*UNEDITED*

“Only in the dark

Do I dare look at you in secret across the stage.

Only deep inside

Do I dare to avoid the cold masks

The relationship makes me sad.”

What is this? She has never heard a voice like this before. Sumire thought she already knew the extent of Terashima Yuhi’s capabilities as a singer. But this is something else. Could he always sing like this? The last time she heard him sing was only a few months back. Sure in the time since Mamoru passed away, she avoided listening to music. But even then, this is very surprising.

“Desperate and fascinated.

In what name can I give you a hug?

If I’m doomed not to shake off the yoak

I can’t help but keep indulging in your eyes.

Be a brave butterfly..”

A voice like this deserves more than just praise. How can a boy’s voice sound so gentle and soothing?

“Going to fall for me?”

Sumire looked away. “Don’t speak like that.”

Yuhi laughed and brushed his hands across her cheeks. “Did you like it?”

“Yes.”

Of course she liked it. She didn’t think anybody could sing that way. Terashima Yuhi is truly the number one singer in the entertainment world. Nobody can match that voice of his. Not even the last number one Ahoji Francis could sing such high notes with ease. ‘That gentleness too.’ Her gaze softened. It seems like she will learn a lot from this person.

“Yuhi, do you like singing?” Sumire asked.

“Yeah.” Yuhi nodded. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Though I’m not the type to express it, I do like it a lot.”

‘I can tell.’ Only somebody who loves music can sing like that. It was only a brief few lines of the song, and yet Sumire felt so many deep emotions behind his singing. The message this person is trying to convey, towards the person he loves? Just now was he singing for— Sumire shook her head. Yuhi isn’t that honest. Besides if he wanted to tell her his feelings, he wouldn’t have to do it through a song.

Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi slumped his head on her shoulders. Ah..

“Hey, stay still. I’m tired. Or do you want me to borrow you lap instead?”

Sumire frantically shook her head.

“You don’t have to reject me that strongly.”

‘Should I offer my lap?’ But, that’s far too embarrassing. Besides, Yuhi is getting a bit too close and too comfortable with her. Her gaze fell on his face and she saw faint dark circles under his eyes. “Not sleeping well?”

“Mmm.”

“Yuhi, if you want to sleep properly, go to the bedroom.”

“Then, you join me.”

Sumire sighed. “So spoilt.”

Yuhi responded by laughing.

“Tell me something Yuhi..”

“Yeah?”

How long do you intend to wait? Sumire shook her head. Did he not already give her an answer to that the other day? He said he would wait forever, even if she was old and grey. The response was very sweet. Anybody who heard that line would fall for him immediately. Indeed she was moved by those words. Her thoughts broke off when she noticed Yuhi’s hand casually getting closer. Sumire sighed and hesitantly grabbed hold of it.

“It seems like you’re quite honest today.”

“No.” Sumire muttered. “I’m just tired.”

“Tired?” Yuhi repeated. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to sleep? You do realize it is the weekend right?”

“Then I guess I can go back to sleep.”

She can’t possibly ask him to join her. But will she be able to sleep peacefully without him? Sumire felt his arms wrap around her waist, he buried his face in her neck and mumbled. “Wait for me upstairs.”

…….

Sumire woke up to a gentle hand stroking her hair. It felt so warm and comfortable.

What is this strange situation?

“Hey.”

“Uh..”

Yuhi chuckled. “You have a fever.”

So that’s why she feels very hot. “Yuhi will take care of me?”

“Yeah, as long as you don’t act insane like you did last time.”

Her cheeks burned red when she recalled the last time. When she woke up the next morning, she felt very embarrassed. How could she act so bold, in front of Yuhi too. Yuhi brushed his hands across her forehead again.

“It seems worse, are you dizzy?” Yuhi asked.

“A little.”

The scenery of the room seemed slightly blurry to her and yet Yuhi’s face is clear to her.

“You keep getting sick these days. But I’m sure you’re eating properly now.” Yuhi seemed very puzzled. “Unless…”

“Yuhi?”

