You gave me courage

Sumire laughed at those words. "How can I? Even now, I think back to his sincere gaze. It was a first even for me to see him that way. He is truly a fool, but whenever I felt lonely, depressed, and helpless. He would stand by my side unconditionally."

That person would stick up for her whenever there were bad rumors about her, even though it would make him look bad. She repeatedly told him that he didn't have to defend her so much, yet he continued.

"That's why now I think, even if the entire world misunderstands me. I would remember that one idiot who would stand up for me again and again."

"I would do that for you too."

Sumire blinked and laughed. "I know, Ru. I know you would."

Yuhi does it because of his love for her. But what about Ru? If she tells Ru that she feels burdened by his strong feelings, she wonders how he would feel? Would it hurt him?

"Can I have a look at the score?"

"Ah sure." Sumire passed him the sheet of paper she had been scribbling on.

"Even now, when I see music like this, I have a hard time understanding it. But because you like it so much, Ki, I want to learn more."

H-he is truly saying stuff that renders her speechless recently. What is she supposed to do when he says stuff like this?

"Seeing this, I can see how much you like Yuhi."

At those words, her cheeks turned red, and she coughed. "Ahem, I thought you were already aware of my feelings. After all, you keep pushing for us to be together."

"That's true, but whenever you talk about Yuhi, you get a different look on your face."

"Eh? I look strange?"

"No, it's just-" Mamoru's words fall short when his phone rings. "Speak of the devil; it's like he knew."

Huh? Mamoru suddenly clicked the answer button and tossed the phone to her. Sumire quickly caught it.

"Uh?"

"Mamo-Sumire?"

Sumire felt her heart beat increase when she heard a familiar voice. Ah, wait- she quickly looked at the caller ID, and sure enough, it read Yuhi.

After admitting to Ru how much she liked Yuhi, she felt a bit self-conscious, so she quickly rushed to the balcony and closed the door shut behind her.

Sumire looked at the phone for a few minutes. Normally she would have just passed the phone back to Ru. That is what she has been doing since Yuhi went to Tokyo. But, recently, she hasn't been able to control her emotions. It should be okay if she talks to him for a bit.

The only reason why she held back this entire time was because she knew. If she had talked to him on the phone even one time, she wouldn't be able to resist. However, Sumire recalled Masaru's condition. If somebody that powerful has come to this town. Then it will not be long before she has to confront them.

She will either end up sustaining serious injuries or lose control, and her remaining sanity will vanish. Before she stains her hands with blood again, she wants to hear his voice.

"Sumire? Hey, do you not want to talk to me? I'll hang up."

"N-no, it's cause Ru was being nosy. I went somewhere quiet."

"I see, your together this late?"

Ah stupid-! Of course, Yuhi would find this strange.

"Uh, you see-" Her sentence fell short when Yuhi laughed. "D-don't tease me. I don't want you to misunderstand Yuhi."

"I know. It's the first time since I left, though, that you're giving me this privilege to listen to your voice."

"Y-Yuhi-I-"

"What is it?"

"-stop writing songs for me, idiot."

He laughed again. "I am relieved that you are listening carefully."

"Even if I don't, it's too obvious."

It's too obvious his feelings for her. She assumed after a year, Yuhi would no longer like her. Every day, they are apart from one another, and they meet new people. After each new encounter, the feelings he has for her should fade. But why? Even after a year, his feelings for her are so strong.

Perhaps Yuhi sensed her discomfort, but he quickly changed the topic.

"I keep hearing you on the radio recently. Does that mean you're going to debut?"

"Aha." Sumire laughed weakly. "Mm, something like that."

"Are you still frightened?"

Oh, he, not only has his feelings for her not vanished. But he still recalls stuff about her.

"Yes."

"I see. You know, it may seem strange to say this. But I have always liked your singing. It's fun to listen to."

It was just a simple few sentences, yet does Yuhi not realize how much impact his words have on her? If he knew then-

"Are you crying? Hey, don't cry so much in front of Mamoru. What if he realizes how pretty you are when you cry?"

"Oh stupid, even now, you are trying to flirt with me?" Sumire sobbed.

"Well, flirting over the phone sounds nice, but I'd rather do so in person. It's hard to make a move like this." Yuhi sounded genuinely frustrated.

But despite his frustration, Sumire understood that he would not appear before her unless she gave him the permission to do so.

"I still don't want to see you," Sumire muttered.

Right now, she cannot face him.

Yuhi sighed deeply. "You have no idea how frustrating this is for me. Ahh, why do I have to be a good guy? I want to see you. I want to hold, kiss, and do other stuff to you."

H-hold on a moment, what is he talking about? Sumire felt her face redden.

"Are you embarrassed?"

"Y-you-r shameless."

"It seems you are just noticing now. I should be offended."

Why? She wants to ask him why he likes her so much. But, if she does, she may run away again. She shouldn't ruin the moment.

"I am glad you are going to debut soon. I want to sing by your side quickly."

Her eyes widened at his words. He isn't just saying that to cheer her up either; he genuinely means it.

"Yuhi, you always encourage me."

"I do?"

"I remember it clearly, whenever I felt suffocated and wanted to sing. I would sneak out of class and sing in an abandoned outdoor stage area. When I look up, I hear somebody applauding, the sound of one person clapping. You would be there even with snow piling on your shoulders."

"I was immersed in your singing. It's quite embarrassing to admit, but when I listen to you sing, I forget about the world around me."

'The same, it's the same as how I feel when I listen to his songs. Yuhi and I are truly alike.' She has never felt so comfortable around another person other than him.