Promise

When she saw him working hard like that, it truly inspired her to do her best.

"You know, isn't that you admitting to stalking me?"

"I just watched you carefully, that's all. Hard work will always be rewarded. You told me that before. But, there are occasions when even when people try, their hard work is not repaid. Does that mean it's not meant for them? That's not it; people struggle to find what is better suited for them. In this instance, there are many musical styles. Yuhi, you worked hard to find what suits you best, and you became stronger. Your fans acknowledge that, and it reflects your situation. Your hard work was repaid."

"Then what about you?" Yuhi asked. "You're singing; you already know what your style is. You have put in plenty of effort too, but you're still holding back."

"Does it upset you?" Sumire laughed weakly. "I am sorry for being too weak."

"No, that's not it. I just want you to be happy, Sumire, and I know how much you like singing. While I may not understand your reasons well, I want you to know that you are not alone. Even if it isn't me, plenty of others are by your side."

"What if I say I only want you to stand by my side?"

"Then, I'd be more than happy." Yuhi trailed off. "For the two of us right now. I think it's important that we resolve any lingering issues. When we meet, that is when we will say everything we have been holding back."

So, even Yuhi admits that they cannot see each other now. She is a bit disappointed. But, he is in more pain than her. So she cannot be selfish and tell him to reconsider.

"When we see each other again, let me know your true feelings. Goodnight, Sumire."

"Yes, goodnight."

After those parting words, Sumire stared at the screen for a few minutes and sighed. Yuhi must have thought that the topic would become dangerous if they spoke any longer. If he loves her that much, how can he hold back?

'I truly do not understand romance.' But did Yuhi notice? Her rejection must have hurt him, but when they spoke, he asked her to tell him her true feelings. Perhaps he noticed something off about her rejection? She was fumbling with her words that day.

Sumire left the balcony area and returned to the room only to find that the bed was empty. Did Ru not go back to sleep? She scanned the room and saw no trace of him. But she spotted the guitar and score sheets carefully placed together.

The song she wrote for Yuhi, huh? It's one of many songs. How many songs has she written for him since he left for Tokyo?

'I want to see him. It's not enough just hearing his voice.'

Sumire felt tears fall from her eyes as she picked up her guitar again. She wanted so badly to tell Yuhi that she missed him. But she didn't trust herself. She would have confessed to him over the phone if they had continued speaking.

If she cried, he would have pitied her, wouldn't he? Yuhi is kind like that.

The truth is, she has kept a train ticket to Tokyo in her drawer since Yuhi left. She would renew it whenever it expired; over and over, she would buy that ticket. So if she ever finds the courage, she would go and meet him.

No matter how much she wants to see him, she has to hold back. But today, she broke that resolve after speaking to him only once. She feels like a mess. She kept crying but continued to write and play the guitar.

One day, if one day her songs could reach him. Would that make him smile?

...…..

After spending all night crying, she woke up with puffy eyes. But Ru helped her conceal it. He was very patient with her. She found him fast asleep on the sofa this morning. He didn't have to leave the room. It's not like Yuhi and her were discussing anything private.

Moreover, he didn't sleep properly since he slept on the sofa. Her gaze fell on Mamoru, who was walking by her side. She could clearly see the dark circles in his eyes.

Mamoru yawned.

"If you're still tired, you should rest in the infirmary later."

At those words, Mamoru beamed happily. "Are you worried about me, Ki?"

"O-of course I am." Sumire took out something from her bag. "Here, eat this."

They didn't get a chance to have breakfast since she overslept.

"Ki, this is expired."

"If you don't want to eat it, that's fine." Sumire walked a few steps ahead of him.

Recently she keeps showing Ru such embarrassing sides of her. Ru is not the type of person who would judge her. But, she hates being this weak and helpless in front of another person.

"Are you feeling better now?"

"A little."

"If you want, you can call Yuhi again."

"I won't." Sumire strongly refused.

When she woke up this morning, she recalled what happened last night and immediately regretted it. 'I was feeling too emotional after seeing what happened with Masaru.' But she cannot do that again.

She won't speak to Yuhi or see him.

However, 'after a year.' She is the one who told him that if she doesn't have an answer for him in a year. Maybe Yuhi would finally give up on her? Is that what she truly wants?

Their school is located on a large hill right beside the seaside. It's in a beautiful location. However, walking up this hill every morning is very exhausting.

"Even though you talked to him last night, you are being stubborn again." Mamoru sighed. "Well, it's better progress than before. Are you sure we should have left Masaru behind like that?"

"I wanted to leave before Atsuro came."

Mamoru's sweat fell. "Did you two fight?"

It's not that they fought, but he oversteps his boundaries for a doctor. It's quite obvious what he feels towards her. But, unlike when Daiki-sama confessed. She feels nothing but hollow and empty emotions. At least with Daiki-sama, she had some empathy towards him, but with that guy, it is different.

More importantly, she needs to hurry up and find who fought with Masaru. It would be bad if somebody else ended up fighting him. If Masaru ended up that way, then what about a normal person? It's frightening to even think that way.

Although people call her the underworld Queen, unlike Aki, she does prefer to stand by on the sidelines rather than do her duties as a leader.

One of the reasons for that she knew already what people thought of her. They are all Yankees, members of the underworld, but her strength is considered abnormal. People refer to her as a monster, somebody who is not human.

'They may not care for me, but I care for them. If there is something that will harm them, I will put a stop to it.'