Eternal Melody

The moment they finished the filming, he turned to the blonde-haired man who was trying to leave. Tetsuo gradually grabbed his collar from the back and dragged him to his dressing room.

Tetsuo sits down on the chair. "Explain."

Why is he doing a job like this when he should be investigating Jian Hijiri's matter alongside his fellow team members? This is the reason why Hamano Atushi returned to Star Town.

"There are rumors that Hijiri is here, so I wanted to check on Sumire," Arashi admitted.

"Then, what are you doing here and not going to see her?"

Arashi's expression darkened. "I-I haven't seen her this entire time. I have no excuse. I even turned her away when she came to my university to meet me."

"I heard about that, and I have to question your motives."

"I have none. I just feel too ashamed to see her. I was useless when she was struggling so much. Everybody expected me to be able to help her, and at the start, I thought I could."

"But you gave up?"

"I seemed to have underestimated how important Mamoru-san was to her. If I had noticed before, then I would never have-"

"-confessed to her?"

Arashi laughed weakly. "Back then, she was dating Nagawa Sano, so of course, I wouldn't think Mamoru-san was that important to her. I knew I was crazy confessing to her then, but I still wanted to try."

"I see." Tetsuo trailed off. "But even if it was crazy, you probably thought to try because you noticed her unusual behavior."

"Sumire was dating Nagawa-san, but she didn't seem particularly attached to him. I didn't understand the reason why or had the nerve to ask her, but I wanted to take that chance."

Tetsuo sighed, hearing those words. "I wasn't aware that you were that type of person."

He averted his gaze. "It's not like that, and in the end, I was right, wasn't I? Sumire never liked him."

"But interfering in another relationship as a third party is wrong. I see; it's not just the guilt from not realizing that Sumire is close to Mamoru-san. But for being a third party."

At those words, Arashi kneeled down with a defeated look on his face.

"Sumire seems happy now; that's all that matters to me."

"I see, so Ichinose, you're giving us your blessings. Thank you for that." A familiar voice said.

Tetsuo glanced over and spotted black hair and brown-colored eyes. "Yuhi."

"Oh, you've finished already? I thought I'd help you with this one."

"It's alright, but if you're free, do some of Kou's work."

Yuhi laughed. "Right, the type of work he does is different from your usual style. You should learn to be more flexible." He trailed off and turned to the now frozen Ichinose.

"You've met with Nagawa and Makoto Soujiro more than Sumire." Yuhi looked at Arashi with a frown. "You better go and see her."

"But-"

"I mean, I am fine with it if you don't want to. But she was starting up some crazy theories about you being in love with one of them. Lately, that girl keeps reading some weird BL manga, so she is turning into one of those-"

Arashi's face turned pale, and he stood up. "Sir Terashima, where is your girlfriend right now?"

"That's wife." Yuhi corrected. "She is at home with bad morning sickness."

"She's pregnant?"

Tetsuo watched the scene with great interest. Right, Arashi doesn't know about it yet. How will he react? Arashi seemed to have mixed feelings about the news judging from his complicated face.

"Kou is with her right now, so you don't have to worry about being alone with her. Go."

With those words said, Arashi quickly rushed off. Tetsuo couldn't miss the expression on his face.

"Geez, if he wanted to see her that badly he should have done so before."

"It doesn't bother you?"

"I already heard about what happened with Ichinose from Sumire, and she told me 'while I could have developed feelings for him, it never happened. So now I just consider him a senpai I was close with.'"

Tetsuo could imagine her saying those words with an indifferent look on her face.

"She can be quite cold when she wants to. I pity him looking so excited."

"I am sure she added something else."

Yuhi looked flustered. "Something along the lines of, 'My dear, you don't have to worry! My heart, body, and soul belong to you. Especially my body, you can do whatever you want.'" Yuhi sighed. "I had to stop her there before she spoke any more crazy nonsense."

"But is it crazy when she is speaking the truth?"

"Ha, I don't know what's with her recently. Although I don't mind this, I can't help but think that this drastic change is due to something that happened."

"I think you're overthinking too much." Tetsuo trailed off. "Why not accept that she no longer wants to suppress her feelings for you?"

"That's true. I should do." Yuhi mumbled.

Tetsuo couldn't miss the expression on his face, so he quickly changed the topic.

"So, what is the real reason why you came here?"

"The cake here, I thought Sumire would like it."

"In other words, it's a new craving of hers."

"Right," Yuhi said, defeated. "I have been running all over town buying her food from various places. Because I told her to stay home, she spends a lot of time browsing trends online."

"Isn't it fine to spoil her occasionally?"

"My life savings will be on the line." Yuhi trailed off. "Anyhow, I have another reason why I am here. Can you do me a favor? I feel like I should have asked you sooner. But I wasn't sure if it was okay to get you involved."

"Is it to do with your fight against those people?"

"Yes. According to Sumire's sources, there are members of the elite circle amongst the members in that company." Yuhi paused. "So you-"

"You want me to investigate?"

"Yeah." Yuhi nodded. "I am sorry to do this. But since the other four are involved already. It won't surprise me if you end up targeted by them too. Of course, if it becomes too dangerous, withdraw immediately." He slides an invitation across the desk. "Tonight, go to this."

"Very well."

"I am surprised that you are just agreeing. But, I won't question you." Yuhi stood up. "Well, I better order her cake. See you around."

Tetsuo nodded and watched as Yuhi went to the counter before he stood up and left the shop. The moment he exited, beams of light hit his face. How unusual, it's sunny.