Chapter 40 - The Reason I Came Here
Yuhi talks about the painting, and for the next few minutes, all she does is listen. Sumire did not want to disturb him. This was the first time for her, seeing Terashima Yuhi talk so much. He isn't very talkative; he prefers silent gestures and actions rather than words. But when it comes to painting, the color of his eyes change, and he speaks with such passion and enthusiasm.
Sumire likes this side of him. Yuhi must love painting a lot, maybe even more than singing. Now that she thought about it, ever since she came here, she did not see him go to work once. He always walks home with her too. They are only away from each other for at most a few minutes, the longest an hour.
She looked at him, worried. Is he skipping out on work because of her? Maybe she ought to start talking to other people in class. She does not want to trouble Yuhi too much. She could start with that Asami girl; she appeared friendly enough.
"By the way, Sumire, I wanted to ask you something."
Sumire looked over.
"When was the last time you s--" Yuhi paused and took a deep breath. His reaction puzzled her. "-spoke to Atsuro?"
Atsuro? Ah. "Did Nakara-sensei ask you to tell me?"
"Yes."
"I haven't spoken to him in a while. I think he felt guilty that he could not do anything to help Ru."
The last time she saw him was two or was it three months ago now? She already lost track.
"I see you haven't kept contact with him."
"Did you expect me too?"
Yuhi looked away at her comment. "You know I thought Atsuro, and you had something going on before. Sorry if I am wrong, but I don't think I was the only one who thought that."
Is this Yuhi acting jealous? Sumire laughed, and Yuhi sighed. "Hey, don't laugh."
"But I find it strange."
"You two were close."
"Atsuro is on the same level as everybody else to me. I like him, but I say the same thing about everyone."
The person Yuhi mentioned just now is Shin's friend and the male idol group EMMA center, member. Right now, he is abroad and promoting for his group. That was the official reason anyway. The real reason he went abroad was because he was trying to avoid her. Kusaji Atsuro an idol but also a doctor. He was Rus' doctor, and thus the only other person who knew about Mamoru's illness.
He blamed himself terribly for what happened, and she also blamed him. Sumire could not forget the horrible words she said to Atsuro that day. Holding a bleeding Mamoru in her arms, she called him a devil.
It was terrible of her to say such things. But at the time, she could not think straight. Sumire did not think to contact him even when she returned to normal. Normal huh? On the surface, she looks okay. She can walk around the streets without freaking out or having a mental breakdown.
Sumire still struggled to be around large crowds. She wondered if Yuhi realized that because whenever they went anywhere, he would hold her hand.
Tokyo is a busy city and overpopulated. So it was difficult for her to live here. She knew how bad her condition was before she left, so she was not unaware. The reason she still came here was because she wanted to meet with Terashima Yuhi.
Yuhi cupped her cheeks, causing her to look at him. "Sorry for not being there for you."
Sumire thought he would comment on what she said to Atsuro, but instead, he focused on her again. Why does this person behave this way? Even though he should get angry this time. He never gets mad at her, but if he does, it is for her own good. When it comes to a dispute between her and another person, Yuhi will choose her side immediately.
Why is he apologizing? She was the one who pushed him away and told him to go back to Tokyo. She was the one who told him that she did not need him.
So why? Why did he-- her thoughts broke off when she saw the look on his face. It was like he was searching for an answer just by looking at her eyes.
"Yuhi?" Sumire mumbled. There was something about the way he looked at her, which made her feel incredibly nervous.
"You're turning red again."
"Why do you think so, jerk."
Yuhi chuckled. "You know I don't intend to mess with you; you just fall for my traps far too easily."
"That's because I trust you," Sumire admitted.
When she is around other people, she is cautious and has her guard up. Sumire does not let anybody get remotely close to her. Some people have even commented that she is an ice-cold beauty—the way she coldly replies or brushes people away whenever they try to get close to her. But Terashima Yuhi differs from all the others.
He is the only one other than Tsueno Mamoru, no, Sumire shook her head. Not even Mamoru could get this close to her. He would always tell her things like he liked challenges. But whenever she saw him struggle to get close, Sumire would deliberately let her guard down.
That guy was a genius, so he surely knew that, but he never said a word.
"I'm glad you trust me, Sumire."
Once again, Yuhi gave her a reply she did not expect. Why does this person never fail to surprise her? He must be doing this deliberately. Yet Sumire already knew that Yuhi was not the type to scheme or calculate. He is an honest person, and that is why his actions are very pure.
When will he let go of her? This is very embarrassing. Sumire is grateful that nobody else is around.
"You know you really are beautiful. Why did I not notice this before?"
Is Yuhi indirectly admitting that he did not fall for her because of her looks? Then again, Yuhi did say that he never got a proper look at her face before, so his reply should not surprise her too much. But right now, Sumire hesitantly brushed their forehead together.
This action led to Yuhi letting go of her cheeks.
"I think you're a huge fool. You keep doing these unpleasant things and then apologize. Did you know Yuhi? You act tough, but whenever you touch me, you end up with a guilty look on your face."
He hides it very well, but Sumire could tell. She does not understand what is going on in his head whenever he touches her. However, she could guess. Yuhi must have the same or similar complicated feelings as her. Is it truly okay for them to get close like this?
"That's.."
"I care for you, I do," Sumire mumbled. "But I can't right now. The scar from the accident hasn't faded yet. I liked him more than I thought I did. But I only realized this when he already left this world."