Eternal Melody

It took a few seconds only after she asked before the boy told her everything. The long talk must have made him tired since he immediately fell asleep after their conversation ended. Sumire wandered around the mansion for a while before night fell again.

She waited until the right time; when it turned eleven, she sensed a presence in the kitchen next door. Sumire took a deep breath as she stood up and left the couch. Her gaze fell on the little boy fast asleep inside his little tent. He should be fine for a few minutes.

Even before he opened up to her, Sumire carefully watched over the young boy. She knew there were bedrooms in this mansion, but she would not fall asleep in those places.

The moment she entered the kitchen, she immediately spotted the intruder. For a moment, she stood there puzzled before she took a few steps closer. The man wore a hooded cloak, and yet huh? Isn't that the cloak she made for Yuhi? The only person who could have that is Hino.

Hino? Despite the darkness of the room, she could make out some of his features. Sumire recalled what Shin said to her earlier, and her eyes twitched annoyed. So he is going to go this far? If that is the case, Sumire took a deep breath as she called out.

"Intruder."

The man paused and flinched.

"Since I have caught you in the act, do you think I will let you go?" In the next second, she dashes over and punches his face. A series of blows came after that.

"Hey--hey wait Sumire--!"

"The intruder knows my name, so now they have upgraded to a stalker." She increased her attacks, and Hino struggled to keep up. "It seems you are quite strong, sir, intruder, but unfortunately, I have yet to get started."

At that comment, Hino removed his hood and held his hands up. "You know it's me."

Sumire continued to glare, and Hino sighed.

"I know you're mad, but let me explain."

"What is there to explain?"

"The reason why I'm keeping you here and why I lured you away."

Sumire paused before nodding. "I'm listening."

Hino took out an envelope and passed it to her. There were several enlarged photos of her inside Sano's house.

She blinked, surprised at the images. "How?"

"I don't think Sano realized it, but one of the women he slept with last wiretapped and put secret cameras around his house. Recently he said that he wanted to break things off, and she wasn't happy with it. So she checked the footage for blackmail and recognized you immediately."

"So she sold the news to the media?"

It was a typical story about jealous women who fought to get the attention of the men they like. But, she never intended to get so involved with Sano to the point that his old lovers would target her.

"Nor quite, she knew this single apprentice reporter. Luckily this guy is smart; he sent the images to me first and said he would strike a deal as long as I help him."

"So did you?"

Hino nodded. "Yeah."

"I see."

"I know you hate using underhanded methods, but this time around, there was no choice."

"Are you worried that there will be more?"

Hino nodded. "Just until I can safely clear them out, I need you to stay here."

"Is he alright?" Sumire recalled how frantic Sano was the last time they saw each other. "I'm worried."

It was a first for her to admit something like this regarding Sano, but she felt bad.

"His coping methods aren't the best."

"Ah." Sumire immediately understood. "I guess he is sleeping with other women."

"You know him well."

"Mmm."

"You're okay with that?"

"It's not like I have the right to complain."

Hino sighed. "You're still saying that. You know the reason Sano broke off all his other relationships is because of you. You told him that you couldn't take him seriously if he sees other girls."

"I just stated the obvious."

How can he whisper words of love while touching another woman?

"I'll pass on a message since I'm dropping by later."

"No." Sumire shook her head. "I think we need a bit of space away from each other anyway."

'Recently, he is losing control around me. If he likes me that much I can understand it to a certain extent.'

Moreover, it's not just him. "I miss Yuhi more than I think. I feel so lonely. I'm afraid that I may end up accepting San's advances due to the loneliness," She laughs sheepishly. "I don't want to do that, but when I end up in that state, I end up doing stupid things."

"Like with Kusaji Atsuro?"

"Yes."

"Like with that desig-" Hino paused in mid-sentence and covered his mouth.

Sumire rolled her eyes and sighed. "You know, for somebody who is supposedly on Yuhi's side, you sure do snoop around me a lot."

Hino looked troubled at her words.

"Am I wrong?"

"No, you are right, but you are way too blunt about this." Hino trailed off and sighed. "Listen, I am not against you or anything. I just—"

"You knew me when we were younger, and now you are trying to play the role of the white knight."

"You are cruel," Hino muttered. "When did you find out?"

"Just a few days ago, Shin mentioned it to me."

"I see."

"Do you know Eli?"

Sumire watched as his gaze dimmed at the mention, and she nodded. "Alright, I get it."

"Sumire, I just want to help you."

Sumire recalled what she told Shin a few days ago. She said that Hino lost his chance and that she could no longer rely on him as much as before. She will not go back on those words, but for now.

"While I am here, I will trust you."

This is all she can do for him, who betrayed her trust once. Trust is an odd thing; some people will trust a stranger over somebody they have known a long time.

When trust breaks, some will brush it off like nothing happened and continue the same manner as they did before with that person. But then there are those like herself who can no longer see bring themselves to trust that person.

"You're too harsh," Hino mumbled again and stood up. He picked up the bag from the ground and walked to the fridge. "I bought some more stuff. I don't know what that kid likes, though."

"Is there a reason why you are keeping the child here too?"

Hino looked away awkwardly. It looked like he didn't want to reveal the kid's identity, but she tapped her fingers against the counter. "You really don't want me to trust you even now? Just so you know, it is easy for me to find the exit."

Contrary to what she said to the young boy earlier, she knew how to get out. The only reason she stayed is because she figured the person who did this would eventually reveal themselves. So she did a stakeout after observing the patterns of when the items appeared. It is easy for her not to sleep for a few nights.