Eternal Melody

Chapter 673 Mashima Mirako

　　What could it be? If Lucifer told his people about her, he surely must have distributed a photo. Or rather, at this stage, it would be unusual if people who belong to the underworld didn't know her? Is she missing something?

　　Her thoughts broke off; feeling an unusual presence, Sumire immediately stepped back and shoved Shin out of the way. A cloaked man stepped out of the shadows. That cloak is similar to the one Lucifer wears, but it is different.

　　"Who are you?" Sumire decided that there was no use beating around the bush.

　　"Oh, you don't know who I am? Even though you asked people to investigate me." 

　　Investiga- ah, could it be?

　　"Your Toh's brother."

　　According to the files Kou gave her, his name is Mashima Mirako, and he is twenty-two years old.

　　"Seeing as how you're still calling him in a familiar tone. I see, so you're still seeing my brother?"

　　".."

　　Sumire knew it would be stupid to refute his misunderstanding now. But she can't openly admit something that isn't true either, so she simply stayed silent. 

　　"A woman like you, I wonder what's so special." He trailed off. "You used rubber bullets? Are you trying to act like some type of saint?"

　　"Of course not; that word doesn't suit me." Sumire raised her gun and casually fired it, causing the bullet to graze his cheek. "You see? I switched already."

　　"Hahahaha, I see you're that type of woman. But you know, when you shoot, it should be with the intention to kill."

　　Before she could even make a retort, he appeared right in front of her and aimed his gun at her. He is so fast-! Sumire barely dodged it, and the bullet hit her right shoulder; he aimed a second one just right after the first that hit her leg. 

　　What is this? It's not like his marksmanship is better; his shoots are a bit clumsy. But his speed makes up for that. He is fast, but so is she. She learned from Ru after all, and yet is he faster than her?

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　　Mirako laughed. "This is why you don't let your guard down."

　　Sumire took out her other gun, but it immediately slipped out of her fingers since Mirako fired another shot. She tried to aim at him, but for some reason, none of her attacks were landing. 

　　'Is he using some type of trick? I have perfect marksmanship.' Although having that doesn't necessarily guarantee that she would have perfect aim each time. But, it does guarantee that most of her shots should hit. She shouldn't miss this many times in a row.

　　After saying those words, he punched her stomach hard, and her eyes widened, alarmed. Ah no-!

　　"Sumire!" Shin screamed as he caught her.

　　Sumire coughed and felt droplets of blood leave her lips as Shin laid her down on the ground. She clenched her stomach and felt a pool of blood appear around her.

　　The children--

　　Yuhi's children-

　　No, she can't allow anything to happen to them. She has to do something. But her entire body feels so weak. 

　　'Then, do you want me to take over?'

　　'Isn't it fine? Once again, make use of me-' 

　　Sumire hears voices in her head. Her vision was blurry, and she felt she was losing more blood each second. This isn't good; she has to move. She hears Shin exchanging blows with Mirako, but Mirako is obviously messing with him and not taking the fight seriously.

　　Her consciousness will fade.

　　'Hey, don't sleep; if you do, I'll just use your body for my own use-'

　　Who is talking to her? It's annoying. She is already in so much pain.

　　Before her consciousness could fade, she heard somebody calling her name frantically and insulting her. She could barely see now, but she made out red hair.

　　"Atsuro?" Sumire mumbled weakly.

　　Why would Atsuro appear here?

　　"Tsk, damn it. You really are stupid!"

　　That's definitely Atsuro, but Atsuro wouldn't appear here on his own. Sumire mustered her remaining strength, turned her head, and spotted black hair wearing a black outfit with a cape. A cape? Her dear looks good in anything.

　　"Y-Yu-"

　　Yuhi must have heard her since he crouched down and kissed her lips softly. "Let Atsuro heal you. You worked hard. I'll deal with the rest."

　　"Children, our children-" Sumire sobbed.

　　How many minutes have gone by since she started bleeding? What if there is an issue?

　　"Leave it to Atsuro; even he has some tricks."

　　"But-"

　　"Stay strong, Sumire." With those words, Yuhi walked back over to Mirako and Shin.

　　Mirako's gaze was dark, and Sumire felt his bloodlust increase.

　　"So your Terashima Yuhi? You're the one who killed them-!" Mirako looked absolutely furious.

　　Killed? What did her dearest do?

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　　She felt a warm light around her stomach and realized that it came from Atsuro's hand. Several scrolls with ancient writing scribbled around them were glowing too.

　　"You're seriously crazy," Atsuro muttered. "Do you know how frightened I was when I heard that Aki told you that and when Shin confirmed my thoughts?"

　　Ah, so Atsuro must have told Yuhi.

　　"But if you think I was frightened, Yuhi looked like he would collapse on the spot."

　　"Y-you were together?" Sumire said weakly. 

　　"Yeah, we had something to discuss."

　　"Atsuro, what about the kids?"

　　"Thankfully, he didn't hit too hard. But he still hit you, and that's why you bled. Just leave it to me. I will have you fixed up in no time."

　　"Is this healing?"

　　"Something similar to it." Atsuro gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. "So, if I save your children, will you start trusting me now?"

　　Sumire blinked and laughed at his words. "You're so silly. Is that why you have been sneaking around with my dearest recently? Are you trying to persuade him first so he can persuade me?"

　　"If you know, then fall for it already."

　　"You still get annoyed easily." 

　　Due to Atsuro's 'healing,' she was slowly regaining her strength, and her vision was gradually returning to normal. She turned to Yuhi, who was now fighting Mirako. He wasn't using guns but a sword, or rather two swords. 

　　Sumire blinked, surprised. So that's the weapon he prefers? Now that she thought about it, when they worked alongside one another. He would always look at the gun and say, 'a bit too small.' She never understood what he meant, but now it makes sense.

　　His movements are so swift; he must have practiced a lot. Whenever Yuhi fights, he looks ten times cooler. It feels like she is going to fall in love with him all over again.