Eternal Melody

If she could hold him tightly, perhaps she could squeeze away all of his worries. But even she understood that was impossible. If a single hug is enough to disperse people's pain, then this world would not have so many people suffering.

Yuhi's gaze met hers, and he sighed. He brushed his fingers across her cheek. "Sorry, I got worked up again." He lightly kissed her eyelids. "I'm fine, don't worry."

Is he really? This reaction of his reminds her of something similar. Back then, Yuhi was so distant from others because of a friend he lost, a friend he failed to save during one of his missions. Perhaps he is reacting this way because he still hasn't gotten over what happened back then?

"I was with Atsuro to discuss some suspicious activity happening in the harbor in the suburbs. He informed me what took place recently in Star town and how the culprits escaped to Tokyo. When I heard that, I actually asked him. So, what are the chances of Sumire involving herself in this?"

Her sweat fell at those words. Is that why he was investigating the suspicious activity in the suburbs. Did he ask, so he could prepare himself for her doing something careless?

"When Atsuro mentioned what happened at the arms deal, he contacted Aki, who told us that he told you already. Right then, Shin sent us a message. I almost had a heart attack on the spot Sumire."

"Um, I mean, you knew Aki was the one who called me, right?"

"No, when you took that phone call. I thought it was from Sano." Yuhi said awkwardly.

Sumire frowned hearing those words. If she could use her hands, she would have hit him.

"Why would it be from Sano?" Sumire glared at him.

"Uh, because you use a separate ring tone for him, right? That ring tone was different from the usual."

She only uses a separate one for Sano so she can avoid his calls or mentally prepare herself. Sumire sighed deeply, seeing his expression.

"Yuhi-san, since we are on this topic. I have to ask, are you sure you trust me?"

"I think we spoke about this before, too. I trust you too much, you crazy girl. You could stab me with a knife right now or put sleeping pills in my drink, and I would still think you were right."

"That's quite the exaggerated example. But I also find it romantic."

Yuhi flicked her forehead after hearing her say those words.

"You and your strange idea regarding romance."

"Hey, it's not strange!"

"You turn everything into a tragedy; if that's not strange, then what is?"

"You simply don't understand the beauty of tragic romances, Yuhi-san." Sumire pouted as she tried to break free from his hold. Unfortunately, he had his arms wrapped firmly around her waist, preventing her from moving. "-and yet you trap me and keep me hostage."

"I can see why you like Nagawa so much. He was the type to treat you coldly like that, right?"

"I always feel a headache coming on when we speak about him. Isn't it bad that Hino mentions him a lot?"

"Well, they are best friends."

Best friends, huh? Sumire's gaze fell towards Yuhi. Yuhi has many people by his side. He is very popular, yet she hasn't seen a trace of a close male companion. She tilted her head, puzzled. It's so strange, how come?

"What is it? Just so you know, I am tired. So I won't be attacking you today."

"That's not it, Yuhi. Do you not have any best friends?"

Yuhi considers Hino as a family, so he doesn't count, and the same with the guys in akagumi.

"My friend who got killed. I told you about him before, didn't I?"

"Ah."

"For male friendships, saying 'we are best friends' is unnecessary. If we are close to one particular individual over another, we naturally hang out with them more. It was the same for Yujiro and me."

"I'm sorry for bringing up such a painful topic." Sumire trailed off. "It's just I find you amazing, Yuhi-san; you're such a nice person. That's why so many people are attracted to you. So I find it weird that nobody is particularly close to you."

"But there is someone." Yuhi turned to her and caressed her cheek. "Are we not close?"

"We are, but I don't think we should include me."

"It's alright if I don't have a best friend anymore. Truthfully, I had no intention of getting close to another person after his death. But, in my line of work, it's naturally impossible. Over the years, I have met a few interesting people that I have kept in my close circle. However, there is nobody I am particularly attached to other than you." Yuhi paused. "No, I suppose that is wrong. The other guys in M5 have become important to me."

Her eyes brightened hearing those words, and Yuhi looked troubled, but he continued.

"I suppose if somebody asked me if I had any close friends, I would say them. When you weren't here, they were here for me. Nobody asked them, certainly not me. But there didn't go a single day during those months where I was alone."

She heard this from the others but has yet to hear any details. It surprised her; she did tell Kou before. 'Please be good to Yuhi.' But he would have done that regardless. However, the other three of their own violation?

Her gaze softened; those guys must have seen what she saw in Yuhi.

Sumire rolled on top of him and lightly kissed his lips. "I think they all saw how much of a good guy you are, Yuhi."

"Ha, I have mixed feelings about that."

"You're a good guy, Yuhi, and I want everyone to see that."

"Then I wish the same for you. I wish the unnecessary hate would vanish."

For a moment, she didn't know what to say. This is not the first time she has heard this; so many people have said it. But, when she hears it from Yuhi. She feels like crying.

'No, I can't. If I cry now, it would seem like it bothers me.'

Sumire shook her head and laughed weakly.

"That is impossible already. I think I have already resigned to my fate; people just naturally dislike me. Even if the relationship goes well at the beginning, they get tired of being around me. My presence in this world is nothing more than that of a villain. If humans are assigned roles from birth, then this was my role. No matter what I do, I cannot escape my role."

She saw the pained look on his face and laughed again.

"It is alright. I think it would have bothered me in the past, but now I have you, Yuhi-san."

That's right, what is different from the past and now is that she has Yuhi. Because she has him right by her side, her world has brightened up.

Yuhi suddenly sits them both up. "Do you want to practice together?" Yuhi said, averting his gaze.

Sumire blinked and burst into laughter. "Sure."