Eternal Melody

Because it keeps getting repainted, it becomes history.

Sylvia Camus Tetsuo always saw life precisely in that manner. The more time goes by and develops, it ends up being covered in something else and thus becomes old. This something will define the past.

In a matter of seconds, things can immediately change, which is why he ensures that when things do change, he can keep up with that change.

Although he is merely the second son of his house, he took it upon himself to keep everything around the house in order, which meant managing the household affairs and funds. But this also included keeping his brothers in line, and he ensured that they maintained the correct manners to not shame the family.

However, because of his family role, others often mistook him as the eldest son causing misunderstandings between him and his elder sibling. But that did not matter to him since he was not close with that man.

He never saw that guy as an older figure type, not even once. That's why he felt the need to conduct himself in this manner. Even though that job was supposed to be his brothers, he cannot rely on him at all.

He disliked the weak, Tetsuo knew many would condemn him for that statement, but he had his values. Those who are weak will only get trampled on.

Tetsuo was well aware that others described him as an arrogant and prideful person who demanded perfection and disliked submitting to those in a weaker position. It did not matter if people scorned his behavior since this was how he decided to survive in this world.

He knew personality-wise he took after his mother. His entire life, he admired her as the ideal role model despite her neglecting her family. But this changed when he discovered her weakness, and he lost any form of respect or affection he had for her. This was the trigger that led to him destroying her and solidifying his position in the family.

His thoughts broke off when he felt the presence of something rather annoying cling onto his arm. "Ne ne Myu-chan, what are you thinking?"

Tetsuo sighed when he spotted a man with maroon colored hair and bright eyes. It was his team member, Maon Kou. Even though he is the eldest out of the four, how come he acts like a mere child? It doesn't make any sense to him at all. But even so, he's the only one who knew of his biggest secret.

"That ridiculous nickname. Are you not tired of it yet?"

Kou pulls a face, "Eh, you dislike it that much? Then what about Cam-Cam?"

"Absolutely not."

"Then Ma-Ma? Ah, that one sounds funny."

His eyes twitched, annoyed. "Even though I said I don't like the first one, you keep adding to it. What makes you think I will like any of the new ones if I disliked the first?"

Whenever it came to this person, Tetsuo lost his calm attitude. Even though he acts like a fool, he owed this person his life. Tetsuo regarded life as more valuable than the average person.

His old teacher told him that royalty had already become extinct by the time he was born due to average people's hunts. That person was normally so composed, but whenever he told that tale, he would tremble in fear. Tetsuo did not think it would happen in his time, but it did.

That was why he owed Maon Kou his life. At first, the maroon colored haired boy didn't need any thanks. In fact, when they first met, he was rather cold and always played it rather cool. Tetsuo was fine with that; in fact, it suited him. Yet even though he said he didn't need any thanks. Kou allowed him to follow him around.

He owed his life to him, and that's why Tetsuo, no matter what the small task, did it all for Kou. That's why he didn't hesitate at all, agreeing with it.

Kou's ridiculous idea of him becoming an idol too. He was well aware that the maroon colored haired boy was already somewhat famous in the entertainment industry then. But as an actor, not an idol. Tetsuo was rather surprised with the change of heart, yet he didn't hesitate to agree.

Perhaps that was a mistake of his; not only does he rarely have time to come home. But when he does, he is scorned by his younger brothers for not taking being an earl seriously. Besides that, the person he respected is long gone now.

He often found himself in silly situations that would make anyone laugh, despite his anger and frustration towards Kou for changing so much. Tetsuo found that every single time he came home and they insulted Kou, he couldn't tolerate it at all.

"Myu-chan, what are you thinking?".

He sighs and flicks the next page of his book. "The past." A vague and uncertain answer, and yet Tetsuo knew Kou would understand.

"Hmm, that's quite deep."

Ah, it's probably why he always ends up defending this person no matter what happens. Kou may have changed a lot, but occasionally, his friend would get the same look in his eyes as he did back then.

Tetsuo said nothing more and quickly left the room. He wanted to clear his thoughts, and Kou's presence did not help him.

Once he was outside, he recalled a conversation he had at the beginning of his final year.

'There is someone there that's quite interesting. Somebody gave me orders to watch over her'.

An interesting person, huh? Tetsuo did not ask for a name since he thought he would figure it out right away.

Tetsuo had kept his eyes open for someone like that. But he didn't find any. At least it was someone that fell of his definition of interesting.

When he heard that the person was Ibuki Sumire, it surprised him. To him, she seemed like a normal person, a normal girl with no particular talent or skill that would stand out.

Yes, she was quite the beauty. But her personality didn't exactly fit her image of beauty. Indeed he was horrified to find that she was the lone survivor of the Ibuki family, more so the Princess. But what shocked him the most then was that—when he saw such a look in the girl's eyes.

Somebody of her status should not have that look on her face.