Eternal Melody

Yuhi caressed her hair and didn't interrupt her once. He truly treasures her. "If you don't want to meet her, Sumire, it's okay."

"But-"

"Or rather, with Hino as your manager, he will probably ensure that you two avoid having the same jobs. Hino already sent word to the media not to overdo their reports; if they do, he plans to sue them."

Her eyes widened at those words. "Isn't that a bit excessive?"

"This is how Hino works; it's not bad, right?"

"I suppose." Sumire caressed his cheeks, and heat immediately transmitted to her skin. "Yuhi, your sick. You didn't have to go to practice."

"No can do; we have to perfect our teamwork." Yuhi trailed off. "Honestly, these extra training sessions are because my synchronization with ran is a bit off."

This is rare; with Yuhi's talent, he should be able to synchronize with anybody. Is it that bad? Perhaps she ought to drop by and watch their practice next time. Or she could just talk to Ran. It's obvious who the problem is.

With Hino's crazy schedule, however, that will be difficult. It is already a miracle that she can attend school this week. The next few weeks may be difficult, but she has to make some extra time now that she is in charge of the main piece.

"But anyhow, forget about me, your are still a bit feverish yourself. You should put on some more layers; the temperature keeps dropping lately."

"Mmm, I understand Yuhi."

She feels so comfortable whenever he hugs her. She has never wanted much from him. If they ever ended up dating, she had already decided not to demand too much from him. If they could spend moments like this together, she would be more than content.

But perhaps she ought to ask for something? Yuhi seems very troubled whenever she says she doesn't want anything.

"Yuhi-san, can we go on a date soon?"

"A date? Sure, where would you like to go?"

"There is a new leisure center opening in town. Can we go?"

"That place, I think there, is an aquarium. I'll check it out. I'm supposed to be one of the celebrities they invite for the opening."

"Then you can do some research for our date Yuhi."

Yuhi placed soft kisses on her forehead. "Yeah, and I can make our night plans too."

"That's not fair. I want to do something too."

"Then do you want to be in charge of the night plans?"

Oh this shameless man. Sumire pulled away from him. "I have a cold compress in my bag, wait a second."

She found her bag, which she tossed aside earlier, and opened up the small pouch. It is handy carrying medical supplies around; it helps her prepare for emergencies.

Sumire walked back over and saw Yuhi flicking through her sketchbook again. "I already told you not to look at that."

"But I like your drawings. I feel at ease when I see them."

He is complimenting her too much. Once or twice is fine, but she will feel burdened if he says it like this. She is truly a complicated person; it is hard to satisfy her. But nonetheless, Yuhi has never left her side. Sumire placed the cold compress on his forehead and undoes some of his shirt buttons.

During this time, she felt Yuhi looking at her, but she kept her gaze away. She quickly returned to the canvas and faced it away from Yuhi so he wouldn't see. She felt slightly self-conscious, working on a picture of him in front of his face. But it did not take long before she got into the usual routine.

After a few minutes, she hears Yuhi stand up. "You know, isn't it weird that you're drawing me without looking? Why don't you just look?"

"W-well Yuhi-san your sick."

"It's fine; I'll model for you while I read some scripts."

Is it truly okay? It would help her. She hesitated but eventually took him up on his offer. "W-ait you don't have to strip-"

She knew that most people who model end up having to strip so the artist can see their body proportions better. But she can't possibly ask Yuhi-san to do something like that.

Yuhi, who had already finished unbuttoning his shirt, paused. "What's wrong? You have seen me naked before."

"That's not the point," Sumire said, flustered as she averted her gaze. But it was already far too late, just now, she got a brief glimpse, and her heart was going crazy. "Don't show any skin."

She heard him fix his shirt, and a relieved sigh passed her lips. It felt like her heart was about to stop. Even now, the sound of her heart had yet to calm down. But her gaze fell back on Yuhi, who sat by a stool next to the window.

That gorgeous black hair, the color of the night sky glistening throughout the night and even the night. Those chocolate brown colored eyes just look so natural, the same shade as chocolate, no the shade of brown from trees one would find in the forest.

He is truly a work of art.

'I have met all sorts of people, but Yuhi still stands above them.' At first, she thought it was due to her feelings for Yuhi. But no matter how many handsome guys she dated, she never felt this way around them. It is only when she is around this person.

"You know, even I have to say something if you check me out this much."

"I-I'm not."

"Says the one who was trying to eat me yesterday."

Geh- whenever she does something bold/intimate, she regrets it the next day. How can she behave so shamelessly? But she won't take those words back; after all, look how handsome he is. Maybe tonight she can take the lead and do something to him?

Whenever they are together like this, the colors overflow, painting becomes much easier. It did not take long before she finished the sketch and was already reaching out for the first few colors.

"Cas is going to arrive in a few days. That day I will most likely have to meet up with her."

Ah, the childhood friend again. Then again, Yuhi is probably trying to avoid talking about her for long, so he breaks it down for her. But the constant reminder of her existence makes her feel very upset. Sumire shook her head.

'I need to stop being so petty.'

"Okay."

"Are you sure you don't want to come?"

"I feel conflicted. I feel like I should show myself as your wife but what if I lose my temper?"

Yuhi laughed. "I don't think she will mind."

"Even if I curse her?"

"Yeah."

"Yuhi-san, are you sure we are talking about your childhood friend and not some kind of saint?"

"I know you have never been around good people before. But there are good people out there."

This is the first time she is hearing Yuhi speak in such a soft voice and that tender expression on his face. It seems like a formidable rival for his love has appeared. Unfortunately, she has all that stuff going on with the Black Alice organization right now.