Eternal Melody



Sumire didn't say anything to that, but her pained smile and her silence for the next few minutes were more than enough. Before he could so much say another word, the doors opened, revealing a sleepy-looking young boy.

"Mom?" Huan called out.

"Hi, my precious." Sumire walked over and picked him up. "Are you hungry?"

Huan gave a small nod as he yawned. "I want pancakes."

Sumire briefly glanced over at him and nodded, confirming that he had the ingredients. 

She rolls her sleeves up and heads to the kitchen. Recalling the girl's warm forehead, Toh frowned and approached her. As Sumire reached into the cabinets, he reached for the mixture first.

"Toh?"

"Sit down. I'll do it."

Sumire laughed. "Okay then." 

It looked like she would have disagreed, but the sound of crying led to her bolting out of the room. Moments later, Sumire returned with both kids in her arms. Carrying two newborns isn't easy, but with Sumire's strength, it should be fine. However, Toh could easily see her swaying sideways. 

He pushed the crib over, and Sumire looked at him gratefully as she placed one of the kids down.

"Kyo-chan, just stay there. Your brother is misbehaving."

The kid in her hands, Saotomi's eyes sparkled at that comment, and he started to clap his hands. 

Sumire rolled her eyes. "Mischievous like your father. What if I put you down?"

At those words, the sparkle vanished, and his eyes started to water, and Sumire giggled.

"Just like Yuhi-san, I will keep you company and spoil you."

"Is Terashima like that?" Toh asked, interested.

Like he said to Mamoru, he actually doesn't know much about Terashima.

Sumire giggled. "He is. He needs an unusual amount of coddling and attention."

But, from the looks on her face, it seems she likes that. She likes spoiling someone?

"Mom, your face looks red. Are you sick?" Huan asked with a frown.

"Oh my precious, Mom is just a bit sick. But I will be fine."

What a liar. Anybody can see she isn't fine. Toh shakes his head and rolls his sleeves up as he takes out the remaining ingredients from the fridge. Looking at Sumire's complexion, Toh decided to make more than pancakes. She needs some meat.

Since they met again, he hasn't mentioned it. But, it was too easy for him to tell that she lost weight. They do share the same bed together at night. 

While he was cooking, his gaze remained on her watching her condition. By the time he finished and set the plates down, Sumire had her head resting on the table.

Toh lightly shook her awake.

"Sumire, Sumire. Wake up; you need to eat."

Sumire didn't move, and his frown deepened. He brushed his hands across her forehead and saw how flushed her face was. He clicked his tongue, annoyed, and scooped the girl in his arms.

Toh turned to Huan. "Eat. I'll take care of your mom, and there is some food for your brother and sister too. Can you help?"

Huan nodded. "Leave it to me."

For a moment, Toh could see Mamoru's image in the young boy. Indeed, this boy definitely resembles him more. Toh nodded and walked back up the stairs with the frail girl in his arms. Not stopping for a single moment before he arrived in his room. 

He carefully placed her down on his bed and exhaled deeply. Why does she look like this now? He watched her on the news a while ago, and she looked healthy. There was color in her cheeks and muscles through her legs. She looked so full of life and happy, much happier than the last time he saw her.

Terashima did the impossible in a year, no less than that. It shouldn't surprise him. Love has always been the best motivator.

For her to end up in this state again, is it because Terashima hasn't been around? Is that truly enough to send her into despair? Sumire is a strong woman. She doesn't need to have a man by her side to support her. However, it seems she does need love to keep her going.

Frowning, Toh recalled something she told him before.

'When I am alone, I see things I don't wish to see.'

A knowing ah escaped her lips. Terashima's absence aside, that must be the main reason why. Her nightmares, if she is by herself. She cannot control them. If that's the case, then the solution is simple. She has to continue staying in his room.

However, recalling how she reacted this morning, Toh knew it would be difficult to persuade her.

Sumire weakly stirs and extends her hands out. "Toh?"

His lips curved to a smile, and he grabbed hold of her hand. "Right here."

"The kids need to-," Sumire started.

"Left it to the eldest. He seems to know what he is doing."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" Toh frowned, hearing the apology.

"I'm causing you problems already; we haven't lived together for long."

Toh shakes his head. "It's not your fault that you're sick." He trailed off. "But I'll have to talk to Narasaki about your schedule. Your working too much, Sumire."

"If-If I don't work-" Sumire struggled to say the next words, but Toh understood.

"Are you keeping yourself distracted so you don't think of Terashima not being around?"

Sumire averted her gaze, and Toh sighed again. He reached over and flicked her forehead. "Don't be stupid, Sumire. Even if you keep yourself occupied, everybody around you will mention Terashima's absence. This entire city has been doing that. So no matter what you do, it's pointless."

"Your as blunt as ever." Sumire trailed off. "Your hand is warm."

"That's you. Your burning up." Toh trailed off. "Sumire, I think you know this already. But your life has changed. You may be a celebrity still, but you're also a mother. Doing loads of jobs is fine, but you must do so without affecting your health. What if you were still living alone in that house with the kids? The consequences wouldn't have been very good."

Sumire's gaze dimmed, and Toh immediately noticed. "I'm guessing something happened already?"

"Yes. Luckily Hino returned for something he had forgotten. I've never heard Huan scream so loudly. I was cooking and then lost my balance. I hit my head against the counter, and the stove caught fire. Thankfully the damage was minimum since Hino was still around the corner."

Toh's gaze dimmed, hearing the words that escaped her lips. How can she be so casual about this? What if she got seriously hurt? Contrary to his words, he was more concerned about her safety than the children.