Eternal Melody

AKANE

Kanade issued an apology in private, and insisted that she didn't think their grandmother would go that far. That she is sorry about losing her nephew. While she listened to her sister speak, all Akane could think about was laying on the ground clutching her bleeding stomach. The child, the child that she didn't even realize was inside her. She couldn't even give it any love before losing it.

While she has been maintaining a 'neutral stance' since Kanade apologized, Akane resented her sister.

No matter what Kanade did in the past, she has never gotten angry or held a grudge. But this time? This time it was because of Kanade's jealousy, because Kanade spouted those words to grandmother. If Kanade never said that, then Grandmother wouldn't have thought to investigate her. Grandmother wouldn't have known about her helping Sumire.

Kanade's petty jealousy leads to losing the life of an innocent child.

"I knew already, about the two of you." Sumire laughed. "Before Toh told me, your brother did."

Of course he would. Her brother probably thought by exposing what Toh did with her, Sumire would change her?mind about Toh. But, if Ibuki Sumire was going to judge someone that easily, then she wouldn't be the woman Toh and her brother loved.

"Sumire, it's not-"

Sumire shakes her head. "You don't have to explain. I'm causing him a lot of pain. If he can get rid of the pain somehow-"

"Your not okay with it though." Akane pointed to her clenched fingers.

She laughs nervously. "Uh, I thought I would be able to have a decent conversation without sounding like a jealous wife."

"Are you delaying the ceremony because of Toh?" Akane asked.

It would have been better if Sumire denied it but that wouldn't fit the Sumire she got to know either.

"Yes." Sumire briefly closed her eyes. "How can I have a wedding ceremony, how can I walk down the aisle when there is another person in my heart?"

"Isn't that cruel on Terashima?"

Sumire nodded. "-and yet Yuhi-san is being so silly and?understanding of everything. He hasn't brought up the ceremony once since he came back. Even though a few months ago we decided to hold it the moment he returned. Truthfully, we haven't spoken much about Toh."

"You haven't?"

"He's been mentioned briefly, but never for long." Sumire trails off. "I think right now me and Yuhi-san have to sort out our own mental battles, before we can actually tie the knot. In the end of the day we are already living together like a married couple, so the title doesn't make much of a difference."

Actually it did, if they are married. The media can't judge their relationship as much.

"San, also told me about the child." Sumire's tone turned quiet.

Akane bit her lip. "I'm sorry."

Sumire shakes her head. "That's my line, it's because of me that you lost your child."

"That's wrong. It's Kanade, her petty jealousy-" Akane trailed off seeing the look in Sumire's eyes. "She is my sister, at the end of the day I don't want to hate her. But, she has never treated me like her sibling. This incident opened my eyes."

Each time something good happens in her life, Kanade will try and take it away from her.

"You can try again, to have a child. Fortunately, your womb wasn't damaged."

"Sumire- you can't mean…-"

"I know Toh, if he has a child with you again. He will take responsibility."

Akane shakes her head. "I can't do that to him. I'm not the one in his heart. Even if he treats me well. I can't use a child to tie him to me."

'I would have escaped abroad the moment I found out.' That maybe the reason why her brother despite noticing kept it a secret from her.

"It's true that I like-" Sumire started. Before the girl could finish her sentence, someone slides in the seat next to her.

It was Toh. Akane blinked surprised.

"What's this? Are you having breakfast without me?"

Sumire laughed softly. "I messaged you didn't I? I haven't had anything but a cup of coffee."

"Coffee isn't good for you beautiful." Toh slides a tray of food in front of Sumire. "I got these for you."

Akane looked at the two of them back and forth puzzled. After what happened yesterday, shouldn't it be awkward between them? What on earth is this situation? Moreover, she felt Toh's hands on her knee. What is he doing?

Sumire giggled. "Thank you, but I can't eat this much. I haven't been feeling so good recently so my appetite is low."

Toh frowned. "When did that start happening?"

Akane saw a complicated look flash through Sumire's face and immediately understood. Oh, it must have been when Toh suddenly went abroad right after Terashima returned.

Toh however clearly didn't understand since he kept talking. "I don't mind providing the sessions to Nagawa and Terashima, but you are my priority beautiful. Shall we schedule another appointment?"

"I don't want to go to the medic center."

"Then-"

"If we can hold the session in your place."

Akane exhaled deeply, seeing Toh frown. She really doesn't want to get caught up in the middle of this. Realizing if she stayed longer she would get dragged into it, she turned to twins on the stroller.

"Satomi and Kyoko, do you want to go on a stroll with aunt Akane?"

Kyoko looked like she wanted to protest but Satomi turned to Sumire and Toh, almost like he understood and nodded.

"Akane-chan-" Sumire started.

Toh immediately interjected. "Let them go."

Akane walked away with the twins and sighed deeply when she left the dining lounge. Terashima and Sumire having a proper talk aside. Sumire should definitely have one with Toh. They act all chummy one second, and the next there is this tension between them.

'I should probably have a talk with Toh myself.'

What happened last night definitely shouldn't happen again. He isn't interested in her romantically, and recently she has been thinking it would do some good to settle down. When she sees all her friends around her in stable relationships, she feels nervous. She is already in her twenties, she can't continue living life recklessly. Maybe she ought to take up her mothers suggestion and go on those blind dates she mentioned. There is no future with her and Toh.