Eternal Melody

Yuhi was not very good at reading people; many have said that he lacks something as a human being. Compassionate and understanding of others. But Yuhi never thought of it to that extreme; after all, he understood Ibuki Sumire very well. Understanding Sumire is enough for him. Right at this moment, he could tell what crazy thoughts were going on in her head. She must be thinking of that kiss...

When the person in charge suggested it, Yuhi did not know how to react. Even if he was okay kissing her, he wants to consider her feelings. He did not get a chance to ask, but if he did, then that kiss wouldn't have happened. Sumire does not look like the type who flaunts her relationship around. Indeed, he learned from their mutual friends that her relationship with Mamoru was very low key.

Sometimes I forgot they were dating.

He heard many people say that and yet at the same time...

The two acted naturally as a couple.

Acted natural, huh? So even if the two did not flaunt their affections or announce their relationship status, it was something people acknowledged.

A relationship like that, he does not understand it. But Yuhi also wants the same type of relationship with Sumire. He wants to walk hand in hand with her naturally and talk to her that way too.

The waitress placed their orders on the table, and he watched Sumire take a bite of the tomato spaghetti. Her eyes lit up like a child as she ate more.

He wants to understand her more.

"Tell me something, Yuhi."

"Huh?"

Sumire laughed. "Uhh, do you not like carrots and green peas?"

Yuhi glanced down at his place and realized that he was pushing the peas away with his fork, alongside the carrots. Yuhi took great lengths to avoid making any meals with peas and carrots in front of her. A deep sigh passed his lips. "Yeah, I don't."

In that second, he watched as Sumire extended her fork out.

"H--hey, I just said I don't like it."

"Even if you are older than me, Yuhi-san, you're still a kid and need to grow."

A kid? He was eighteen years old already. A troubled look appeared on his face. He knew whenever she got this way; there was no way of him refusing. Maybe if he came up with a reason, then she would let this go.

Yuhi shook his head. He has no reasonable excuse this time; it isn't like the smoking thing like before. He reluctantly bent down and took a bite. It tasted disgusting, and he could barely swallow it down. But when he looked up and saw the expression on her face, he knew he could not say anything.

After a few bites, Yuhi did not want to eat anymore. Sumire laughed. "Uhh, did I overdo it?"

"It's fine."

When he glanced over and saw her gentle expression, Yuhi felt the sound of his heartbeat increase. Though it is rare, Sumire has those moments where she looks at him like that. When she makes that face, Yuhi wonders what she is thinking. She probably does not entertain thoughts regarding him for long, knowing it would lead to awkwardness.

Yuhi does his best every day to ensure that the awkward moments between them do not last long. He wants her to feel comfortable and wants to see her live her life as a normal girl.

A normal girl, huh?

Ibuki Sumire is not a normal girl; he knew that from the very start. From the moment he heard her voice, he knew there was something special about her. But he still wants her to experience life as a normal girl before she pursued stardom. The past few years have not been easy for her, losing her family and home. She has shouldered so many burdens since that time he sang with her.

"The song recording is this afternoon. Do you have something you want to discuss with me before then?"

"Something to discuss?" Sumire repeated.

"You don't have anything to say, Ange?"

At that comment, Sumire dropped the fork. She looked away from him. "I do." She mumbled. "Why on earth did you wait for so long?"

Why huh? "You know we ended up working on that song together. I am the type of guy who does not like taking credit for somebody else work. I was waiting for you to debut, and then I would release the song."

"In this situation…"

"I want to help you clear your name."

"Yuhi, you don't have to do that. I don't think I will be able to sing in front of other people anymore.."

She is making that helpless face again. He did not say this for her to look like that. Yuhi did not hesitate to stand up and take a seat beside her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and drew her close. "Listen to my heartbeat and calm down."

"Your he--" Sumire trailed off. "Why is it beating so loudly?"

His lips curved amused at her words. She seemed genuinely curious.

"Why do you think?" Yuhi questioned. "When I am around you, it is always like this."

"How can I calm down if you tell me things like that?"Yuhi laughed, and he watched her cheeks puff into a pout. She has her cute moments, huh? Sumire is more mature than other girls her age; her appearance does not help her either. She would occasionally look very mature, especially when a serious discussion came up—the face of an adult and not a teen.

"Yuhi-san, I believe I should talk to you about this now. Even if you think you have done nothing wrong, I find it strange that you know everything about me."

He raised his eyebrows, amused at her words. Know everything about her, huh?

"I don't know everything, Miss Sumire." Yuhi jokes. "I mean, if I knew everything, then I would know details like the color of your undergarments.."

She glared at him and sighed. "Why are all men such perverts?"

Yuhi does not like how she said all men. He does not want her to group him under the same level as other men. Since they are on this topic about other guys, there is something he wants to clarify with her.

"There is one thing I don't know about you. You had two ex-boyfriends before you went out with Mamoru."

No matter how much he researched, for some reason, nobody knew. He found this strange since she dated these two for quite some time. How is it possible that none of her friends knew about those other guys?