This internal battle would easily end if she confessed her feelings to the man she liked. But, she already lost the privilege to do something like that long ago.
They said they would meet as normal people. But she cannot abandon the life of an outlaw and focus on her career and her dream.
'I am a hypocrite.' Does he know that she is still engaging in such dangerous actions every day?
"By the way. You have to join the art club if you've got an art recommendation." Daiki said, oblivious to her worries.
"Eh, is that so?"
"It's fine to join a club since there's a scheduled period for club activities. There was no need for the first two semesters, but you should join one in your last semester, so during the second year, you already belong to a club."
Right clubs are mandatory for second years.
"I guess I will join. Though I don't understand why they gave me the art recommendation."
The reason she got into this school was due to an art recommendation. Due to her exceptional talent, she enrolled in a scholarship program that helps cover most of her school fees. She was going to apply anyway but for music, but they gave her the offer before she could do so.
It does not matter which one it is; participating in the scholarship program is better for her. Right now, she is still young, so she cannot touch the inheritance. She does make her own money through her work in the underworld, but it's not the best source of income.
Tsukuhara high school is one of the best schools in this area too. The school fees are expensive.
"Don't be modest. You won the national art competition for the entire middle schoolers two years ago. It's natural that you'd get one." Daiki said.
Rather, she got into a strange state where her the mind was blank again, and started to paint.
'I am not confident that I can reproduce that painting again.'
Come to think of it, the painting that won the competition then was a picture of everyone else. No to be precise, it was a picture of the auras she saw. An aura of six colors, yet she left a gap in the center.
That gap, even now, when she watches them sing, it feels like something is missing.
Her thoughts broke off when Daiki suddenly patted her hair.
"Daiki-sama?" Sumire said, confused.
"It's fine to do whatever you wish."
To do whatever she wants, huh? "I can probably guess what your thinking. But it's alright; no one is going to judge you. They won't think you're being half-hearted."
Whenever she was with this person, Sumire often saw it. There is a sparkling trail around him like it was part of his aura.
But how could Daiki act so normal after what happened? Perhaps she misu- her thoughts broke off when she saw the gentle look on his face.
No, she didn't misunderstand; he likes her. But she cannot return his feelings. After all, the person she likes is Yuhi.
'I need to distance myself from him for awhile.' It was something she decided the moment he confessed to her. She does not have the heart to accept his feelings when she supposedly likes another man.
Sumire proceeded to move away but realized how close he was getting. Wait a second- this moment is interrupted when they hear somebody chuckling.
"It seems Dai made the first move on you, lady; how disappointing. The first one should have been me."
Her thoughts broke off when she spotted a man with golden-colored hair and silver-colored eyes leaning against the pillar with a violet-colored rose in his hand.
This person is Tachibana Masaru; he is one year older than her. But due to all the skipping he has done, he ended up one year behind and having to repeat a grade. Despite that, though, this man has exceptional musical talent.
Sumire sighed when she heard his wording. "Daiki-sama is not like you, don't make him sound so vulgar."
Right, unlike Tachibana Masaru, who fools around with countless women. Daiki-sama is not like that at all. He may have confessed to her, but not only is he not pressuring her for an answer, but he also hasn't mentioned it at all.
Even though that last part is unusual, she won't think about it at all.
"How cruel, you're always so cold to me, lady."
"That's because you always say weird stuff."
But if it's Masaru-senpai, perhaps she can talk to him about this? Right now, her best friend, Momoi Futaba, is modeling in a fashion show abroad. She could just wait until her friend returned, but she wanted to get this out of the way.
Sumire tugged on his sleeve. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Masaru chuckled. "Sure, but before that." He turned to the silent Daiki.
Uh oh, she is getting a bad feeling.
"Dai, you really made a move on her?"
As she thought, whenever Masaru shows up, trouble happens. Before she could stop him, however, Daiki spoke up.
"During the training camp, I confessed my feelings to her."
Wait, why is he mentioning it to Masaru? He has not mentioned it in front of her after the first time.
"Oh? I see. But Dai, you should know who the lady likes very well, correct?"
"Of course, I know."
Uh, is it just her, or are there lightning bolts between them? Sensing the growing tension, Sumire begins to push Masaru away.
"I have something important to discuss, and lunch break is almost over. Let's go."
"Sure, sure."
Even though Masaru was replying to her, she could not miss his mocking gaze as he looked towards Daiki-sama. This guy truly has a bad personality. What on earth is he doing making the situation worse?
Sumire exhaled deeply. She would rather be surrounded by one hundred people and be in the middle of a brawl than deal with this petty senpai of hers.
'Yuhi, is this living a normal life?' On the surface, she looked like a normal student, but she had to deal with many complicated matters in her life. Suddenly the underworld issues are far easier to deal with than this.