Eternal Melody

Chapter 796 To What Extent

?

'I know of Shin's feelings for me, and Tsurumi must know that too, and yet the girl confined in me regardless.'

To have another person trust her like this. It was an unusual feeling. But she doesn't want to lose it. Even if nothing ever happens between Tsurumi and Shin. At the very least, she can't make the girl misunderstand or feel uncomfortable.

Even so, this back, huh? Quite some time has passed since she last saw it. Somehow, it's comforting.

When she and Shin are outside in the courtyard, he immediately lets go of her wrist. 

"Sorry."

"Hm?"

"Atsuro just found out this morning, and I didn't get a chance to tell you." Shin apologized.

Sumire laughed, seeing his troubled expression. "You don't have to worry about it too much. It caught me off guard, but recently it seems like my past is returning to haunt me. Instead of running away, I want to face everything coming to me."

She no longer wants to run and hide. She is still afraid. But, bit by bit, she is gaining courage again.

Shin sighed deeply. "I suppose that is like you." He trailed off. "Are you coming to the concert tonight? Atsuro wants to use it as an opportunity to introduce you to everyone."

Suumire nodded. "Mmm, I binge-watched some of your concert footage and TV programs to get a general knowledge of your group's image. But, actually meeting everyone in person will be very different."

"Don't push yourself. I know you're not very comfortable with the idea of writing music for a third group."

Sumire raised her eyebrows at that. "The only one making this arrangement uncomfortable is Atsuro."

"You know what he is like when it comes to you."

At those words, Sumire sighed deeply. "That troubles me. Me and Atsuro are not a couple. He doesn't have to act so defensive about everything I do."

"But your okay allowing Nagawa Sano's behavior?"

"San's case is different."

She actually ought to check on him since it's been a while. It will do nobody any good if he loses control of his newfound abilities.

Moreover, she has already seen with his own eyes how far he will go to protect what he believes is his. In this case, it would be her.

Shin rolled his eyes. "I'm sure the first boyfriend is more favored."

"Why are you so irritated?" Sumire snapped.

"Isn't it obvious why?"

Sumire shook her head, and Shin suddenly stood directly in front of her. "Maybe I'm bitter because you haven't spent much time with me recently."

Neither of them said a word for a few seconds, but then she saw Shin's expression. He looked slightly uncomfortable, and she burst into laughter.

Shin rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, and he pulled away. "I am never trying that again. How does Yuhi do that and get away with it?"

Sumire giggled. "My dear's handsomeness."

"So, am I not good-looking to you?"

Uh, Sumire laughed awkwardly. "If I said that, I would be lying. You are obviously good-looking."

"Obviously, huh."

Sumire looked at him for a few minutes. Shin seemed genuinely troubled by this. So, she knew she couldn't joke about it any longer. 

She extended her hands out and patted his hair.

"I'm sorry for neglecting you. I have been quite busy. But you know how much I value our friendship, right?" Sumire emphasized the word 'friendship,' and she briefly saw Shin cringe.

Had this been Atsuro, he would have grumbled about that remark and not let it go. But Shin being Shin nodded.

"Sorry about that. The leader has been fussing recently. I guess I have caught his stress."

Sumire sighed. "You can't let him overwork you." She trailed off, spotting something rare sticking out from his bag. "Is that a magazine?"

"Yeah, I was checking the rankings."

 _______________________________________

TOP MALE IDOL RANKING 

_______________________________________

1: Terashima Yuhi

2: Ahoji Francis

3: Tachibana Masaru

4: Maon Kou

5: Matsumoto Atsu

As expected of her dearest! Seeing his name in that number-one spot just looks so perfect! Sumire made a mental note to grab a mental note of this magazine too. She wants to cut out the part with Yuhi's name and frame it.

Despite Shin's insistence that he was checking the male rankings, Sumire found a post-it note on the other page showing the female rankings.

_______________________________________

TOP FEMALE IDOL RANKING 

________________________________________

1: Takahashi Yumi

2: Shimazaki Annya

3: Shika Suzume

4: Maizono Ai

5: Ibuki Sumire (NEW) (+45)

Sumire stared blankly at her name. Huh?

"You jumped from the bottom to the top five, in just a month or so. Narasaki really does work miracles."

"Huh? H--how?" Sumire exclaimed.

"Narasaki probably failed to mention to you that the jobs he signed you up for include points that contribute towards your ranking."

Sumire looked at him in disbelief, she had no idea. Is that why he has been working her like a spartan manager recently? She looks at the rankings with a troubled expression.

"When did this magazine come out?"

"That is an advanced copy. You have at least a few days before the media bombard your doorstep."

"Thankfully, I am living somewhere else for the mean time. So, I won't have to experience that."

"About where your living-"

Sumire bit her lip before nodding. "It's with Toh."

A knowing ah escaped his lips. "Thought it was weird that Narasaki suddenly stopped showing up to his own house. He must have temporarily moved so he could be closer to you."

Sumire sighed. "I don't understand why. If he truly doesn't trust Toh, why does he allow this arrangement?"

"He probably thinks it's better than Nagawa."

Recalling what Toh told her, she sighed again. "I wonder if that reasoning is enough."

"Also, he probably wants to keep an eye out on Mashima's movements."

At Shin's words, that had a hint of suspicion, she frowned. "Toh is on my side. He won't betray me."

"That may be the case. But, like you said, he is on your side. He won't hurt you. However, will that stop him from hurting others?"

"Shin-"

Shin extended his hand out and lightly patted her hair. "It is understandable that you want to trust him. But until we have enough evidence. Our allies will treat him as an enemy. I hope you understand that."

"I do." Sumire mumbled.

Despite her insistence that Toh is a good person. Sumire has only ever heard him say that he is on her side. Shin is right. There is no guarantee that he will protect their friends if they were ever in danger. Or help them when they are in need. 

'I have to find out. To what extent will he go to betray Lucifer?'