Chapter 54 - Hostile
After that talk with Sumire, she told him she wanted to look around the building. He gave her his pass and told her to call him when she finishes Yuhi went to his next job; there was still some time before the recording, so he attended the meeting.
The moment Yuhi entered the room, he spotted a man with golden brown colored hair and grey-colored eyes. He wore a navy-colored jacket and brown-colored pants. Yuhi immediately recognized him as Sumire's ex-boyfriend.
"..."
Speak of the devil. Why on earth is this man here?
Yuhi warned Sumire that there is a chance he would appear, but to think it happened right after their conversation.
"Perfect timing Terashima-kun, this man will come here often now to help with the events for our artists."
This man is not interested in the entertainment industry. He never got himself involved before.
Yuhi suspected that he was doing this to get involved with Sumire. Based on what Sumire said to him, this man still wanted to meet with her.
"Terashima Yuhi, correct? We met briefly before but.."
Yuhi nodded.
He turned to the person on the right; it was the president of this company Hino. A man with spiky purple hair and golden colored eyes. "President."
Hino turned to him and frowned. "Here comes my slacker. I wondered where you were, but it seems like you were skipping out to go dating."
The rumors must have reached him already.
"What's wrong with a few dates? I need a girlfriend too."
At that comment, Hino hits him on the head with a book. "Don't get a girlfriend without introducing her to me first. I'm like your guardian."
He rolled his eyes at that comment. There is a reason why he has not told the president regarding Sumire yet. Yuhi thought to tell him. Like he said, he acts like his guardian. But Yuhi quickly decided against it. When he analyzed Hino's past behavior, Yuhi realized that the guy showed hostility towards females.
"Listen to this San, Yuhi is hiding things from me now."
Sano chuckled. "It's okay for kids his age to hide a secret or two, besides having a girlfriend his age is not surprising."
"Then, do you have one?"
"I came to Tokyo to meet my ex."
"Huh? Oh, right, the one you mentioned before."
Yuhi frowned when he saw where the conversation was heading. By ex, does he mean Sumire? He shook his head; this guy has dated many people since he broke up with Sumire. He needs to stay calm and keep things professional as much as possible.
"I will introduce her later; she came with me today."
Hino sighed. "Alright, but I don't understand you. After Touko cheated on you and Miyazawa, too, I thought you would have learned your lesson."
Indeed, anybody would think so. But those two were mere substitutes for Sumire; he does not care for any of them.
After talking for a few minutes, the informal meeting started. Yuhi could not help but look over at Sano every so often. Professional, intelligent, and he seems to be well-liked too. He could see why anybody would fall for him, but at the same time, Yuhi felt bitter. The words Sumire said earlier played in his head.
Now that he actually sees this guy, he can't help but think. This person dated Sumire, he even touched her.
"Any questions?"
Hino raised his hand. "Sano, just a question. You mentioned you want to work closely with an artist from this company, but does it matter who?"
"Not at all."
"Then, Yuhi."
Yuhi's eyes twitched in annoyance. It seems like he will get no say in this whatsoever. Hino is doing this deliberately.
The other members started to split off into their groups. Yuhi stayed in his chair, looking at the ceiling dazed. The ex-boyfriend appears before the fiance.
It seems like courting Ibuki Sumire won't be easy. He already loses out to Mamoru, who has already passed away. He wants to make Sumire happy; he wants her to smile. What can he do to make sure she is smiling all the time?
His thoughts broke off when somebody called out to him. "Yuhi?" A voice from the doorway said. "Say about the--"
Damn Sumire…
Who on earth told her where he was? It was already far too late for him to do anything; they saw each other. Sano stood up, surprised.
"This is surprising; you're here, Sumire?"
At that comment, everybody in the room glanced over. Thankfully, there were not many people, but they were already looking over and whispering. Yuhi could not miss Hino's hostile glare.
"Sano."
Yuhi stood up and walked over to her. He draped his jacket around her shoulders. "Did you need something?" He reminded her.
"There was an area that had your name on it. I was wondering if I could go there."
"That's my private space, and yes, yes you can. There is a bed there too, so if you want to take a nap, go ahead." He squeezed her hands. "I will join you in a bit."
"Okay, thank you, Yuhi."
Yuhi noticed her gaze on Sano for a few seconds, but she quickly turned away. "You knew Ibuki Sumire, Terashima-san?" one of the board members said.
A deep sigh crossed his lips. "Yeah."
"Then, you should have said so before.."
....
He finally broke free. Yuhi leaned against the wall and sighed. Those board members can get annoying. So what if he knew Sumire? Why did they make it sound like she was extinct or something? Sure she has not appeared in public for a while, but he hated how they spoke about her. He took out a cigarette and lighter. Sumire didn't come back or call him, so she most-likely fell asleep or something.
His thoughts drifted onto what happened earlier. Sanos expression towards Sumire bothered him. Yuhi could not understand what it meant.
"Mind passing on a message for me, Terashima-san?"
Yuhi sighed when he saw the owner of the voice.
"No."
Sano smiled. "It seems like you have an interesting relationship with her."
"I am her boyfriend," Yuhi argued.
But Sano shook his head. "It does not appear to be like that. If you were her boyfriend, she would have at least kissed you before leaving."
Why is this guy so sure of that? He has not seen Sumire in a long time. "People change."
"She is the same as before."
The air around him grew heavy, and Yuhi glared at Sano. "Look, I want to keep things professional. But since you're the one who is bringing up this subject, then I will remind you that not only did you break up with her, you cheated too. I don't think you have any right talking to her."