Eternal Melody

Ibuki Sumire was everything he wasn't.

Maybe that's the reason why he fell in love with her.

But, she is someone who kept up with his strange mind set. She often shared the same thoughts and the same ideas.

She is enthusiastic and eager to make things work. 'The two of us are similar and yet, occasionally we have our differences.' But those differences only make them closer.

Back when he was still in the Holy Knights and worked alongside her as his partner. They fought a lot and yet she remained by his side.

She read his thoughts like an open book.

Maybe it is. Whenever he is around Ibuki Sumire, he acts differently. 'Have I become soft?' It's true that he does not fight as much anymore.

"So we are skipping class now?"

After she sang on stage Sumire dragged him away to the abandoned music room.

"I've been skipping since morning."

This girl, he can't tell if she is the serious type or not. His gaze fell on the guitar in her hand. For the past few minutes she strummed a few chords.

"Did you want to play?"

"No." Sumire passed the guitar to him. "You play and I will sing."

Yuhi deeply sifhed when he heard her words. 'I thiught as much. No wonder she held back wheb she sang on earlier.'

"The song was good but you made mistakes." Yuhi trailed off. "It was deliberate?"

"Bingo." Sumire winked. "If I want to perform seriously, I want to do so with Yuhi-san's music."

Here she goes again with that. Not that he minded too much. Yuhi nodded and he watched as her eyes light up.

He felt his cheeks turn red. 'What's with her?' Even though she is normally so confident and acts mature.

"Even if it seems like I can reach for your heart..

I can feel you close from the distance boyfriend.

When I am lost wgile looking for the whereabouts of your feelings.

I will not lose my courage.

I can feek a little warmth flowing from that finger

and I feel like I want to become that same warmth.

Reach out wirh this hand and embrace tomorrow.

I want to comvey this song into your heart.

Even if I struggle in this rushing world, the only thing I won't do is regret…"

After that one song Yuhi put the guitar down and grabbed hold of her hands. "So? What's the reason why you wanted to

takes a lilac ribbon box out from her bag, " Here,my chocolates. "

A tint of red appears on his cheeks. He wasn't expecting this at all. Then again he didn't think he would see her again before she left, she's a lot more calm in contrast to when they spoke the other night.

Yuhi accepts the box, " Um, it's a lovers chocolate, I guess? "

" It's not a lovers chocolate. " Eh? Sumire continues, " Were still lovers, but there's something more special. "

At that comment his whole face goes bright red. Hey hey now, isn't she being a bit too bold and direct? Damm, he supposed this is what he gets for acting so calmly about everything the other night.

"I wrote my feelings on the chocolate."

"Is this handmade?" Yuhi suddenly asked as he recalled something.

Sumire chuckled. "Indeed, it seems I learned about double boilers since then."

"O--okay." Yuhi said nervously as he opened the box. But that feeling vanished when he saw the the words written on the chocolate.

The words rival written in capital letters.

"Rival chocolate! I was so moved after watching Quatro light. But then I realized something. The one standing at the top of the entertainment world is you, the one who beat them is you. So starting today, you're my rival."

Yuhi didn't know what to say.

He is speechless. She's done so many incomprehensible things before, but this is the first time she left him this speechless. Yuhi exhales deeply.

"Who even thinks of giving their boyfriend something like this. You led me on. This isn't romantic at all." He exclaimed but the girl only laughed.

"I will end up performing in a good music show alongside Yuhi."

So that's why she is bursting with energy. Geez, he supposed that's exactly like her.

"What is it?"

Yuhi extends his hand out and flicked her forehead.

"What was that for?" Sumire exclaimed, as she placed her hand on her forehead.

"Taking on me as your rival by yourself? That's some guts you've got."

"But I am going to become the first- star idol. Isn't it better to have stronger rivals?"

"I can't argue with that logic. Looks like it's a race to see who can become the first."

"Yeah." Sumire beamed happily.

'She looks so cute.' Ah he can no longer resist. Yuhi pulled the girl into his arms and Sumire laughed.

"Did your self control break again?"

"It did." Yuhi trailed off. "Your voice has gotten better."

"Mmm, lately I've been practicing."

"Are you still afraid?"

"I am but." She closed the distance between them. "If I am with you, it's all okay."

Before he could kiss her however the doors opened revealing Asami. "Sumire-chan! We need your help with-" Asami made eye contact and her cheeks reddened. "Ahem, carry on."

"Hey! I won't attack her here."

Sumire laughed. "Uh, let me go and check it out. I will be right back Yuhi-san."

Yuhi nodded and proceeded to sit down but Sumire tugged on his hand. "Is something wrong?"

She leaned forward and whispered something in his ear. Yuhi felt his heart beat increase when he heard those words. Is she serious about that? He felt a soft pair of lips on his cheek but before he could react she already left his side.

Yuhi remained frozen and didn't hear Asami leave. 'Then Yuhi-san, today I will lead.' If anybody else heard those words they would misunderstand. She is only talking about kissing.

He walked over to the piano and noticed a familiar lilac coloured notebook. 'Is this the reason why she left her gathering half way? She practiced secretly here.' His gaze softened when he saw the post it notes and highlighted notes.

She is serious and diligent when it comes to music. This is the kind of thing somebody does when it comes to studying. Yuhi closed the book but something fell out. He bent down and picked up an old looking plain bookmark.

Yuhi blinked surprised. 'Isn't this mine?' Despite the worn out look, he knew it was his immediately. He bought this random leather bookmark a long time ago in an antique shop. He liked the simple design.

This is bad, he keeps finding note things to love about her.