*UNEDITED*

Those guys were right there and yet they chose not to do anything. Meanwhile he was so far away and yet still tried to reach out to her. It frustrated him whenever he thought of it. "You know how I feel about her." Yuhi muttered. This was the first time he was admitting it out loud to anybody else. But he knew these two would not mock him.

Atushi nodded. "Yeah, sorry." He apologized. "We have no excuse and we all feel bad that it had to come to this."

"You left to go abroad before it happened anyway, so nobody can blame you."

"But I was still there during the incident."

All of them have their regrets and scars from the incident.

Jae clapped his hands. "Alright you two, this is enough for now. You wont get anywhere dwelling like this."

Indeed, what use is there brooding? Tsueno Mamoru is dead and even if he wasnt, they cannot reverse the damage from this incident.

His thoughts broke off when he saw Sumire at the door. She wore a dazed expression and looked around the room confused. Yuhi walked over to her and she slumped her head in his arms. "Still sleepy?" Yuhi asked her.

"Very sleepy." Sumire replied. "I don't know why I'm so tired."

"Sleep more after you eat."

"Yuhi too.."

His gaze softened at her words and he caressed her hair. With the way things are now, there is a chance for Sumire to live the life of a normal girl. But, she will eventually have to return to the stage. "Atushi, get her something to eat."

"Yes, yes. Will some bacon and eggs do, princess?" Atushi asked Sumire.

Sumire nodded. "Ah-huh."

"We were talking about going to the lakeside at the weekend. Would you like to join us Sumire-chan?" Jae asked.

Yuhi frowned. "No." He refused. "Sumire might catch a cold."

"Hey King, you're too protective. Let her hang around other people."

"I will, but not a bunch of delinquent men."

Jae sweat fell. "You're so cruel to your own people."

Is he? He never noticed before. Atushi quickly fixes up a meal for Sumire and he watches her spacing out. Yuhi picked up the spoon and extended it toward her. "Eat."

Sumire blinked and burst into laughter. "Okay. I thought you would try to feed me again."

"Unless you're sick, there is no need."

Why does this girl show the most unexpected expressions at random times? That gentle smile caught him off guard. It feels like ever since he met her, he has become a mushy guy.

"Speaking of which, I never asked before but how did you and Atushi-san meet?" Jae asked.

Huh? What kind of question is that? Yuhi was about to refuse to answer when he saw Sumire's curious expression. "It's a long story," Yuhi mumbled. "Let's talk about it another time."

Yuhi wanted to avoid talking about his first meeting with Atushi because it involved something strange.

"So why did King get in trouble? You two came back early." Jae asked.

Sumire spoke up. "Yuhi was jealous."

Yuhi quickly covered her mouth but Sumire bit his arm causing him to let go. Damn, why did she do that?

Jae bursts into laughter. "Jealous of the ex? Don't worry King, the Princess here seems to like you."

"Were only friends." Sumire interjected.

At that comment the atmosphere turned slightly tense, and his eyes twitched in annoyance. He understood that better than anybody, but did Sumire have to put it so bluntly? Besides, what happened to those words she said the other day?

"Didn't you say you would try to fall in love with me?" Yuhi snapped.

"Key word is try, I didn't say I would."

Damn this girl, what is she trying to pull?

Sumire tilted her head to the side innocently. "But I do like you more than the others Yuhi."

Yuhi could not say anything to those words, she rendered him completely speechless. Not only does she say the words, like and love far too easily.. Did she have to say it like that? He hated how calm Sumire was. He grabbed her hand and dragged her away from the counter.

"King, be gentle."

"Yuhi, don't be too harsh. But have fun."

His eyes twitched in annoyance when he heard those words. What fun? How could he have fun with her when he plans to lecture her? Yuhi quickly dragged her out of the room and he did not stop walking till they were upstairs. He somehow managed to drag the girl into his room and backed her against the wall. "Did you know that messing with me is a bad idea?"

Sumire nodded. "I know."

Hah, if she knew, she would not have done that. Or maybe she is that confident? Sumire is not like the other girls he went out with. She is not naive or innocent and has a bad personality. She loves to play mind games with other people.

Mind games huh? He should play some with her too. Yuhi bent down and brushed his lips against her ear, one hand on her thighs.

"I guess, you want to continue messing with me Sumire."

"I am not doing it intentionally this time."

He raised his eyebrow amused at her words. So the previous times were deliberate? Then again, Sumire has a bad personality.

"You're not huh?" Yuhi was not convinced. He knew she wasn't either, since she kept avoiding his gaze. Honestly this girl is very troublesome.

"I'm not so Yuhi, quit being unpleasant."

"I am only flirting with you."

Sumire looked at him puzzled. "This is flirting?"

He laughed and brushed his lips against her ear. Yuhi was tempted to do something more. It would be easy for him to do something. Too bad he is too much of a gentleman to do anything to her. Still, Yuhi got a proper look at Sumire. A lovely red covered her cheeks, she kept looking down at the ground to avoid his gaze.

'So cute, I want to eat her up..'

Sumire is normally so calm, collected and confident. But now, she is like this. He cupped her cheeks. "Hey, look at me."

"Not now you idiot."

"You keep calling me names today, I'm hurt."

"I know you're not, don't lie."

He chuckled and leaned forward. "The thing is Sumire, I have no intention of letting you go, so prepare yourself."

For the next few hours, Yuhi teases her as much as he could without going overboard. By the end of it, dark markings decorate her porcelain neck.