Sumire gave up trying to go to sleep.

At least that was what he could hear from the other end of the phone.

Yuhi was just finishing up the meal when he hears a clattering sound, and a yelp escaped her lips. He chuckled softly. 'Clumsy girl.'

When he reached the room, he found her crouched in front of the attached room. A knowing ah escaped his lips when he saw her holding one of the scrapbooks in her hands.

Yuhi put the trolly aside and walked over to her.

"Yuhi...you like me."

"Yeah, I always have."

"I see, so I was silly for no reason."

"I wouldn't say that." Yuhi knew that their relationship would fall through. He did not want that.

The moment they get together, he swore never to let her go. That's why it would be bad if they got together then and broke up. He does not want to lose her even for a moment.

"I wonder if I just confessed earlier, then maybe Ru would not have had to die."

At that comment, Yuhi clenched his fist tightly. That's right, a part of him understood already. No matter how well they get along, there is still something wrong. She will always feel guilty about not confessing her feelings. This way, she will never forward properly.

'I can accept that she will always like Tsueno. But, will they be able to have a future like this?'

He should be fine, but his main concern is her. Yuhi wondered if she could do it. Could she bring herself to have a future with him?

At some point, the feelings of guilt will overflow. One day she will wake up and wonder why she is with somebody other than Tsueno. All those feelings of guilt will explode.

He has to get stronger for both of them. Yuhi walked over and pulled her to her feet. He leaned forward and kissed her softly.

"I feel so happy." She mumbled against his lips. "Yuhi."

"That's good. I want you always to feel that way."

After he said those words, he saw the tears in her eyes. 'She is in so much pain.' Even though she said, she was happy just now. Her heart must be a mess.

"Ssh, don't cry." He trailed off and kissed her forehead, eyelids, nose before he moved towards her lips again.

"Yuhi. Mmm, I--"

"I like you, Sumire. Stay by my side forever."

....

Whenever she leaves his side, he would wake up immediately. But this time, he slept for much longer than usual. Yuhi groggily got up and scanned the room. Not here, but he knew she would not leave. After all, he recalled her expression earlier. She cannot meet with others in that condition of hers.

He slipped on a white shirt from the bedside table drawer before he headed out of the room. A lovely aroma caught his attention, and he increased his footsteps. It did not take long before he arrived at the kitchen.

He was content watching her cook at first, but he got closer and closer to the current situation. He was hugging her tightly.

"It smells good." Yuhi didn't know what he was referring to. Sure the smell of food lured him in, but the main source of his words was her.

Did she put on perfume?

"N--not me." She muttered.

Yuhi, however, didn't listen and continued to search for the scent.

"Yuhi."

"Do you want to do it again? After we eat."

He wants to explore more, but her clothes are in the way.

"Oh." Sumire must have noticed since she seemed to flinch at his touch.

"No?"

Yuhi watched as the tip of her ears turned a gorgeous scarlet red color indicating her face was also the same shade. Oh, she is turning red. "Yes?"

She slowly nodded her head, and he chuckled. Sumire is very cute. Sometimes when she gets like this, he wishes nothing more than for her to live a normal life. Since she came here, he ensured she experienced enough normal moments. But, from now on, things will only continue getting worse for her.

Yuhi continued to caress her hair and hugged her tightly as she continued to cook.

This girl is the one person he will never let anybody else take from him.

It did not take long before she finished cooking. Soon they were both on the couch in the bar area, in front of the TV. Sumire pulled out a book she was reading from the previous day. But Yuhi took it from her hands.

"Uh?"

"Let me read for you."

Sumire laughed softly. "You're too much of a gentleman Yuhi."

"Well, I wouldn't say that so quickly." He slid his hands on her thighs. "I can still do this."

"It feels nice, though."

Yuhi blinked in surprise. "You sure?"

"I am... But it makes me feel nervous."

His eyes widened when he heard those words from her. Well, it's not like he didn't know already. She admitted several times since they started dating that she has weird desires towards him.

"Try to relax, take deep breaths. You trust me not to hurt you, right?"

"I trust you, Yuhi."

"Good girl." Yuhi continued what he was doing before, and small whimpers escaped her lips.

He wants to do something more, but she isn't in a good state right now. He wants to see more of her expression when she is pleased. He is the only one who has seen- Yuhi paused in mid-thought when he realized something.

"Sumire... Sano touched you like this before?"

"Mmmmm. It bothers you?"

"It does you and him..."

"Sumire..."

"There is no more me and him. Yuhi, I'm with you now."

'That's true. I need to stop freaking out when it comes to Nagawa.' Yuhi caressed her cheeks, and a content sigh passed her lips.

"Yuhi, is it okay for us to be like this?"

"...well." Yuhi trailed off. "You know how much I like you. Also, even if this is dangerous, those clothes look good on you."

Why does she own such a sexy-looking nightgown? Or maybe this is normal. At that comment, Sumire closed the distance and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yuhi, are you stupid?"

"Maybe."

"It's hard for me to write Kou's song like this."

"I know."

"It usually takes time for me to get back on my feet when I am this way. That's why I.."

Yuhi's gaze softened. 'She is such a clumsy person.' But this is one of the many things he loves about her.

"You want me to help you?"

"Yes."

Yuhi understands how important writing music is for Sumire. Normally musicians find it difficult to compose a song with another person. They are worried about superficial things like getting the song stolen or credit for it. They worry about the other person overshadowing their music.

Sumire's reasoning for never working with anyone wasn't those things. She knew she refrained from doing so other people wouldn't see her true self.

"Sumire, you know this is very dangerous." Yuhi was having a hard time keeping his hands off her.

Sumire sighed deeply. "I guess I should stop fooling around. I'll get my stuff from upstairs." She got off him and started to walk off, but Yuhi grabbed her arm.

"The song is important, but I want to fool around a bit more."

Sumire turned around and threw her arms around his neck again. "Then Yuhi-san, next time react faster."

The feelings she has when she writes her songs for those people important to her. Yuhi understood her mindset very well.

"Sumire, I love you a lot."

"I know."

Sometimes, when he holds her and sees such a blank look in her eyes, he wonders what she is thinking. Yuhi isn't surprised when she falls asleep; he scoops her up and lays her down on the couch.

'My precious Sumire, please never leave my side.'