This is what you have decided
This is what you have decided
Masaru looks over at Toh, and Sumire frowns, seeing his gaze. "What are you thinking, Masaru-senpai?" Sumire asked suspiciously.
Nothing good comes about Masaru-senpai looking serious.
"Big brother was wondering if anything else has happened between you two since the first time."
What is with that big brother nonsense? More importantly, Masato doesn't know what happened with her and Toh. Despite Masaru's vague wording, Sumire knew that Masato would figure it out. Indeed, the moment Masaru finished saying those words. A complicated expression appeared on the pianist's face.
Masato starts murmuring when this could have happened, and suddenly she hears the words, 'was it the day she wore that yellow dress?' Sumire felt the atmosphere become tense, and her palms started to sweat. But that feeling vanishes when Toh grabs hold of her hands.
"If you're talking about that, then I do believe that is something between Sumire and me," Toh interjected.
Masaru chuckled. "Now, now. We are only worried about her. After all, Mashima-san, your older than her, and she is underage. As her friends, it is only normal for us to ask."
"Then you do not have to worry. I plan to take full responsibility for what happened."
Sumire could only sit there as she grew more and more embarrassed. Indeed, Toh mentioned previously that he would take responsibility for his actions. However, a lot has happened recently. So he hasn't actually taken action. Unless taking care of her counts?
Sometimes it is difficult to understand what he is thinking. Her thoughts break off when he puts his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close to him.
"I am serious about Sumire."
"I see." Masato trails off. "But Mashima-san, you do realize that you are four years older and Sumire is underage, correct?"
'Underage, huh?' Honestly, she doesn't understand what the big deal is. Toh is older than her, but she has seen many couples with much larger age differences.
"I am aware."
"If you truly care about her, maybe it would be better for you two to go your separate ways and not bother her again. It seems you care enough not to soil her reputation and run to the media. If so, then maybe you ought to leave now." Masato advised.
For the past few minutes, she had remained quiet, but after hearing Masato's words, she couldn't hold back anymore.
"I-I don't want-" Sumire raised her voice and felt everybody stare at her. "-to part ways with Toh."
She wants to keep talking to him and learn more about him.
Masato seemed even more troubled after she said those words.
"I see, lady, that's what you have decided. If so, then we have no right to stop you. As your friends, we can only advise you. We can only respect your choice if you still choose to do this. But you must be aware of the consequences. You must know that this could damage your career and everything you have worked hard for."
Sumire paused, hearing Masaru's tone. It's not like she didn't think about it. Nothing good will come out of her involvement with Toh, and if the media, who are so bent on harassing her find out. Then her chance of fulfilling her dreams will disappear. Sleeping with someone older? Sumire could already imagine the news.
However, despite these risks, she still hasn't broken contact with Toh. Toh gave her options before, one of which was to get out of her life for good. But she chose the other one.
"I know." Sumire said confidentally.
"Then, that's all. Right, Masa?"
Masato still looked troubled but nodded. After a few more questions, the two got up and left since they had worked at the station. It was silent for a few minutes until she felt Toh's lips on hers. For a moment, she is stunned, and then the next, she is in tears, and Toh is hugging her tightly.
"Ssh, I'm here," Toh said gently.
Hearing his gentle tone and seeing the kind gaze in his eyes. Sumire finds herself blurting out her thoughts.
"Masato looked so disappointed in me, and so did Masaru-senpai. I know neither of them agrees with my choice and believes I am being reckless. But you are not a bad person Toh, you have been very good to me. Why do I have to leave you?"
She feels so frustrated. She felt very hurt when she realized how disappointed those two would be.
Toh chuckles softly. "When you said that just now, I was very surprised. I didn't think you were that fond of me."
"I-I thought you knew already," Sumire said, embarrassed.
This is embarrassing. She ended up blurting those words out because she felt emotional and because she felt afraid that Toh would agree and leave her. So, she ended up admitting something she had been thinking silently to herself this entire time.
"I didn't. You truly are fascinating. You always find a way to get me more interested in you."
Realizing how close he was getting again, Sumire knew he was about to kiss her again. Thankfully at that time, her phone rang, seeing the caller ID. Her eyes lit up. It was Ru. This is the first time he is calling her since he was hospitalized.
On numerous occasions, she has wanted to contact him. But, Sumire figured that she ought to give him space. If she contacts him first, Ru would certainly think something is wrong and rush over.
'I don't know what type of sickness he has. Toh said it was just a common cold. But I didn't believe him. Two weeks of hospitalization for a common cold? There is something wrong with Ru.'
She has noticed that he has been getting weaker and weaker for a while now.
'I didn't say anything because even if I did, I knew he would try to hide it from me.'
She wanted to wait until he was ready to tell her himself. But, now that he is getting hospitalized. It seems like she has no choice but to confront him directly about it. When he returns, she will sit with him and talk seriously.