After the waltz, Sumire felt drained, so many people congratulated her and swarmed her. She somehow managed to slip away, but she knew they were still looking for her.

It was a good thing she managed to slip away since right that moment; she felt sick.

'I should have prepared for this.'

After all, for the past few days, she hadn't been in the best of state. Sumire managed to go outside and headed to the outdoor sink area. She turned the faucet on and watched the waterfall; she lifted the sleeve of her dress to reveal the red wound.

It's happening again; it's happening all over again. It was going to happen; it's only natural it would happen with such a nightmare like that. That and Sumire lifted her arms; she has become so frail. Even wearing a dress like this won't be enough to hide it.

Unfortunately, she cannot just go home without saying anything to Hino. Hino is most likely with the other reporters. 'I don't feel like doing an interview.'

People will notice right away, and all her efforts would go down the drain.

Despite being so strong, her looking frail and fragile was common knowledge for those who knew since elementary and middle school.

In high school, in the present, it was different. Though she knew there were loads of people who disliked her, unlike before, it's different. The people here are nice and although there is still the typical jealousy and envy.

This place is warm; the place that guy created is warm. Something filled with all sorts of emotions, and yet to her, it is beautiful.

Sumire lifts the mirror inside her bag and manages to take a glance at her reflection.

Her skin color was devoid of its usual glow replacing it with a sickly white color. Her arms looked more fragile and slimmer if possible. She laughs quietly to herself; this isn't good after all. She doesn't have any strength at all, even though she resolved herself to come here.

'It is a good thing the performance is over, but I still have to do some interviews. But in this state, it seems to be a difficult feat.' She has to get back.

But the moment she thought such things was the moment she lost her balance. She won't make it.

Everything around her became a blur. However, before she could fall, someone caught her arm; despite her weak state, she could tell who it was.

It could only be one person. "My dear?"

"Idiot."

Sumire laughs lightly. "That's how it is."

He doesn't respond to her and scoops her up in his arms instead. Sumire knew better than to protest since she didn't have much of a choice right now.

So instead, she took advantage of it and buried her face in his neck, inhaling his sweet scent.

"You surprised me Yuhi-san."

"Ah, you mean when I kissed you?"

Sumire felt her cheeks color at the memory. What was he thinking kissing her on stage like that for people to see? He must be crazy!

"Are you sulking because I used my tongue? You know it/s hard for me not to use it."

Gah, why is he describing the details? He must be doing this deliberately! Yuhi chuckled, and she sighed deeply. "Why do you keep behaving so strangely, Yuhi?"

"Hmm, strange?"

"Recently, it feels like you like me more than you did before, and you look at me with such a tender gaze. Also, you spoil me more."

"The last two, I already did a lot; you just didn't notice."

That feels like a direct jab. Indeed at the start of their relationship, so many things happened, so it was hard for her to focus on just him.

"The first one?"

At that comment, Sumire felt him grab hold of her hand.

"The first one is right; I love you more than I did previously."

'Even though I used the word like, he used the word love so easily.' Then again, Yuhi isn't like her; he does not hesitate to openly display his affections.

"You always make me feel so guilty; you know I can't say those words so easily."

"I know, but that is fine with me. I already told you to take your time; you do not have to rush Sumire. Also, I am worried about your condition."

"I'll be fine, Yuhi. You don't have to worry. I'm stronger than I look, remember?."

Yuhi moved away from her slightly and turned so she couldn't see his face. But Sumire knew what was on his mind. Normally it is hard to get a read on his emotions, but he has these moments where he slips up.

"You've always been like this. Whether it was back then or now, some traits of you remain the same. When I first saw you again, no, it wasn't exactly the first time I saw you since we parted that day. I saw Nanairo feather's broadcast. Even though it was only a glimpse, there was already something about you that seemed different. After I saw that, I felt very frustrated."

Sumire laughed softly. "Right, you watched that."

"I was confused, and for the longest time, I didn't understand it. I was jealous of those guys, and yet the main source of my frustration was mainly directed at myself. Even though I had become an idol, none of my performances had ever shined that way. During that time, Hino found the songs you wrote for me and encouraged me to use them. At first, I wasn't sure about it. After all that had happened between us, I didn't think that using your songs would be right anymore."

Sumire cuts him off as she shakes her head. She managed to muster whatever strength she had left to walk in the direction of the tree in front of the building. Right at that moment, she felt a gentle breeze blow against her cheeks.

"No. Yuhi, you misunderstood."

This fool has no reason to be jealous or frustrated. After all, even back then, the person who gave her strength was him. It was only because of him that she could get this far.

"It seems like fate. Before I met you, the songs I wrote were rather bleak and dull. Someone had once told me directly that the songs I write had no soul. When I first heard that, I thought, ' Aaah, that guy is the worst.' But I understand what he meant. It wasn't until I met you that I realized what I was missing."

Sumire felt a pair of familiar arms hug her from the back. "You know I like the bag hug; it makes me feel safe and protected."

"I know; that's why I like ambushing you whenever you're cooking."

Sumire took a deep breath and continued. "There was somebody who could play such carefree music. It was such a reckless way of playing, and yet when I first picked up the music sheet that day, I realized that I wanted to write lyrics for the person who wrote such a fantastic song."