"I do, and perhaps it's because of that belief. I could never truly get close to anyone."

Eh?

"This is the last part of the business."

Oh!

Soujiro continues. "The bacterial disease caused a change in those who were able to wake up from their comas. The patients then saw a dramatic increase in both their intelligence and physical strength. They remembered everything they had seen once as if they had taken a photograph of it. And they would never forget it. But some of these new humans had discovered something else as well.

A certain kind of 'noise,' something felt for a mere instant and gone the next. Something out of place. Entities appearing in the gaps between reality and illusion, where no one would think to look. Higher intellects who resemble humans pretend to be human and, in doing so, rule humanity. "

Rather than a disease, this is starting to sound like a new form of evolution. However, that last half can only fit the description of certain people.

"These new humans are starting to sniff out the hanyous, aren't they? "

"Yeah, and that's why the hanyou-elite alliance communities have been meeting up often. That's why Terashima is late coming back to, and he, he is bearing a lot of things."

"Correct me if I am wrong, but are you sympathizing with Yuhi?

A small smile appears on his face. "It's time for the personal questions now, huh?"

Her cheeks colored red. "Sorry, even though you said a lot. I didn't comment much. Rather, I was far too impatient."

"You don't have to apologize. I know full well what kind of person you are, and now it's time for me to confess a few things. Let's start with this. . . " Soujiro pulled up another document, another photograph.

But this one was different, and it had nothing to do with the cases. Eh? It took her a few moments to understand what he was showing her.

"You mean to say you had an agreement with my parents? That's why they pushed me away? Why anyone who asked me out, anyone who proposed."

Sumire couldn't believe what she was hearing. However, now that she knew his real identity. It all makes sense now. He was the boy from before, the one she made a promise to. If it's like that, it's only natural he made such arrangements.

It's natural, and yet, for some reason, she can't accept it.

"Because of that, I thought of myself as a girl who couldn't fall in love with someone properly. Everything fell apart with any guy I dated. I thought of myself as the lowest of humans in the world. Even if I hadn't distinguished my feelings as love, I should not have asked that person out and taken advantage of those circumstances; if you didn't do that, no. …that's not it."

Even if he hadn't taken such an action, nothing would have changed. The feelings she had for Sano would still have appeared, Ren and that person.

Soujiro reached over and brushed his fingers across her eyes.

"I wanted you to fall in love with me naturally and not restricted by the promise. However, I was slightly irked when you didn't recognize me and treated you coldly for awhile. However, I've always loved you, Sumire. It's far too late to say this now I know. But I want to hear your feelings."

'Indeed, it is late. But even if he said it from the start, the outcome would remain the same.'

"I love, Yuhi."

"Yeah, I knew that much too."

Soujiro pulled away from her. "If you take a look and analyze my actions properly, you'll realize that I wasn't trying to take you for myself in the end. But to bring you to the person you've always held dear in your heart."

Wait what? Although she suspected that he formed some sort of resolve, she didn't know how long. Could it be from the very beginning?

Sumire doesn't get a chance to debate about it since Soujiro walked off.

"-Soujiro!"

He continues walking off but halted in his tracks.

"T--thank you very much! I'll try no, I'll be genuinely happy from now onwards."

From now on, she has to make an effort, a proper one, to be happy with Yuhi. After all, this person has sacrificed so much just so she could find her happiness.

"If not, then perhaps I shall make a move." Soujiro suddenly appeared before her. Before she knew it, his lips- Sumire closed her eyes. But after a few minutes, nothing happened.

She opened her eyes and found Soujiro's warm and gentle eyes on her.

"It seems I can't do anything."

"Soujiro-"

"I will cover for you as much as I can. So Sumire, please try from now on."

Thank you so much, Soujiro.

Although she has yet to sort out the pieces properly in her head, how much he has helped her and sacrificed, she only saw the surface layer.

However, for now, she wants to express these heartful feelings of gratitude.

….

The market was rather crowded. But that was good for her. She only wore a hat for disguise and had no glasses or anything else. It would be bad if people recognized her.

"Um, do we have everything we need? Were not missing anything?"

To meet with Yuhi right afterward felt somewhat odd. She felt almost guilty. However, Yuhi had assured her that Soujiro had informed him beforehand and quit, ' Even if he hadn't. We already spoke about things in detail.'

She wonders what sorts of things they spoke about. After all, Yuhi was rather strict about her meeting Soujiro. From the very start,, Yuhi-san was cautious towards Soujiro and not other guys.

"Sumire?"

Sumire responds calmly, despite her thoughts spiraling out of control.

"No, I think we got everything. I can carry this stuff. " She said, noticing that the bag had vanished from her hands and was now in his. He must have taken it away when she was distracted.

"It's okay, and I can hold this and also take something else hostage."

Eh? Yuhi grabbed hold of her hand, and her cheeks turned red.

Gee, he is so foolish. But she tightened her grip on his hand and saw his eyes widen.

Indeed this must be a first for her to take the initiative like this.

Sumire recalled what she promised Soujiro and her gaze softened. Even if it is difficult she has to properly try for the person who sacrificed so for her.

Also, she needs to consider others, for Yuhi, who accepted her and for Tseuno Mamoru, who made all of this possible.