December - Two months later

Almost two months have passed since Ibuki Sumire last faded away right in front of Nagawa Sano.

Did it bother him that she didn't say anything to him but left words for Nagawa? No, something like that wouldn't bother him. Yuhi knew that even though Sumire said they would search for Mamoru together, she would eventually go off on her own.

Yuhi glanced up at the grey skies. Two whole months huh? There were times where he thought that Sumire would never return to him. Maybe she found Mamoru and is staying with him now. But at the same time he dismissed such thoughts, it felt like there was something wrong.

The first star shining brighter than anyone was it? Sumire, back then, you were already everyone's first star. The people who surrounded you all loved and respected you. Even among those who know her, there was love, respect, desire to beat, as well as those who strived to improve themselves, to stand by her side.

So many people loved and cared for the person called Ibuki Sumire. People love her so much. But because they've always been the same, the fact that one day she would leave has always crossed his mind. The fact that you'd disappear and break off all contact with everyone is something he knew was possible for her. Even if Mamoru didn't pass away, she would have eventually fear happiness.

At the start, when she had accepted his confession in high school. He did think it was a dream. Even if he suspected that there had been some fondness, he didn't think the two of them could be together.

When he told Kou this, his companion told him he had been stupid,' Mimi kissed you and acted like that, and yet it's not enough evidence?' The kisses and the fact that she said it with her very own lips when she was sick. He didn't think he could know true love and happiness, yet that girl proved it possible.

He still doesn't understand very well Sumire what love and happiness are. But he does know that she would be the one who brought such a possibility in his life. His only guiding star on earth.

Sumire, won't she come back to him? Won't she tell him with a bright smile about being everyone's number one star? Even the starry night we looked upon has become so very dark to him. He can no longer see the stars in the sky, let alone that single bright star in the center. Sumire..

"Yu-yu, are you listening?" Kou called out.

"Uh yeah."

"Kou, don't be insensitive."

"Are you thinking about Mimi again? You know she didn't leave out of resentment-"

"I know."

Of course, he knew. It was the day he promised to pick her up from Nagawas. But when he arrived there, the house was in a bad state, and Nagawa Sano passed out on the ground with a high fever. When he looked around the house, he could no longer see any traces of Sumire.

He later confirmed it with Asuka; it seems Sumire learned from the researcher Eli where Mamoru was, and she immediately went to find him.

That girl is so careless, but she is not the type to act on her emotions. There must be a reason.

"I really hope she returns before Christmas, though. I don't want to sing any song but hers."

Jun sighed. "It is not like we are incapable of writing our own songs. Besides Yuhi-san, he is the legendary god of composers."

"But Yu-yus songs are too dark."

Yuhis eyes twitched, annoyed, and he gave Kou a nuggie. "Ouch, ouch, Yu-yu!"

"Dark and depressing, huh?"

"I didn't say the second line!"

"You two quit yapping; my ears still hurt," Ran exclaimed.

Tetsuo laughed. "You heard the child."

"What was that?"

Before they could continue bickering, they heard a beeping sound from Jun's phone.

"Snowstorm in three, two-" Before Jun could even say anything else, the snow from earlier seemed to increase rapidly.

Rans gaze darkened. "Hey, this isn't what you said!"

"If I told you before that there was a storm, you wouldn't do this job."

These guys like to argue. The storm most likely started from the other side of town, and now it is finally on this side. If it becomes a bother, he could just use his ability.

Yuhi was about to say something when they see somebody approaching them. At first, he couldn't see who it was due to the blizzard, but when he got closer, his eyes widened. He has never personally met the man, but Yuhi knew he would recognize him immediately.

"Your--Eli?"

It was the researcher who was close with Sumire. It was because of this man. That she--

"Wait a second Yuhi-san." Jun took out something from his bag; it was a small torch. He shone the light on Eli, and Yuhis eyes widened, his face color turned pale, realizing something. There was blood all over the man's clothes, and his face looked half burned.

"Sumire?" Yuhi asked; he felt his entire body tremble as he asked.

Eli weakly extended his hand out and pointed in another direction. Isn't there a cliff there? Yuhi bit his lip.

"Ran-chan?"

"This blizzard is very bad, she-- she won't be able to--"

Ran doesn't finish his sentence and started to walk off. Kou, however, rushed off to stop him. But it did no good, Ran was faster, and he immediately bolted towards the cliff direction.

"Then I will go. Yu-yu, come on, Jun and Tetsu-chan stay with this guy."

It was difficult to manoeuvre through the snow since the blizzard gradually got worse. A skinny person wouldn't survive this harsh weather; the wind would blow them away in seconds. Sumire is not necessarily skinny, but she is underweight.

Ran approaches the edge of the cliff and points to the broken fence, "Do you think?"

"Most likely, but we need to think of a sensible way to get down."

"We don't have time. Hey Sumire?!!" Ran said loudly. He tried to lean forward to get a better look, but Yuhi grabbed his sleeve.

"Yuhi, she must be down there."

"I know, just wait."

Yuhi took a deep breath.

He needs to calm down. Think, focus- Yuhi closed his eyes and allowed a surge of power to surround him. In this blizzard, a scorching hot flame. His thoughts broke off when he spotted something fashing. It was stuck to a fallen piece of the fence, a beautiful hairpin.