Sometimes it is painful for her to be around Yuhi. No matter how much she loves him, she recalls why she turned him down in the back of her mind.

I do not deserve to be with him. Somebody as vile and dirty as her should not be around him.

Yet, she cannot let him go, and she wants to possess everything about the man called Yuhi.

"You know I wish kimonos were uniforms."

"Eh?" It was only then when she noticed the look in his eyes. This stupid pervert. "Even if kimonos are easy to take off, we aren't doing that in school."

Yuhi looked at her with an innocent look. "I wasn't implying that."

As if! But unlike Sano, Yuhi does not act like a gentleman. If he wants her, he will tell her. There is no mask. This is one of the many things she liked about him. He not only treats her well, but he respects her. This is the first relationship where she has felt like an equal.

Sano was a jerk, and he only used her. No, they used each other.

Ren was a good guy, but he had his own fair share of problems.

With Ru, it was nice, but it felt like they were locked in their dream bubble and pushed away those around them.

"But wait, if they were, then people would see how pretty you are. Now I can't have any more guys liking you."

"Wh-" Her sentence fell short when Yuhi leaned forward.

"You already have a harem, dear. Do you know what problems they cause me?"

"That is not my fault." Sumire tried to avert her gaze, but it was difficult since he was so close. "Yuhi, about what I said to you the other night I.."

When she woke up in the morning, she regretted telling him. Even though Yuhi already suspected something, actually hearing it from her must be painful. Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi kissed her lips softly.

"I am not mad, Sumire. So don't worry."

"But I must have hurt your feelings." She said it so bluntly there is no way he is not hurt.

"Your right; it did hurt me."

"Then-"

"But how can I possibly get angry at you, Sumire?"

What sort of logic is that? Of course, he can get angry at her.

"Yuhi, not so fast. I can't let you go so easily now that you know my secrets."

Yuhi nodded and sat opposite her.

"Well, then Yuhi-san."

"Yes."

"You didn't even tell me even though you knew. I think that's quite mean of you, Yuhi-san."

"It is?"

Is he that dense? Why on earth does she have to say it? Geez.

"If I looked, I would be troubled is why."

"By what? Are you not going to give me a reason after lecturing me?" Yuhi questioned. By this point, she was already fidgeting uncontrollably. "If you don't tell me, I will talk about you secret hideout-"

"You probably wrote silly things like how much you like me and want to touch me." She paused in mid-sentence, realizing what she just said there. "Don't make me say it, you dummy!"

"That's exactly right. Did you not check the entry? Last time I wrote about your scent and stuff."

"Gee! Don't say anymore!"

She didn't want to see it, didn't want to see how warmly he thinks of her even now. Because she's decided to be with Yuhi because the one she loves is without a doubt only Yuhi, yet this person has always remained connected to her no matter what. No matter how many times she severs the connection, they always end up together.

No matter how many times she tells him that she still loves Ru, he always comes back. A real idiot, but his feelings are genuine.

"I am the worst." Sumire mumbles. "I am very happy that you do so much for me, Yuhi. But I'm not able to properly respond to your feelings right now."

Yuhi reached over and grabbed hold of her arm. "I already know. I am sorry, Sumire. I know your heart hasn't been able to move on from that day. You may hide it from the others, but I- the others can tell that you're still thinking of Mamoru. I have absolutely no intention of rushing you. I just want you to know that my feelings aren't going to change. . Please feel free to leave me if you ever don't need me anymore."

If it were that simple Yuhi, they wouldn't belong through all of this now. If it was that simple, then by now, he would have somebody else.

'By now, they wouldn't be this close.'

But the last part is a lie; that would never happen even if she wanted it to, even if she wanted to distance herself from him. Even if she were to leave him, their fates would still connect and be unable to leave each other's side.

"You're so foolish." She mumbled.

"I know."

Sumire moved away from him and walked over to the couch. After a few minutes, she hears Yuhi slide a chair behind the couch.

"Sorry."

"Why are you apologizing for?"

"Lately, it feels like I am too pushy. At the start, when I asked you out, I told you I would not rush you and that we can take our time. But whenever I am around you, I cannot control my feelings."

"But you won't break up with me?"

"Yeah, that is impossible."

'Impossible, huh?'

"You know those mini letters you slipped into the books you sent me?"

"Mmm? What about the--" Yuhi awkwardly ran his hands through his hair. "Forget it, those were…"

"Love letters?"

"…"

Sumire laughed softly at his reaction. Normally Yuhi is so calm and bold. It is rare to see him this way. It seems she likes him more than she thought. Unlike back then, something has changed, though. She still has those moments where she acts like a little girl in front of him. But she can take the initiative to get closer now.

Unconsciously she gradually got closer. Yuhi placed his hand on top of hers. "You okay now?"

"I'm still a bit afraid."

"Mmm."

But she is calm. If it were in the past, then this situation would be different. "Say Yuhi-san?"

"Yeah?"

"What is the last thing you would do if the world ends?"

"Tell you how much I love you and promise to meet you in the next life."

Yuhi has said many cheesy things since they started dating. But this is the first time he rendered her speechless.

'Is he some kind of idiot?' Why did he say that?