When he woke up the following day, to say so the least, it was fascinating. He never thought the day would come where he would wake up with Sumire beside him. She remained fast asleep, so he decided not to disturb her. Soujiro crept out of bed, and went for a quick shower, got dressed, and headed to his office.
But, his gaze fell on the documents in front of him, horrified. How on earth did it come to this? He triple-checked the documents before sighing deeply.
'How could I write her name as my signature?'
At first, he thought it was a mere illusion, but Soujiro checked the other documents. He signed all of them with her name.
He must be going crazy. Then again, he knew what the issue was. No matter how defenceless and clueless she is, how could she sleep beside him the entire time?
'Even when she explained the reason to me. I didn't think she would remain in my arms all night long. I didn't do anything to her. I just cuddled with her and fell asleep.'
But how could she fall asleep so carelessly? Soujiro expected to wake up and not find the girl in his arms anymore, but she remained. More than that, he felt irritated. Terashima wakes up like this every morning with her. He gets to see her in that state every day.
Soujiro slammed his fists against the table when he heard a soft voice call out to him.
"Soujiro?"
It was Sumire, from her clothes it looked like she was about to go out.
"Soujiro, sorry for disturbing you. But I'm going to head to practice."
"Practice?"
"Mmm, Hino said he would lend me a practice room in his company. I decided I would go early before it gets busy."
'That man should provide her a private place, he most likely has, and she doesn't know.'
Soujiro's gaze fell on the clock and frowned. It was only a few minutes past four in the morning.
"You'll get sick again, waking up this early."
Sumire laughed softly. "There isn't much time before my big show. I have to practice."
Her big show, huh? When he first saw the news, a part of him wanted to stop her. She doesn't have to return to the entertainment industry if it is so difficult for her.
"I will walk you out."
Sumire nodded. "Alright."
Soujiro quickly left the room with her.
"Terashima has plans to go to France, correct?"
"Mmmm, I said I would join him after I finish with things here."
"It seems he has already delayed the trip for you."
"He is hoping I sort things out before the year ends, but I doubt it. If I haven't sorted things by then, he can go ahead. I don't want to be a stumbling block to his dream."
'That man will wait till the very last minute, but if she isn't ready, he will cancel all his plans to go surely.' For Terashima Yuhi, Ibuki Sumire is even more important than his dream. It seems Sumire doesn't understand this.
"Besides, if I am to go with him, I will have to discuss things with you."
"With me?"
"You're my fiance, and I have no other relatives."
Is that how it is?
"Do you want me to cry, cling to you, and beg?"
Sumire sighed deeply. "If you did that, I would end up frightened to death."
His lips curve to a smile. "But it is an interesting idea, my dear. If I acted childish like that man, perhaps you would be more inclined to stay."
"Perhaps."
"I don't intend to end this engagement."
"I see, so that's your conclusion after all."
"You suspected it?"
"Well, we may not have feelings for each other. But we would make a good couple. I can see why you would prefer to stick with me." Sumire trailed off. "It may seem like I am rushing things, with my marriage to Yuhi in half a year. But before then, I shall give you a suitable answer."
If she is marrying Terashima, the natural conclusion is she will end the engagement. But she hasn't mentioned that.
"Initially, I said it was up to you."
"Mmm."
"But I realize this is something I need to think about too."
"I see, well then Soujiro--"
Soujiro extended his hand out to cut her off. "It should come from me this time."
The first time around, it came from her side. Her parents were the ones who brought up this engagement.
He kneeled down on the ground and placed his sword sheathe on the ground.
"Lady Ibuki Sumire, even if it is for a short while in the next five months. I request to remain your fiance formally."
"I accept."
Soujro looked up with a tender gaze. "It seems you are the type who will use whatever cards she can until the expiration."
"Indeed, but as cruel as I am, it seems you accept regardless."
_________
At Entertainment, a few hours later.
Sumire bent down slightly to watch the video. 'This is the song Yumi-senpai said we would sing; she even made a dance tutorial for me.' But, no matter how many times she watched it, something felt wrong to her.
Dance isn't her expertise, so maybe she is doing it right, but it's wrong.
She took a deep breath before she started to dance again.
Hino allowed her to borrow this practice room in his company. She said she would share with others, but they led her to a private one when she came this morning.
'I suppose this is better; it would be hard for me to focus with so many people around.'
It was hard for her to focus on the dance alone. The conversation she had with Soujiro not too long ago remained fresh in her mind. It seems he will help with the case. It relieves her that somebody reliable will join, but at the same time, she feels conflicted.
This is no good, having such negative emotions while dancing.
Her thoughts broke off when she heard a light knock on the door. Sumire tells the person to come in, and Hino strolled inside the room.
"Hey, got a minute?"
Sumire nodded, and Hino walked over. "I think you should write a new song."
"Write a new song?" Sumire repeated.
"Yeah, for your second single."
Sumire frowned at his words. "But I already have a song in mind."
"Change it."
Her sweat fell at how blunt Hino was. 'Yuhi warned me that Hino is a spartan when it comes to music but, this is the first time I see it.' Then again, he is a CEO of an entertainment company at a young age. He must-have skill.
"I'll use these songs I intend for the album instead?"
Hino's lips curve to a smile. "You catch on quick."
"A new song, huh?"
"Is it hard? Yuhi tells me how you come up with new songs like nothing."
Sumire shook her head. "I have been working on something." She trailed off. "Before I show you, Hino, let me ask. Why did you bring this up?"
Didn't he already have everything lined up for her to release those songs for her second single? Why did he suddenly change his mind?
"I talked to Yuhi, no I talked to Nakara Shin, that stupid researcher, and even Sano. I looked at the comments on the net, too, and generally asked around. It seems the current you is different now.. I feel that you can write a different type of song."