"Hah, what am I supposed to tell her? Don't speak to other guys? You heard about her relationship with Nagawa right?" He does not want to remind her of that time.
"I have. But Yuhi comparing yourself to scum-"
"It's not like I was any better. It didn't matter who I slept with, and I treated girls like garbage. At least Nagawa to a certain extent treated them with respect but I didn't do that at all."
Aika deeply sighed. "I knew you were sulking about this."
"That obvious?"
"You're making Asami and the idiot president worried about you. Yuhi, you need to talk to Sumire. That girl will hear you out."
He knows that very well. "You're getting along with her."
"Of course I am, she is a good person."
"It's not like you." Yuhi commented.
"Well, recently I haven't been going to those places."
"You haven't?"
"Yes. Did I tell you that I recently brought Sumire to my workplace? The entire time I showed her the studio she looked at me with such an innocent gaze filled with hope. We had a bit of a discussion about our dreams and it got me thinking that I want to take this seriously after all."
Despite Aika's calm attitude, Yuhi could tell how excited she was from her tone. That girl is truly amazing, she is able to change people from just a single conversation. "Good for you."
"Yuhi, you're not going there anymore either right?"
"Well, I haven't had the time anyway."
Since Sumire came here all the free time he had to do those bad things is now spent on pampering her.
A relieved sigh passed Aikas lips. "I actually came here to advise you not to go there anymore...now that you're in a serious relationship."
"Even if I go, nothing will change."
She shook her head. "Don't, it's for your own good to stay away. Also, think of it this way. Everybody knows your dating now. It will be bad for her if you go to that kind of place. People will think you're dating for show or something."
"Why is it so complicated? I built this entire empire so I could be with her, it means nothing if she isn't beside me."
Everything he built today is so he could have a stable future with Sumire. But why do so many people have to get in their way? How annoying.
"Aika-san! Could you help with the measurements?"
"Coming." Aika looked at him. "Don't stay out here you will catch a cold. I will call Hino, so don't go anywhere okay?"
Yuhi did not respond and the girl hesitantly left. All he wants is to be with Sumire but so many people have to make it difficult for him. Why do they have to get in his way? Once again they are stopping him from living a normal life.
Normal? A person like him? What a delusional thought.
....
Yuhi did not know how long he remained in that spot but when he did get up, he did not finish the painting or return to class. He kept wandering outside until he was out of the school grounds and in town. There is something he has kept a secret from Sumire this whole time.
His ability is unusual and unlike most evolved humans he has the strongest ability. A power that he cannot control, a monster inside him. The eyes of a beast, even though it was only one eye. It happened during that dangerous mission a year or so ago, the one he participated in before leaving to Tokyo. He lost the sight of his right eye and so had to undergo a severe transplant or was it modification?
Whatever it was, his right eye is no longer the same as it was before. He kept it hidden this entire time but occasionally he would feel the throbbing pain.
"Are you Terashima Yuhi?" A voice from behind him said.
Only one person spoke but Yuhi could hear many footsteps closing in around him. A deep sigh escaped his lips and his gaze dimmed. It's impossible for a person like him to have salvation after all Sumire. Even though she told him with those bright eyes filled with hope that nothing is impossible, people can change. Scum like him will never change, they will remain the same.
It only took him a few seconds, and he barely moved. From the moment he turned around and locked eyes with the one who spoke it was already over. He felt a throbbing pain in his right eye and knew that the color had changed again. It was no longer chocolate brown but a bloodshot red, surrounded by bodies stained with blood.
The rain rapidly increased and Yuhi raised his hand. A monster, a tool of destruction. An ability that nobody has seen before. Strength that surpasses anybody normal. Yuhi felt a weak hand on his leg, it belonged to the one who called his name. The guy had no strength to fight and yet still clung to his leg with a malicious look in his eyes.
Where does that hatred come from? He has never done anything to these people and yet they treat him like a beast. Yuhi stepped on the man's hand causing him to yelp in pain and yet Yuhi did not stop there, he continued to kick him with so much force.
Since Sumire came here he has been calm but because he held back for so long, now he can no longer show any mercy. Why does he have to for people like this?
Yuhi did not know how long he spent kicking the man but when he finally stopped, he glanced at a large amount of blood on the ground. Yuhi walked past him and sat down on the curb of the alleyway. He ought to get away quickly just in case the police comes but he cannot move. Yuhi closed his eyes.
Why did it end up this way?
He is a hypocrite and so dirty. How could he touch her with these hands? No matter how many good people surround him, if he does not change then it will do no good. His thoughts broke off when he hears a pair of light footsteps amongst the large droplets of rain.
"Yuhi…" A familiar sweet voice called out to him.
Yuhi opened his eyes and saw her, his light. A girl filled with so much hope despite being in the face of despair.
"Did you buy the guitar?"
Sumire shook her head and he extended his hand out. The girl was struggling to keep a straight face and her eyes filled with tears. "You're crying again."
"I couldn't buy it, I wanted to go with you," Sumire mumbled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I missed you.."
"...where is Iwa?"
"I don't know I left him….you…" She bit her lip and caressed his cheek. "You're hurt."
"..Im okay." Yuhi managed to say. They both knew it was a lie. How could he be okay in this situation?
"You not, stupid…" She mumbled. "You're not okay."
Yuhi wrapped his arms around the girl and held her tightly. She is so warm and she smells good too.
"Yuhi-san…"
"I want to kiss you."
Even though he is dirty and tainted. Even though he is the one who does not deserve her.