"At the beginning of my idol career, I showed up out of nowhere. It led to many complaints from fans. Why is this woman suddenly everywhere? Why is she taking up the good slots in the singles? During that time, I felt depressed and thought that I wasn't wanted anywhere. However, this person helped me overcome that thought, and I could sing freely.

I said it in my speech last year that I am blessed to meet so many lovely people. Indeed I've always felt that I took others' kindness for granted. I took advantage of people and could not repay them.

But after singing beside her, after finding her again, I realized that there is only one thing I could do. It may be small, but I will convey my feelings of gratitude and love through my songs."

This person can shine so brightly. How come? Right now, Yumi-senpai isn't singing, and yet she can still sparkle so brightly.

Thump, thump, and thump.

Sumire felt the sound of her heartbeat increase. How come it is like this? Just listening to senpais speech makes her feel this way.

The woman named Takahashi Yumi is amazing.

One day she wonders if she can stand on a grand stage like this. Sumire wondered if she could admit her feelings openly in front of so many people one day. Is it possible for somebody as vile and disgusting as herself?

If she admits everything she held back this entire time, then won't people notice? Won't they say she is strange? She is still too frightened to step out of her shell.

…..

Her thoughts broke off when she felt Yuhi kiss her forehead.

"Yuhi?"

"I want to ask you something, Sumire. Surely you know what they say about me? Do you know the rumors?"

"Are you close to them? the girls you mess around with?" Sumire asked.

"I don't see myself as close to them."

"Then, why are you together? Does this not only increase your loneliness?" Sumire questioned.

"It's better than being alone," Yuhi said, and leaned towards her neck, gently kissing it. He did this for a few minutes before he to her again. "Are you different? From those girls. Were you any different? Weren't you just filling in your loneliness? Makino was the same. Even if she did appear to have feelings for me, for a while, it worked. She forgot about her ex.

She could pretend and stay with me. However, I could tell, whenever we were together, she looked at another person. She was just filling the void, trying to love me. My friends were the same, too, even though he liked somebody else from the beginning. All of them were all telling lies, in order to fill the void in their hearts. Sumire weren't you doing the same thing too?" Yuhi said.

His words are so very cold, and yet there is a meaning to them. A meaning to them, huh?

She is seventeen years old now; love shouldn't be something new. She should be able to handle these types of situations. But that doesn't seem to be possible. This guy's has always been reckless, but he's always done things for her sake.

Even though he behaves this way, she knew the truth. Yuhi-san is very clumsy at expressing his feelings; sometimes, she thinks he is worse than her. He is clumsy and awkward at times, but Sumire understood already. From now on, she will continue falling in love with him. She may have accepted his confession on a whim, but she is relieved.

'If I didn't say yes, then even now this person would put up with this pain all alone. I can't leave him be.' Sumire parted with a strand of loose hair from Yuhi's face.

His gaze softened. "What are you doing now? I thought you would listen to me rant a bit more."

"I'm listening."

She is listening to every single word.

He already made so many kind and gentle expressions in front of her. When it came to her, Yuhi is honest, kind, and gentle.

Yuhi is always there for her whenever she is sad and lonely; whenever she needed somebody, he is there. It was the same back in the past too.

That conversation she had with Atushi awhile back replayed in her mind.

'I didn't know what to do when you ran away at that time. I was confused and lost. I didn't know how to go about the situation, even though I loved you. In the end, the person who told me to get you is that guy. Even though I hate him, even though he loved you, he helped me out then. It was Yuhi, Sumire.'

She could see through this person already. "What's wrong? You're so slow even now. If you're not careful, then I will make a move." Yuhi said.

She placed a hand on his face, causing his expression to change. "I see you. That's why I know you are forcing yourself."

Yuhi sighed. "You paid attention to me properly; it seems. Sorry."

Sumire laughs. "No, it's fine."

So clumsy and awkward. But this is one of the many things she loves about him.

"I should make it up to you."

"Then carry on."

Yuhi blinked, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, as much as I want to kiss you, don't you think this is fine? What do girls call this kind of thing, cuddling?"

Sumire rolled her eyes when she heard those words. "Since when did you become such a boring guy, Yuhi-san?"

"Since I started dating you."

She immediately got offended. "Hey, are you blaming me?"

Yuhi chuckled. "Just joking, Sumire."

A joke, huh? Then again, maybe it is true. Since she started dating Yuhi-san, he has held back with her and not done anything. Sure there was that promise with Hino, but Sumire understood it was unnecessary. He already seemed to regret it the second time.

This person intends to treat her preciously. She does not know what to think about that. Nobody has treated her this way before and with so much affection. Sumire is used to people ignoring and not listening, she is used to being alone. How can she adapt to this?