Her romantic misfortunes

Sumire felt like her entire world was crashing down. Why did he suddenly transfer? She was relieved to learn before that they would be attending different high schools. What is he suddenly doing coming to her school for? They haven't even seen each other yet and she is starting to feel very stressed out. She doesn't dare imagine what will happen when they meet face to face.

"-and this?" Sumire pointed to another name.

'Ichinose Arashi.'

"He is the student council president. He has been studying abroad for awhile now. But he is returning for the competition."

Sumire bit her lip. So the rumors about Arashi-senpai being in the school was true. Ichinose Arashi was the student council president of her middle school too. But he is two years older so he graduated before her.

"Thinking it through, there were some unusual rumors about the two of you before."

She frantically shook her head.

"-and there was a rumor that you liked Hamano Atushi at some point too."

She really wanted to scream. She knew her romantic misfortunes would eventually catch up to her one day. But, why did it have to be now when she is about to answer Toh's confession? If these two were going to show up in her life couldn't they have waited?

Masato patted her shoulder. "This is why you shouldn't have fooled around so much in middle school. I warned you, remember?"

Sumire sighed. "I know you did. But I was really messed up then, and I wasn't exactly thinking it straight."

"So, were you really in a relationship with the two of them at the same time?"

"Definitely not!" Sumire exclaimed.

After all, the only one she truly loved is Yuhi. Sure she 'saw' some guys as potential candidates but she never went further than flirting. She didn't want Yuhi to suspect her feelings for him, so she made it look like she had others. Thinking it through it was stupid of her, it didn't stop Yuhi from liking her and confessing in the end.

"Then, you don't have to worry do you?"

Sumire kept her head down as she confessed about flirting with one of them, and how she kinda led them onto thinking that she may like them. As expected of her former self, ruthless.

At those words Masato pinched her cheeks. "You really are troublesome."

"I regret it now, I really do!"

"You're going back to school on Monday aren't you?"

Sumire nodded. She informed the president regarding Ru being hospitalised, and how she wished to take care of him. So the president applied for a leave of absence for her. She felt bad skipping even more school, but she couldn't possibly leave Ru be.

Moreover, she wanted to learn more about Ru's condition from Sano, who gave her detailed advice on how to help him.

"Let's walk to class together." Masato suggested.

Sumire's eyes brightened. "You're a life savior."

"But, I will have you know that he was asking about you and oh he sits near us."

Sumire's gaze dimmed even more. "Can I switch classes?"

"You know you can't." Masato trailed off. "Since they are both participating in the contest, you won't be able to avoid them for long. Maybe it would be best if you just get it over with and speak to them privately?"

At those words Sumire sighed. Sumire knew that Masato's advice was correct. Rather than make it awkward when they all meet up for the contest, she ought to speak to them before hand.

"A concur huh. I wonder why I was chosen." Sumire mumbled.

"Don't ask questions to something you don't know already. Your just as skilled with an instrument then you are singing."

"But it's strange that I was chosen despite having such low attendance." Sumire paused.

'Perhaps it was Arashi-senpai? If he is the student council president, it would be easy for him to do this.'

Is he basically backing her to a corner?

"No matter why you were chosen, you can prove your skills on stage."

Indeed, but skills. Skills? Sumire turned her attention back to the list of participants again.

"Why isn't Masaru-senpai..?" Sumire said, puzzled.

If it is someone with high level skills with a classical instrument then, the one who meets those requirements the most is Tachibana Masaru. So, why isn't he on here?

Masato doesn't have to say anything, since she sees the disturbed expression in his eyes.

Sumire frowned. "That idiot."

"He really is. He is a musician genius but acts this way. I understand not liking contests, I am not too fond of them myself. But, this is a way to establish ourselves in the classical music industry. Hiding away his talent is waste." Masato shakes his head.

Sumire chuckled softly. "Even though you claim to hate him, you worry about him when he does stupid stuff and your prasing his abilities."

"I am no fool. I can tell when somebody is better than me."

Her gaze softened. "Just like how you acknowledge Masaru-senpai as a rival, I am sure he does the same with you."

"It is hard to tell what he is thinking." Masato trailed off. "Have you confessed to Mashima-san yet?"

Sumire sighed. "This is why I am troubled. I haven't even gotten a glimpse of him recently. He has been very busy."

"If that is the case, then all you have to do is go to him yourself."

"That's actually a great idea." Sumire exclaimed. "But, where will I know where he is?"

Masato fiddles with his phone for a few minutes before raising his phone to show a picture of a gorgeous hotel.

"Breeze hotel?" Sumire mumbled.

Masato nodded. "A few days ago, I was attending an event on behalf of my father and Mashima-san was there. I spoke to him briefly and it seems he has been attending a lot of social events this past week. There is going to be another one tonight, if you'd like you can take my invite. I don't plan to go."

"Ah but-"

"It's a free invitation with no name on it, so you don't have to worry."

Sumire slowly nodded her head as she accepted the invitation from Masato. Tonight, she will accept Toh's confession as for what the future will bring them, she is still unsure. But, she does not want to lose this person.

8Unedited*