Eternal Melody

"Did Nagawa Alphard ever approach you?"

"There was a short time where they granted him leave from the center abroad, and he returned here. It was due to a relatives funeral, so they permitted him." Sumire sighed. "That man hadn't learned his lesson; when he heard about me and San dating, he tried to trick me."

Yuhi quickly recalled something she told him before. "Wait, are you saying he was the one who hit you?"

"San indeed hit me once, but the other times was his brother. San has gone through a lot of emotional turmoil. I am surprised that he can still live life normally despite all the discriminatory behavior against him. How can somebody still have faith in humanity even after being stabbed in the back several times?"

"He isn't a bad guy," Yuhi concluded. "But all of those pent-up emotions led to him hitting you that one time?"

"Mm."

"It seems there was a reason for his cheating, too, hah."

It all makes sense now. Sano's behavior towards Sumire was unusual. Yuhi observed it for a long time, hoping to get some huge clue. 'I wanted to know if he could be an ally.' Atushi informed him that Sano was a member of that side, and Hino confirmed it. But now that Sumire is involved, surely something would change. So he wanted to see what the man would do.

"I understand that you may still dislike him. But everything happened for a reason." Sumire trailed off. "I came here to tell you today, Yuhi, that I am going to meet Nagawa Evan."

Yuhi blinked, startled at her words. "Why?"

"I want to have a full understanding of the deal San made with those people. It seemed the one handling the issues with that organization is San and not the eldest son, which is peculiar."

"That does seem strange. Do you want me to come with you?!"

Sumire shook her head. "I just wanted to inform you in person and see how your meeting with Raizo went."

"Well, he told me a lot." Yuhi pointed to the documents Asuka left earlier. "In there contains everything including your medical reports. I'm going to head back to the bar and read through it."

"My medical reports," Sumire repeated before sighing. "San had a hard time dealing with Raizo. Did you know he brought his troops into the hospital?"

Yuhi's sweat fell when he heard those words. He did think it would be something like that, but to think that his theory came true.

"Even if Nagawa didn't do those things and there was a reason for the cheating. Sumire, he still hurt you, so I hope you understand why I feel hostile towards him." His thoughts broke off when he felt Sumire's lips on his.

"Mm, I understand, thank you."

'Is that how she will thank me from now on?' Yuhi didn't dislike the idea. But sometimes, he wishes she would give him some type of warning. Asuka did find a quiet spot in the courtyard, but there were still people around; many had seen this brief kiss just now.

Yuhi squeezed her hands. "Will you come home after?"

"I will, but if I take too long, just have lunch without me."

__

An hour later, at an apartment complex on the other side of town.

Sumire sat opposite a man with mid-length golden colored hair. He wore casual clothes. "I apologize for intruding on you during your day off."

She initially went to his office, but his secretary informed her that he had a break today. 'I would have left, but after I gave my name, it seemed sir Evan wanted to meet with me.'

"Not at all. I have meant to be in touch."

"I already learned from Ren how you helped me out back then; thank you very much." Sumire thanked him.

It was only because of Evan's testimony that she could get that restraining order and things proceeded smoothly.

"It was the least I could do."

"Did you feel guilty?"

"Yes." Evans nodded. "It should have been me. I should have been the one to make those sacrifices for the family, not Sano. But I ran away."

Right, she heard about it in the news shortly after she broke up with Sano. There was a report that the Nagawa family heir gave up his fortune, and he went off to study abroad. It seems he returned earlier this year even more successful with his own business independent of the Nagawa family.

"The reason being?"

"You already know how my family is like. This was something that happened before Sano dated you. But there was a girl I liked, and we entered a relationship. However, because of the girl's background, my family did not accept her. They hurled all types of verbal abuse on her and even interfered in her work. It was an extreme case of bullying."

"I think I heard about it on the news, she attempted suicide, but you managed to save her, correct?"

"Yes, but she gained a fatal injury. It seemed the cause was my mother, and she barely got onto the roof."

Sumire frowned at those words. "It does not seem like they punished your mother even though the incident happened after meeting your mother."

"It is as you say. I was barely able to tolerate it, but then you came along. You resemble her slightly, and I could tell my brother cared for you. The reason I ran away from the Nagawa family is because of-" Evan's trailed off when one of the doors opened.

A woman with long straight caramel-colored hair wearing a lilac-colored poncho and white dress came in a wheelchair.

Sumire's eyes widened, recognizing the girl from the news report.

"I heard we have guests. I brought some tea."

"Veronica." Evan's tone was gentle as he stood up and walked over to where the girl was. He took the tray from her. "You didn't have to do this."

Veronica chuckled. "I am alright. I also wanted an autograph; that's Sumire-chan, right?"

"You ran away from your family to be with the woman you love. I have to say I am impressed." Sumire commented.

At those words, the girl looked flustered. "I guess you were talking about it?"

Evans nodded. "We were."

In the end, Veronica joined them. Sumire could not miss the way Evans looked at her. It was the same look that Yuhi-san would give her. Look at this Sano; look how nice it is breaking free from all those rules and restrictions.

'If San could leave the Nagawa family and find someone he loves, he would be this happy too. I wouldn't have to worry anymore.'

She has tried suggesting it to him thousands of times, but he always stubbornly told her that he wouldn't abandon the family as his brother did.

Evans had to take a phone call, so he stepped out for a bit, leaving her with Veronica.

"Are you surprised I still remained with him despite all the abuse from his family?"

Sumire nodded. "I am, actually." Normally in those situations, one wouldn't try to get involved with the other person anymore.