Eternal Melody

Chapter 67 - Dating Stages

Why does a girl like her have so many scars? She was raised in luxury and was supposed to have everything. If her parents did not die from the accident, then perhaps Sumire would not be like this now. His thoughts broke off when Sumire slumped her head on his chest, causing his eyes to widen. "Even if you do this, you can't bribe me," Yuhi muttered.

"Mm, I guess not. But it is okay, Yuhi."

Okay? How can this be okay? Yuhi felt like screaming; he wanted to get angry at her. How could she think this is okay?

He took a deep breath and tried to turn his attention elsewhere. But his attention fell on the new injury. Yuhi did not know when "It's not your fault."

"I know."

"I'll be fine."

"I know."

"It's healing very well. It probably won't even leave a scar."

"I know."

He doesn't need a mark to be able to see it. Yuhi will regret it anyway. He was right there beside her, how could she have gotten hurt? How useless.

Yuhi quickly finished patching up her wound and wrapped it up. Sumire fixed her clothes and buried her face in his arms. "Hey, we need to go to school."

"Not until you stop sulking."

He doesn't want to sulk, but with the current situation, it was hard not to. His gaze fell on the adorable bundle in his arms. This girl is far too bold at times, but then again, so is he. Yuhi sometimes wondered if it was okay for them to get close like this. Is it truly fine when he is tainted?

Since Sumire came here, he has played the nice guy act. But for how much longer can he keep this up? He is the very opposite of a nice guy. Before she came here, he did terrible things. There were all sorts of rumors and scandals. But because of his ability, all those scandals get washed away. Since he is talented, people forgive him.

Yuhi always thought it was stupid. How could they forgive him even though he treated others terribly? Then again, the one in charge of his public relations team is the president himself. The extent of Hino's influence, even now Yuhi, could not measure it. How much does that guy know?

"Hey, Sumire?"

"Yes?"

"Do you mind if the president comes over for dinner today?"

Sumire raised her head. "I thought you wanted me to stay away from him."

He did, and even now, he still felt conflicted. But, Yuhi wanted the two to get along. Hino is a good guy. If it weren't for him, then he would not have gotten this far. The one who helped set up the agency is him too.

It would be awkward for him if Sumire and Hino were on bad terms with one another. If he ends up marrying Sumire in the future, Hino will be his guardian, so he wants them to get along.

Wait, what on earth is he thinking? Marriage? He can't even get to the dating stage.

But have they not passed the dating stage?

His thoughts broke off when he felt Sumire's gaze on him. She still wanted an answer. Yuhi squeezed her hands. He brushed his lips against hers. "We didn't end up eating anything. There is a good restaurant nearby here, should we go there? We can discuss the reports too."

While Sumire's attendance concerned him, he did not want to return to school.

...…The restaurant around the corner near the school was in a convenient location. It was away from the main streets. The two of them sat down near the window area and ordered their meals.

"I'm surprised you brought up food." Sumire trailed off. "Wait, don't tell me you skipped breakfast again."

"Yeah." Yuhi had no intention of hiding it.

Sumire shook her head. "You should have told me. I would have brought you something."

"Don't sweat it; we are going to eat now." He heated the tray. "You don't mind okonomiyaki, right?"

"I don't usually eat it, so it is okay with me."

"Hmmm, got it. You can grill other meat too, and if you want vegetable side dishes, you can order them."

"It seems like you eat out a lot."

Yuhi nodded. "I do more than before. Back then, I was so concerned about saving money. But now I have too much, and I do not know what to do with it."

"Did you try donating?"

"I do, once a month, to several charities across the city. But it feels like I still get a lot." Yuhi shrugged his shoulders.

For an eighteen-year-old to have so much money, it was unheard of. But he debuted when he was younger and has saved so much money since then. Debuting is one thing; succeeding is another.

A person can debut when they are young but not succeed. Does that mean the person should give up on their dreams? The answer is no. But for somebody who needs money, not succeeding after so long is very bad.

"That sounds like something you would do." Sumire glanced down at the reports in her hands. "This is very well put together, Yuhi; you weren't joking when you said you were investigating it."

"Well, those notes aren't mine completely."

Sumire paused and flicked through the pages. He watched as she carefully traced one of the pages, and he clenched his fist. "Mamoru helped me, as you can see."

"Yes, this is his handwriting."

For the next few minutes, nobody spoke, but his gaze remained on the girl. Yuhi hated seeing her this way. He needs to hurry up and get her to accept his confession, even if she does not fall in love with him immediately. He needs to get past the hurdle and date her.

Yuhi took a deep breath. "Hey Sumire, have you thought of dating me yet?"

Sumire glanced over and tapped her fingers on the table. "You're not doing the old fashioned, just accept my confession, you can gradually fall in love with me, are you?"