"The one I am worried about is you, not him."

Her eyes widened when she heard those words.

Did he just-- well, she did suspect something, but Sumire thought Hino knew better than to reveal his feelings.

Hino must have realized, too, since he looked away. "It's not like…"

Sumire sighed deeply as she walked over to him. She extended her hand out and briefly touched his cheek. It was an unfamiliar feeling, but she did not flinch. It seems she is not afraid of Hino. Then again, ever since she came here, he has treated her like a good friend. She is very grateful to him.

"To a certain extent, I understand."

That was all she managed to say since she heard the door slid open. A weak-looking Sano stood there, but he reached over and pulled her towards him. Her face buried in his chest.

A different scent, and yet it was familiar somehow.

"Hino." Sano said sharply. "Didn't I warn you already not to do something like this?"

So they spoke about it? Now that she thought about it, Hino was always strangely cautious about her and Sano's situation. Hino could have told on her to Yuhi anytime, and yet he did not do that. It must be hard on him, choosing between his best friend and his family.

"You know I'm only worried. Sano, you must be crazy. Sumire doesn't like you anymore. Sumire, too, your actions; you need to stop. Give this a rest, you two, and it isn't healthy."

She understands that very well. There is no point in her further getting involved with Nagawa Sano. He is not crucial in finding out the truth she desires. She doesn't need him at all.

But a part of her still hasn't moved forward. Was it revenge? She no longer knew. But a part of her didn't want to let him escape so easily. Now that she has him right where she wants, why would she let him go?

Ah, what a twisted mindset.

Aki-san often told her before that she ought to be careful around people who hurt her. 'Even if you say you forgive them, the monster inside you hasn't.' Indeed, it was exactly like what he said. The moment she saw Sano again, the moment he apologized, an idea came to mind.

'I can use him.'

'I want to exploit him.'

It's not like anything will change whether or not she did it. She knew the mental scar he gave her would not vanish easily.

Before they could exchange any more words, a flash of black appeared before her.

"Yuh-" Her sentence fell short when she felt him pinch her cheeks.

"Ouch, ouch!"

"That's your punishment for flirting."

"I wasn't--" Her sentence fell short when he wiped her lips with a cloth.

"This is for letting Sano kiss you."

So he must have seen… She felt odd at the thought. This is so strange. Back then, she could do this stuff so easily but now? Now she felt genuine guilt. Is it because Yuhi is different? Unlike the other guys she dated, Yuhi is her first love, and he is the one she genuinely held feelings for her. But that is no longer the case, and he isn't the only one. The feelings she had no still have for Ru are the real deal.

Yuhi turned to the other two and sighed. "Hino, take Nagawa to the hospital."

"Yeah."

"Nagawa, Sumire will visit you later, so go with Hino now."

Wait what? She blinked, surprised at his words, but she couldn't say anything. It seemed that answer satisfied Sano since he was the one who told Hino to go.

"Yuhi, you--don't hate me?"

Yuhi turned around and sighed. "It's really hard for me to hate you, Sumire. Besides, who are you fooling? The entire time you were shaking, weren't you?"

Her eyes widened at his words.

"I saw everything, and that's why I understood. Even when you spoke about him, your tone was different. You may not hate him anymore, but-"

"… That's exactly right. It seems I can't hide anything from you."

She doesn't hate Sano, but she can't forgive him. Sumire buried her face in his chest. "I don't like revenge."

"Yeah, I know."

"But if I were to let him go easily, I will never rest in peace."

"Will this really give you a peace of mind?"

Sumire didn't reply. How can she reply to something she has no answer to?

"I will respect all your decisions."

"But, won't you get jealous?"

A troubled look appeared on Yuhi's face, and Sumire sighed. "As I thought, not even you would be okay with it."

"Sumire, as long as you don't cross the line, then you can meet with Sano."

"What line?" At this point, she got dangerously close to him.

Yuhi chuckled softly. "Mmm, something like this?"

"Yuhi-san you're a boring person after all."

"H-hey-"

"You already knew from the start that I am somebody with a difficult personality."

"You warned me too."

"That is why, even though my actions seem meaningless, everything happens for a reason."

"Sumire-" She extended her hand out and caressed his cheek. "You're so troublesome."

"But Yuhi-san, you accept me this way, don't you?"

This person accepts her for who she is. He is the only one who has accepted everything, even the ugliest things.

"I do, of course, I do." He trailed off. "Will you see him tonight?"

"I will. But I'll see you tomorrow."

...…..

After that talk, a few hours went by; she finished up her remaining work before she left.

Yuhi was very reluctant to let her go, and she was reluctant to leave him too. But when she recalled the look on Sano's eyes then, Sumire understood they could not continue this way.

Sano lived in a rich apartment complex in the center of town, and it was quite close to the building she just worked at.

She uses the key he gave her before for the first time.

It opened easily, and she stepped inside.

What a mess.' But she more or less understood it would end up this way. To think her plan to control Sano actually worked. When she first saw him again, it surprised her, and they met sooner than expected. She had to change her plans.

Sumire arrived in front of the master bedroom door. She took a deep breath before she stepped inside.

This room was even messier than downstairs. She calmly walked towards the source.

The moment she arrived in front of him, Sano pulled her down, so she sat on his lap. Heavy and hungry lips pressed against hers for a brief kiss before his lips made their way towards her neck.

Even now, he does not change. Sano has never asked her what she wanted. Back then, she was a child, so it made sense but even now. Then again, they are not dating now, so he most likely thinks he can get what he wants this way.

"San." She mumbled. "Stop for a moment."

'I can't betray Yuhi's trust.' Now that Yuhi admits to knowing everything, she has to proceed cautiously.

Sano moved his lips from her neck. "What?"

"You have a fever, and you should sleep."

"Will you stay?"

Sumire slowly nodded her head, and Sano reluctantly moved away from her. A deep sigh escaped her lips when she saw how much of a mess he looked. So this is the extent of her control? It felt strange, controlling another person this way. It is a first for her to try something like this.

To what extent can she break him?