Eternal Melody

SUMIRE

Sumire felt his hands on her clothes but before it could go further, he suddenly stopped. She looked at him horrified.

"So, I hope your punishment was satisfying."

"Jerk."

"But you love me?"

"I love you, you big dummy."

The moment she said those words, she felt something hard press against her stomach. Sumire looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Yuhi shakes his head and she chuckles.

"Mister, you're?not being very honest with yourself."

"Honest huh? I'd like to think I'm honest when it comes to what I want. But, I find myself holding myself back in favour for my wife's desires."

"Your wife mister, she wants you and only you. She wants to do what you want."

Yuhi's gaze softened. "Yeah, that certainly sounds like her." He bends down and his lips graze her ear. "Sorry I'll be quick. I won't ruin your dress."

Even if he did, it's not like she would mind. She wonders if Yuhi truly understands her feelings for him. There are times, times where she sees such a hazard look in his eyes. Sano's situation isn't good and although Toh acts strong, he is keeping himself busy to keep his mind off things. Everyone is suffering, she can't help them all even if she wants to.

Right now, her hands touched Yuhi's cheek and he looked at her with a gentle gaze. "Still okay?"

"Mm. I like this."

'I love you, I really love you.' Sumire wondered if she could convey her feelings to him mind to mind. She wonders if they can communicate through their heads like she does with Toh and Lucifer. If they could do something like that, then perhaps they would have a better understanding of each other's feelings.

______________________

When they returned to the banquet, Hino walked over with a drink. "So, your relationship with Yuhi has changed it seems."

Sumire almost spat out the contents of her drink.

"S--since he returned, he's been a bit--"

She really didn't know how to describe the current Yuhi.

He warned her and yet she wasn't expecting him to be so passionate. It certainly isn't a bad thing. Even though he is still holding back with her. She can feel his desires more than before. It certainly won't be long before he goes all out and she is looking forward to the day he can truly be honest with her.

Hino rolled his eyes. "I don't want to hear that from you, you've been provoking him too much."

Sumire pouted. "I'm a normal healthy girl, of course I have my needs."

Hino shakes his head. "You really do need to control yourself." He hits her head. "Have you spoken to him about-?"

Sumire bit her bottom lip. "I have tried, he keeps dodging the issue. So, I asked a specialist for help."

"You asked Mashima." Hino said understanding.

"Do you think that was cruel of me?" Sumire mumbled. "But other than Toh, I don't know who else can help."

Hino sighed. "You're certainly right about that. You never know, maybe the two will come to an understanding. Mashima certainly doesn't dislike Nagawa as much as before."

Indeed, despite what Toh says about tolerating San. Sumire noted that he isn't as hostile as he used to be.

"Maybe it will help Toh too. Toh told me before that he doesn't want to say anything about my relationship with Yuhi-san, because he doesn't know him well enough."

"If that's the case, this will be good for them both." Hino reached over and patted her hair. "Don't worry so much, the two of them won't make you decide anytime soon."

"That's true."

Both Yuhi-san and Toh are being very lenient on her. The later probably realizes her feelings but he hasn't said a single word about it. She needs to discuss it with him properly soon. Even if she can't help everyone, she should still do her best to diminish their pain as much as she can.

"Lucifer isn't here yet."

Sumire nodded. "Mmm."

'Otherwise he would have found a way to come to me already.'

Hino exhaled deeply. "I'm not really looking forward to seeing the guy who took sadistic delight in torturing me for two months."

At those words she frowned and she looked Hino up and down. Although he has been doing rehabilitation, Sumire knew that his recovery was very slow. His limbs have been so badly damaged, that there is a high chance he may end up with a limp or two when he is walking.

"Don't look at me like that. If Lucifer didn't take me along too, I would have charged after you. I would have ended up in a worse state."

"But, maybe I can talk to him and see if-" Sumire's sentence fell short hearing the commotion. Even without turning around, she knew he was there.

Sumire turned around and indeed spotted Lucifer walking towards her, no he was already a few feet away. The entire room had turned silent, nobody understood what was going on. Neither did she. She looked at him dumbfounded, what on earth is he doing?

It didn't take long before Lucifer was standing directly in front of her. He extended his hand out. "Will you dance with me my lady?"

'You owe me a dance, I'll keep this on your tab for the rest of our lives together.'

'I'd be happy to oblige, since it means keeping you with me forever.'

Memories of their first life flashed through her head and her gaze softened. She knew she shouldn't. They are already attracting a lot of attention. But how can she deny him a dance? Sumire looked towards Yuhi who was speaking with Kou and the others. He gave her an encouraging nod and she stepped forward to take Lucifer's hand, when silver hair appeared before her.

It was Toh, he was dragging her onto the dance floor before she could process what was happening. The next song had already started, and it was too late to go back now.

"I have to say, that was unexpected." Sumire said, speaking up.

Toh chuckled. "You haven't danced with anyone all evening, not even Terashima. The Lord approaching you is already going to cause the media to talk. This is a move made to protect you."

"Won't they talk if you are my first dance?"

"Oh they will, but having a rumour with me is better than one with the Lord. Trust me beautiful, his fangirls are not one to be messed with."

Indeed, the women in the harem were certainly vicious. Sumire relaxed into Toh's hold. It was a slow dance, so they were dancing rather closely together.

She wonders when was the last time they danced together like this.