Eternal Melody

"So because I turn my eyes away for a second, you forget the vow you made with me to protect people?" Sumire immediately guessed what he was thinking.

"Well uh-" Yuhi had no excuse and kept his head low.

Sumire chuckled. "Well I understand how you feel, even I had times where I wanted to escape from all this bloodshed and live a normal life. I said back then that we would meet as normal people right?"

"You did."

"But after I said those words I regretted it because I knew it was not possible. For the two of us to meet as normal people, we would both have to leave the underworld behind. You pulled away and quit. But I couldn't do it. Even when I started to train seriously for my debut I was still actively involved in the underworld. I was happy to see you managed to escape, but then I realized. This world of bloodshed that I wanted to escape from has helped save me too."

"You weighed out the benefits." Yuhi guessed.

"Mm and I discovered that there are more merits to staying. These delinquents may like to fight and have inhuman strength. But they are foolishly honest people, you can create the best bonds with these people. Although there is still jealousy that leads to greed. It is not the same as a normal person. The jealousy will lead to further improving and developing themselves. They would not use underhanded means to improve."

Yuhi looked at her with a defeated expression. It seems she has already made up her mind. "I get it, there is no use convincing you."

"Were you actually going to try?"

"I was because things will get even more dangerous from now on." He doesn't want her to get hurt.

"If that is what you are worrying about then I will protect you."

Yuhi's eyes widened at those words. Huh?

"No, I think you misunderstand."

She tilted her head to the side and with the same bright smile said. "I don't think I have misunderstood anything."

"I am worried about you getting hurt."

"Ah I got that, but you're only saying that because it will be very dangerous."

So she does understand? Or does she? For some reason he felt very confused.

"I will protect you." Sumire repeated. "No matter what harm befalls you, whether you carelessly run into danger or whether danger follows you. I will protect you."

It was after she said those words he finally understood. She said that about protecting him because it is natural that he will be beside her when they are fighting. From the very start this girl has included him in all of her decisions.

Yuhi picked up the documents. "I guess I can help with the research partner."

Sumire laughed. "Right? But you should also eat something." She picked up a piece of takoyaki and extended it towards him.

Yuhi immediately bit into it and she looked at him startled. For a moment he caught a tint of red on her cheeks. But that shy demeanour turned to laughter.

"Uh right. Yuhi-san, you are that type of person."

Huh? What is she muttering about?

Sumire coughed and turned her attention back to the documents as she ate. For the next few minutes nobody said anything and he also focused on reading. It seemed there were a few more cases after the day Sumire was hospitalised. All of them fall under certain days though, is that a coincidence or not?

His gaze fell on the highlighted parts. Although there was no writing beside it, Yuhi had a gut feeling that these were clues from Nagawa. It seems that the guy intends to help them but he cannot leave the other side that quickly.

Sumire started to hum and it quickly formed a tune. Yuhi wondered if she realized what she was doing. She was not humming loudly but it still seemed to attract a few people's attention.

"Hey isn't that Ibuki?"

"Then the one opposite her must be Yuhi-sama."

His sweat fell. So much for keeping hidden it seems as though they both have sharp fans. Then again it was not like Sumire wore much of a disguise. She even took her hat off, all that remained were her sunglasses but even people recognized her.

"Hey you know people are watching right?"

"I know."

Then shouldn't she stop humming? It would be bad if they drew a crowd. He knew even though she has gotten a lot better, she still disliked being in huge crowds.

"Hmmm." Yuhi found the girl staring at him intently. "I know your jealous that people are looking at me, but relax this entire time I have only been looking at you. Or rather it is hard to not look at this handsome meal- person." Sumire corrected.

Yuhi stared at her speechless, and he felt heat creep onto his cheeks. How on earth can she say such things so easily? She is way too calm even though earlier she was blushing madly while screaming his name. This girl and her multiple personalities. Then again why does this surprise him so much? She has already admitted to having desires towards him.

"So these cases, Nagawa will be helping right?"

"In a indirect way, it would be bad for him to help openly. So whenever we meet I can get information. I suppose that is the only reason why I am meeting him, otherwise there would be no need."

"I'm not jealous." Yuhi immediately understood her thoughts and the girl laughed.

'Damn I can't get any words in.'

"I don't mind him helping, as long as a I am still your partner."

"Of course."

"But you already know how I feel so let me say this much. You can involve yourself in these cases, but you have to promise me to stand by my side for the rest of your life."

If they stay partners forever he can protect her from all the dangerous of this world. At those words Sumire suddenly looked at him with wide eyes. She seemed baffled with what he just said.

"This is quite the proposal."

After those words left her lips Yuhi realized his mistake. His cheeks coloured more. "Oi that's not what I-" His sentence fell short when he felt a familiar pair of lips on his. It was a light kiss and yet a passionate one.

Sumire was not kidding when she said she has desires towards him.

'I can feel it whenever we kiss.'