"By the way, Yuhi-san, why do you have your guitar on you?" Sumire suddenly changed the topic.

"Well, I have practice after this."

It was Kous' idea; he said the best way to increase their bonds is to practice daily. Well, he understood that they have to practice more to harmonize, but a part of him knew what Kou's hidden intentions were. They do get along better and talk more. But there were still some awkward silent occasions.

Making friends isn't easy, moreover with people who like his wife.

"Hmmm." Sumire suddenly took his guitar from his back. "Then, let me borrow it for a sec."

"So she says but already took it."

Sumire laughed. "Follow me for a bit, Yuhi-san."

Yuhi nodded, and the two of them walked for five minutes before approaching a large hill. He immediately understood what she was going to do. This neighborhood is relatively quiet, which is why he chose to stroll around before meeting with her. But he has never seen this area before.

'Another place.' Yuhi had to admit that her ability to find places amazed him. He thought he was good at finding peaceful areas where he could sleep, but Sumire seems to be even better.

It didn't take long before they reached the top of the hill.

Yuhi looked around and saw a bench. Sumire followed his gaze and rolled her eyes.

"No napping! This is a pretty area; you should appreciate the scenery."

"I get that, but lately, I have been busy, so I haven't naped as much. That bench looks very tempting right now."

He wanted to sleep a bit before the practice, but he heard that Sumire would be meeting with those people. Normally he wouldn't mind her going off on her own, but his gaze fell on her leg. Her injuries are taking longer to heal.

Yuhi didn't directly ask her what kind of torture she experienced in that place, but he could imagine it. If it is taking this long even though they are hangouts, then they must have hurt her badly.

Sumire pulled out the guitar from the case and sat down on the bench.

For a moment, Yuhi froze on the spot when he heard a familiar soft and yet powerful singing voice. He watched her strum a few chords on the guitar- accompanied by her beautiful voice, it was a dazzling sight.

"Is this the main song?" Yuhi managed to ask when Sumire stopped singing.

Sumire laughed softly. "Not just the sidetrack." She trailed off. "I am thinking of a more rock approach for the main song, but I wonder if it is okay. I went for a more pop approach for my debut single, and the mainstream audience liked it more."

What luxurious worries, normal people would worry about being able to hit all the notes in the song, not what genre to sing. This girl is truly amazing; she can sing anything without much effort.

Yuhi pointed to the guitar in her hands. "Give me that, and show me the score."

Sumire nodded and pulled out some papers from her bag. He joined her on the bench for a few minutes before nodding. "Alright, I understand the song; now sing."

Sumire laughed awkwardly. "Yuhi-san, you only looked for five minutes."

"What, do you doubt me?!"

"No, if it is you, I am sure you mastered it perfectly. But it would be better if I play."

He thought she would like it if she could focus on singing, but it seems like she is determined to show him today. Yuhi passed her the guitar, and Sumire took a deep breath before she sang.

"Gazing at this blue sky deeply makes me want to fly freely.

I want to change freely like the cloud.

We all find our own way.

Going on this journey ourselves

These are all my dreams."

If the previous song shocked him before, then this one blew his mind. How come she has gotten better? It only took Yuhi a moment to realize something. She must have secretly practiced even without him there.

At first, he thought it was a whim her practicing in the abandoned music room. She must miss singing, it is hard for her not to sing. So even if she does not sing in front of an audience, it was enough. But who would have thought that she secretly practiced like this?

"My tears won't be running

My smile won't be practicing

My freedom belongs to this world.

Break my shackles and let me be

Find my long-lost heart."

She could easily sing this song as a ballad, too, especially with the lyrics. But this rock version suits her perfectly. Sumire can sing anything, and yet rock songs suit her better.

To think she managed to write a song like this, excellent music and even perfect lyrics to go with it. Sumire is a very emotional person, so it is easy for her to come up with lyrics. All she has to do is

Takashi Yumi was right. If it is her- his thoughts broke off when he saw something. It looked like there were white wings on her back.

"This is my courage.

Just fight, no flight.

Fly, fly, high.

To the mountain in the sky.

Even if there is no chance, there is still a dream.

So I can fly, fly high.

To the rainbow in the sky.

Even if there are no wings, there is still the sky."

Of course, Yuhi knew he just imagined things, and yet right at that moment, it felt like he could see it.

This girl always talks about being worthy to stand on stage beside him, but she probably doesn't realize that she is much better. There is no use comparing them, but Yuhi felt defeated the moment he heard her sing his songs in the karaoke bar that snowy night.

He already long admitted his defeat.

"It will probably sound better with an electric guitar, but," His lips curve to a smile as he extended his hand out and patted her hair. "You worked hard, didn't you?"

Sumire's gaze softened. "Mm, that's right. It isn't easy to secretly practice, though, since all of you worry about me too much."

"But you managed?"

"I sang whenever I could, even if it was only for a few seconds. Each second amounted to this."

Second, she says, she really is something. Sumire isn't a genius, and she wasn't born a good singer. She worked very hard to reach this level because-

"It was worth it since I love to sing." Sumire finished off the sentence in his mind with a beaming and yet childish-looking smile.

Yuhi froze again as he felt an arrow shoot through his heart. He placed his hands on his face. What is she doing acting all cute for? She must be doing that deliberately.

"The reason I love to sing so much is without a doubt you, Terashima Yuhi. You are somebody I admire and aspire to be like."

Right, the respect thing. While he doesn't mind her being his fan, sometimes it creates a wall between them.

"At first, I thought that way, but something has changed now."