Chapter 170 - No Regrets
"You already know the answer to that question you just asked. I still like you, Sumire. I love you a great deal. But if you were to ask me if my love can beat Yuhi's, or Ichinose's, I'd answer with a 'no.' Unlike those two, I won't be able to do anything grandiose in helping you.
Even though I can stand beside you when you're in pain, aside from that, then I won't be able to give you the comfort and love you need. Truthfully speaking, you knew even before I confessed and already crossed off of the candidate list right? "
"You're making it sound like everything was an experiment." Sumire pauses when she saw Shin's questioning gaze. "Perhaps it was something like that. At the end of the day, I ended up choosing an ending that's different from the original script."
She chose Yuhi. She didn't choose Arashi. She picked a more painful path, one filled with more thorns.
"I don't regret it even now, spending time with the five of you, those days were fun. Atsuro is working hard towards his dream. It was a lot of fun, and even now, I know your all supporting me. You probably didn't think I noticed it, but the ones that have been giving me support this entire time, I know who they are very well. Thank you very much."
Shin averts his gaze from her then. "Mamoru asked us to look out for you. But I'm sure he realized it then too, that even if he didn't ask. We would have eventually consented to it."
Sumire laughs softly. "Even though he planned our encounter. Aren't you grateful for it?"
"Yeah, your troublesome and a pain. But if I nor the others met you. We would not have gotten this far. Sumire, what are your dreams right now? Your Takahashi Yumi's student, but you don't have to follow in her footsteps, you know, isn't that why you left the Trio stars? "
"You know me well. What I am aiming for is something much bigger then what I've started already. But even then, despite my huge goals. I think I would still rush to Yuhi if he is in trouble." She trails off and laughs again, this time with flustered cheeks. "I said I would choose my dreams over love. But since I've been singing his songs recently, I'm starting to think so otherwise."
"So you will choose love?"
"No, there's no need to chose one anymore. If it's the present me, I believe it's possible. To combine them both and show everyone that I can become my very own star, shining brighter than everyone."
For the next few minutes, Shin didn't say anything, and suddenly they hear his phone's sound.
"Hello? Sumire? Yes, she is with me— why? Her phone?"
Right at that moment, she took her phone out to see the red battery symbol and dark screen.
"It seems to be out of battery... Huh? Yuhi?"
Sumire suddenly got a bad feeling. "What about Yuhi?"
...
Hospital - Two hours later-
Even on Shin's bike, it took them two hours to arrive. The entire journey, she felt anxious.
'I can't believe that idiot!' When she heard the news about Yuhi getting into another accident. She panicked and almost fainted. Thankfully Shin was with her.
She didn't waste any time and left Shin behind in the hospital lobby. She rushed up the familiar stairs of the hospital.
Sumire immediately burst into the room. Right at that moment, Yuhi was getting changed.
She immediately hid behind the door when she realized. But she caught a glimpse of—gahhh! 'This is why I need to stop acting so impulsively.'
"Hey, you came."
"Yes, um, are you fine?"
"Mmm, just a little scratch." Yuhi trailed off. "Come in here, help me."
'Help him?' What could she help him with?
"Bandages."
At that comment, she slowly opened the door again. The moment she did, Yuhi wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her ears. "Were you afraid?"
Sumire bit her lip. "I'm used to it."
After all, Ru was very careless. He always ended up in the hospital after picking fights with people. She thought Yuhi was more level headed, but it seems like that isn't the case here. 'Another foolish person.'
Yuhi kept kissing her, and a content sigh passed her lips. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yuhi..."
"Yeah?"
"Bed."
He chuckled and picked her up. The moment he did, she noticed a pained look emerge on his face. Sumire paused. "Put me down."
"It's fine." Yuhi carried her to the bed and placed her down.
She glanced over and noticed the bandage around his waist. She tugged on the material, and it immediately slipped off, revealing a terrible wound. Her eyes widened, and she clenched her fist.
"This—" It was worse than what she thought. But then again, would Hino sound so panicked if it were just a normal wound? To think this happened to Yuhi, Sumire did not know what to think.
She should have told him not to bother.
Yuhi cupped her cheeks. "Hey, don't cry even if it makes you prettier."
Sure enough, she felt her eyes water.
He bent down and kissed her eyelids. "Hush, it's okay. Im fine, Sumire."
"Yuhi, but I don't like you getting hurt," Sumire admitted. She understood that it was unavoidable, but this was still harsh for her. "This is the second time you ended up in the hospital because of me."
Yuhi kissed her again. "Mm, but I don't mind it. It's for you. Besides, I got the information I wanted before that woman vanished."
"She vanished?"
"Yeah, the hotel room, they set it on fire, but she suddenly disappeared."
Suddenly disappeared? Those people must learn the situation too late and headed there to stop it. They intended to silence Yuhi by killing him and dispose of the woman back in their organization. Yuhi must have understood since he nodded.
"It was a good thing the fire wasn't too big. I could get rid of it."
At that comment, Sumire stared at him. Yuhi just admitted that he also has an ability. But it does not seem like he will disclose what it is to her. Sumire did not want to surrender, but she knew this was not the time to inquire.
She placed her hand on the wound, and he flinched. "Hey, now.."
"Let me bandage it up."
Yuhi lowered his face and kissed her lips. "Mmmm, but first thing is first. I want to make sure your okay. I know this must bring back bad memories for you."