It was a rather short visit. Sumire knew that Shin was acting considerate or cautious regarding Sano. Either way, he left rather quickly. She wanted to discuss something with him.

"Do you want to go after him?"

Sumire shook her head. "I will see him in school tomorrow." Knowing Shin, he would attend, right?

…

Iro Road High XX

Although the summer holidays are almost over, she still had to go to school. There were no classes, but they came in to clean. Sumire eventually took a break at the bridgeway connecting the art and music buildings.

Sumire inhales deeply and glances down at the cigarette between her fingertips. The smoke doesn't follow a path, and it never will. It simply floats around like it is, guided by something, but never for very long.

It was just like Terashima Yuhi. Sumire sighed. She is way too dramatic just because she doesnt him as often anymore. Besides, Yuhi is not the type of guy who would stay put in one place. Even if he did, he would find a way to make his own space. For example, in school, he has his atelier, and the rooftop is his domain.

Back when they worked together as a member of the underworld organization Holy Knights, people often called him a dog. Sumire has never once thought otherwise.

She saw him as dangerous and yet alluring, and occasionally she would have other thoughts - the kind that a girl like her shouldn't even consider. After all, Sumire has always considered herself a rational woman.

At least, in most ways.

A rational woman wouldn't have become so obsessed with a man from the moment she heard his voice.

It was something she understood, and yet recently, she cant calm down her heart. She thought she could control her emotions if she hunted down other delinquents, but it did not work.

No matter how many groups she destroys, this feeling inside her like it's about to explode can't calm down.

"Ah, Sumire-chan! That's where you were."

Her thoughts broke of when she spotted somebody rushing over. "Asami-chan."

"Nakura-sensei still hasn't come back yet. He isn't in his office either. So we were wondering if you know where he was?"

He hasn't? Could it be because he saw….Uh, this was her fault after all, wasn't it? After all, even though she knew his feelings for she never really said anything about it anymore.

Moreover, he acted normal around her. But as expected, seeing something like that on the person you love has got to hurt. The person she loves, huh?

"Asami-chan, I'll find him."

"Really? Then when you do, please give him this."

Asami pulled out an envelope with a heart.

"It is from Seiko-chan next door. I told her already to confess personally, but she won't listen.."

Confession huh?

Of course, that's normal since he's an idol and all. But it does surprise her." Leave it up to me."

….

Sumire found him right away.

If he isn't in his office, there's only one other place that he could be after all. On the third year floor, behind the stairway, there's a small section where people don't go. Sure enough, when she opened the door and stepped inside, she stumbled upon him after a few minutes of walking.

Gee, even if he is a student-teacher, what is he doing sleeping here so carefree like.

Sumire bent down, oh his hair standing up. He has bed hair, and it's kind of cute. Even when he's asleep, he looks grown-up, huh? The complete opposite of Yuhi, who looks like a child when he's asleep. Even so, she moves strands of Shin's hair out of his face, and those piercings are rather noticeable. She will never understand why he has so many.

It's kind of like that time. Other than Tsueno Mamoru, there was somebody else she cared for a lot.

..

September XX - Tsukuhara High School

Whenever she found the time, she often visited Ichinose Arashi's classroom. It became a habit since she started high school.

Rumi follows her gaze. "He's been asleep since homeroom. Whatever we do doesn't work."

He must be really tired. Is it because of yesterday?

Kensho noticed her. "Ah, that's perfect timing. Sumire wake this fool up; we have Joshima-Sensei next. He's going to get into trouble if he sleeps in."

The brunette looked back at the indigo-colored-haired boy who nodded.

"It's fine; I'll take care of the rest," He said as he took the other box from her.

Sumire mumbled a quick thanks and made her way over to the pale blonde-haired boy. The moment she came over, she saw that he was clutching the pen she had given him tightly.

"He's been fast asleep this entire time. Yet he doesn't let go of that pen."

He used it, even though it's so girly.

Really when he's fast asleep, he does look so much younger. Oh, his hair is standing up a bit; it's cute.

"Senpai, wake up," Sumire said lightly, shaking him, yet he didn't budge an inch.

He is a heavy sleeper...

She pulled up another chair. She put her arm on the other side of him as she lowered herself over his sleeping form.

"Senpai senpai, wake up," she said, barely above a whisper.

Sumire quickly realized that she would frighten him this way, so she lowered her head further until her lips connected with his cheek.

She didn't do it because he looked so adorable when he was completely defenseless and endearing while he was asleep.

"Senpai, wake up," she said with a bit more strength in her tone. He made a sound in his sleep and turned a little, starting to stir. "It's almost the fourth lesson."

She scans the rest of the room and saw the others focused on getting their orders. Rumi took charge and helped Dai-chan out at the front; if it's like this, maybe no one will notice.

"Arashi, I might l-"Sumire whispered in his ear.

He mumbled something, and Sumire couldn't help herself this time. She lowered her head and kissed his cheek and then his lips lightly; when she straightened her posture, Arashi was wide awake.

"I see you are awake now." She brushed his fingers across his cheeks." Senpai, you slept all morning."

She savored the look on his face and chuckled. She never knew he could blush like this, and there was something nice about it.

"Oh, that's a good one. Didn't think you'd try that." Kensho said.

Sumire laughs. "Aha, well..."

Rather she didn't know why she did it.

She turned back to Arashi, and his entire face seemed to turn redder by the minute. She did not mean to tease him that much.

Despite his embarrassed state, he wore a serious look on his eyes as he stood up and grabbed hold of her hand. "Come with me for a minute."

...

Sumire snapped back to reality and clenched her fist ah. What was she thinking of just now? There is already no means of returning to that time. After all, she had already made her mind up to take a path completely separate from his.

But during the time she needed support the most, he was the first one to run away. It was not like she expected much; no, maybe she expected too much from him, and that was why it ended up hurting more when he didn't say anything.

It does not help anybody at all. Her thoughts broke off when she saw a lot of sweat on Shin's face.

Is he having a nightmare?