Chapter 322 - Is This Okay?
Sumire woke up to the sound of an alarm clock; to be precise, it was the neighbor's alarm clock. The walls in her room were thin. No matter what Yuhi said about it being soundproof, this is an old building. She could hear each sound from next door very clearly.
Most people would dislike waking up to noise. But she did not mind it.
She disliked silence, and she didn't know when it started. But before she knew it, whenever she hears silence, she would always feel the uncomfortable feeling swell up all over her. There was something about it that made her feel sick and give her a churning feeling. Every time she closes her eyes, all she can hear is silence.
The last time she heard such silence was then, she shut her eyes as a memory from the past flashed through her head. A place covered with flames, and everything was falling apart. Even seeing the bodies below her, she couldn't find her voice. A pitch and dark world, it suddenly became so much worse than before. Her violet orbs glanced at the room she was in as she sat up.
It took her a moment to realize it was not her room in the bar, and the sounds she heard were different than normal. It did not take her long to recognize where she was, Yuhis room in one of his apartments. Her gaze flickered towards her clothes, and her cheeks reddened when she realized something. Different clothes, to be exact it was one of Yuhis shirts.
'I don't remember doing anything with him, though. My body does not hurt either.'
So Yuhi changed her, and that was all? She found it hard to believe. But then again, that guy is too nice. Still, she was supposed to attend extra classes today too. Aren't her grades going to suffer?
Sumire sighs; she already took off so much time during her first year too. If this carries on, she will be held back a year due to poor attendance. Then again, according to Yuhi, she would not fail even if she has poor attendance. As a specialized art school, the key determining factor is the final piece.
Her thoughts broke when her phone started ringing, and the caller ID read Atsuro. Sumire paused for a moment. If he is calling now, then he most likely heard what happened. She knew that Atsuro had people secretly following her around, so it would not surprise her if he heard what happened the other day.
"I'm fine already." Sumire immediately said as she picked up, not giving him a chance to speak first.
The voice at the other end of the line sighs. "I see I'm not even getting a hello. Is that how you treat the person who has been taking care of you?"
"You know I'm grateful. But you're going to start nagging me."
"There is something I want to ask of you. In three days from now, EMMA is going to have a shoot. I want you to come along and greet the other members. Perhaps you can tag along for the rest of the day too."
Sumire blinked. "Eh? Is that…." She immediately understood what he was implying. If she tags along, it would mean officially declaring that she agreed to be their composer.
"What you told Ryou certainly wasn't a lie, I hope."
"No, I get it. But this is sudden, don't you think?" Sumire trails off. "However, it's true. I guess it's better if I judge the remaining members of your group."
"Geh, you can be one scary woman sometimes, you know?"
She chuckles." I hear that quite a bit." Sumire walks over to the window, and her gaze softens. "Say Atsuro, and you said before that no matter what happens, there will always be some traits of a person that remain the same, right?"
"I did. What about it?"
Sumire was about to say something but recalled Yuhis pained expression from the other day. "It's nothing."
"Sum-" Atsuro's sentence fell short since somebody called his name out angrily.
"Don't make Yamaguchi-san mad." Sumire recognized the owner of the voice.
Atsuro sighed deeply. "Alright. I will send you the details of what I just said. Also, Nagawa Sano, you should check up on him."
Sumire blinked when she heard Atsuro's words. "This is a bit strange. Did you hit your head or something?" Why on earth would Atsuro suggest for her to meet Sano of all people?
Despite the redhead constantly clashing with Yuhi and insulting him. Sumire knew the one Atsuro disliked the most was actually Sano. Perhaps he held a grudge since she asked Sano to be her doctor and not him. Either way, Sumire knew how hostile he was.
Atsuro sighed again, but he immediately said. "I didn't, and also, I don't want you complaining and stressing about it later."
"Why would I?"
"Since you care for him more than you say so. Your actions contradict your words. I don't know if it is regret or revenge anymore. But just sort it out before it becomes a bigger issue."
Once the conversation ended, Sumire pondered on his ending words. 'if something else goes wrong,' huh? Even though she made that resolution to go here to TOKYO to change something. In the end, it still remains the same. Yes, this was the other reason why she came here.
To change the underworld situation with her own hands and touse this abnormal strength for something other than evil.
"Nay Madam seems thy know."
Sumire wondered if Mamoru also went through a painful process? This painful process where even though she has strength that is far stronger than the average individual. In the end, all she can do is sit by and feel hopeless.
This was the first time in years that she ever felt so useless. Ever since she became a Yankee, Sumire never felt this way. In a sense, it was quite refreshing for her.
She already knew the answer to her question. Of course, he had to endure so much pain. Yet despite that, he never once complained to her; instead, he told her it was okay as long as they remained together.
She felt the tears form from the corner of her eyes.
No, she already promised she wouldn't cry anymore.
Sumire picked up her bag on the side and took out a small box. It was the ring that Mamoru gave her, and she refrained from wearing it when her relationship with Yuhi gradually changed. But occasionally, she would look at it.
Is it okay for her to be happy in a world without him?
'Tell me, Ru, is this what you wanted from me?'