Eternal Melody

Chapter 656 The only difference

　　"You mean Shibuya? Well, I don't blame him for hating me."

　　Rather when he thinks of that man's face, it's hard not to laugh.

　　Asuka shook her head. "It still isn't right. He's making it a personal vendetta. They say he's short-tempered but a good guy. I don't believe that one bit. Sora would agree with me; there is a reason why the captain never takes him around."

　　Yuhi's gaze softened at her words. So that's it. "Ha, so that's why you stopped me to console me? Thanks."

　　He seldom has any female friends. But he and Kiragi Asuka are very similar to one another. They are not good at interacting with others, which may be why they became close.

　　"There's that, and actually, I was worried I said too much. About Jian. "

　　Recently it was something Shin discovered in the diary Mamoru left behind. The main cause of the fire in the Ibuki family mansion, the main suspect, is Sumire's cousin Jian Hijiri. 

　　"Sumire was worried too."

　　"You are worried about Jian Hijiri himself rather than the gems, right? May I ask why?"

　　"That guy, Jian, reminds me of how I used to be. I lived to avenge my family and thought of nothing else. I didn't care about anything. I just wanted to end the life of the man who took everything from me. I thought I could do anything just because I was stronger than most."

　　He thought he was unbeatable but both Sumire and Mamoru told him to treasure his life.

　　"But I'm what I am today because of Mamoru and people like you who stood by me. Sumire, too has become another guiding light. She has supported me this entire time. That's the difference between Jian and me; that's the only difference."

　　However, it's unusual. With Sumire's personality, it's odd that she didn't help Jian. Perhaps she subconsciously avoided him? But Sumire aside, there are the guys in nanairofeather too. It's not like Jian is alone with nobody by his side.

　　The members of nanairo feather haven't appeared before Sumire because they are busy dealing with Jian's betrayal. 

　　"So he's not just some guy. People actually care and want him back despite his bad deeds. It makes me wonder why he even betrayed Sumire and joined the black Alice organization." Yuhi trailed off. "Sorry for rambling."

　　If he is truly the culprit to the burning of the Ibuki family manor, then why did he leave Sumire alive? He saw that Sumire was still alive, but he never targeted her and even pretended to be her ally. Why did he do that? What does he want with Sumire?

　　"There is no need to apologize. It is only natural that you're so worried."

　　"You're not mad?"

　　"Should I be? Do you think I'm some sort of heartless wench? I am a kind, gentle and wise woman."

　　Don't forget a nag, but he supposed mentioning that would only get him hit.

　　"I have to thank you again, Yuhi."

　　"About?"

　　"Sumire. Thank you for everything you have done for her."

　　"Sometimes, it feels like I haven't done enough for her."

　　Asuka shook her head. "You did what Mamoru couldn't do. When she was dating Mamoru, she was happy, yes. But, she still seemed sad and lonely. Whenever she felt troubled, she would cause a fight. However, ever since she came here, she only acted up a few times before you started dating. She smiles more."

　　"I see."

　　"Initially, I asked to transfer to the Tokyo branch because I was worried about her. But it seems I didn't do much."

　　"No, you really helped me out just now."

　　Suppose he rushed out of the house and carelessly looked for her. It would have attracted the media's attention.

　　"By the way, Sumire still doesn't know about what happened to Arashi?"

　　"I didn't know how to mention it to her. If I tell her the reason Ichinose Arashi hasn't contacted her is because he has been hospitalized-"

　　"In other words, you don't want Sumire to cling to him."

　　Yuhi sighed. "I will admit it. I'm jealous. If possible, I want to push away all the rivals for her heart. I am already struggling to deal with Nagawa Sano. I don't need another one."

　　"Well, it's fine with me. But you should still tell her about Hijiri."

　　"I got it, but right now, she shouldn't stress too much." 

　　"Because she is pregnant?"

　　At those words, Yuhi sighed. "Is it just me who has a hard time noticing? But she isn't visibly pregnant."

　　"No, it's more like Sumire told me what happened during winter break. I thought if you two did it that much then there is a high chance that eventually we will hear the news."

　　Yuhi averted his gaze. "For your information, she is the one who attacked me."

　　"I know, she admitted it. 'Asuka, I jumped on Yuhi. Do you think he likes it?'" Asuka exhaled deeply. "I shouldn't have told her that she could discuss anything with me. Now I have to hear rather disturbing details about your love life."

　　'What is that silly girl thinking? She is truly driving me crazy.'

　　"Hey, do you think I have gone crazy?"

　　Asuka sighed again. "What am I going to do with both of you? If you like her that much, why don't you just tell her?"

　　"If I do that, then she will go crazy too. Hah, what am I going to do with her? How can my feelings for her grow even stronger?"

　　"I think you're overthinking this." Asuka trailed off. "It's enough for you to continue treating her as you have been. I have never seen Sumire so happy since we became friends. Her heart is healing, and it's because of you."

　　"But is she truly okay? Whenever she feels socially pressured or guilty, she has this bad habit of running away."

　　"I don't know about the other times, but you don't have to worry about this one. I asked her why she rushed off, and she told me it's because she could no longer control her heart around you."

　　Huh?

　　Asuka continued. "She said something about her getting a heart attack if she stayed with you any longer."

　　Even though she was the one who pounced on him first, geez, this is insane. Recently, it feels like there is something wrong with them both. 

　　Before he could say anything to that, he felt somebody looking at him.

　　Sumire was peeking through the door, half curious and half dazed. She looked over at Asuka and then back at him. "Ah, Asuka is the other mistress."

　　Yuhi walked over and pinched her cheeks. "That joke again? I don't have any other women."

　　He doesn't even contact those artists he slept with previously anymore. Sumire cutely clings to his arm. "You don't? Then you get a reward."

　　Sometimes he forgets how childish and innocent she can be. If he thought about it, she doesn't mess with him as much as she used to. Asuka is right; it does look like her heart is healing.