Eternal Melody

Over something this normal, Sumire treats it as something special. A simple greeting becomes a sweet moment for them both.

He slept without experiencing any of his nightmares, and Yuhi didn't know if he should hate her for destroying the pattern he built up. Or should he praise her for making him realize how important sleep was?

As long as Sumire stays by his side, he would be able to sleep well. The darkness that would generally appear and haunt him would disappear. Yuhi realized how selfish that was, but he could not help it. After not sleeping for so long for many years, Yuhi wanted something different.

It is not an exaggeration to say that he needs her to sleep now. She has to be beside him; otherwise, he could not rest. It is more comfortable sleeping beside another person.

Yuhi brushed his lips against her ear and played with her hands intertwined with his. "What are we doing today? For lunch?"

They could stay on the school grounds and look around the stalls. But they could also go out of school and eat out somewhere since the teachers on patrol would be distracted.

"Lunch…" Sumire trailed off. "I think we should go around. I haven't been to a festival in a while. I am interested in seeing how different it is."

"Mm, got it."

"Yuhi-san, when will I see your painting?" Sumire suddenly inquired.

He chuckled when he heard her words. "The last day. I haven't brought mine to school yet; the same goes for you, right?" When he passed by the exhibition hall earlier, he did not see her painting among the works there.

"I will bring mine when you do."

Geez, what a helpless girl. Yuhi kissed her forehead softly and mumbled. "Alright, then."

Aika coughed. "You know this is the first time I've witnessed it personally. The famous lovey-dovey couple flirting so boldly in broad daylight."

Sumire sighed. "It is hard these days since Yuhi insists on being a gentleman."

"Eh? That is something…"

Yuhis eyes twitched, annoyed at their words. It is Aika's fault for putting strange things in Sumire's head. In the past, such thoughts would not have crossed Sumire's mind at all.

Yuhi knew that the brunette would continue growing more beautiful as she matured into an adult. But he wasn't expecting such a drastic change. He didn't realize it until seeing the girl's performance. Although he has been around for a while now, he hasn't had many opportunities to observe her properly.

He's been assisting the board and helping out with the preparations for the summer tournaments. His position as the number one idol kept him quite busy, and when he isn't running around constantly, he catches up on well-deserved rest he needed. Although he touched her then and held her in his arms, she was far too sickly the-- but now? These days she seems happier and more cheerful.

When she first came here, her gaze was cold, and maybe that was why he could not see it.

She looks prettier when she smiles.

After a few more words with Aika, Sumire suggested they look around now. She claims that Aika will cover for them.

He likes how she takes the initiative these days to make plans with him.

Every single year, he always received a mysterious gift from someone in the post. Every single year on his birthday, he always gets a present from someone without fail. Without fail, it's always the first one he gets. At first, Yuhi couldn't determine who it was from. After a while, he linked the presents and realized something.

He recalled a conversation he had with someone before. Only one person could have done it, and indeed when he pulled out the draw filled with the girl's gifts from him. All the gifts connected.

Every single year, she does something for him, yet he never gives her anything in return.

If it's this year, even if it's just this year, he wants to be able to return that kindness that she's always shown him.

Now that they are a couple, surely he could do that?

It was difficult for him to enjoy the festival, however. With the current situation anyway. After this festival ends, the news school term will start. They will become third-year students, and Atsuro will come here.

"That guy is right; you do bold things."

Sumire realized what he was talking about instantly since she pulled away. "T--that's because you run slowly..."

Run slowly...

He does karate though; she doesn't think things through when she is nervous, huh? However, he knew that the girl's flustered expression now was barely due to the contact of their hands.

It must have something to do with Atsuro. Yuhi learned from Soujiro that Sumire did decide to call him back. When it came to such matters, it would be childish to brush it off as 'embarrassing'. However, Yuhi never thought about it much before.

Huh? Come to think of it, does that make him childish in contrast to Sumire? You have to look at her to know that she's used to that stuff. Somehow, that thought irked him.

"Yuhi, what is wrong?"

"Hey, that thing you always have with you. Bring it out."

"Oh, you mean this?"

Once he saw the toy hammer, he took it from her, and she proceeded into a stance recalling what happened before.

But Yuhi proceeded to hit himself across with it instead.

"Eh...? H--old on?" The brunette said puzzled, yet he didn't stop himself from hitting himself. "Uwaa, what's gotten into you? Are you finally losing it?"

Says the one who carries this around with her.

Before he could land another hit, Sumire grabbed hold of the hammer. "U--! Even if this is a toy, you'll hurt yourself if you keep that up."

When he saw how concerned she was, Yuhi decided to stop it. "Yeah."

He wanted to clear his head a bit. But it seemed like he would have to use another method there.

Sumire shook her head. "Gee, what's with you? I thought so earlier. But there's something wrong after all isn't there?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because you had such a spaced-out look on your face...and well, it's a feeling I get..."

A feeling, huh.

That's right, and something was wrong with him. But once again the problem is her. The problem is her, but she clearly doesn't understand that, though. "Do you....like Kusaji?"

His question caught her off guard since she dropped the hammer.

"--- wh---a are you talking about all of a sudden?"

Yuhi doesn't say anything and merely glances over at her, meeting her violet orbs. The brunette notices, and her expression though flustered changed slightly.

"Well I don't dislike Atsuro, I'm sure you can see that. Truthfully speaking, I did use to harbor affections of love towards him. There was such a time when he was all I thought about. However, he turned me down."