Then again, it's not like he gave Razel direct instructions.

"Where is Yuhi?" Sumire immediately noticed him.

"I gave him an injection, and he passed out."

"Wait, what did you give him?!!"

"It was only medicine. It looked like he was in pain and that he was battling something." Razel stepped back, and Sumire rushed out of the room. Sano followed after her and saw Terashima slumped against the hallway walls.

'I noticed it earlier, but Terashima's complexion looks awful.' The one who needs examining is Terashima. Razel must have noticed that.

"Yuhi?"

"..sorry."

"You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault that there are stubborn people who don't listen to my warning. It seems I have to be more direct."

"Don't go."

Sumire shook her head. "Unless I handle this myself, those people will never learn." She leaned forward and gently brushed her forehead against Terashimas. "I will be right back. Will you wait for me at home?"

"I will wait, stay safe."

Sano clenched his fist when he watched the sweet scene in front of him. Why does she like Terashima so much? Sano still didn't understand the reason why. What makes this guy so unique?

….

Sano quietly followed Sumire out of the hospital. For the next forty minutes, nobody spoke a word, but he was gradually getting uncomfortable. Almost an hour has passed since they started to walk, yet Sumire shows no sign of stopping. Exactly where is this place they intend- his thoughts broke off when she suddenly stopped.

"Ah, here we are."

Huh? Sano looked at where she was pointing; there was a large metal gate with a strange engraving at the front. A large castle-like mansion surrounded by a forest. Sano rubbed his eyes and blinked. Is he just seeing things? Weren't they in the main street just now?

He hesitantly looked back but could no longer see traces of the street; there was an extensive fog all around them. "Follow me," Sumire said.

Sano somehow nodded as she opened the gate, and they stepped inside. "What kind of place is this?" He asked a foolish question because he gradually felt his nerves getting to him.

"It's an underground base for people like me."

Sano nodded. 'Right, those people always meet in places like this.' This is the first time he has ever gone to one, though. Usually he would send somebody else in his place.

'I don't want to involve myself too much.' The more he learns, the deeper he gets into this underworld business.

"I thought you didn't know about your abilities."

"Mmm, correct. But, I have always had inhumane strength, so they accepted me." Sumire trailed off and sighed. "Well, now that I think it through that's strange, so I guess they realized the truth."

So she was going to places like this even when they dated? It seems like there are many things he didn't know about her. Then again, did he ever ask?

"Are you going to follow me?" Sumire asked as they approached an old and dark looking entrance.

"Isn't it too late to ask?"

"What if..." Sumire trailed off and suddenly took a step forward. "What if I kill you? Nobody will know."

Even when he found out that she was a member of the underworld, he was not afraid. Even when she punched him that time, there was no fear. But now, he was frightened.

He unconsciously stepped back until his back hit the wall. He felt his breathing go unsteady, and it felt like all the air in this small space had vanished.

Sumire leaned forward and raised her hand. "This is the first time seeing you so frightened. Are you afraid of me, San?"

'I'm not afraid.' But for some reason, those words would not leave his lips.

They are so close, close enough to touch, yet why can't he move his body? Why does he want to run and hide?

Sumire suddenly stepped back. "I will wait for you inside, so stay out here and calm down." With those words, he watched as she disappeared behind the double doors.

Sano slumped against the wall and deeply sighed. What was that just now? That deadly look in her eyes and the way she spoke, was she serious?

___

When humans see things outside the norm, there are only two options. One is to ignore it and pretend that it never happened. The second is to face it. The first may seem relatively easy, and a large portion of people forget it immediately.

If it is unnatural, they will choose to erase it from their memory or merely dismiss it as a dream.

To face something out of the ordinary may seem like the most extreme challenge. But anyone could challenge that and say it depends on the extent of the unnatural.

In this case, the ordinary people here have chosen to face it and mix it with the 'unnatural. '

A place where hanyous and regular humans can be together should be a joyous place for her. But since she stepped in here, the scent of blood has not left her. She does not have to look around to know that there has been a feast of great magnitude prepared here. Moreover, they do not even try to conceal the blood; it's as though they want to bask in it, this disgusting smell.

"Welcome, lady Sumire."

Although they spoke calmly, Sumire sensed the fear hidden in their voices.

"We have not had the honor of your presence since the soiree last winter."

Sumire flinched at the words last winter. Last winter's gathering..she attended it alone, but in the end, Ru followed her. This time around, there is no chance for him to appear and help her. She is alone now; from now on, she will have to deal with these situations alone.

"What brings the lady here to our small and dirty establishment on this fine evening?"

"A few days ago, there was a fool who attacked Terashima Yuhi, who met his end. This person would not have had to die if he didn't act so recklessly." Sumire recalled the sight from the alleyway. "Those people were your men, correct?"

Despite her calm tone, there was a deadly look on her face and a dark aura around her.

"It was not me who gave those instructions."

Sumire sensed the fear in their voices and their body language. They are afraid of her; everyone in this establishment is worried.

Everybody must have heard the news by now about her learning of her ability. They were scared before, but now there is something else.

"With all due respect, young, pure hanyou princess." An older looking woman stepped out of the bar area. "It doesn't matter who you associate within your circle of friends. But, your partner is in a different situation. Some dislike the idea of your relationship with that man. I plead that you take your engagement with Makoto Soujiro seriously."

Sumire deeply sighed. 'Such traditional values. It's unheard of to be in an arranged marriage this day and age, yet they accept it so easily.'