Later that night - Ruby Casino -

The plan was simple. He would lead her to the private room where his friends were waiting, and then one of the staff would come in and say a vital guest is waiting for him. He would leave for a few minutes, and by the time he returns, they would have given her quite a fright.

This is very risky, considering her background. But Sano knew he would have to take the risk. If he isn't careful, somebody could snatch her away from him.

Sano never considered this before, so at the start of their relationship, he was very sweet. But now that they have been dating for a while, Sano showed his true feelings. All the frustration he held back is spilling.

"I have to say I didn't know Sano was dating such a cutie."

Sano chuckled. "Hmm? Whose girlfriend are you complimenting? I admit that she is gorgeous. But don't jeer at her."

"Look how possessive he is."

"Sumire-chan here."

Sumire laughed awkwardly. "Um, I don't…." She trailed off and met his gaze. She accepted the cup and took a huge sip.

"Woah, look at her chug at it."

Sano brushed his fingers across her lips. "Was it good?"

Sumire weakly nodded. He saw how flushed her face was already. Then again, that alcohol was powerful. Sumire wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her face in his neck. To any of the other guys this sight

"Sweetheart, you shouldn't kiss me like this.."

"Mmm."

Step two, make the guys see her as not innocent. Make them desire her. Sano could already see the look on his companion's faces.

This is easier than he thought it would be. Sano thought that Sumire would have her guard up, considering how she behaved when he picked her up. But it seems like he managed to trick her into relaxing.

So naive and so very stupid. But after tonight, she will learn to obey him. After this, she will learn to love him more.

As the night progressed, it became crazier and crazier—all sorts of drinks and food.

When the time was right, Sano got up and left. He turned to the very drunk girl. "Stay here, okay? I will be right back, sweetheart. My friends will take good care of you."

......…..

2 hours later

After wandering around and taking a smoke break, he decided it should be fine by now. Those guys always boast about finishing in an hour.

Sano did not expect to return to this sight. The police by the door of the private room and his friends getting arrested one by one.

He stood completely frozen. Huh? What on earth is going on here?

"Ki, it's okay."

"No, scared. I'm so scared…"

Sano walked towards the direction of the voice and found his girlfriend in the arms of another man. This time around, Sano did not recognize the other guy, so he felt a lot more relaxed. This is nobody important; he can't compete. However, when Sano got closer, he saw how badly shaken up she was. He saw how tightly she was holding onto the other guy.

"Ru.."

"Im right here, relax."

His face color turned pale when he saw this sweet interaction between the two. It seems like he underestimated her. She has other people other than him to rely on.

"Uh, sir, do you need something?" The guy caught him watching.

"That girl is mine." Sano managed to say calmly despite his budding anger. He was furious, but what could he do? His plan not only failed, but here she is clinging to a guy other than him.

At that comment, Sumire lifted her head from the man's neck. "Sano?"

"Ah, the boyfriend."

"Ru, let go of me."

Ru? Sano recalled that text message from earlier the day. Is Ru short for Mamoru? The nickname thing again, it bothered him greatly since he knew how cold his girlfriend normally was.

"You okay now?"

Sumire nodded and left his hold. She walked over to him. Sano wanted to forcibly grab her, but the police were still around, and this guy kept watching his every move. "What happened?"

"Your friends..they…" Sumire seemed frightened. Her voice sounded weak.

It was the reaction he wanted, and yet this scenario is not playing out the way he wants.

"Your friends tried to touch her without her consent," Mamoru interjected. "Even though she screamed and told them no, they didn't let her go. It was a good thing that I was nearby otherwise.."

Sumire extended her hand out against the guy's sleeve. "Its okay, Im fine now. Thank you, Ru."

"Don't push yourself too much. If you need me, I am a call away."

"I know, thank you."

Despite how shaken she was, Sumire managed to respond properly. If it weren't for him saying he was the boyfriend. Sano knew other people could misunderstand.

"The police still have some questions, so you have to stay for a bit. Nagawa-san, I think they will ask you some things too."

......

Three hours later - Sanos place -

It was well past midnight when they finally returned. Since earlier, he did not say a word to her.

The police questioning was far too long for his liking. The one in charge kept hoarding questions at him; it is almost like they knew. They kept asking Sumire to confirm if he really was her boyfriend. Dating a minor isn't illegal as long as nothing intimate happens. They have her guardians consent too, so the police didn't mind. But they asked him a lot of questions.

Are you forcing her?

Why did you stand up and leave?

Was it a setup?

The last question bothered him greatly. It was just a random question, and yet it shook him. Thankfully the detective did not notice. Since earlier, he did not say a word.

The girl still seemed quite scared, and he could not miss how she was secretly texting Mamoru when they were in the car. He clearly saw the contents of the message. The guy was trying to reassure her, and her replies were how scared she still was.

Scared huh? Sure Sumire was crying, but that position, she could have kissed that guy.

Maybe she did it and took advantage of the moment. All sorts of crazy scenarios ran through him.

The plan failed, and he knew his friends would call him to help bail them out. Sano, however, would not answer their calls. If he bailed them out, then it would answer the detective's question.

He needs to break contact with them for a while.

Make her feel frightened? He does not need other people. His gaze darkened if that is how she is going to play, then so be it. Sano slammed the door shut behind them.

Sumire tilted her head innocently. "Sano?"

The guy's jacket still hung on her shoulders.

He took heavy strides across the room and threw her down onto the bed. Sumire landed with a large thud as she hit her head against the headboard. "San...sano...wait, I was just--"

"Shut up." Sano snapped. He removed his belt and pinned the girl's arms with the headboard. "You were scared? So frightened you had to cling to another guy? Then so be it."

"Sano...I was..I was only.."

His gaze dimmed. "Don't talk; tonight, I will show you what it means to be scared."