Eternal Melody

Chapter 809 Red Feather Part 11

?

There is a simple solution to all of this. Instead of her learning how to open the space up, he should work on his training and get stronger. If he does, then he won't feel so drained. 

'I have been slacking on using my hanyou abilities and my flames since meeting Sumire. I knew about her memory loss; she forgot about herself being a hanyou and an evolved human. I didn't want to overwhelm her with too much.'

For him, what was the most important was making sure she healed. To make sure she could smile again. Now that she can finally smile naturally, he can return to what he did before she came.

Return to the days when he would train daily to strengthen these monstrous powers inside him.

His thoughts break off when Ran sits down beside him. At first, neither of them said anything but then Ran spoke up.

"So, do you two do that often?"

At those words, Yuhi coughed. "Not often, just recently."

Yuhi already knew what Ran wanted to ask, but he didn't think he would be so straightforward about it.

Recently Sumire has become more comfortable being affectionate. Maybe it was because they were apart right now. Maybe it was only because they couldn't meet frequently. But, Yuhi wanted to take advantage of every single minute of it. 

Ran nodded like he understood. "She's become comfortable being with you. That's good."

Yuhi raised his eyebrow at that. He knew Ran didn't dislike him anymore and even considered him a friend. However, Yuhi knew how much Ran liked Sumire.

"Look, it's true that I still like her. But I really won't do anything now. If Sumire is becoming comfortable with you on that level, why would I take that from her?"

"Do you think it's just limited to me?"

Ran nodded and bit his lip. "Once, I kissed Sumire- well..something like that in front of other people, and she trembled so badly."

At those words, Yuhi frowned. He didn't hear about that. Nobody told him.

'Of course, they wouldn't. I would have rushed over and ripped Ran's throat out.'

"I know she has treated me like a friend regardless, but I know that incident caused an invisible wall to be between us."

Yuhi, however, had long stopped paying attention to Ran's words. All he could think of was Ran assaulting Sumire in the hallway, his lips forcibly on hers, and all those stupid bystanders just watching, gossiping while she was there helpless. Silently begging anybody to help her.

He punched Ran.

Yuhi knew it must have taken him a lot of courage to admit this in front of him, and he may genuinely be sorry.

But considering the timing, considering how she was back then, and how she behaved at the start of their relationship. Yuhi knew how frightened she must have been.

Takeyama, who had been arguing with the directors, suddenly turned his attention to him.

"Yuhi? What are you doing?" Takeyama said, alarmed.

"Cancel the dammed job. Or let them go on without me. I can't sing with that piece of garbage right now." Yuhi snapped and walked away before Takeyama could even say anything. 

He was out of the building before long and exhaled deeply. He must get away from here and not return to the mansion for a while. 

Yuhi's thoughts break off when somebody passes him a drink.

"So, I came here to support you, my friend. But, I saw a fight instead."

This person giving him a drink and talking right now is Kakeru, his old friend. His friend that was supposedly killed by a man called Akishima. A few weeks had gone by since he found him, but he still couldn't believe it.

'I definitely saw his dead body. But this is truly him. If so, then whose body did he bury? Whose remains were those?'

"Take me to a ba-" Yuhi paused in mid-sentence and corrected himself. "Is there a quiet place I can stay?"

He knew returning to the mansion would only lead to Takeyama breaking his doors down and asking for an explanation. The problem with staying elsewhere, however, is the security.

Kakeru's lips curved into a grin. "I know just the place."

….

The safe place Kakeru brought him to was 'his home' on the outskirts of town. It was a shack. No, it was a warehouse beside the sea. Indeed, this is a safe place. Safer than booking a room at a hotel or a room in a bar. But, Yuhi looked at his friend with mixed feelings.

"You live here?" Yuhi emphasized on the here.

Who lives in a warehouse? 

Kakeru laughed. "Despite what it looks, it's very uncomfortable. Come inside."

Yuhi reluctantly followed Kakeru inside.

The inside, thankfully, didn't look as bad as the outside. Yuhi plopped himself onto the couch as Kakeru explained where everything was. After his explanation, Kakeru suddenly received a call. His expression gradually turned dimmer and dimmer.

"I understand. I will go there right away." Kakeru shakes his head. "No need. I will take my bike and go."

Ever since they met again, Yuhi has tried to keep his questions to a minimum. However, to say he wasn't suspicious of him is one thing.

Kakeru turned to him and clasped his hands. "Sorry, I intended to show you around properly. But I have to go to my part-time job. Somebody called in sick."

'That's not what it sounded like to me.' Yuhi, however, kept those words to himself and nodded.

"It's fine. I hope you don't mind me raiding your fridge."

Kakeru laughed. "I just went shopping the other day, so it's full."

Kakeru left after a few more words and instructions on where he could find certain things. This would be a good opportunity for him to sneak around and confirm his suspicions about whether or not his old friend is truly on their side. However, he was too tired. 

Yuhi returned to slumping on the couch and stared at the ceiling. Even if he doesn't close his eyes, he always thinks about Sumire. He is always thinking about her.

It's almost like she cast a spell on him. All he thinks about twenty-four-seven is her. Her beautiful eyes, her bright smile, and her laugh- her laugh that feels like the spring on his winter day. 

The urge to paint suddenly hit him and Yuhi looked around the house for anything to use. Seeing some wall paint on the corner of the room, he sat up. That will have to do.

He finds a mat and sets it on the ground before pulling out some pages from his sketchbook. It would be nice if he could use something larger, but this will have to do for now.