It's already so late. He doubts anyone will be around now. Indeed the moment he arrived at the gate, he noticed the gate locked. Thankfully, he took out the extra keys from his pocket and unlocks it. Being a member of Quatro light has handy privileges like this. However, it's the first time he's had to use them.

The reason why he came here? Well, his father's home. Ever since he left that day, Kou debated whether it was okay to come back. But when he came home and saw that his father was home, he decided to come here.

If that's the case, then -- he ought to hide away in the gardens for a while. That guy never stays long, so instead of getting caught up in his own pace. He ought to hide away for a while. Normally he would hide away in that person's place. But he is away overseas now.

He does have the keys to his house. But he knew that guy dislikes people entering his home when he isn't around. Besides, right now. He wants a quiet place to think.

That place is silent too, but it is in a space that is for hanyou individuals. It wouldn't be good for him to go there by himself.

His thoughts broke of when he spotted a girl with brunette hair perched on the steps. Her keyboard on the side as she scribbled down something on a sheet of music paper.

Kou blinked when he saw who it was.

'Sumire, I haven't seen her since that time.' Doesn't it look like she has lost a bit of weight? Her face looks thinner.

When he recalled the words they exchanged the last time, Kou sighed. She pushed him away from helping her. It was the first time she said it directly, so he did not know what to do.

Terashima doesn't seem to be around, so it should be alright. He took a deep breath before he called out to her.

"Good evening, Sumire-chan."

"Kou!"

"I wasn't expecting to run into you here and now. Could it be fate?" Shougo said, pulling out a card. She blinked in confusion, and he made the card disappear and made it reappear on the other one.

"Should I show you something else?

Sumire rolled her eyes. "You can't fool my eyes. I know how you did the trick just now."

Kou laughed. "As expected from you, Mimi, you're amazing."

She is the only one who can see through him like this.

"But, even I learned something new. Look at your right pocket."

At that comment, Sumire pulled out a mini bouquet. It was small and pocket-sized, but he figured she would like this better than a large bouquet.

When he saw her eyes filled with such life and sparkle, he laughs. She really is interesting.

Kou winked. "It's a secret." He said and took a seat beside her.

He looked at her surroundings; from the looks of it, she has been here for quite a while. This is like her sitting outside to do work instead of being indoors.

He pulled out a notebook and began to flick through it, and he had to work hard too. His schedule had been completely free, but suddenly after the TV case earlier, he was packed with work.

Shin was the one who handled that matter. But it appears as though people liked that he acted calm even though he was upset too. He intentionally left his schedule blank. Even though he had mountains of offers, he didn't respond to them and left them be.

However, after the incident, he decided that it would be best to get himself together. Even if he isn't serious about the upcoming tournament, the current Quatro Light will lose out.

"What is that?"

"Just some work for tomorrow."

"This late?"

"Yeah, I accepted a new job, so I'll be too busy to look it over tomorrow."

"What? But you're already so busy."

She doesn't have the right to lecture him on that, does she?

"Didn't I tell you? I don't mind being busy. That's why I'm available to help discuss the song anytime, too." He said with a bright smile.

He felt a bit bad for avoiding her for so long. They have to work on the song, after all.

"Ah! Because of you, I am in a pinch; exactly what were you thinking?" Sumire half exclaimed.

Now she asks him, and he wonders when she would realize it.

Though he said it during the radio program earlier, she probably didn't hear it until late.

"Hmm? I wonder. Do you want to play a guessing game?"

"I would rather not."

"Eh, that's so cold."

Sumire deeply sighed. "Making an abrupt decision like that. It causes problems for me." She murmurs.

"But Mimi, you know it wasn't abrupt, didn't you?"

Even now, he's able to tell to a certain extent what's on her mind. He supposed that's the only difference between him and the guys in Nanairo feather right now.

"I know, I understand it too why you guys came up with that decision. Nanairo feather is indeed amazing now, and they will continue to grow even more and more from now onwards. I knew they would be fine no matter what and that they would overcome any obstacle. Although they were on the verge of collapse before and I gave them that talk to encourage them. Even if I didn't, they would have managed."

Indeed Kou knew that to be the case. Even if Sumire didn't say anything, that fight then could have easily been resolved. But she spoke up, perhaps because she feared their connection would vanish even if she didn't.

Sumire continues. "I get it to an extent. That even though I wish for everyone's happiness. A part of me is still drawn solely to them. I can't help but support Nanairo feather because I was with them from the start. It's true that I was your composer first, but I wasn't with you during your debut. How to put it? There are different emotions."

"Then, will you support them?"

"If I do, wouldn't I seem unfair? There's the thing with senpai too, and people would misunderstand. Although the misunderstanding isn't the issue."

She seems to be worrying about it a lot. He did say he wouldn't give her any advice. But regarding this matter, it ought to be okay.

"The connection you have with them, and the one you have with us. I don't think you have to try so hard to separate it too much."

"But.."

"Tell me something, do you separate the friendships you have here and the friends you have back in Star town?"

"I don't need to do that. They are all so dear and important to me. They've all helped me get through this pain."

"Then there you have it, and I don't necessarily think you have to try and distinguish it too much. After all, you told me earlier, how do you like their smiles - when you told me that I understood it, you know?"