Eternal Melody

Chapter 702: I will protect you

There standing between her, Yuhi and the reporter was Hino. He looked furious. It was the first time seeing a genuine look of rage on his face.    

"What did I say?" Hino said coldly.

"N--narasaki-" Jin stammered.

"Are my words a joke? Like Yuhi said, they aren't working now. You have no right to take photos. Moreover, do you not remember the restraining order?"

"N-Narasaki, you can't be serious about that. This woman is a public figure, she is an artist. As reporters we have the right to take photos."

Sumire held back from sighing. This man is courting death, Hino has already made his words clear. Hino is the type of person once he says something means it. He isn't the type to have hidden motives or messages.

Sure enough Hino's glare deepened as he approached the reporter.

Jin seemed nervous but continued to speak. "You two are being tricked. This woman is a vile woman who will only continue to hurt people! She is cursing people just by being alive. Something like this needs to be locked away."

Her eyes widened when Hino pulled out a blade that shimmered in the moonlight. Seeing it Jin froze.

A sword? This is Japan, so it's not unusual to see old weapons like this. But why does Hino have it with him? 

"You're the fool here. No, all of you are being foolish. You're all spreading this malicious information about her. But have you ever stopped to think about it? Why do you hate her so much? What has she actually done? Tsueno Mamoru's accident aside, what has she actually done that you can prove?"

"T-that's, there are plenty of witnesses-"

"Then bring those witnesses to court next time. If you keep spouting nonsense without evidence then I will personally cut you down."

Ah, this is the first time she is seeing Hino like this. She didn't even know he had this side of him. 

"It is my mission to protect her. If you continue to harm her, then assume your life is over."

Hino took a step forward. "Well? Since you talked big just now, I thought you'd step forward. No, not just you." He turned his attention to the crowd. "If there is any one of you who wish to harm her, then step forward. I will end your lives swiftly."

The crowd who had been chatting just moments ago was suddenly quiet. Everybody knew that Hino isn't the type to make empty threats, if they continued to make her life miserable Hino would hunt them down. 

'Would he actually use that sword?' No, that is a stupid question. He is serious. She thought she already knew everything about this person, but this side of him is new to her.

That is not right either, it feels familiar. She has seen him like this before, somewhere, a very long time ago.

"I will only repeat this one more time. I will protect her and nobody will stand in my way. Have you all forgotten what happened at the court hearing? I said it then, if anybody speaks ill about her with no evidence. No, even if you have it, I will not forgive anybody who causes her harm."

Sumire was speechless. He actually said that? It already surprised her hearing about the restraining order, but she didn't actually know what he said. 'More to research.'

"Engrave these words in your mind now, or I will personally do so. Now scram."

At those words the crowd started to disperse. Some briefly stayed to look but even the main cause of this the reporter named Jin running away.

Hino however called out. "I'll visit your company later, look forward to it."

Her sweat fell at those words. This man is far too brutal. So this is why people gave him the title of golden manager. Hino walked over to them, he stood directly in front of her and flicked her forehead.

"Trouble."    

"I-I didn't do anything!"

"That's the issue." Hino sighed and turned to Yuhi. "-and you! What were you thinking raising your voice and highlighting the news from a year ago."

Ah he is yelling at her dearest! Sumire proceeds to speak up but Yuhi shakes his head.

"You're right, I almost lost control of my temper completely. When I saw Sumire having a panic attack like that, I focused on comforting her but I was burning with rage. I wanted to rush over and beat up that reporter."

That's right, he stopped talking but his hands never left her back. 

Hino wore a troubled expression on his face. "You know it was already difficult to cover up what happened last time. Yuhi, I know you want to protect her. But if anything happens to you then her last remaining protection will disappear and even I will struggle."

Indeed, the reason she is able to experience a normal life with only the occasional harassment is most-likely due to her dearest.

"Get me a drink." Hino placed some money onto Yuhi's palm.

"Yeah." Yuhi said, dazed. But despite this strange state he bends down and kisses her lips softly. "Give me a few minutes, I will be back immediately."

Sumire laughed. "Mmm, alright." The kiss certainly surprised her but she felt very happy about it. She watched Yuhi disappear into the crowd.

The moment Yuhi left Hino thrust some documents in her hands.

"Here."

Sumire looked at the documents blankly. The words Fns J festival was written boldly across the page. But what stood out to her was participant Ibuki Sumire will be performing- participant?!

'FNS J FESTIVAL FINAL DAY.' 

"T--this?" Sumire said startled.

"I got you a slot. Unfortunately it's the very last day, but I think that's better for you. You will have time to calm down."

How on earth did he do this? Although she only just learned that many people who dislike her are participating. The amount of influence those people have, normally would be enough to pressure the ones in charge. It seems like the ones in charge don't like her either so they probably complied to the artist's requests without hesitation.

"I told you already, as long as you are my artist anything is possible."

It's true he said that but she thought he was just being over confident due to his large ego. It turns out that isn't the case here, he is truly amazing. On top of that, he is young, handsome and single. It's strange that there isn't a flock of women by his feet.

*Unedited*