Yuhi pulled her into his arms. "You don't have to be embarrassed. The news indeed came across as a bit of a shock to me. But I am happy that you had feelings for me then."
"But I turned you down."
"Yeah, you are silly. We wasted a lot of time."
"I won't leave you now."
Yuhi laughed at her words. "You are stealing my line. The moment you accepted my confession a few months ago, I already intended never to let you go."
"Till death do us apart?"
He sighed at her words. "Quoting Shakespeare now seems like a bad omen."
Sumire chuckled, but he felt her wrap her arms around him. His gaze softened. She truly is a fool.
"Atushi was the one who told you?"
"Atsuro mentioned something too. I went over to check on Huan, and Atushi was there too. He told me how things were going and if he knew that you always had feelings for me." Yuhi trailed off. "I didn't understand why he would mention something like that."
Isn't that a disadvantage to him?
"Mmm, dearest, it was embarrassing, but maybe it was time you knew."
"Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
"Well, the others were not the type to blab. Moreover, only Asuka, Atushi, and Atsuro knew about it. Not even Futaba noticed."
No, no, with Momoi Futaba's personality, she probably realized it even before Sumire. This girl is genuinely hopeless when it comes to romance.
"School, you may have more work now, but make sure to attend."
"Ah-huh, Yuhi too."
"Well, we do have to make some more memories. It's okay; we still have six more months."
Sumire raised her head, surprised. "Six? Shouldn't it be three?"
"It's six. Iroroad is a specialized art school; there is a lot for third years to do in their final year. Since it is a crucial time frame to be scouted too, we have to paint more pieces and join tournaments." Yuhi explained.
"I see, then I can make up for the time I left."
Yuhi sensed her tone and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "You don't have to worry; the others didn't hold a grudge against you for disappearing. Since the festival, they warmed up to you; at the very least, the people in our class like you a lot."
"It still feels like a dream sometimes. After all, you know how I am. I have a hard time dealing with other people. Ever since I was younger, I have always been an outcast in class. Even if I formed a social group, I had difficulty speaking to them regarding anything outside school. Those relationships were formal, and I could not enjoy myself in school events."
Yuhi kept kissing her, and Sumire laughed softly. "Yuhi-san, you truly are silly. I know you are just as awkward as me when it comes to talking to other people. But you tried your hardest for me."
"Well, I have to do this much for my future wife."
"Indeed, then let me repay your kindness." Sumire pulled away from his arms. She looked around and suddenly sprinted towards the staircase.
'She runs way too fast.'
"Traced with my fingers
A story sung by these words
To a place, nobody knows yet
Let's fly to that world
Solitude and the opposing words
What I was looking for, I'm sure
it exists in my memory even though a little
That you are here in the repeating days
The flowers and humming that color the streets
If I had looked back, I would have realized
I am not alone." Sumire sang.
Yuhi's eyes widened when he heard that song. This girl is doing it again. Why is she singing for him?
'When I first heard her debut song, it surprised me. I could tell she was singing for me.'
"More than the story I've traced with my fingers
I'll become a new me
Ride on a new story
That which has never been seen
Dyed in vibrant colors
Even if we are far apart, I hope it reaches you," Sumire sang.
'The reason why Sumire-chan said what she did. I think you ought to know.'
It felt like all his emotions were spiraling out of control. Everything he had been holding back since then, everything was coming rushing down to him almost like a hurricane. It was all coming back.
Ah, as he thought, this person is very foolish.
Every single year, he always received a mysterious gift from someone in the post. Every single year on his birthday he always gets a present from someone without fail. Without fail, it's always the first one he gets.
At first, Yuhi couldn't determine who it was from. But after a while, he noticed a pattern in the gifts. He then recalled something somebody said to him about getting presents every year.
Only one person could have done it, and indeed when he pulled out the draw filled with the girl's gifts from him. All the presents had something in common.
Every single year, she's always doing something for him. But he never gives her anything in return.
Suppose it's this year, even if it's just this year. He wants to be able to return that kindness that she's always shown him.
Yuhi's gaze fell on the girl who rushed back down; she was in his arms again in seconds with a bright smile on her face.
"You seem happy."
"Mm, I always feel like this after I sing about you."
She truly is something else. It is dangerous confessing to him so much. But it makes him happy knowing that their feelings are the same. `
...….
HYOU4 Headquarters, Tokyo - 9:00 am.
Two days later, Yuhi decided to go through with coming to this place. Initially, he would dodge the meeting for a few more days, but what happened two nights ago renewed his resolve.
'I have to help her. I have to make sure she can keep smiling.' But for him to do that, he has to know everything.
Yuhi awkwardly sat in the waiting room. Ever since he got here, he has received the strangest looks. Is it that unusual? Then again, he has taken such great lengths to avoid meeting this person. His group akagumi often got into skirmishes with the men from here. So Yuhi understood that he wasn't exactly popular here.
His thoughts broke off when the doors opened, revealing a man with dark blue colored hair wearing glasses; beside him was Asuka.
'Here he comes.'
Raizo waltz over and took a seat on the couch opposite. His lips curve to a smile. "So you actually came."
"Hah, you already heard the report, I am sure."
"Still, it surprised me that you would come in person. Are you not allergic to this place?"
Yuhi sensed the mockery behind his tone, but he knew better than to fall for such taunts. "Asuka must have briefed you on why I am here."
"Indeed, I am surprised, though. I did not think you would share such a connection with that girl."
"Is it that big of a deal?"
"Of course, as your former classmate, I have to remind you that you were the one who said romance is troublesome."
'I simply meant romance with women other than Sumire. But I don't need to tell Raizo that do I?' Or rather, he still found it odd that they were even sitting here face to face like this.