Eternal Melody

"You know, whenever you kiss me like this, it feels like all my accumulated fatigue vanishes entirely. Even without sleeping for three days, I can still put in the effort-" He loosens her dress slightly.

"Effort into what exactly?" Sumire questioned.

"You know, stuff," Yuhi replied vaguely. Does he truly have to spell it out?

Sumire hits him across the head with a toy hammer. 'I haven't seen that in a long time.' She used to bring it out a lot before they dated and when they first started dating. Even if it is a toy, due to Sumire's strength, it actually hurt when she hit him.

Yuhi rubbed his head. "I don't know what's worse, that hammer or your solid punch."

Sumire raised her fists. "Do you want to find out?"

"No, thank you, mam."

"Honestly, sometimes I wonder what goes in your head."

"We spoke about this before, and you already know my answer." Yuhi paused. "But I suppose right now I am thinking about our future."

"Our future?" Sumire repeated.

"Yeah. With the Black Alice organization making a move now. It's hard to predict the future. However, even if we defeat them, the damage from their actions will probably last a long time. The ongoing fight with them will last a few years. In that time, even without interference, they will no doubt cause damage."

"Are you saying we can't have a normal future as normal people?"

Yuhi nodded. "At the end of the day, whether we like it or not. The two of us are in a position where we cannot just drop everything to focus on our lives. I am aware that I could only live a normal life for two years because of you and Mamoru shouldering the burden for my sake."

He always found it strange. Quitting the underworld isn't easy; even Aki said something like, 'you will be back.' Considering how many enemies he made, he found it strange that nobody chased after him. Nobody chased him even when his identity as an underworld member was exposed to the media.

During that time he discovered Sumire's increasing activities in the underworld and how even Mamoru joined the Holy Knights. He then realized, 'ah so this is it.' As long as Sumire and Mamoru continue their involvement in the underworld, they can turn a blind eye to his behavior.

With the 'loss' of Mamoru, it makes sense that they are once again turning to him. But even that didn't start until Sumire's brief disappearance.

She must have planned to shoulder the entire burden on her own.

The reason why they can't escape the underworld is because of their strength. They have power that far surpasses a normal human. Naturally, the higher-ups in the underworld will not let that go.

"Noblesse obliges," Sumire mumbled. "Those with power have the duty to protect the weak. It would be wrong of us to ignore the rest of the world who is suffering. Is that what you're trying to say?"

"Yes. The past two years have been peaceful for me, but I have been thinking in the back of my mind. While I am living a normal life, there are those suffering, and then you shouldering the burden for me."

"You found out," Sumire mumbled.

"I did, but I asked Mamoru to confirm for me." Yuhi reached over and pinched her cheeks. "Partner, weren't you the one who lectured me about not fighting solo before?"

"I know, but there were times Ru was busy. The two of us basically ran around everywhere. There was the mess that Akishima caused too. Although there are plenty of strong people in the underworld, only you, me, ru, and Aki have unusual strength. Four people out of millions? There is no balance."

That's why he found it unusual that he could quit easily for the first few months after quitting. He was cautious and on his guard. It won't be long before people chase him, and yet that never happened.

Yuhi lightly kissed her lips. "Thank you for working so hard for me. The past two years must have been difficult. But you don't have to worry anymore. I will stand right by your side."

"I know," Sumire mumbled. "There was a time when I thought that no matter what happens, I do not want you to get involved."

"I remember how stubborn you were at the start."

Sumire sighed. "All I can say is sorry for my behavior. I didn't try to understand what you were feeling. I simply believed that I had to continue protecting you from harm so you could continue shining brighter. But, whenever I watched you, there was a part of me that was envious. That looks nice. I also want to shine like that."

"So you became selfish."

"That's right, and also, I was at my limit too. Even a person like me cannot handle everything alone. Mentally and physically, I was tired of doing everything by myself." Sumire trailed off and chuckled. "My walls were crumbling down, and you were behaving so kindly. It was hard for me to ignore your kindness."

"When did you start to think that you could rely on me?"

"Hmm, I think it was during the festival exhibit."

"That early?" Yuhi awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "I thought it was much later, you know after you returned from your running away trip."

"Mm, I suppose that was the moment I just surrendered completely. But during the festival, I realized that working better as a team is better than being alone."

"Even if we cannot lead completely normal lives. I want you to understand that I still plan on making you the happiest girl in this world."

Sumire laughed. "You don't have to tell me that. I understand, Yuhi." She trailed off. "Hey, since this is a good chance. Can you tell me more about yourself?"

"What would you like to know?"

"Why did you join the Holy Knights organization? Why did you come to star town?" Sumire asked.

"My main reason was you, but there was another one. Star town is my birth town. I was born in that town. But due to my circumstances, I didn't stay here for long. My childhood memories of this place were rather vague, but the person who cared for me said that I should at least come here once. 'Your mother would want that.' By this point, I was already in the entertainment industry, and my career was taking off. I already had the world in my hands then. Was I ten or eleven then?"

He had the world in his hands, being successful at a young age. He didn't have to worry about not having a roof on his head or money. He didn't lack anything, and yet he felt empty.