Take your time

"Cake!" Sumire said happily.

It didn't take long before she started eating, and after a few minutes the medium sized cake was already reduced to three quarters of it's original size.

"You certainly eat a lot don't you?" Masato commented.

"Practicing makes me hungry," Sumire said, taking another slice of cake. Ah, one bite of bliss every single time.

Moreover she didn't get a chance to eat breakfast properly since she overslept. The remaining time she had left, she focused on checking up on Ru, making sure he had eaten and taken his medication.

Masato chuckles. "That's true. You really do take all those lessons seriously."

"Now that I have been chosen for the concur, I have to be motivated. So all those lessons are needed. I have to show everybody why I was chosen."

It is unusual for a freshman in A class not star class to be chosen after all. Atushi came to this school under a special exchange program, so people assume that this concur is a way of showing why he was accepted. On the other hand, Masato is a genius pianist. There is no need to explain why he got picked.

"I see, aren't you doing the same though?"

Sumire sighs."When I can. I still have to work after all."

With the new case, she will be even busier than before.

'I have to visit the company and tell the president to hold back any offers I receive for a while.'

As much as she wants to focus on her dreams, the chaos that is happening in the underworld takes priority.

"How has he been doing your star prince?" Masato said.

Sumire coughed awkwardly."He's not my prince or anything like that. Aki-San is just my boss."

"I'm sure I've heard this before. Despite the age gap between you two, it's not unusual and well he does know you better than the rest of us do. Rather he confessed right?"

Sumire looked down."You knew?"

"Masarut old me."

Sumire sighed deeply. Of course he did, that guy gossips even more than a girl does.

"I see. You know I really don't think I'm cut out for it right now. Romance that is, I said this when I rejected Dai. I really do just want to carry on being with everyone else for now. I've never actually experienced it before, having proper friends. When I was in elementary school it was just me, Nao and Hijiri. I didn't have anyone else but those two. In middle school that's how it was at the beginning, until I moved and met everyone else. For the current me that's probably my most important thing, being with everyone. However I really do...still want to see that person again. Maybe then I'll come to a conclusion."

If she meets with Yuhi again after she chases her dreams, after she becomes somebody successful enough to be by his side. By that point, something would have changed right?

Her thoughts break off when she feels Masato tap her head. It's alright. You can take your time with this stuff."

"Yeah. I certainly hope that's the case." Sumire trailed off. "Toh is being very kind. The other day we had a conversation about our relationship, and he admitted that he knew I wasn't in love with him."

Masato raised his eyebrows. "I thought you were."

"Oh please, despite what it seems like I am not that fickle. The only person I have ever truly loved is Yuhi." She trails off. "But the two of us cannot be together. I will only stand in his way, that's why I have to move forward. If I am with somebody else, perhaps Yuhi can move on too."

At those words Masato is quiet for a few minutes before speaking up. He knocked her head lightly. "I will never understand your logic."

"Why does it sound like you're making me out to be a strange person?"

"Because you are."

"Hey!" Sumire exclaimed.

Masato pulls out a spare stool and sits beside her. "Let me accompany you."

Sumire's eyes brightened. "I haven't played alongside your piano in so long."

"Then aren't you lucky? This is an exclusive privilege just for you."

______

Atushi paused in front of the music room door before quickly exiting. He wanted to get some extra practice in, and heard that this music room was free to use since it's a bit further than the rest. But, it seemed like somebody, Sumire got to it before him.

'I thought she would be reluctant to participate in the concur because of her fear towards people. But, it seems she is taking it seriously.'

Seeing her that way, Atushi felt even more motivated. If he can't use one of the practice rooms, perhaps he can practice outside.

After walking for a few minutes. It did not take long before he arrived in the fields outside and takes out his violin from it's case.

Whenever he plays the violin, it reminds him of Sumire. It reminds him of the memories he should have long forgotten.

The current Sumire is different, different from the girl he first met, different from the girl he fell in love with. But after observing her for a few days, Atushi realises that no matter how much time passes by. There are some traits that will never go away. She is still in there, the girl he fell for and the current her? The current her interested him even more. He wants to get to know the present her and confirm whether his feelings for her will still remain. Or is he only in love and chasing after the shadow of her past self?

If that is the case, then he should leave here and never appear before her ever again.

A long time ago. He never thought he would ever ever, he never even dreamed it. That he would ever fall in love with such a quiet girl. No with such a loud, noisy and boring personality girl. It wasn't in his plans at all. Yet it came unexpected and slowly. Slowly he fell deeply in love.

*Unedited*