Eternal Melody

“Mm,” Sumire muttered as Yuhi kept kissing her neck. “My dear-“

“Eating.” A single word escaped his lips, and she felt her already red face heat up even more.

She kept averting her gaze, not wanting to see Hino’s expression. Now that she thinks about it, whenever something intimate happens between Yuhi and her, she never pays attention to Hino’s face. It’s almost like she subconsciously understood.

“I’m lecturing her about taking the day off today.”

Yuhi rolled his eyes as he raised his face from her neck. “Let her take a break; she works hard enough. Didn’t her song make the top three not too long ago? That’s very good for an artist that is steadily resuming their activities.”

Indeed, her recent songs have made the top of the charts. Many people initially doubted that she would get a position on the charts. But when she released ‘beat break and love chronicle’ as two different singles. Both made the top five, and one made the top three.

No matter how good she is doing, some questioned her for not getting number one. But those complaints were drowned out easily. Getting two songs in the top five isn’t easy, even more for someone who has been on hiatus.

“Moreover, if you yell at her too much, I will have to act as a shield.”

Sumire laughed softly when Yuhi changed their position, so her face was buried in his chest.

Hino only continued to sigh. “Stupid couple.” Hino trailed off. “Let me make a phone call. I’ll be right back.”

With those words said, Hino left the room, and she felt Yuhi hug her even tighter than before. He wasn’t saying and was simply holding her tight. Sometimes Yuhi-san has these moments where he simply holds her and does not say anything. But, it has never bothered her. She likes being held by him.

After a few minutes, Yuhi let her go. “What did Hino mean just now?”

It takes her a moment to realize the meaning behind his words. Ah, he did overhear their conversation. Sumire felt her heartbeat increase. What does she do? How much did he overhear?

Before she could speak, they heard the beep from the intercom and a knock on the door. At first, Yuhi ignored it and continued to stare at her. But the person was very persistent.

“Damn, who is it now,” Yuhi grumbled. He walked over and gently kissed her forehead as he squeezed her hands. “Let’s talk later.’

…

Their persistent guest ended up being none other than Takayama.

Takeyama’s arrival couldn’t be any better. She planned to tell Yuhi today, but when she saw the look in his eyes after he overheard the conversation, she immediately froze.

“This is good tea,” Takeyama commented as he took a sip.

“Thank you.”

Yuhi was frowning the entire time and eventually spoke up. “What did you come here for?”

Takeyama puts the cup down. “Today, I didn’t come here for you.” He turned his attention to her, and Sumire immediately understood.

It seems like he has found out the truth now. Then again, she did ask Sano to leak the information to him.

Her thoughts broke off when Takeyama stood up and then kneeled on the ground in front of her. Sumire looked at him dumbfounded as he bowed his head.

“I owe you an apology. Ibuki Sumire, my behavior has been beyond disgraceful. Although I suspected something was amiss, I acted based on my emotions instead of the evidence that was right in front of me. I understand what type of person you are now; your music has never lied.”

This is quite the poetic apology, but her gaze softened. ‘I can feel the sincerity behind his words.’

“Thank you for searching for the truth.”

“You’re truly a good person. No, that’s not all. Even now, your voice amazes me. I believe you are one of the few rare talents one discovers in a single decade.”

“I’m not that good-“

The apology aside, what is with this endless amount of praise? No, this shouldn’t surprise her. It seems like he was trying to recruit her before. If so, then he was probably a fan.

Suddenly Yuhi, who was quiet, speaks up. “Are you extending the offer to Sumire too?”

“Yes.” Takayama immediately replied.

Sumire blinked, hearing Takayama’s straightforward answer.

Huh? Hold on a second? She couldn’t make sense of the situation, but Takayama had already stopped kneeling and had passed Yuhi an envelope filled with documents.

“You can both sign it at the same time. The deadline is approaching, so today would be convenient.”

Yuhi reached out for a pen and was about to sign the document when she spoke up. “I won’t go.” Her voice was quiet, and she wasn’t even sure what she said until Yuhi slammed his fist against the table.

“I thought I heard you wrong in the kitchen just now. But it seems like I wasn’t wrong. Sumire, are you really telling me to go alone?” Yuhi’s gaze was cold, and Sumire shuddered.

This time he is truly angry, but she cannot let that sway her resolve. Sumire takes a deep breath and looks at Yuhi with a determined gaze.

“You heard what I said, I won’t go, but you will.”

“Damn it, Sumire, what are you talking about? Isn’t this your dream too?”

“Yes, yes, it is. I will be lying if I say I am not tempted. However, even more than that, I understand my current position. Takeyama-san, I understand that you mean well. Had you successfully met up with me back then, I would have accepted the offer regardless of my status in the industry. It wouldn’t have been strange if I had gone along with you even though I was a newbie. But the situation is different now. I went on hiatus for a year despite only having debuted for two months. Even when I returned, I only did small activities and didn’t release any new songs. Can’t you see? If I come along now, it will only invite criticism.” Sumire explained.

She watched as Takayama’s expression turned grim, but he nodded.

“You are right about that. But I believe you are worth the risk.”

Yuhi interjected with a yell. “I’m not going if you aren’t.”

“That is something a child would say,” Sumire commented coldly.

“Then I will be a brat about it. Sumire, how could you even suggest this? How could I leave you alone- no, you’re pregnant, Sumire. If I go along with Takeyama, I will be gone for at least two months. What about the wedding? What about you giving birth? How could I miss out on those things?”

She is truly flattered that he is prioritizing that over his dreams. It means for Yuhi, she is more important. Even if the entire world fell apart, he would still prioritize her.

‘I feel so loved and treasured. He looks very angry now, but his scoldings are filled with affection and concern.’ A year ago, she never thought she would end up in this situation. But it’s precisely because she can feel his love that she can say this.

Sumire didn’t let the happiness show on her face. She can’t show him that she truly wants him to stay by her side. She has to be professional.

“Yuhi, I am not weak. The real reason you want to stay has nothing to do with my pregnancy and the wedding. Your just worried that I would meet Lucifer.”

Yuhi bit his lip and clenched his already bawled fists tighter.

“Your safety is important, yes, and I can’t deny that I worry about Lucifer making a move after I leave. But what is more important to me is marrying you and seeing you give birth. To raise our family, that is more important than anything. Don’t tell me you truly think I am refusing this strongly because I think your weak?”

‘No, of course not. I understand, Yuhi, you love me this much.’ But, at this stage, she will only consider being a hindrance. It is already enough for the media to criticize her a lot and be subjected to those judging gazes. But she does not want Yuhi to experience the same as her.

If she continues being like this, one day, Yuhi may truly see her as a burden.