Seven Coloured Melody

Even though she returned to school, it was difficult for her to concentrate on the lessons. Fights like that have been occurring more frequently recently. Although it is not new for people to break that rule, normally, it occurs only once or twice every few years. But the past year or so, there have been several cases like that every month.     

Is there something they are missing? Star town is developing a lot in terms of economy. As a result, the population has increased. But, the reason for the population increase may not be due to the growing number of jobs.     

It seems like she will have to investigate more. She is already helping suppress the frequent riots alongside the gang fights. But just suppressing them will not help. She has to figure out what the cause is.     

Sumire sighed deeply. She has to deal with this and her upcoming debut plans. 'I have to be more careful with my actions. It would be bad if the media got hold of her connection to the underworld.'     

Even if it is socially acceptable now to belong to a gang, many will look down on her.     

There is another daily battle she has to face: dealing with people. Ever since she was younger, she has never been good at dealing with others. She has always felt uncomfortable in front of crowds.     

She felt her hands tremble when she saw a group of girls approach her. What is it now? Why do people always have to approach her for nothing? She already knew what these girls wanted.     

"Say Ibuki-san, what kind of things do you talk to Mamoru-kun about?"     

Ah, here it is, the daily confrontation. Depending on her reply, this question can turn real ugly quickly.     

She knew how poor her reputation was in class. No, her reputation, in general, was bad. People thought she was coldhearted and had a bad personality just because she did not speak up much. They call her gloomy and boring too.     

It's not like she does not want to talk; she just finds it difficult. But the moment she mentions her social anxieties. These people would look at her like she was a foreign creature. Once again, she would hear others judge her and say she is making up excuses.     

'A person like you cannot be depressed. How can you have any issues?' It was something she frequently heard when she was in elementary school, from the kids and teachers there as well as her own family. They did not understand why she would have a problem when she had a roof over her head and money.     

If those two things were the only things she needed to be happy, life would be simpler. Unfortunately, life is far more complex than what meets the eye. She cannot be like those people who are just happy with those things. She cannot accept superficial kindness.     

A boyfriend, huh?     

'Only a month has passed, so, naturally, I am still thinking about it. But, it's unpleasant.'     

The guy she was seeing for the entire her first year was a scumbag who cheated on her several times. At first, she turned a blind eye to it not because she thought he would stop. But more like she didn't think much of it. Their relationship was a weird one from the very beginning.     

There was a large age gap between them, so Sumire felt that eventually, they would fight or other people would get involved.     

She didn't care much about him seeing other girls because she understood that he had no feelings for them.     

'As long as he still treated me well.' It was the foolish words of a sixteen-year-old. But who breaks up with their girlfriend on Christmas day?     

Sumire sighed at the memory. That jerk, he should have at least waited awhile. Whenever she thinks of Christmas, she will think of their breakup.     

Now she is in her last semester of her first year, with no boyfriend.     

'I knew it was a bad idea dating somebody so much older. I am not surprised things ended up the way they did.' Moreover, it seemed like that guy understood that she had somebody she liked.     

Her feelings for Yuhi never went away, so why did she date Nagawa Sano? No matter how lonely she was, did she truly believe that dating a substitute would ease the pain in her heart?     

"Ki, do you want to walk home together today?" A familiar voice broke her thoughts.     

There stood a man with brown colored hair. 'Did he just come in from the window?'     

"I don't know why you bother asking; we always walk back together."     

"Just in case you change your mind."     

Why would she change her mind now? Tsueno Mamoru was one of her closest friends? Sumire paused in mid-thought. 'That jerk was right about one thing. It is hard for me to say that Mamoru is just a friend.'     

But if anybody asked her if she had feelings for him, then the answer? The answer would be no. He has been a good friend of hers for far too long. It would be strange if they started dating.     

It is strange to even think of Mamoru as a candidate for her boyfriend. How many years have passed since they first met? They have known each other ever since she was a child.     

Sumire shook her head. It is far too strange.     

But many people misunderstand their relationship because they spend a lot of time together.     

Her thoughts broke off when she saw Mamoru edging closer to her.     

He always has this bad habit of staring at her up close. Sumire sighed when she saw the beads of sweat on his face.     

"Your face is covered in sweat here." She took out her handkerchief and passed it to him.     

Mamoru stared at it for a moment before he raised his fist in the air. "Alright, I win."     

Huh?     

At those words, the other guys in class surrounded him. "You really got her handkerchief."     

"I will call you master from now on."     

'What on earth are they doing?' Well, it doesn't matter to her. Besides, her gaze fell on the bright smile on Mamoru's face. There is nothing wrong with seeing him smile so brightly like this.     

Her thoughts broke off when she heard the sound of her phone.     

'So much for attending class.' Sumire stood up and tapped on Mamoru's shoulders. "Ru, come with me."     

He must have understood since he hurriedly went after her. It was a good thing the teacher hadn't come yet; otherwise, it would be difficult to leave.     

"Did he get some new information?"     

"Mm, I want to put it together and submit a report."     

"This is the first time you have attended classes in awhile, though."     

"I'll attend later; we should deal with suppressing those riots as quickly as possible."     

"You're always so serious, Ki. I think you should relax more."