

For a moment, he doesn't reply before she hears him chuckle. "I know; that was the fastest I answered the phone."

Sumire felt her cheeks turn red, understanding what he meant.

"I'd love to see how that comment made you turn into a red tomato."

"You're teasing me again."

"Maybe I am."

"Toh," Sumire mumbled. Yes, the person on the other end of the phone is Mashima Toh. She took a deep breath before asking. "When will you return?"

"Why? Because you miss me?"

"A little."

At those words, Toh laughed. "You're as honest as ever." He trailed off. "You know I am making arrangements to go back already. I don't know when exactly, but it should be within the next few months."

That's still a long time away. It could be possible that Toh sent the message cards when he was abroad, but that just seems like a lot of work.

"Did something happen?"

Sumire immediately explains the situation, and Toh is quiet for a moment.

"I didn't tell you this then, but the guy who was writing the message on the cards also had a bad habit of copying me. It wouldn't surprise me if he tried to intimate how I made them."

"I see, but what could it be?"

"I'm surprised you're not questioning why people in your school follow his orders."

"Do you think I'm stupid? I already know that your comrades are all over. It doesn't surprise me that some are members of the school."

"My comrades, huh?" Toh trailed off. "Hey Sumire-chan, you still don't know much about the organization, do you?"

"I sent a spy; it won't be long before I know."

"I see. But, this is a surprise. Should you be telling me this?"

"If you are trying to frighten me, it won't work."

How could she possibly dislike this person? How could she even think of him as the enemy? Even now, she had yet to forget the warmth he showed her on their last day as a couple and the tears he shed. Toh is on her side; he is her ally.

Ever since that day, she concluded that he would always be there for her. On the surface, he is still on Lucifer's side, but he is only doing so to protect her. Suppose it came down to an actual confrontation. Toh would stand by her.

"By the way, are you going to come to meet me at the airport?"

"L-like I can, your fans would mob me."

Toh laughed. "That's true, but I thought we could have a little date."

"Toh, I'm--" Sumire struggled to say the next part. It seems like he still has feelings for her. How will he react?

"-going to get married?" Toh finished for her.

Oh, so he already knows?

"Congratulations."

Sumire didn't reply. He can't be okay with it. Despite his calm tone, this person--her thoughts broke off hearing him cough.

"Toh? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just a bit of a cold."

"I'm sorry to call when your resting. I'll hang up now."

"Wait, let me listen to your voice for a bit longer." Toh trailed off. "You do realize this is the first time you have voluntarily contacted me?"

"Ah."

She feels ashamed. Toh probably thought she was avoiding him.

"I'm sorry."

"Well, I can forgive you. But what will you do for me in return?"

"I'll keep in touch."

"So you'll stop ignoring me. Your willing to do that much for Kira Jun?"

"He is my friend."

'I can't allow Jun-kun to get hurt.' Besides, aren't those people just taking advantage of the situation? They know Jun-kun is somebody she knows; that's why they are doing this.

"Your friend, huh? Hey Sumire-chan, are you still playing make-believe friendship with those people?"

"Toh--"

"I know you are better than that. You don't need friends."

"Then I'd be alone."

"You won't; you'd have me."

He can still say such things so easily.

"Toh, h-how are you?"

Toh laughed. "Now, she asks. Well, I could be better."

Is it because of that case? Does Toh truly have something to do with it?

"Can you switch your camera on? I'd like to see your face."

She wants to make sure he isn't too sick. Moments later, she received a video call request. She quickly accepted, and the first thing she saw was Toh's naked torso.

"P-put some clothes on!"

Toh rolled his eyes. "I just showered. Besides, this isn't anything you haven't seen before."

"I'll hang up."

He disappears for a few minutes and eventually returns wearing a bathrobe.

"Your so fussy."

"Tough." Sumire scanned him again and noticed cuts and bruises on his face. "Did you get into a fight?"

"Hm? Well, something like that." Toh said casually.

What does he mean-- Sumire paused, recalling something he had told her before.

'Boss has a bad habit of punishing his subordinates.'

Could it be? What order did he disobey? Is it to do with her?

"Sumire-chan, you've gotten prettier."

"I-I have?"

"Yeah, your hair is longer. It makes you look more beautiful."

'My hair ended up growing long due to self-neglect, when I locked myself in Ru's home.'

Sumire felt self-conscious when she realized Toh was looking at her.

"It's nothing special. Anyhow, you have to explain to me properly. What's with those rumors?"

"Hmm? Oh those, well, you'll be relieved to know it wasn't me."

"Then-"

"It was my brother."

Sumire blinked before she loudly exclaimed. "B-brother? You have a brother Toh? Why didn't you mention it to me?"

"I didn't want you to see my brother instead of me."

"Oh, don't be so silly. It's not your appearance that I fell for."

It took Sumire a moment to realize what she had just said.

"It's not?"

"Oh, uh-"

This is so embarrassing; she really wants to crawl into a hole and hide. This is the one thing that never seems to change. She always ends up letting her guard down in front of this person.

"I see." Toh's expression softened. "That's good to know because he will be coming with me when I return."

"Ah, are you close?"

"I find him annoying, but he isn't a bad guy. The only issue is," Toh trailed off. "-he is very loyal to the boss."

"You are worried he will cause problems for me?"

"Yes. I don't want you to misunderstand, though; the one I am loyal to is you. But, that one is another story."

"It's okay, Toh. I'm not alone."

She has Yuhi and everybody else. They won't let anything bad happen to her.

"If worse comes to worst, give me permission to beat up your brother!"

Toh chuckled. "You're as enthusiastic as ever."

Oops, she got too excited.

"It's good to see that smile on your face. I suppose it was worthwhile coming to Tokyo."

"Toh, you'll really come back?"

"You seem to have forgotten what I promised you. I will return to you, Sumire."

"It's not like I forgot; it's just you stopped contacting me for a while. I was worried." Sumire rambled.

Why? Why does his tone sound so sincere and gentle. Why does he still like her?

"Then, shall we chat for a bit? I'll tell you what I have been doing."