Eternal Melody

Sumire didn't realize how much time she spent talking on the phone to Toh until she heard the chime. She reluctantly ended the call but quickly received a message.

Toh: I'll speak to you soon. Don't forget to call me.

She laughed seeing the pout emoji. Toh is so silly. It's good that they can speak with one another again. When they first met, she remembers how comfortable she felt speaking to him. That comfortable feeling never vanished.

Just earlier, her emotions were a mess after seeing what happened to Jun, but after speaking with Toh, she feels calmer.

"Ah Ran, how is-" Sumire immediately saw the dangerous glint in his eyes and unconsciously backed away.

Ran slammed his fist against the wall. "Were you contacting Mashima Toh?"

Ran is one of the few people who know that she and Toh remained in contact after he went abroad.

"Mmm, I got the information I needed."

Despite the brief mention of this jealous guy, it would be easy with her connections to find him.

Seeing Ran's angry expression, Sumire sighed. She immediately understood the reason for his anger. "Ran, since we are on this topic. Can you control your jealousy?"

"You- Damn it," Ran mumbled. "If you know, why have you been acting like this?"

"I made it clear to you at the end of the concur. I will not go out with you, Ran. I already have feelings for somebody else."

"Back then, I thought you were talking about Mamoru, but I was wrong. It was Terashima Yuhi?"

"Yes."

That's right; she has already rejected this person before. Back then, the reply she gave him was that there was somebody else she liked. She was referring to Yuhi. She was dating Mamoru then but didn't hesitate to admit that she liked Yuhi.

It was twisted and messed up. But Ru praised her and said she did a good job.

Ran grabbed hold of her wrist. "Why does it have to be Yuhi? If, if it was Mamoru. I could have accepted it. But you like that guy?"

"Yes." Sumire scanned his expression. "This is a surprise; you're more hostile towards Yuhi than I thought. I thought the reason was just your feelings for me. But, there must be something else for you to react like this."

"That's-"

Ah, there it is, pained eyes. The same eyes of somebody who looks like they are being discarded and thrown away.

"Poor and lonely, Ran." Sumire caressed his cheeks. "Do you think I'm being taken from you? But you should know, right? I was never yours, to begin with."

"Sumire."

"But I understand how you are feeling. You are like a child who got their favorite toy taken away."

"I-I really towards you-"

"It's fine; nothing has changed. So, you need to stop acting up."

That's right, no matter how much she loves Yuhi. She cannot truly commit her heart to love. If she does, she will lose a part of herself again. She cannot afford to be weak even for a single moment.

Ran slumped on the ground, and she turned away after walking down the hallway for a few minutes; however, she heard a familiar voice.

There was Kou at the top of the stairs. "That was impressive, Mimi; you rendered Ran speechless."

Sumire sighed. "You need to drop that bad habit."

"Now, now I come with a bribe."

She saw the 'strawberry milk' bottle in his hands and sat down at the bottom of the stairs.

"Are you angry, Mimi?"

"I calmed down, but Ran annoyed me." Sumire sighed as she sipped on the drink. "I understand that he is jealous. But I already rejected him. Why is he acting like my boyfriend?"

"You should know, Mimi. There was a time where you used Ran-Ran as a shield against other guys."

At those words, she sighed. "Oh, my past self, why did I fool around so much? I hope my dearest doesn't misunderstand."

"Yu-Yu already knows about us, and I think he figured things out regarding Ran's behavior too."

"Was he angry?"

"Furious. But I think he blamed himself more. You only slept with me because you were lonely. The reason for your loneliness was Yu-yu not being with you. Of course, he can't blame you." Kou trailed off. "But you should talk to him about it. I think Yu-yu is more upset that you don't discuss it with him."

"Honestly, I almost forgot or rather didn't have much time to pay attention to Ran. I thought that he would forget his feelings for me with time, but that's not what happened. Now that he is causing problems for my dearest, I will surely be more attentive."

"You're as cold as ever, Mimi." Kou chuckled. "But that's more like it; you have enjoyed yourself enough, haven't you?"

"Yes. This is enough; I have made plenty of memories."

That's why she needs to seriously focus on the underworld matters now. "I already sent Eli as a spy, but Kou, you have been snooping around, haven't you?"

"Of course, the best way to subtly get information is with a smile."

"And so?"

"It seems like that Lucifer guy has quite the subordinate, a subordinate who is willing to do anything for him." Kou takes out an envelope. "You'll be interested in him too."

Sumire takes out the documents from the envelope.

Mashima Mirako.

Age: Twenty Two

Ah? Sumire recalled what Toh had just informed her on the phone. So, this is the one Toh was talking about.

"This person has been causing trouble for the guys in akagaumi?"

Kou nodded. "There is no doubt."

Toh mentioned that he had a brother, and they would be returning to Japan together. Does Toh not know that his brother has already returned? She can confirm this information with him later. But, so this is the guy messing with her family?

"Uh, Mimi, don't burn the documents."

She recalled what happened to Yoru not too long ago. Unforgivable, who would have thought that such a scumbag would be related to Toh? Even though Toh is so gentle and kind. His little brother seems to be a devil in disguise.

"Are you going to fight him?"

Her lips curve to a smile. "It wouldn't be good if I take him down so quickly."

Yes, in order to torture people and take revenge. The slow and painful method is her favourite. She will not allow these people to suffer quickly; they must suffer slowly. So they can feel every inch of pain she is about to give them.