Chapter 174 - If We Realized It Sooner
He guessed immediately that she thought of Ru; and that something happened with Arashi too. Who would have thought that she would find someone who could read her like an open book like this? What a strange twist of events this is.
Terashima Yuhi, without a doubt, is a completely different person then Ichinose Arashi, that was something she had already longed established. But it still surprises her how different they are—seeing even the small difference between the two. How is it that both of these guys who are polar opposites to each other managed to draw her attention?
Others have said many things about her. Some terrible rumors - some that label her as a wicked woman. But to her amazement, those two never feared her. What's more, they treated her like a normal girl. In the end, Sumire could never tell if they were slow or had a screw loose.
Oh, she probably just looked weak. They probably thought that they needed to come to her aid and protect her from danger.
How hopeless, did they both want to play hero? But even if that's the case, those two have always believed in her strength too. Both Yuhi and Arashi, they've always believed in her. But if she thinks about it now, she chuckles to herself. Being a hero certainly doesn't suit a wimp like Arashi; and Yuhi, now that's even more of an amusing thought.
"Hey, if your smiling like that to yourself. I'm going to start thinking about your kiss with Ichinose."
Sumire blinked when she heard those words. Did somebody tell Yuhi about that? The kiss she shared with Arashi before she left.
She shouldn't give him too much leeway. "Who knows? It was quite the romantic kiss under the cherry blossoms."
"A kiss under the cherry blossoms, eh? Well, I have better ideas."
The brunette doesn't get a chance to say anything to him
as Yuhi gently pulled her chin up with his hand and grabbed her waist with the other. Sumire looked at him and waited until their lips collided; first, he grazed her lips intending to tease her. He gradually applied more pressure until he finally stuck his tongue inside.
There was something gentle about the way he kissed her. She slipped her hands onto his shirt and tugged on the material. A hum of approval escaped Yuhi's lips, and she bore her nails underneath- feeling his skin. Yuhi also did the same. She felt the cold air brush against her stomach as Yuhi touched her breasts.
Before it could get any more heated though, they both see people approach from the corner. Sumire immediately pulled away from Yuhi. W-what was she doing there? It took her a moment to realize what just happened.
"How about that? A kiss under the winter stary night."
Eh, star— Sumire glanced up indeed to confirm her boyfriend's words. Right above them was a gorgeous night sky; the small sparkling white lights caught her attention. "Uwaahhh, it's so beautiful."
"Hey hey, no comment about our passionate kiss just now? Che."
Sumire chuckled at his expression and reached over to kiss his cheek, clearly surprising him. "Thank you, Yuhi."
"You know, I'm starting to think you're messing with me."
She blinks and tilts her head in confusion at his words. "I am?"
"You just admitted it. Well, that makes you a good woman."
Sumire smiles at his words, "What happened to the insults from last time?"
"Aah? Those? I've forgotten it already. Besides, I've seen enough now. Your beautiful Sumire, so beautiful." Yuhi trailed off. "-whether you stood on stage and sang or when you paint, even when you talk to someone. In my eyes you're always sparkling and shining so very brightly. Your stage was very impressive. Even if I'm jealous that it was because of Mamoru that your wings released. Those bitter emotions disappear when I think of your stage."
Her eyes widened when she heard those words. So that was what he thought of her stage during the festival?
It took her a moment before she finally replied to him. She did not know how to react to his kindness. "Thank you for the compliment Yuhi."
Even now, it is difficult for her to sincerely thank somebody. But things are getting better.
She will treasure everything he tells her.
"Silly girl. I will say them as plenty of times as you want. "Yuhi trails off. "You know back then, I didn't think I would continue with music. I was 'content' with just composing. I didn't want to get attached to another group last time. Touko and Morris betrayal aside, I realized that I became too attached when I was in that group. A person like me who is completely different than the rest of them.
One day I would end up hurting them with my actions. So when Touko and Morris betrayed me, I may have been shocked. But I understood right away,' ah, so it's time now. 'Because I got caught up in my surroundings, I didn't properly take care of Touko. It's only natural that her feelings would sway towards someone else."
"But Yuhi, weren't you working hard for you to be with Touko-san? I think it's unfair for you to put the blame solely on yourself. Touko-san knew that you over-exhausted yourself because you were working towards a future with her. It's true that you probably overdid it slightly. But I don't see anything wrong with what you did. If she loved you, she would have waited for you."
Yuhi sighs deeply. "You and that positive mind set of yours. I wonder where it comes from. I don't remember your parents being so level-headed."
"Is it bad?"
"No, I've always liked that about you."
Wah wah, did he just say --- Yuhi, is he doing it on purpose? She really doesn't know anymore. Her heart won't stop beating. That's right, even if her actions may seem selfish to others. Her heart already chose this person. From the very moment they met, it could only be Terashima Yuhi for her.
"Honestly speaking, I don't know exactly why she cheated on Morris with me. If she felt unsatisfied and neglected, she could have easily reached out and told me that. She didn't have to date my best friend behind my back."
Even though she knew him longer than his ex-girlfriends, they spent all that time together. She couldn't aide him even though she was beside him.
Sumire wondered if those people knew. The truth was she watched Yuhi since a long time ago. Although she was dating Ren then, she still liked Yuhi. She could never directly help him. But during the times he had fallen asleep, she would warmly give him an embrace.
"Sorry." Yuhi suddenly said.
She looked at him, puzzled. Why did he suddenly apologize?
"Is this topic disturbing you? It's negative."
Sumire shook her head. "No, I am relieved. After all, you never spoke about your past with me. I more of less put the pieces together from what other people have said. But this is the first time I heard it from you."
The reason why Yuhi never told her before is undoubtedly that; because he doesn't want to worry her. He doesn't want to trouble her with even more problems when she already has a lot going on.
"My bad, I should have told you sooner."
She shook her head. "You did it for my sake. By not saying anything I would be able to focus on the matters troubling me. I would be able to focus on being able to help everyone else. I already knew it, a long time ago. When we were partners, you didn't want to burden me with any of your troubles. But you know Yuhi, since then I've always wanted to be a form of strength for you.
I went out with others then yes, but all I could think of was how I could help you. Perhaps I already knew. But, I wouldn't have realised it the way I was back then." She trails off and extends her free hand to extend her palm up to reach the sky. "Relationships are fickle, whether its relationships based on romantic affection, or family and friend. Nothing lasts forever and things come to an end much sooner then we think. Something like that, I don't have any need for it. That's why I was content with what we had. We were partners and had each other's backs, and everyday was fun. But there was always a line of distance. Something we couldn't cross."
"But you were curious about love, weren't you? Even if you saw it as something pointless, there were occasions where you crossed that line too."
Sumire smiles softly. "So you noticed that, rather of course you would. You were awake, weren't you, Yuhi?"
"I was, and I've thought it through. Do you think that if we got together then. We could avoid this current mess?"
Sumire nodded. "Yes, it would have. Were both to blame for being slow to realise everything. However, because we were young, then we can blame it on youth."
If they realized it, then the future would be different.