Jun clenched his fist at the memory that flashed through his head. 'That was the first time I felt so hopeless.' When he could do nothing like the media published awful news about her. How the public quickly turned their backs on her.
Sumire blinks but chuckles. "Alright."
Jun was always under the impression that his observations are spot on. That once he collected enough data about a person from observing them, there is no longer any need to do so.
He was always under the impression that as long as he did that, he would understand every individual he comes in contact with. But he made an error in his calculations. Despite observing several different girls and boys, when he met Sumire, she wasn't like the rest.
From the very start, that much he knew. When the president first introduced her to be their exclusive composer, his first impression was not much, a slightly above average in terms of looks normal high school girl. She looked naive and innocent.
Yes, she was undoubtedly clumsy and naive. She fell for Kou's flirting so quickly like that. But even though she is like that. Her music immediately attracted him; it only took one listen. It didn't make any sense.
"Look Jun-kun takiyoaki."
Indeed there was the stall that he had seen Ran mark out on the map. "Ah, wait a minute."
Sumire walked over and ordered two before he could protest. He doesn't want any. Or rather, it's something he never had before. But he did his research. It isn't exactly healthy food. It's typical to like something unhealthy. But he didn't want to participate in eating it.
He flicks open his guidebook to see it as the number one recommended food.
Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan—ingredients such as diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion for the filling.
Takoyaki brushed with takoyaki sauce, similar to Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled with green laver and shavings of dried bonito.
Even if it does seem to have healthy seafood ingredients, adding the various sauces on top makes it an unhealthy meal. Why serve something like this as the number one recommendation? Unless they plan to kill people?
As he debated about it in his head, he didn't notice the brown-haired girl already making her way over.
He had heard his name called out several times. But found himself concentrating on whether or not his theory is right. He didn't notice her until she appeared right in front of him.
"Jun-kun?"
"Ah. Sorry I was thinking."
Sumire smiles. Right. But you should eat some before they get cold."
Jun glanced down and saw the oil practically oozing out the food as she took one out. "I am afraid I will have to---" But he didn't get a chance to finish his sentence, as she put it inside his mouth.
He felt the oil mixing into his system and flinched. But after that was over, a seemingly nice texture and flavor took over.
Jun had to admit he was rather surprised.
"Is it good?"
"Yes..."
Sumire's eyes brightened. "Thank goodness."
Her smile, ah the life's returned to her eyes. But he wondered what it was, even though she was smiling, something is wrong.
"Look, Jun-kun okonomiyaki." She suddenly exclaimed.
What a coincidence again. This is the other place Ran wants to visit; he will be furious once he finds out. He will regret playing it cool. Well, it is best not mention anything, and Sumire isn't likely to blab.
This time, instead of a stand, it was a proper shop Okonomiyaki Choyo, written in huge lettering.
"You just ate."
He was one of the people who did believe that snacking so much before dinner wasn't good.
"Ehhh? But eating is good for me." Indeed it would be considering how skinny she has gotten.
He sighs. "Very well."
Before he could say anything else, Sumire suddenly stopped walking. "Yuhi?"
Jun looked over at where she was looking and saw a man with black hair leaning against the street pillar. He was gazing at the sky, and phone in hand.
"Yuhi!" Sumire beamed happily.
At that comment, he turned around. "Ah, mystery solved." He put his phone away and walked over. "Hey, you." He picked Sumire-san up.
"You know you took way too long."
"Uh, sorry I wandered around for a bit."
So she already got lost before they met up? Then again, that bar is on the other side of town. It seems that part of her has not changed.
"Kira?" Yuhi looked over at him.
"Ah, I bumped into him."
"I see."
"Don't think anything weird okay?"
"I won't. But can I get something for you, leaving me alone for long?" Almost like it was fate, but a group of people walked by then and blocked his view. When the crowd dispersed, he saw a red-stained Sumire and smirking Terashima.
"Uhh..um." Sumire shyly covered her face, but he watched as Yuhi grabbed her hands.
"Your cute Sumire."
"I--I uh aha."
'This is my first time seeing her behave this way.' Jun found this very fascinating. Although she looked clumsy and naive when they first met, it did not take him long to see the loneliness in her eyes.
"I-I will get us some drinks." Sumire quickly rushed off.
"Do you mind if I smoke?" Yuhi asked.
Jun shook his head and watched as the man pulled out a lighter.
"She seems to like you a lot."
"Hah, is that what it looks to others?"
Jun nodded. "It surprised me. She never makes that face."
"You've watched her a lot, huh?"
At that comment, Jun felt something like a pang sound in his heart. But he quickly shrugged it off. "Observing people, I have done so for a long time."
To understand human emotions better, he decided to observe people. For as long as he could remember, he stopped having emotions.
"I see." Yuhi nodded. "But you know I'm not stupid. I don't think you've realized it yet, so I won't say anything, but no man appreciates it when somebody else watches their girlfriend that much."
'Is that jealousy?' But why? Jun didn't understand it. It's not like he has feelings for Sumire-san.
"When she is with you, she seems a bit strange." Jun decided to change the topic. "There seem to be weird flowers around her."
At that comment, Yuhi awkwardly scratched his head. "Flowers, huh? When she is around me?"
Jun continued to stare intently. It is weird. Sumire-san did not behave like that when she was together with Tsueno Mamoru or around Ichinose Arashi. This sudden drastic change in her behavior is because of Terashima Yuhi?
"Say.."
"Hmm?"
"You don't mind Sumire-san having a child?"
He heard many rumors regarding this man called Terashima Yuhi. But Jun always kept an objective mindset. Rumors are rumors, and he has to see things with his own eyes and confirm things. Based on his observations so far, Terashima is not a bad man.
"I do mind."
His eyes widened when he heard that response. He half expected the man to disagree. No, that is the typical response. Won't it reflect poorly if he admits he is not okay with it?