Eternal Melody

Hino raised his eyebrow, and then he nodded. "You've been acting strange around him recently like you just re-discovered your feelings."

"After dancing with him that time, I started to recall the reason why I fell for him." Sumire trailed off. "That smile of his is truly a crime."

That cheerful and bright smile that is so unlike him, no unexpectedly it suited him.

"The reason being?"

"Yuhi is handsome, brave, and intelligent. What is there not to like?"

Hino rolled his eyes and sighed. "Those reasons are superficial. I know you like good-looking guys. But that's not the main reason."

This guy is getting better and better at understanding her. Then again, it seems like they knew each other in the past.

'I still don't have all my memories of that time, but one thing is clear. This person cares for me.'

Initially, she was mad at him for lying, but it's hard to stay angry. He is somebody Yuhi trusts; she can't stay angry for long. It would put Yuhi in an awkward position.

"The colour of his hair and eyes are beautiful."

Hino looked at her with wide eyes, and Sumire felt her cheeks heat up.

"This is embarrassing for me to say, but since you asked, let me tell you straight. I thought the colour of his hair and eyes was beautiful. This is Japan; so many people have black hair. But when I saw it on Yuhi, there was something different."

'When I first saw him, it was mesmerizing.'

Normally she would associate the colour black with darkness. But, when she first saw Terashima Yuhi, something else came to mind.

"A pretty black, I thought it was the colour of the night sky. His hair seemed to shine due to the stage lights. It looked like there were stars in his hair."

Hino didn't say anything, and she coughed awkwardly.

"That's how it was. His skin glistening in the dusk, and those deep brown eyes filled with life and hope."

It was the first time she met somebody who she could associate with so many different colors. She would associate the dark colors with a positive meaning.

"As an artist, I had this urge to draw him. But it was hard to do so just watching him on television. So I saved up money and eventually booked myself a ticket for his concert."

That day she drew a picture of Yuhi singing in the snow.

To her surprise, Hino suddenly burst into laughter.

"H--hey, don't make fun of me!"

"No, that's not it. I just thought the reason is pure."

'Now that I thought about it. Yuhi had a hard time introducing her to Hino at first.'

There are many rumors that Hino doesn't like any of the girls who approach Yuhi. Because he behaves that way, some think he swings the other way.

Sumire sweat fell at the memory. Hino has no idea, does he? If he acts that overprotective of Yuhi, others will get the wrong idea.

"Yuhi said you're staying with Makoto Soujiro recently."

"Ah, we had some things to discuss. I think Yuhi understood that."

"Is that regarding your engagement?"

Sumire immediately sensed his tone.

'*So this is the reason why. There are times where Hino seems uncomfortable when he watches Yuhi and me.'*

"I didn't end it."

At those words, Hino turned silent, and Sumire watched his expression. It seems like he has a lot to say on this matter.

Sumire was about to say something when somebody placed a paper bag in her hands.

"Hey, there, my love."

Her eyes brightened when she saw Yuhi. "My dear!" She wanted to jump on him and attack, but then it meant dropping the bag.

The bag? She took a peek inside, and the lovely aroma of pastries filled the air.

"Got you some extra breakfast."

"Thank you!" Sumire beamed happily.

Yuhi-san is the only one who would spoil her like this.

"Yuhi," Hino said sharply. "I think you two-"

"Just relax, Sumire knows what she is doing, and I trust her to handle this."

*Even though he shouldn't trust me.* No matter how happy she becomes, she often reminds herself.

The two of them are very different. Yuhi already put his dangerous life behind and lived a peaceful life for a year. But she has never left the underground. The days where she saw blood and dead bodies have piled up since they worked alongside each other as partners.

The number of things she saw after he left her was horrific.

Sumire's gaze fell on Yuhi, and she realized that his hair was wet. No, there were small droplets of white snow. She put the bag down and walked over to him. She reached over and parted his hair, causing him to laugh.

"It was cold out there, but I protected your food."

Sumire didn't say anything before she wrapped her arms around his neck. Soon she felt his arms wrap around her waist.

"Hino."

"Yeah, yeah." Hino quickly exited the room.

The moment he did, Yuhi mumbled. "Are you alright?"

"Mmm, we didn't get a chance to talk much the other day."

"Sorry about that." Yuhi kissed her eyelids, nose, and lips. "Something came up."

Despite his vague sounding words, Sumire didn't mind it. Yuhi is not the type of person who would hide things from her.

"I missed you."

"You are so honest; that scores you a lot of points with me." He pulled her face away from his neck and cupped her cheeks. This led to heat crawling onto her face at the speed of light.

Yuhi laughed. "I haven't done anything yet."

"The keyword in your sentence just now is the last one."

Despite being able to respond to him, her heart kept playing tricks on her. 'It's beating way too fast; what if he hears?'

Yuhi suddenly leaned down and kissed her lips. It was a brief kiss, but when he started to kiss her neck too, she shuddered.

"Yuhi."

"It's nice you have a practice room to yourself." He said mischievously.

"Oh dummy, we can't do it here."

"Then," Yuhi brushed his lips against her ear. "-- We shall continue this at night."

"At night?"

"At night, after a nice dinner. I already talked to Soujiro."

A dinner date so suddenly. Sumire looked at him with suspicion but then recalled something. Hino did tell her that he was making plans for their anniversary.

"So, miss Sumire, will you do the honor of being my date tonight?"

Sumire rolled her eyes at his exaggerated words. "But of course."

"Cool, then I'll pick you up at seven."

She frowned when she realized what he had just said. "Are you not staying with me today?"

"I can until lunch, then I have some work with the guys." Yuhi trailed off. "Do you want to come with me? I didn't ask initially since I thought your schedule is full."

"I can go."