Eternal Melody

It was an unusual feeling, but he certainly meant it. There is no longer any use in confessing to her or pursuing her romantically. After all, this is the first time he has seen such a clear look in her eyes in a long time. Unlike that hazard gaze from before, this situation is much better.

"Did you speak to Shin yet?"

At those words, he snapped out of his trance. Nakara Shin is here?

"Ah, is Shin here?"

"He said he had something to give you."

"Mm, it's probably the SF's recent activities report. My dear, I'll disappear for a bit."

"Sure, he is waiting near the stage area."

Sumire's gaze briefly met his, and she laughed almost like she knew what he was thinking. "I will tell Shin you say hello, Ran."

"Like hell." Ran replied as the girl merrily rushed away.

"Sorry about that, but you know how she is."

Indeed he does know. He was one of the few people who got along very well with her.

"Her personality is really bad, though. How do you put up with it?"

Yuhi only laughed at his words.

"Yeah, but I find everything she does cute. Even when she acts weirdly possessive."

Ran stared at him and sighed. "Now I understand, your both weird. What a perfect couple."

"You are saying this, but I know you still like her."

"Yeah." Ran admitted. "But, I am going to take a step back. I don't want to be that jerk who steals his friend's girlfriend."

"So, we are friends now?"

Hearing Yuhi's tone, Ran frowned. "On second thought, let's change that to a team member.'"

This only earned more laughter from Yuhi. It's strange, but when this person laughs, he doesn't find it annoying like he did with Mamoru-san. There is something gentle behind that laughter.

"Did she give you your song yet?"

"I haven't asked her." Ran admitted.

"You also got offered to do a solo performance on the fourth day, right? Why don't you perform the new song there?"

So from what Yuhi just said, it seems like Sumire has already finished writing his song. That shouldn't surprise him, but it does. He thought it would take a bit longer, considering they haven't been on speaking terms.

The song he sang when he first came here, 'only one,' was something she wrote for him before Mamoru's accident. But before they could work on it properly, Mamoru ended up hospitalized. He wanted to respect her decision to spend time with him, so he delayed releasing the song.

The reason why Sumire wrote only Kou and Jun's new songs not too long ago was simply due to him and Tetsuo maintaining a distance. Unlike the other two, Tetsuo and he hasn't gotten close to her since she came to Tokyo. It's not like he didn't want to get close, but whenever he recalled her state in Star town. He would feel angry at himself.

Why did they go abroad right after the selection? If they didn't, if they were with her right after the accident, then perhaps she wouldn't have ended up in that state.

'Who am I kidding? Mamoru was so important to her. Even if we were there for her, nothing would have changed.'

"Then, I'll ask her about it when she returns."

"Yeah."

"Is there something else?"

"I was actually wondering if you could join the front lines and fight for a while. But I understand why your not."

"Are we truly lacking fighting force? They have Aki, the three Princesses, and four heavenly kings, right?"

"But the three Princesses are members of the entertainment industry too, and one of them is missing right now."

"If it's Nase, she is the same type as Mamoru; she has the adventure blood in her and wanders off a lot. She doesn't stay in one place for too long."

"That's exactly why. If Nase were around, I wouldn't have to ask you, Ran. That girl is good at not getting caught, from what Jun told me."

"I understand. It's better than Sumire, going off on her own again, right?"

'I heard what happened recently.' But even then, he couldn't believe it. He knew how much Sumire wanted a child with Yuhi. Ever since she gave birth to Mamoru's child, she would often make comments like.

'It would be nice if I have one with Yuhi-san too.'

To think she would go off recklessly and endanger herself and her children. He was under the impression that with Yuhi around, there is no longer any need to be so overprotective over Sumire. However, it turns out that is not the case. Even if he cannot be together with her romantically, at the very least, he wants to watch over her as her friend.

"Despite what it looks like, I know how to keep my safety margins. I shouldn't get caught."

There is a reason why he has survived as a solo this entire time; in the underworld belonging to a group is crucial. However, he never saw the need to get involved with people who are similar to themselves. Every underworld member is trained to kill, to take human lives. Why would he bother making himself even more corrupted?

But neither Kou nor Sumire is like that; those two, despite having stained their hands with blood numerous times, continue to emit a radiant and bright light. It's not just them but even Yuhi. He heard the rumors regarding how vicious Yuhi was. However, this man showed a bright smile during their first meeting.

"Then I will count on you." Yuhi began to pack the food back into the boxes. "You don't mind if we take this, right?"

"It's fine. I did buy it for her."

"I don't mean to be so controlling regarding her meals, but I am just taking extra caution with everything that has happened recently. Sumire probably has no idea how many people plot to kill her every day."

"I think she does know, and that is why she is living her life to the fullest."

His reply came swiftly and Ran looked away awkwardly, realizing what he had just said. "I mean, you probably understand her better."

So much for not making things awkward. However, they have been on better terms ever since he apologized. Ran still found it awkward to speak to him, considering his behavior since they met in person.

"No, you're certainly right. Even if she knows she is in danger, she will not let that scare her and continue living her life as she wants." Yuhi trailed off. "Although if you ask me, she has gotten a bit too relaxed, with her attacking me all the time."

Ran's eyes twitched, annoyed. "Oi, here I am being nice, and now you're flaunting your relationship."

"Aren't you my friend? You should listen to my concerns." Yuhi said seriously.

He sighed, hearing those words. "Isn't it simply because she is more comfortable around you now? You should be relieved."

"Don't get me wrong; I am more than relieved. You probably don't realize how difficult it was for me to confess to her again. With her heart in that state, I didn't want to look like I was taking advantage of her. But at the same time, I knew I couldn't leave her alone."