Eternal Melody

Proxy Connection Failed!

Proxy Connection Failed!

TOH

Sumire crouched over to him and she caressed the wound on his cheek. "Oh no. Are you okay?"

"That punch is from Yuhi." Hino suddenly said.

"Ah." Sumire mumbled. "So he knows."

"Call him Sumire."

With those words said Hino exited the room. Sumire stood up and followed Hino. For a moment Toh thought she had left, but later she returned with a basin of water and some cloths. Toh didn't move from the corner of the room. His entire body was in pain. 

Narasaki is a better fighter than he thought. 

Sumire walked back over to him and bent down. Neither of them spoke as she washed the blood of his face, and turned to the med kit. He watched as she patched up her wounds. The entire time he couldn't help but recall what happened between them. It really won't be the same anymore.

He won't be able to peacefully cuddle with her on the couch or sleep beside her without having odd thoughts.

"Don't you have to make a call?" Toh wondered.

What is she doing out here trying to help him?

Sumire bit her lip. "I'm sorry, you were only trying to help."

"He's right though, I took advantage of you."

"Even so, you've helped me. You've always done so. Toh, what can I do for you?"

At those words he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

"For now stay by my side."

He doesn't know what will happen to them. Will they truly solve this uncertain relationship before Terashima returns? Toh has observed Sumire's behaviour the past few days, and there is one thing he understands. Sumire still has feelings for him, even if it is something minor. What she feels towards him isn't regret for how they ended their relationship like she does with Nagawa.

No, it is something different. He silently acknowledges this and decided that he wouldn't tell her. He wants her to figure it out on her own. But recalling what happened the other day, Toh understood. There was no need for him to be so considerate.

Sumire knew, she must have known for a while now and yet she chose to bury it away. Because it's wrong, and he knew that too. He doesn't want to confuse her. Right now, her life is good. Her career is on the rise, she is in a good relationship with a man who cares for her and even has her own children now. 

'I can't become the third party and ruin everything, and yet I don't want to let her go without putting up a fight.'

Toh decided when he was abroad. If he returned to Japan and saw that Sumire no longer felt anything towards him, he would give up on her. However, a few days after they started living together. He concluded there was something there, something small.

 _______________________

A few days later, he was still stuck at home and healing from his wounds. Toh glanced at the mirror they had in the living room and inspected the injuries on his face. It's healing but, his gaze fell on his arm wrapped in bandages. Narasaki did a great job breaking his arm.

Speaking of Narasaki Hino, Toh watched as the man in question walked into the room. Narasaki's attention fell on his arm and the wounds on his face before bowing.

"I'm sorry, my reaction was uncalled for. Sumire really gave me hell for it."

"I see."

"Even if she didn't I would have done so." Hino trailed off and passed him an envelope. "It's not much, but I spoke to some of your clients on your behalf."

It takes Toh a moment to understand what he was talking about. Ah, so Narasaki really did study psychology in University. It was something he noticed when he conducted a background check on those who are close to Sumire.

"It helps, thank you."

Hino nodded.

"Does Terashima really know?" Toh decided to change the topic, as he placed the envelope on the table. He would have a proper look at it later.

"Yuhi was poisoned around the same time."

"Huh?

"I punched you, because you broke your promise and because I am frustrated." Hino trailed off and sighed deeply. "I should have been the one to help her."

Toh immediately understood. That's why Narasaki's behaviour seemed odd to him. It wasn't just anger he felt, but a deep sadness and regret.

"You can't always be there, isn't that what you told me?"

Hino nodded. "But I should have." He trailed off. "I should have been there for Yuhi too. I have always been by his side since his debut and shielded him from harm."

"Yet you chose to stay with Sumire."

"I chose to stay with Sumire." Hino repeated. "-and yet I couldn't protect her. What was the point of me staying behind and sacrificing Yuhi's well being, knowing that he has a large target on his back abroad and could have used me?"

The news that Terashima has a large target on his back abroad didn't surprise him. After all, he pays close attention to the rumors and any information on Terashima. Ever since he learned that Terashima was the one Sumire truly liked. 

Before Toh could respond to Narasaki, he hears the sound of shattering. He turned to the source and saw that Sumire who just entered the room had dropped some plates. Seeing the blood in her hands. Toh rushed over and wiped the blood away with a cloth, as he fussed over her. 

He motions Narasaki to explain. He also wanted to hear this. 

"What do you mean Yuhi was poisoned?" Sumire questioned.

"...."

"Hino." Sumire said sharply.

Narasaki then begins to explain how Terashima was ambushed back stage, right as he was about to perform. How there was conveniently no staff, and his team members had already gone on stage. 

The entire time Narasaki explained, Sumire started trembling. So, Toh ran his hands through her back. Sumire turned to him and mumbled a thank you as she took a deep breath.

"Takeyama was alarmed when Yuhi didn't appear on stage. But the one who found him was Iwa. It was Iwa who made an abrupt excuse to leave even though he was in the middle of an mc and rushed to find Yuhi."

"Was it a staff member? Did anyone check the surveillance?"

"Takeyama said the cameras in that part were broken. He didn't understand why Yuhi was on that side, he should have entered from the other side."

Toh frowned. He recalled the conversation he had with Hamano the other day. Hamano sent a picture of something Hyou4's third member had given him. It was evidence pointing to the Nagwa families eldest daughter as the culprit.

*Unedited*