Eternal Melody

SUMIRE

"It's a good thing isn't it?" Toh suddenly said.

Seeing his pained face Sumire sobbed more and Toh sighs as he caresses her hair. "Ssh beautiful, it's alright."

"You know it isn't, stop forgiving me for every single little thing."

It's not fair on Toh. Toh deserves to be in a normal relationship with a nice girl.

"You deserve it, everything."

"Oh, stop it. I'll be a sobbing mess before the night ends."

Toh chuckled. "Alright then beautiful." He trailed off. "I wanted to thank you for singing for me."

At those words her cheeks coloured. "W-well it's because you were being really stubborn." Sumire paused. "Are you going to keep seeing Akane-chan?"

"Yeah."

She felt a jab at her heart but that jab vanished when Toh kissed her eyelids tenderly.

"I will, but not in the way you're thinking. I don't think we can go back to that relationship we had before. I'll discuss it with her when I get back, but perhaps we can be friends."

Sumire blinked surprised. She wasn't expecting him to say that. "Do you really not-"

"I can't Sumire. God knows I did try. I did entertain the thought like you did with her brother. Akane is a kind girl, and the two of us actually got along with each other very well. But it's not enough."

'I'm sorry Akane-chan, I'm sorry for keeping Toh chained to me like this. If I just let him go, then Toh would be able to love you freely.'

If she wasn't around, there is no doubt that Toh would fall for Akane-chan. She can see it in his eyes. It's rare for Toh to have that look on his face when he is speaking about someone.

'I can point that out, I can lead him to the right direction so he gives Akane-chan a chance. But, I can't do it. I really am selfish.'

Sumire closes her eyes briefly. "I'm worried about Yuhi and San, but I'm also worried about you. I know why you went abroad." She mumbled the last line quietly but she knew Toh heard her.

Toh laughed. "I went abroad because I was too weak to see you with him."

"Then why did you come back?"

"Because I no longer want to be apart from you beautiful. I remember how those days were after all, I don't want to ever return to those times."

Sumire wanted to say something else but Toh tucked her closer. "You should sleep beautiful."

.....

After five entire days of fighting with Yuhi-san, Sumire could no longer take it. But, it's way too brazen of her to just return to their room. Instead she used the bathing chambers in the private space Yuhi-san was in. No doubt he has been sleeping up there instead of their chambers. It was a small bathroom if she could even call it that. But, she decided to go on the attack.

If he isn't going to come to her, she will come to him.

'Toh said we would be arriving any day now in K region. I don't really want to be fighting with him when we get there.'

__________________

YUHI

The past few days have been nothing short of torture for him. Despite what Mashima said about fighting once in a while being healthy for him and Sumire. Yuhi didn't like it at all. For the first few hours he simply remained motionless and stayed in that spot. Eventually he found the strength to move but not to lay down on the comfortable looking bed. He made his way to private space, and slept on the ground. How can he sleep on that bed that has her scent? The bed where they just made love?

So, he punished himself. He slept on the cold hard ground, and only ate bits and pieces of biscuits he left in the drawers. No matter how hungry he got, he didn't come down. He wanted to see her, but he couldn't. How could he after he was such a fool?

On the fifth day Mashima dragged him out and personally made him a meal.

'Punishment is over, we are going to be landing soon. We need to present a united front.'

Indeed, it definitely wouldn't look good in front of Sumire's relatives if he is fighting with her. Though Sumire probably only cares about her brother Rayne's opinion.

After being fed, Yuhi decided to take a bath. There is a small bathroom in the space he has been using. It's not large but it will do. Upon seeing the ladder out, he paused.

'I could have sworn I put that away.' Yuhi shrugged and climbed. When Mashima first showed him this area, he was surprised. The rest of the ship looked modern but this area was quite old.

Yuhi headed to the bathroom and paused when he heard a sound coming from inside. Any normal person would be alert or get a weapon out. But there are only two others aboard this ship including him. He just finished meeting with Mashima, then that only leaves one person.

He takes a deep breath before placing his hand on the door knob. Sure enough, the moment he entered the room. He spotted her in the small cramped tub. Even with all the bubbles in the bath, Yuhi could still make out her beautiful figure.

Sumire finally turned to him. "I think staring is quite rude."

"There wasn't a problem with staring before."

Good gods, he just wants to stop this bickering and hold her already.

"There is now."

"Am I supposed to deny that I want you and find you attractive just because we're fighting?" Yuhi argued.

"Oh, so now you admit we are fighting?"

His eyes twitched. "Mashima must have told you that when you were in bed together."

"And whose fault is it that I had to crawl into another man's bed?"

What on earth is he doing making this worse? Yuhi sighed.

'I thought after five entire days, I would have the right words to tell her. But it seems like that isn't the case. If things continue like this, forget patching up their relationship. I may never be able to speak to her again. I don't want to act this way every time we meet.'