Eternal Melody

Chapter 2 - Beautiful

After running for a good few minutes, they eventually arrived at the back of the building. Sumire spotted a large item covered by a sheet. Yuhi let's go of her hand and walked over to it. The absence of warmth left her feeling strange. 'Odd...' But then again, Sumire wondered when was the last time somebody held her hand.

Her thoughts broke off when he moved towards her. She flinched slightly, 'will he try something?' This would be the perfect place in a dark alleyway like area, a small space.

Yuhi, however, shrugged his jacket off and draped it around her shoulders. "It's still winter."

"Thank you," Sumire muttered.

Yuhi nodded. "I'm taking you back."

"I'm not going with you," Sumire mumbled.

"Suit yourself; you will get caught by the police if you stick around here."

At that comment, Sumire bit her lip. She knew she couldn't argue back there. She glanced over at the motorbike curiously before she made her mind up. Yuhi passed her a helmet; their hands briefly brushed against one another.

Thump, thump. She felt the sound of her heartbeat increase. It was a peculiar sensation, something familiar and yet something foreign. A flash of maroon-colored hair appeared in her head, and she shook her head. What use is there thinking about it now? Didn't she come here to forget everything?

Sumire immediately pulled her hand back and snatched the helmet from him.

Yuhi sighed. "You know, I will not bite. I'm quite drunk, yes. But I won't attack you."

'So he admits to being drunk at least.' "You will not make a move on me? " Sumire said warily. "I'll have you know. I can pack quite a punch. So if you try anything funny."

"Gee woman, you don't trust anyone do you?"

At that comment, Sumire paused. Indeed she doesn't trust anybody at all. The only person she ever trusted was that guy, and now he is no longer around. It should be fine; he isn't a bad guy, right? Sumire hesitantly nodded and climbed on his bike.

Yuhi was already in position, and he pointed to his waist. "Hey, grab on."

Sumire looked away, "I will be fine."

"You'll fall off, don't be stupid."

She took a deep breath before she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Don't try anything funny."

"I already know what kind of reputation you have. Even I want to avoid crossing you." Yuhi said it normally, and yet Sumire sensed that he was making fun of her.

'It feels like he is mocking her.' She didn't bother replying as Yuhi started the engine, and soon they were on the road. Despite it being quite late already. Sumire noticed that so many people were on the streets. 'Indeed, this is Tokyo.' Even though this is a time where people should be fast asleep, a time where people should be sleeping, and yet the streets are lively.

A sea of bobbing heads, voices, groups of people everywhere she looks. Busy shops. The streets filled with multicolored lights. Her old town was in the countryside. So this was a new experience for her. 'It's beautiful.' The beauty of the city differs from the country.

In the countryside the air is fresh, surrounded by bright green fields and flowers. Over here, the sky seems polluted. Tall buildings and crowded streets. Yet, something is mesmerizing about all of this.

Her gaze fell on the man in front of her. Since they got on the road, he hadn't said a word to her.

She wonders what experiences he has had in a place like this. From her memory, Terashima Yuhi was an awkward kid who was terrible at talking to others. Then again, she wasn't any better either. This person, the experiences he has had since they last met and the people...

"By the way," Yuhi mumbled. "I didn't have dinner, do you mind if we grab a bite to eat?"

"Ah," Sumire nodded. "Sure."

'Dinner?' Sumire didn't even think of food. The moment she arrived here, she simply got off the train and wandered around. Thankfully she sent her luggage away to her accommodation; otherwise, she wouldn't have it by now.

It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. Yuhi immediately stopped the engine and parked his bike at the edge of a familiar building. 'Twenty four hour burger joint.' Her sweat fell when she saw that sign.

"I'll get you something too, stay here."

Sumire only nodded her head and sat down on the curb by the bike. Her gaze fell on her surroundings; in the distance, she watched the scenery. She could see the tall buildings much clearly now.

It's strange, but the place is so beautiful. Sumire didn't know what was wrong with her, but since she arrived in Tokyo, she couldn't help but stare at everything. It's almost like she is in a foreign country.

'No matter where they are, the sky will always connect us..' Didn't Mamoru tell her something like that? That guy told her many things, and yet... at the end of the day, he still left her, didn't he?

Sumire didn't realize when Yuhi emerged from the shop entrance until he placed something on her head. Sumire looked up and saw a small package.

"Here, you're eating too."

"Thank you. I will pay you back."

"You don't have to," Yuhi shook his head. "Sorry for getting wasted before you came."

'So he felt bad about that? It's nothing he has to feel sorry for.' Sumire didn't say a word and opened the wrapping. She hears the sound of rustling and found him opening his food too. It was only a burger, and yet when Sumire bit into it. 'It's so delicious.'

Is it the food that's delicious or, her gaze fell on the person by her side. Is it because of him? It seems like meeting him has stirred such strange feelings inside her. She wonders what all of this means.

.....

Iro Road High School - Tuesday 6th February 2015-

Iro Road High school, a specialized art and music academy.

The main reason why she entered this academy, despite the numerous art academies in the country, was for a particular person. She wanted to meet the person who did that painting.

The national middle school art competition, the name of the person in second place. 'Terashima Yuhi.' Ever since that day, their fates were already intertwined together. But she didn't realize how much she wanted to see him until she saw him again yesterday.

A deep sigh passed her lips as she crossed the courtyard. She was in a terrible mood, but her gaze fell on her surroundings.

It was a lively sight, groups of students working on their pieces. Statues, paintings, drawings, even using dance to paint pictures. There was no uniform, and everybody wore their own clothes. Such bright and vibrant clothing, she suddenly felt out of place.

"Hey, miss," a voice from behind her said. Sumire looked towards the source of the voice and saw a man with blonde hair tied in a bun. Sumire scanned him up and down and frowned. He gave of player like vibes. Is he trying to hit on her?

Sumire walked away.

"Are you the new student?"

She froze when she heard those words and turned back. "I am."

"Let me show you around. Or rather, I've been asked to show you around. Miss Ibuki Sumire, correct?"

'Great,' Sumire thought. Why did they ask such a strange guy to show her around?