Eternal Melody

It feels like they end up skipping school a lot. Sumire however insisted that they had a legit reason for skipping class. A legit reason? He can\'t wait to see what explanation she will have later when Nakara-sensei lectures them. Sumire told him that she would wait outside for a bit.

"Anri."

The girl turned her head and her gaze softened. "Yu-kun." She trailed off and laughed when she saw the bag of fruits. "You didn\'t have to."

Yuhi placed the basket on the side. "How are you feeling?"

"I had something I wanted to ask you."

"Sure, what is it?"

Anri leaned forward. "Yu-kun, rumor has it that you have a girlfriend."

Yuhi felt like hitting his face against the wall. How on earth did that news reach her so quickly? Do those guys have nothing better to do than gossip about him?

"I do."

"I see, is she pretty?"

"Beautiful."

At that comment she laughed. "I was going to interrogate you, but it seems like you like her a lot." He watched as she clenched her fist. "I see, you have a girlfriend now and you\'re having fun with her everyday. I guess you\'re finally happy now, huh?"

"Listen--"

Anri shook her head. "I knew it would happen eventually. But I thought you would at least wait until I was out of the hospital. I know we are not in a relationship but you said.."

Damn, she is misunderstanding already. Yuhi leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. "It isn\'t like that yet. But I do like her. Anri, could we stop this?"

"..If it isn\'t like that yet, why do we have to stop?"

The girl started kissing him intently but he refused.

"Wait." Yuhi pulled her away. "Not anymore than this."

"Are you breaking your promise…" She mumbled. "You said you won\'t belong to anyone, and would treat me like a woman to compensate for what happened. You felt bad that I could not experience normal romance…"

\'I did say those crazy things..\'

But back then, he thought Sumire would never go to him. Still that is no excuse to play with a girl\'s feelings. He should tell her straight.

…

After he spoke with Anri, Yuhi immediately left. The moment he exited the room, he spotted Sumire leaning on the wall by the door.

"So, that was why you didn\'t want me to meet her?" Sumire said.

Yuhi could not tell what kind of expression she had on her face. But he knew the girl was very unhappy. He reached over and pulled her unto his arms. "Sumire, I love you. Don\'t worry about this, I will sort it."

Sumire bit her lip and looked away. "Were not dating, it feels wrong of me to.."

"You don\'t have to worry, Sumire." he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"This is so sly of me. But please do something about it."

Yuhi nodded. "Still want to meet her?"

Sumire shook her head. "Let\'s go home already."

He nodded and squeezed her hands. A sudden thought came to mind. He bent down and whispered something in her ear, which caused her to laugh.

"So silly. But I guess I could cook you that."

"Sounds good."

"Sumire? What\'s wro-" Yuhi paused when he saw a flash of black not too far from where they were.

Sumire tugged on his sleeve. "Let\'s go the other way."

"Huh?"

But Sumire didn\'t say anymore and continued to walk away. It didn\'t take long before they left the building.

Yuhi\'s gaze fell on the girl walking a few steps ahead of him. "Was that okay?"

"Hmm?"

"That was Aki right?"

Sumire laughed. "It was okay. I don\'t want to speak to him right now. Besides, I would be quite thick faced if I were to ask him for help. It wouldn\'t be fair on you Yuhi."

\'Is that why she avoids speaking to other guys?\' Yuhi is flattered that she gave him this much attention.

.......

Apartment

Yuhi felt Sumire slump against him and he sighed. "Still upset about earlier?" Yuhi asked.

"It would be sly of me to be upset."

\'This girl goes about things in such a round about way.\' He doesn\'t turn around but grabbed hold of her hand. "So, did you want something?"

"I was looking at the book shelf in your room. You have interesting books there."

Yuhi chuckled at her words. "You can read them whenever you want." He trailed off. "That\'s not what you wanted to talk to me about right?"

"Say Yuhi, are you investigating something regarding Ru?"

Does she know already? No, if she knew she wouldn\'t react this way. "Yeah."

"His death was suspicious? It didn\'t make sense?"

"You have sharp senses."

Weak laughter escaped her lips. "Well even though I was like that, I understand something was weird. I was in that car too. It was a terrible accident but, it was done deliberately."

"Sorry." Yuhi apologized. "Actually before that happened Mamoru told me to investigate something. If I came to a conclusion sooner then maybe.."

\'Maybe this wouldn\'t have happened.\'

"I see."

"Also, about back then..that time..sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" Sumire trailed off. "It\'s okay, you had to take revenge. It was only normal. If I lost somebody important too, I would do the same."

Yuhi couldn\'t miss her tone. \'This girl must already be planning something. Should I stop her? Do I have that right?\' "Sumire, do you need my help?"

"With?"

"Your revenge. As you know I\'m investigating this, and I intend to help you in anyway I can."

Sumire didn\'t reply right away.

"Say Yuhi, would you truly stand by my side no matter what happens? No matter what I do?"

"Yeah. I think I made it clear that I\'m a bit obsessed with you."

Sumire laughed. "That\'s true, but from now on..you may see a very ugly side to me. Do you still want to stay?"

"Are you warning me?"

"Yes."

"There is no need to Sumire." Yuhi mumbled.

"That\'s true, you probably know already. The rumors aside, the others would have told you." She trailed off. "You know Yuhi, I wanted to remain normal as much as I could. In front of you I wanted to look perfect. But, I can\'t do that anymore."

"Sumire."

"I feel like I\'m going crazy, all my emotions are going out of control. I don\'t know what\'s right, and what\'s wrong anymore."

"Did seeing Sano again make you--"

"Back then, I was foolish and naive. But, I also understood something. What I wanted wasn\'t love, it was desire. To feel wanted, to have somebody I could rely on, and to fill the gap in my heart. My parents, my friends and my home. It was all suffocating. There were many days where I couldn\'t breathe."

"..."

"Yuhi-san, it seems like I will have to trouble you more than I did before."