Seven Coloured Melody

1For the next few minutes, neither of them said a word. When it is this quiet, normally, he would feel uneasy. It would remind him of the incident that occurred when he was a child. But the silence is frightening when he is with her. His thoughts break off when he finds her playing with his hands, and his lips curve to a smile.     

"Your ex-boyfriend seemed to be very worried about you." Toh brought up.     

Sumire sighs. "I thought you weren't going to mention him." She trails off. "I only let you kiss me earlier because I knew he would be watching. Did you know that?"     

"I did."     

Of course, he knew what she was trying to do. But why would he refuse a chance to kiss her?     

"Toh, you're very strange," Sumire mumbled. "Most people would criticize me for that behavior."     

"I dislike being the same as others."     

"But hmm, I wonder if it's truly okay. To be honest with you, I don't actually understand our current relationship. Not too long ago, I thought maybe if I distance myself from you again, I could clear my mind. However, that just feels like I am running away."     

"So, what would you like to do? The choice is yours."     

Sumire looked at him. "You told me before that you were interested in me, and I assumed you'd no longer care for me if I stopped being interesting. But, is there something else now?"     

"Yes," Toh answered almost immediately.     

He doesn't know exactly what this something is just yet. However, he wants to hold onto this emotion.     

Sumire nods. "I understand, Toh. I suppose I'll allow you."     

"To make a move on you?"     

"Mmm."     

A silent confirmation in an alleyway. Toh didn't think she would decide so soon. She is the type of woman who will use others just to fill the void in her heart. The type of woman who can kill someone in cold blood, and yet he isn't afraid of her.     

Maybe Koichi is right, and he is going crazy. However, he can confidently say he isn't afraid of her.     

After a few minutes of waiting, a few white vans appeared.     

Not only did the 'cleaners come.' But another car appeared directly in front of them, and Sumire sighed.     

"Crazy bastard, why does he appear during less important work?"     

It takes him a moment to understand what she is saying, and soon the car doors flung open. A man with long black hair that protrudes to the back, amber-colored eyes, and wearing a kimono with green and black stripes and a white cloth draped over his shoulders and zori.     

"Hey there, Riri," Aki said with a lopsided smile.     

There was an air of laziness around him, yet to Toh, his presence was very powerful. Even with no introductions, Toh knew who this man was. So this person is Aki. It seems Lucifer was right to be cautious. There is something dangerous about this person.     

Sumire's eyes twitched, annoyed. "Don't hey there me. Where on earth have you been? Don't you know what is happening in the underworld right now? How can you keep disappearing?" She lectured.     

Aki chuckled. "It's because I know you and Mamoru-kun are around."     

Toh silently observes their interaction. This isn't the first time he is seeing Sumire behave this way. However, it still surprises him. When they are together, she almost seems docile and weak.     

"Right, Ru. How could you make him do those missions? You know he isn't a formal member."     

"Those missions were for you, my dear. But, Mamoru-kun insisted that you were too sick to get out of bed." Aki takes a few steps closer, grabs the girl's hand, and rolls up her sleeve. "I see. That wasn't the case."     

Toh's eyes widened. So fast, when did he get close to them?     

Sumire doesn't seem surprised and sighs. "I won't deny what your seeing. But I am sure you already suspected it."     

"Indeed, that's why I deliberately gave Mamoru-kun even harder jobs."     

"Bastard, were you trying to provoke me?"     

"It's because you're foolish enough to hide this. Was that the only time? Have there been any other attempts recently?" Aki questioned.     

Sumire averts her gaze. "After my breakup, at least three other times."     

Aki frowns. "Stay in the base."     

"No."     

"Riri," Aki said sharply. "-don't be stubborn about this. You've attempted suicide at least four times in less than a month. You can't be alone."     

His thoughts break off when he catches Sumire looking at him, and the girl suddenly clings to his arm.     

"I'm not staying at home right now."     

Aki, who had only been paying attention to Sumire since stepping out of the car, turns his attention toward him and frowns.     

"Is this the rumored Mashima Toh?"     

"That's right."     

Toh introduces himself and then sees Aki's lips curve to a sly smile. "I see. Well, if you're not by yourself, then I suppose I won't force you to come."     

Toh immediately frowns upon hearing those words. Just now, he looked displeased seeing Sumire cling to his arm. But now he has suddenly changed his mind?     

It seems Sumire was suspicious, too, but she didn't voice those thoughts out loud. Instead, the girl takes out something from her pocket. It was a small emblem. The design was something he was very familiar with.     

The emblem of the organization he belonged to, the Black Alice organization.     

Sumire tosses several more in Aki's direction, which the man easily catches.     

"These reflect really well in the light, so you can see them when you're in the car."     

So that's why she told him to stop the car.     

Aki's gaze dimmed. "It seems that man is truly trying to step into our territory."     

"You told me previously not to ask you for any details. But, I simply cannot turn a blind eye to this any longer."     

"I understand. In a few days, come to the base. I will explain everything to you."     

"Mm, I got it."     

After a few more exchanges, Aki leaves. The cleaners had long gone, so now it was just him and Sumire. The girl immediately let go of his arm once Aki was gone, causing him to frown. But she suddenly stumbled into his embrace.     

"I'm tired. Can you take me back?"     

"Where to?" Toh asked as he caressed her hair.     

It was a silly question, and both knew he was only testing her resolve.     

"Your place." Sumire murmured.     

"I can arrange that," Toh said with a smirk.