Eternal Melody

Sumire does not understand where these rumors came from, but she knew nothing would come out of denying it.

This person has already chosen to believe that. Nothing she says will convince him. Even if she were to present the facts right in front of him, the situation would remain the same. Humans are stubborn creatures like that. Once they choose to believe in something, they will firmly do so, and nothing, not even the truth, will sway them.

He already thinks she killed Ru.

If they think that way, this person and all the others may maybe she ought to accept it. There is no use in saying anything back; not only will it be futile, the truth she indirectly killed him. It was because of her that he lost his life because she made the wrong decisions.

If she wasn't so wishy-washy, then none of this would have happened.

She lied to her heart and lied to those precious to her, and that is why she lost the one person who cared the most for her.

The truth was she already knew from the very start. Even if she ran away, she could never escape from the reporters from Mamoru's memory. No matter where she goes, she will remember him. Her sin will not vanish. It was because of her that he got in the car that day.

This reporter and the general public who think it is her fault are not wrong. Even though they said such nasty comments, even though this person has such a hostile look in his eyes, all of it is her fault, and she deserves everything coming to her.

All the pain and misfortune she suffered the last few months, she deserves every one of it.

"Did you truly think you could run away and escape everything? Don't make me laugh. You cannot change a person's core nature."

Yes, that is right.

"Since it happened once, it will happen again."

That's true, and there is no reassurance that she will not cause problems for others again.

'The truly rotten person is me.'

The one who deserves to go to hell is her. Mamoru aside, how many other people did she hurt with her words and actions? How many emotional outbursts did she have that hurt another person? Some of them were so petty and unnecessary.

Even now, she cannot forget the disappointed look on their faces.

The people were supposed to remain by her side due to blood ties, but even they gave up on her.

A person like her should not exist in this beautiful and yet cruel world.

She destroys the very balance of humanity.

"Can't say anything, can you? Good, just stay quiet. I have chased you long enough. You're coming to the police station with me right now. Admit your sins. You don't have to submit evidence, and there are already plenty of people who want the law to punish you."

A person like her should not be here.

She will only continue to dirty this world, and she ought to disappear-- her thoughts broke off when a flash of black hair appeared before her.

"Ouch!" The reporter yelped in pain as he let her wrist go.

Her eyes widened when she realized who it was. Yuhi had stepped between her and the reporter and twisted the man's arm.

"Terashima!!" He hissed. "How can you defend her? You already know what she has done."

"I love her, it's only normal for me to protect the woman I love."

"Hahaha. Love? This girl is a monster, even before this incident. I had no idea how terrifying her past was. How can somebody like this fool you? Somebody like this will only bring more misfortune. We have to lock her away before she causes anymore acci--"

When Yuhi's fist landed on the man's face Sumire's eyes widened. In the next second, Yuhi was punching the man repeatedly. After he finished punching, he stepped on the man's leg. She hears a large crunching sound, and screams fill the area.

"Y--yuhi?! Wait, stop." Her voice trembled at the sight before her.

What is he doing? He doesn't have to do this for her.

"Stop?" There was a dangerous look in his eyes, and she flinched.

"You want me to stop?"

"If you keep that up, he is going to.."

'He will die.' Even she could tell that Yuhi was not in a good state. The dangerous look in his eyes, and if her eyes were not playing tricks on her, there was a black-like flame aura wrapped around him.

'His ability?' She never inquired about it before, but now she had to know so he could stop.

"Let him die." His tone was lifeless, and she bit her lip.

"It's okay. I deserve it. I deserve it all, Yuhi. It was my fault, so please."

'Don't hurt somebody.'

'Don't protect me like this.' She doesn't deserve his love and protection. Sumire knew he was doing this because he loves her; he just said it without hesitating. This man will do anything for her. Since she came to Tokyo, Terashima Yuhi gave her so much, and yet it hurts. It hurts so much, every time he smiles and treats her with so much affection.

It's painful, living a life without Ru and even the path she chose to move forward. Loving Yuhi is painful. She loves him so much to the point that she is afraid, afraid that one day he will leave her.

It is painful; her chest hurts. It feels like water is swallowing her up. She can't breathe.

Sumire tugs on his shirt and tries to take deep breaths. But each time, she felt the pain worsen.

"Sumire? What's wrong?" Yuhi finally noticed something was wrong since he moved his foot from the reporter. He turned to her with a worried look in his eyes, and she weakly extended her hand out.

"Yuhi, save me." She managed to say.

Save her. She can't take it anymore.

"Sumire, it will be alright. It'll be alright. You don't have to be so afraid."

"I'm dying, I'm going to die. ."

This pain is unbearable, and it hurts so much. It felt like she could no longer breathe. What is this? Is this the end at last?

"She should die already." The reporter laughed. A burst of maniac laughter passed his lips as he struggled to get up.

Yuhi raised his free hand, and a large wave of black flames emerged from his hand. In that split second, using the flames, he bound the reporter against the wall. His screams muffled by a makeshift flame-like cloth across his mouth.

"You won't die. I won't let you die." Yuhi mumbled.

He lightly pinches her nose so the air could come in before his lips were on hers.

It hurts so much to live every day.

'I can't do this anymore.' Please, it hurts so much.