It was a gamble on his part.
He knew how much the others wanted to celebrate the holidays with her. Ever since she admitted that she treats everybody in akagumi like family, he has been more generous about her spending time with the guys.
Yuhi could only steal glances at her, hoping she understood his signs. But unfortunately, the silly girl was spacing out with a deep look on her face. What is she thinking of now?
'She spends far too much time thinking about others-' Yuhi quickly shook the thought out of his mind. He can't be that petty, no matter how much he wants her.
It still frustrated him, however.
After hearing her sing for him, of course, he would end up worked up. He knew that she would sing for him, but all those songs? She even managed to portray her love for him, singing her mentor's songs. That girl truly has amazing musical talent.
Unfortunately, she does not think so. 'She is far better than me.' It was something he acknowledged a long time ago. Most people with his status in the industry would not admit something like that. But he is not that type of person. If there is somebody more skilled than him, he will acknowledge it immediately.
Why act stubborn about it? Eventually, the fans and others in the industry will be able to tell.
How does he tell her, though?
'You don't need status to stand next to me; you surpassed me a long time ago.' Yuhi shook his head and dismissed those words. He knew Sumire very well. If he said such words, she would certainly run away with her personality.
That girl is a fast runner too. How many times has she run away from him whenever she gets embarrassed?
Yuhi sighed deeply as he stared at their intertwined hands. Although he managed to hold her hand, Sumire did not think much of it. She was even playing with his fingers as she spaced out.
'This is truly driving me crazy.' He could only stare at her during the entire time they were eating. She keeps getting prettier and prettier. Unlike the first time she arrived in Tokyo, Sumire's cheeks had a healthier glow, and she gained enough weight. Even when she wore simple clothing, she looked beyond gorgeous.
Moreover, she smiled more. She truly looked like a woman showered with love and affection. It seemed like the main reason for her change was his doing, but at the same time, he could not take the credit.
Many others contributed to her current transformation. However, sometimes he would worry about her. Her nightmares have become less frequent, but the fact remains that she still has them. Moreover, she has more violent breakdowns. There must be an issue somewhere; what is he missing?
If he thought about her activities since she came back, nothing seemed amis- Yuhi paused in mid-thought. Right, since she came back. Sumire told him that she was held captive in that facility, according to the information. It must have triggered something inside her to stay in that place.
When Mamoru was around her, it was not noticeable. That guy probably did something to prevent her nightmares.
A deep sigh passed his lips. 'Sometimes, I regret helping Mamoru out so much when it came to Sumire.' How many times did Mamoru message/call him for advice regarding her? Granted, that fool probably did not need his help.
Mamoru had a better understanding of Sumire since he could spend more time with her. At first, he thought of it this way. But later on, he realized his mistake. Those two have a level of understanding of each other that he cannot interfere with.
The second time he asked her out, he knew it was risky. She lost Mamoru only four months before, and the accident traumatized her. She already turned him down once. But, even though she turned him down.
'Why was she crying?'
After she turned him down, he indeed left, realizing it would be awkward to stay. His injuries still hurt like hell, and it was not wise for him to move around so much. So he booked a room at a hotel nearby. After a few hours, he realized that leaving might send the wrong message to her, so he went back.
The memory remains fresh in his mind even now.
..
December 2012- Star Town
Yuhi did not hesitate to bolt out of the room, realizing that Sumire was not replying to anybody's messages. Is it because of the confession? Did he anger her that much?
His speed did not take him long before he arrived at her house.
The front door was unlocked still, and even the gate. The gate aside, how could she not lock the door? When he saw no lights in the house, he became increasingly panicked.
Did somebody take advantage of the door being open and --? Yuhi shook his head and flicked on the light switch at the entrance. He examined the surroundings carefully.
It does not look like there has been any sign of intruders.
Still, it will not hurt to be careful. Yuhi carefully tip-toed inside the house, and when he approached the living room, he heard sobbing.
It was faint, but he could clearly hear it. Yuhi pushed the door open and found Sumire curled into a ball shape on the corner by the door. He did not miss the knocked-over desk and vase on the side.
He spotted the glass shards by the door, and he immediately bent down. There was a large gash on the girl's forehead and blood on her fingertips.
"Sumire? Hey Sumire?"
"Yuhi, I'm sorry." She sobbed. "I'm so sorry, but I can't get in your way."
What is she talking abo- Yuhi paused in mid-sentence. Could it be she heard about him leaving? He felt his heartbeat speed up. It seemed that the girl did not realize he was there; she was in an unstable state.
"Do you love me?"
It was risky for him to ask this question, but he had to do this. He has to learn the truth. Earlier, he sensed there was something amiss when she turned him down, but he did not want to dwell on it in front of her, so he quickly left.
His thoughts broke off when he felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around his neck. Sumire buried her face in his neck and mumbled. "I love you; of course I do.. I have always loved you, Yuhi."