Eternal Melody

TOH

'You love him that much?' Aki's words from the video echoed in his mind. 

No names were mentioned, but it was clear who Aki was referring too. Is he destined to lose her to Terashima after all? Toh shakes his head. He hasn't lost yet. No matter what, until she tells him herself. Until he hears those words leave her lips, he won't give up.

'I may even be more stubborn than Nagawa is.' It's laughable. This entire time he has  been criticizing Nagawa Sano for being so desperate. But, here  he is doing the same. Desperately clinging to the affection he knows Sumire still holds for him. 

Ever since he returned to Japan, Toh has deliberately avoided talking about their relationship. When he saw Sumire's mental state, he decided it would be better to push back the discussion. They didn't have a proper break up. There were so many unresolved things between them. They should have talked about it the moment he returned. But he couldn't do that to her, not when she looked so broken. 

As for Sumire's feelings, 'I know there is still something there. Something much stronger than the guilt she feels towards Nagawa.' Sumire still likes him, and he isn't just saying this because he is delusional like Nagawa. Her behaviour towards him is different. The way she naturally leans into him when she thinks nobody is looking? The comfort she feels just seeing his face and being held by him? Those emotions are stronger than guilt.

But to bring up that topic when she is already going through a lot seems wrong. So, he kept those observations to himself and simply enjoyed being in her company again.  However, after watching that video clip. 

'I feel like I have lost already. I thought I understood how strong Sumire's feelings for Terashima were. I thought I knew. But, it seems I have truly underestimated the situation.' Does Sumire truly like Terashima that much? That she would get that angry, that she would lose herself into the darkness just to take revenge on the one who hurt him? He has never seen her like that. Sure, she got mad when others criticized him. But, not on this scale. 

It didn't take long before he felt a pair of familiar hands on his eyes.

"Akane."

"You didn't return to the room, I got worried."

Toh chuckles. "If me disappearing for a few minutes has you worrying. I wonder what happens when we don't see each other for long."

Akane lowers her face and kisses him. "I become frantic."

His gaze softens. "Sit next to me Akane."

Akane nods and takes a seat beside him. 

"Did you hear all that?" Toh asks and Akane nods. "There is a lot going on. My return to Japan was one of the key triggers to starting this war between the black alice organisation and Sumire's people."

"But you still returned?"

Toh nodded and smiled weakly. "I knew Lucifer needed me for his plans, but I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't stand forcing myself to be with others just to fill  the gap. I had a girlfriend, the girl who Lucifer forced me to be with to separate me and Sumire. But, our relationship was only physical. Whenever I took her out, it was only for show and even then it felt disgusting to continue the facade. I didn't want Sumire seeing pictures of me and that woman together. So I stopped taking her out even though we were still dating."

"I heard about her, Alicia right? She is a famous supermodel abroad."

"I will admit she is good at her job, but her personality was terrible. She was a slob whenever she was off screen. That woman was very hard to live with."

Akane blinks surprised. "You lived together?"

Toh chuckles. "Why are you so surprised?"

"No, it's just it wasn't stated in the news."

Toh chuckled as he traced her lips with his thumb. "I'm very good at controlling the media."

"So you bribed them, should you really be boasting about that?"

This girl has no idea what her brother has been doing the entire time does she? If she does know anything, she surely isn't showing it on her face.

A soft moan escapes the girl's lips causing him to grin. "You seem to be quite worked up Akane dear. Maybe I can help?"

Akane shakes her head. "I want to hear more. It's rare that you talk about yourself like this."

Toh blinks hearing those  words. He didnt think she would be so direct about this. Then again, this is a trait of hers that makes her stand out. 

"You want to learn more about me?"

"Is-is that overstepping?" Akane mumbled.

It is, and they both know that. The relationship between them should be nothing more than sexual. Just like the one he had with Alicia. However, Akane is different. They have already overstepped other boundaries. She isn't like Sumire and that used to bother him about Alicia. However with Akane, it doesn't bother him at all. He likes how different they are.

Toh leans forward and crashes his lips against hers before Akane could say another word. Gosh this woman, this woman is truly compatible with him. He never thought he would meet someone who matches him so perfectly. His tongue swipes along her bottom lip and Akane shudders in his arms. Akane opens her mouth and he sticks his tongue inside, one hand wrapped around her neck. His other hand slipped to cup her butt.

"Y-you need to stop kissing me." Akane said, gasping for breath.

"I don't think I have to." Toh trails off. "Beg me Akane."

"B-before we do that, the model you were seeing. Did she not try to get back with you?"

Toh paused. "She did but, now that you mention it. She strangely gave up quickly."

It's weird considering how clingy she was when he was still dating Sumire.

Seeing Akane's expression, Toh pulls his hands away from her. "I suspect that Alicia never truly liked me. I think what she wanted from me was the fame that came with my rising brand. She didn't want to lose out on the opportunity to sign with the next largest international brand. So, when she saw me moping around after losing Sumire. It didn't take long before her attention turned elsewhere."

"Didn't the brand continue doing well?" Akane asked.

"It did, but Sumire was my muse. It didn't take long for me to realize how superficial my designs were becoming."