Eternal Melody

"You don't want to go with everyone?" Sumire must have seen his troubled expression.

"No, you're right. This would be a good bonding activity. However, our preparations for the festival performance are almost done. We should use whatever we can to strengthen our bonds."

"Mm, I knew you would understand, Yuhi."

Seeing the relief in her eyes, he sighed quietly again. Sometimes he wishes he could lose his temper like Ran did not too long ago. But Sumire already has a lot on her mind. It would be wrong of him to act selfishly.

Yuhi wrapped his arms around her, and a content sigh escaped her lips.

"Tonight's date was good. I'm happy, Yuhi."

"Hah, but we ended up talking more than eating."

Sumire giggled. "It always ends up like that with us. But that just means we don't have to cook for a few days."

That's true, he overdid it on his side, and that doesn't include the dishes she made.

"I'm glad that this worked out. I wasn't sure if you'd be up for it after what happened earlier."

"It's true my mood was low after what happened then. But speaking to you and Hino made me feel better."

'-and Hino?' He truly has to step up his game. It wasn't too long ago where she wouldn't even admit that. Hino is important to her, huh?

'I should be relieved that she didn't say Nagawa's name.' But Hino is just as complicated.

His thoughts broke off when Sumire slipped out of his hold but hugged him tightly from the back.

"I will do my best as your wife. So, please take care of me."

Just like that, she melts away all his worries in an instant. What type of power does this girl have? He wants to continue knowing more about her. With each change she experiences, he wants to be the first to know.

"I will look forward to it; before then, maybe we should work on you being less violent when you're embarrassed."

"I-I understand." Sumire stammered.

Yuhi glances at her, not at her face but towards her chest. Since he made the dress years ago, it's natural that her size has changed. He never intended for this dress to show her chest this much. He likes it when she hugs him, but today it's a bit troubling.

"You don't have to do your best there. I mean, you should stop-"

Yuhi knew his words were only confusing her. She isn't going to get it unless he tells her directly. But if he does that, she will certainly hit him again for calling him a pervert. How is he supposed to handle this situation?

"I shouldn't have tried to act cool. I end up behaving like an idiot when it concerns her." He mutters.

"Yuhi? What's wrong? Are you hungry?"

'I need to make adjustments to that dress. Why is it so short? It shows her beautiful legs too much-' This is bad; how is he going to survive tonight?

...….

FNS J Festival Day 7- Four days later-

Yuhi had just finished speaking to a staff member and was heading backstage when he spotted red hair.

"Isn't it too early for you to be scowling?"

"I can't reach Sumire the last four days; what did you do to her?" Atsuro questioned.

"The question should be what we didn't do."

He genuinely didn't mean to do anything. But seeing her so vulnerable the morning after, he fooled around a bit and kissed her. However, the silly girl wasn't satisfied, so he did a bit more, and before he knew it, his self-control broke.

"I only took her for two days. I wasn't with her yesterday."

On the morning of the third day, she was completely worn out but still had the strength to tell him, 'stop it already; otherwise, I will die.' When he let her go, at last, she hit him and got dressed, mumbling that she would stay over at Asuka's, and he hadn't seen her since.

Yuhi repeated these words to Atsuro, and the redhead looked like he wanted to kill him.

"You have to admit, my self-control is great. Just two days."

"Honestly, you, this is why I didn't take your relationship seriously before."

"So I hear your very stubborn." Yuhi trailed off. "Is something wrong?"

"Out in the parking lot, there are several vehicles there with the D entertainment logo."

"A company field trip?"

"No, I caught hold of Eli. He said it's deliberate. They want Sumire to have a panic attack on stage. They even deliberately booked out the first few rows so she would definitely see them."

Yuhi frowned. "Why do they have to resort to such methods?"

"It's because they know they can't beat her in a fight. Mashima Mirako is going to be here too. But after the beating he experienced from you, it seems he has quieted down for now anyway."

"I see."

"Anyhow, make sure you stick to Sumire like glue no matter what today. She is going to need you more than ever."

"I get it; what about you?"

"I'll be keeping an eye on them; well, me and Shin will be."

"I'll leave it to you."

With those words said, Atsuro walked away, and Yuhi glanced around at the staff members. 'There is probably a spy here too. I should be wary.'

He wonders if Sumire is in the venue already. Asuka surely wouldn't leave her alone until they met up. Yuhi starts heading towards the exit of the backstage area when he hears familiar voices.

"If you're going to give it to him, then do so already."

"B-but there are so many people around. It's embarrassing."

"I think you're more embarrassed about showing him your outfit. You worked hard to make that, so shouldn't you show him at least?"

That's Asuka's voice; the other must be his wife. Yuhi walked down the steps, and sure enough, he found Sumire crouched in the corner. She was holding a small box with a ribbon in her hands.

Her hair was curled like it was on their date the other day, and her outfit- Yuhi blinked before he grabbed hold of her wrist, standing her up to get a better look.

Damn, this is dangerous. He thought what he was seeing the other day was bad. But now she has made it worse.

"A-am I pretty, Yuhi?" Sumire stammered, but she looked directly at him.

He slammed his hand against the edge of the stage and backed Sumire against the ball.

"You're asking me a dangerous question. But, I suppose we can continue what we didn't finish. I will teach you everything, just like you wanted. Why do I want to touch you so much? What do I want to do with these emotions? Do you want to know? Or don't you?" Yuhi leaned closer. "Will you tell me?"

"I want to know."