Eternal Melody

A fes hours later, at Yuhi's apartmemt.

A long time ago, Kou crossed the boundary between being a normal human and abnormal. He crossed that line he shouldn't have crossed. It was shortly before he decided to take his idol career seriously.

He became an active underworld member and even formed a group called the 'east tigers.' It happened in the past, but his sharp instincts from back then haven't disappeared.

On the way to the apartment, Kou sensed that somebody was watching him. It wasn't the media; no, the media would be easy to spot.

'I should tell Yu-Yu to move.' There is somebody with such a frightening presence lurking around. It's not good for Mimi, who is pregnant.

When he first heard the news, it did not surprise him. After all, those two were all over each other during winter break. It's strange; he ought to feel jealous.

The feelings he has for Ibuki Sumire still haven't vanished. But even more important than that, 'I want to support Yu-Yu's dream.' Despite enthusiastically agreeing to be part of the same team, he was still testing him at the start.

That test, Yu-yu passed it with flying colors. How could he possibly not accept him, seeing how hard he works? His work ethic reminds him of Mimi.

Seeing a person work so hard for their dreams like that, at some point, he wanted to support his dream and see how far they would go as a group.

The moment he arrived at the apartment, Kou heard the sound of a child crying. He rushed to the source and found the boy on the cradle and, pointing to Sumire, crouched on the ground clenching her stomach.

Kou immediately bent down. "Mimi? Mimi, are you alright?"

"Kou," Sumire said weakly.

Her entire face looks white like a ghost. Kou scooped her up and carefully placed her on the couch. Sumire extended her hands out towards Huan, and he brought the little boy over.

"Kou, you don't have to be here- you can go back."

"Initially, I was going to stay for a few hours only but looking at your condition, I will stay until Yuhi returns," Kou said sharply. "You need someone here, Sumire. Did you collapse just now?"

"No, it's been a few minutes. Thankfully I managed to put Huan in his crib on time."

"You have the kid to look after too. If an accident happens, you'll never forgive yourself."

Sumire stared at him and then burst into tears.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain?"

"No, it's just I feel like I am being a burden. Last night I snapped At Yuhi-san several times even though he didn't do anything wrong."

"I am sure he doesn't blame you."

"I know he will never get mad at me. He is stupidly honest like that." Sumire paused. "Kou, what are you holding?"

"Pasteries. Yu-Yu said you like these."

She suddenly sat up with Huan cradled on her lap at those words.

"My baby boy, you have to try these! When I had you inside me, these were my only savior."

"Ma! Chu."

Kou watched as the little boy leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

"Oh, are you doing that because I'm in pain? Your so cute."

Yu-yu, it seems like you have one formidable rival.

"By the way, Kou, how was Ran today?" Sumire suddenly asked.

"Ran-chan?" Kou trailed off. "Now that you mentioned it, he was strangely enthusiastic about work today."

"It seems like my warning worked. From now on, he shouldn't cause trouble for Yuhi-san."

This girl will work extra hard for the man she loves. Quite some time has passed since he last saw that scary state of hers.

"So I said I would help out, but is there something you need me to do in particular? The pastries are only a snack. Do you want something to eat?"

"It's okay. Yuhi woke up early and made food for me."

Yu-yu did? But he was the first one to the station this morning. Exactly how early did he wake up?

"There is something you can do." Sumire pulled out a purple-colored notebook. "You can write lyrics to this."

Kou blinked when she passed him the notebook of scores. One page had a post-it note that said 'for Kou.'

"You wrote me a new solo song?"

"Mm, it feels like I haven't been very attentive writing songs recently. So when I had time, I wrote some for you and the others. I asked Aika-chan for more details regarding the festival. Since we are in the committee, each of us has to perform a solo, not just a group performance."

'But when would she have had time?' Hasn't she been busy ever since her concert with Takahashi Yumi? Kou flicked through the notebook, his eyes widened. She wrote some for them and even more than one group song.

He almost forgot how passionate Mimi is when it comes to composing.

From the very start, this person has never failed to amaze him.

After eating, it did not take long before the little one fell asleep.

"He sleeps a lot. I wonder if it has anything to do with his powers." Sumire mumbled, concerned as she stared at the child.

Kou was only half paying attention. He helped heat up the food and then immediately started writing lyrics for the song. Three hours have already passed, but nothing seems to work.

This is strange, maybe because quite some time has passed since he wrote lyrics for her melodies. But he is struggling to write anything. Is it because his feelings for her have changed? Is that what the problem is?

Kou sensed the girl's presence behind him, and he grinned. "To what do I owe this pleasure of you gracing me with your presence?"

"Because I worry about leaving you alone." Kou was about to make a sly remark when she spoke up. "Kou you, you're hiding something. After all, both you and Yuhi-san are hiding something."

For a moment, his eyes widened before his lips curved to a grin. Just because she hasn't been making trouble doesn't mean she hasn't been keeping an eye out on the underworld. So Mimi must understand that Yu-yu asked for his assistance.

He disbanded the east tiger's group long ago, yet Yu-yu said to him. 'Help me; it's for her.' It was just four words, but he was mobilizing his old connections before he knew it.

Both Yu-yu and Mimi have such strong presences. It's hard to say no when they ask for a favor.