Yuhi shook his head. “It’s nothing, would you like a drink?”

At that comment Sumire suddenly placed her hand on her throat, she suddenly felt parched. Her throat felt dry. Her head throbbed with pain and her heart beated loudly. Huh? What is wrong with her? So thirsty, so very thirsty and yet she doubts water can help her. Yuhi placed a cup in her hands and Sumire drank large mouthfuls. But it was exactly like she thought, the water wasn’t enough. The more she drank, the thirstier she became. What is this feeling?

Yuhi patted her back. “Be careful.”

She still feels so very thirsty. Why does her throat feel so dry? Is there something wrong with her? Yuhi gently laid her back down and brought his lips to her forehead. A sweet and gentle kiss. In this situation it felt right, she craved for more, for something more intimate. Sumire frantically shook her head. What is wrong with her? She must be going crazy.

Now that she thought it through, something like this happened in the past didn’t it? In the past with Ru. He always did something to calm her down.

Unfortunately no matter how much Sumire thought of it, nothing would come to mind. Yet she was positive something like this happened before. Her gaze fell on Yuhi who was looking at the bottles on the bedside table. He looked very troubled. Sumire coughed and Yuhi turned to her. “Cough medicine first? But your fever is bad..”

“Yuhi.” Sumire mumbled. “My throat.”

“Hmm? Do you need more water?”

Sumire shook her head. “The water isn’t enough. My throat feels very dry.”

Her throat feels dry and there is a throbbing pain in her head and her eyes. Sumire was glad that she could not see a mirror. She felt like there was something wrong with her eyes right now. Yuhi cupped her cheeks and he seemed startled.

For the next few minutes he did not say a word, when he lets go of her cheeks. Yuhi suddenly stood up. “Wait here.”

Sumire blinked but weakly nodded. She watched as he quickly left the room. After Yuhi left, it felt like a battle to her. Her entire body felt so hot, like a volcano. She was burning all over. The entire room looked like it was spinning.

Unlike earlier, she could no longer see anything clearly. Sumire glanced over in the direction where the bottle of medicines were. Those are surely medicines that do not involve her having to eat anything. She needs to take anything – anything would do. Sumire wanted to get rid of her dizziness, her fever.

She weakly reached out for one of the bottles. But due to the lack of strength, she ended up dropping it. Sumire tried again but she could not see properly and thus the same thing happened again. Her grip was weak and her eyesight became blurry and blurrier by the minute.

So dry, and so hot. What can she do right now? Ru… Ru please help her. Sumire never felt so bad before. It was not like this the last time. She knew no matter how much she called for Mamoru, he would not answer her. How could he respond when he is dead?

Sumire felt approaching footsteps and faintly saw the outline of Yuhis shoes. He came back.

Yuhi bent down. “Sumire.” His tone seemed distressed. “Can you get up?”

“I can’t.”

“Alright then, excuse me.” Yuhi said and he scooped her up. Yuhi did not place her down on the bed and kept her in his arms as he sat down. “Can you drink Sumire?”

She shook her head, she felt very sick. Sumire knew that she would not be able to consume anything in this situation. “Then, please excuse me.”

Yuhi gently pried her lips open and in the next second, she felt his tongue in hers. A strange liquid… What is Yuhi trying to give her? Whatever it was, it tasted sweet and very nice. She wanted more of it.When she drank the last of it, Sumire felt disappointed. But there appeared to be more, since she hears the sound of rattling. Soon Yuhi was feeding her. Sumire slowly regained strength and wrapped her arms around his neck.

This wasn’t kissing, he was simply transferring the contents of the drink to her. But it did not take long before the atmosphere grew more heated and intense. Her head hit the pillows and Yuhi continued his advances, at some point it felt like the liquid was no longer there but Yuhi did not stop.

“Sumire..”

Ah, her vision is slowly returning to normal now. She could not miss the passionate look on Yuhi’s face and immediately looked away. Yuhi pulled away from her and ran his hands through his hair. He points to the cup on the bed side table.

“Drink more.”