But that conviction comes with sacrifices. How much has she sacrificed to get to this point?
"Are you still worried?"
Yuhi sighed deeply. "It is difficult for me not to worry. Sumire behaves the way she does, but there are many things she still hasn't shared with me."
Even though she talks about how communication is the most important thing in a relationship, she still hides a lot from him. That is fine; he doesn't mind. Whatever she is hiding, it must be something painful.
He will accept everything about her no matter what happens. But for Sumire, that might be hard. She still isn't used to people doing things for her because they want to and not for hidden intentions. Over the years, how many people did she trust, only for them to leave her behind and abandon her?
How many of them left her side when she needed them the most?
"People are protagonists in their own story, but Sumire-chan probably doesn't feel that way. She probably thinks she is the villain that is thrown and cast away. No matter what she does, she will always be a side character."
This person understands Sumire far better than he thought. But if that is the case, then why hasn't she helped? Even though they know, why do they not do anything? Yuhi recalled the conversation he had with Atushi a few months back when she first came here. He lectured his friend for not doing anything even though they were right there beside her.
"But even a side character can shine brightly. It doesn't matter what role Sumire-chan has, whether it is the protagonist, a villain, or a side character. At the end of the day, her songs will not lie. People can say all they want about her, but all those negative thoughts will end up buried away."
Yumi turned to him. "The reason she got this far despite the hardship is without a doubt because of you, Terashima Yuhi. Because you were the only one who never gave up on her."
Yuhi's eyes widened when he heard those words.
"I am looking forward to it, the future you two will create."
______
Meanwhile, in the dimly lit corridor of the stadium sat two people on one of the benches.
"Why didn't you just head back?" Sano scolded the girl who was resting her head on his shoulder.
Initially, they intended to wait for Terashima in the car; however, she started to get dizzy halfway.
"Mmm, but I wanted to talk to her."
"I could have called her over for you."
Sumire chuckled. "But you know Yumi-senpai doesn't like you."
Sano sighed at those words. "All your friends have a strong dislike towards me."
"I wonder why."
He hated how she just agreed with it, even if it is true. The reason they all dislike him? Others would say that she said bad things about him during their breakup. But even before that, they were not fond of him. Naturally, this didn't stop him from trying to win them over.
"Are you still dizzy?" Sano swiftly changed the topic.
He doesn't want her to see his resentment.
"A little, sorry for borrowing your shoulder like this."
"It's fine."
In fact, he doesn't mind. This is the first time she has willingly gotten close to him without showing disgust. He wonders what others would think if they saw them this way. Would they look like a couple?
"That day, I was the one who carried you to the hospital," Sano mumbled.
"Mmmm."
"When I heard it was you, I rushed over right away."
When he heard it was her, he was horrified. He recalled freezing on the spot, being unable to move for a few seconds, before immediately dashing out of his house.
"I understand."
"Sumire."
"You don't have to blame yourself. I understand very well."
"Is that really what you're thinking?"
Is that explanation really okay with her? Even though he has said everything, shouldn't she want more?
"The truth is at the end of the day, Sano, they used you. From the start, you were not involved but because they learned of our relationship. No, the reason they accepted you was for this purpose."
"It's not like I was important to you."
Actually, a part of him did think that it was because of Sumire. It was a few days shortly after he entered the organization. He went over to discuss the docking of illegal goods in one of the Nagawa family ports. He overheard their conversation.
At those words, Sumire sighed. "Of course you think of it that way. Do you really think they could use somebody I didn't care for? The best way to hurt me and get me to break down is to use somebody important."
"I see, then why didn't you catch on?"
Sano noticed her silence and frowned. "It was Kanagawa?"
"Mmm, he helped me a lot regarding our post-break-up. He was the one who settled things and got my stuff back from you too, remember?"
Right the belongings she left behind. Sano thought that was the day he could get to see her. She had been ignoring his messages and hadn't appeared before him once. But then there was a notice about her belongings. Sano thought that even if she didn't write the message herself, she would fetch her things personally.
"I didn't like that guy."
Sumire chuckled. "Of course you wouldn't; he was the complete opposite to you. But ah, I think I went out with him because he reminded me of Yuhi."
Sano looked at the girl in disbelief; he thought he was used to it already. But isn't she far too blunt? He thought he had a hard time trying to obtain her affections, but it seems there was another one who struggled.
"If you return to being an idol, I won't get a chance to see you as much."
Even though he has invested in the entertainment industry under his parent's orders, he knew that Penelope's grandmother disliked the entertainment industry. If that old woman gets hold of it, then his father will most likely ask him to cancel his investments.
"Is that why you are even more clingy recently?"
"Who knows."
"You never mentioned anything about my return to the entertainment industry. Even though you helped me get those opportunities, you only got them for me because you knew I wouldn't be able to go on stage."
So she understood that much, huh? Indeed he did her those opportunities because he knew she would back down.
The situation now, however, is different. This was the first time seeing her so resolved to do something. Of course, as her boyfriend, he knew she liked to sing; he knew that she liked to draw too. He knew what her hobbies were. After all, in the quest to obtain her heart, he had to learn more about her.
He thought about their age difference all the time. Even if he wanted to ignore it, it was difficult, especially when she had to go to school. It reminded him every time he saw her off. No matter how mature she looks and behaves, she is still younger.
He has never dated anybody younger than him before, so he was confused. Sano knew it wouldn't be easy, and that is why he put in the effort. At first, he worked hard because he didn't want to lose this connection, but that quickly changed. It didn't take long before he started to care for her. He started to care for her and started to work hard because he wanted to be with her.
But he never understood why she liked to sing and draw so much. They weren't things that would get her a good job in the future. Even if she is a good singer, once she gets older, she won't be as popular anymore. Her hobbies will not give her a future.
Now that he thought about it, they argued about that before, didn't they?
"But that wish-washy behavior has come to an end. I will sing, and I will fight to obtain a peaceful future."
Sanos gaze darkened when he heard the last part, but he doesn't want her to fight at all. He wants her to stay away from those people.