TOH
'I'll personally hand it over. Tsueno definitely suggested sneaking in the message, to be considerate of my feelings. But, I don't see the need to do that. In order to have a future with Ibuki Sumire, I want to be completely transparent on all aspects of their relationship.' Meaning, they need to have a detailed discussion at one point on what she will do with Terashima Yuhi.
'I acknowledge they have to meet and talk, but I don't think one conversation will be enough.'
It's a tricky issue.
Talking won't be enough.
Do they have to keep meeting?
But, if they do that and Sumire decides that she wants to go with Terashima. What will happen then?
'I have been very understanding this entire time, but if she decides to leave me? I can see myself becoming very unreasonable.'
"Mashima." Mamoru's tone changed. "I'll be honest with you. If Yuhi is really around, you'll definitely end up seeing him at some point."
"Because he will meet her?"
Mamoru nodded. "I don't know what he is doing, but I know Yuhi well enough to know he will try to see Ki."
Of course he will, if Terashima truly loves Sumire, then he will want to see her.
"And if she doesn't want to see him?" Toh said but he was uncertain.
Even though Sumire clearly made the decision to cut Terashima off when they started dating. 'I have occasionally caught her spacing out, and the way she reacts when they are walking on the street and she hears his music.'
"I think you and I both know that she wants to see him." Mamoru trails off and exhales deeply. "This is really awkward."
"And yet, you're the one who brought up this subject."
"I know Masaru spoke to you. Ki and Yuhi have always had something special between them."
Toh laughs bitterly. "And this special connection, will prevent her from loving anyone else?"
'I thought I was doing enough, Sumire was slowly becoming more attached to me. And, she even agreed to living together. I thought that was the first step to her eventually agreeing to marry me. But, can they truly have a future together without addressing whatever she has with Terashima Yuhi?'
Mamoru frowns. "At the very least, the two need to sort things out before she considers her future."
"Did she tell you about moving in with me permanently?"
Mamoru nodded. "She wanted some advice. 'I-I'm not asking for your opinion. I've made my mind up, but I just want to make sure I'm going about this the right way.'" He trails off. "You really bought a house?"
Toh nodded.
The moment she picked one out, he called that same evening to say he would buy it.
"Listen Mashima, I think Ki really likes you. But, that's exactly why she needs to sort things out with Yuhi first."
...…..
At Horizon Mall.
Toh wasn't expecting such a huge crowd. At the entrance it already looked busier than normal, but he didn't think it would be this crowded. If he wasn't tall, it would be difficult to manoeuvre through this crowd.
Didn't Tsueno say it was only a small event? Why are there so many people here?
"Hey let's hurry up."
"They said there's a student who has sung twenty straight songs, and is still going strong."
Despite the vague details, Toh immediately understood who they were talking about. He followed the direction of the large crowd, and sure enough. He saw his girlfriend on stage singing. She was just finishing a song.
She must have seen him, since a huge smile appeared on her face.
"She's smiling at me."
"No it's obviously me."
Toh rolled his eyes. 'It's obvious to me. I wonder though, if we continue dating after she makes her debut. Will seeing sights like this bother me more?' Naturally as an idol, Sumire will definitely have more fans who are of the opposite gender. It's something that bothered him when he did his background research on her.
That's why one of the first questions he asked her was why she chose to become an idol. At first he assumed that perhaps she lacked the skill to just become a singer, but that thought quickly went away when he heard her sing.
Someone tapped his shoulder interrupting his thoughts. It was Senna Masato.
"This way."
Toh nodded and followed Senna to the backstage area.
"She sang twenty straight songs?" Toh said.
Masato sighs. "She got into a little dispute with the other girls participating in the show. So, it ended up being a challenge. It was foolish."
"I'm sure it wasn't her fault-"
At those words the pianist shook his head. "You misunderstood, I'm talking about those other girls. They have been in the same class as Sumire for years, they should really know better."
But, singing twenty songs in a row must be difficult. No matter how skilled she is. Senna wasn't saying anything but Toh knew he had the same thoughts.
"Is there a break room somewhere?"
Masato nodded. "We made sure the teacher got her one, since her health hasn't been the best recently."
'Her heart is abnormal.' Arata's words echoed in his head.
After walking for a few minutes, they eventually arrived and the moment they did Sumire slumped in his arms. She laughs softly.
"Oh, you caught me."
Toh's gaze softened. "It seems we should work on your practice wearing heels. Or perhaps it was deliberate so you could fall like a damsel in distress in my arms?"
Sumire giggled. "Maybe, but practice sounds good. I'll be wearing more outfits that require heels."
Toh scans her outfit. The girl wore a white polo shirt with a black sleeve with a red trim, with a blue vest, two ties, red and white. A pleated skirt, with red, and blue lines. A simple outfit, but on Ibuki Sumire? There is something dazzling about it.
Sumire's cheeks colour and she laughs again. "Err, you're really staring at me. I guess you like it?"