'There was a time where I latched onto other people like a parasite, and I clung to them because I didn't have anything else. I was empty. I let them use me because I didn't have anything to lose and wanted to feel something.'

This was how Sumire described her relationship with Nagawa Sano to him. Yuhi clearly remembered the look on her face when she said those things and her pained voice. She looked so lost and fed up with everything.

He has no right to complain if she slept with other people. After all, didn't he do the same? To get rid of the loneliness and pain, he did careless things to cope with the pain of not having her.

If Sumire felt the need to do that despite being with Mamoru, then perhaps there is more to that relationship than he thought. She is not like those women who would cheat on their partner because they felt unsatisfied; there must be something he is missing.

What kind of relationship did Sumire and Mamoru have?

It was one of the questions he avoided asking her even more so after they started dating. Yuhi felt that the topic was awkward for him to approach. Her heart needs to heal; reminding her of her previous relationship would not help. As time went by, a lot of stuff happened in between, so he did not think to ask.

..

At the Akagumi bar

"You know you two, and I only left for a few hours—"Yuhi looked around at the bar to see several bottles emptied. "Atushi is going to kill you both."

"I only wanted one."

Nagawa shook her head. "She was the one who kept drinking." His face still seemed flushed. "How on earth is she okay?"

Indeed unlike Sano, Sumire only looked slightly red.

She must have drunk to cope with all the pain and stress from the previous day. Yuhi pulled out one of the bent boxes. He watched as her eyes lit up. "From Kous place?"

"Right, Mimi, it's the karage lunch set."

"Then give."

Gee, this girl changes her behavior so quickly. Yuhi passed her the box and passed one to Nagawa too. "Did anything happen?"

"She vomited a few times, her temperature flared up, and I think she has broken one of her legs. She can't walk properly."

"I am fine!" Sumire exclaimed.

Yuhi sighed deeply. This girl, when she is troubled by something, acts so childishly. He took a seat beside her, and Sumire peered over before she buried her face in his arms.

"Alright, now you, quit causing problems. We have a doctor living with us, so you should listen to him."

"But Yuhi, he tried to take advantage of me. Are you okay with that?"

Yuhi frowned and glanced over at Nagawa, who quickly averted his gaze. Well, it's not like he thought Nagawa would behave; he knew the man well enough by now to know what kind of stunt he will put if he isn't around.

"No." Yuhi traced her lips with his thumb. "But we do need him here."

"Then Yuhi-san should take bigger advantage, and it will solve the problems."

No, no, even if he would love that. Yuhi felt Nagawa glaring in his direction. How can he get in that kind of mood with Nagawa around? He isn't crazy.

"Sumire-san, do you feel better?"

"Ah Jun-kun, mmm a lit-"

"She is lying."

"I am fine!" Sumire insisted.

This girl is so silly; even as she clung to him, Yuhi could tell something was wrong. "I guess we can't go to the beach," Yuhi mumbled.

Sumire laughed softly. "It seems so, but we can still go see the fireworks on the 31st?"

But she can't walk properly, that is only two days away. She won't get better that quickly.

"Carry her or bring a wheelchair. It isn't good to just stay cooped up inside, but don't go to the festival." Sano advised.

Yuhi immediately understood. Right they can't be too careful. Those people tried to prevent Sumire from returning to Tokyo, so that means they must be around.

"Jun-kun and Kou, did you two need something?"

As perspective as always, Yuhi also thought it was odd that the two would tag along. At first, he thought they just wanted to visit her, but he changed their mind on his way here with them.

"I have a question, there was that designer who liked you a lot, what is his name?"

For a moment, Sumire froze, and Yuhi blinked at her changed expression. It is rare for anything to catch her off guard. So she and this designer guy must have had something.

"Jun-kun, your too blunt." Sumire sighed. "Don't worry, and he isn't involved."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because he went abroad to study in France. I haven't seen him since."

Yuhi sensed how uncomfortable she was and scooped her up in his arms. "You guys carry on eating." He didn't give a reason why and walked off with her.

The bar had a mini garden-like area outside, so he brought her there and placed her on the swings. He kneeled down and massaged her feet.

Sumire didn't say anything at first, but he felt her look at him. "Does it upset you?"

"Well, a little, but I can't lecture you."

"I don't remember Yuhi-san if I slept with him or not. My memories on this matter are very hazy."

"So was it—"

"I think after Ru died."

A relieved sigh passed his lips when she said those words, which didn't go unnoticed by her. "Did you think it as before?"

Yuhi froze at her words and thought of several explanations, but Sumire laughed.

"You don't have to panic so much, and I am not angry if you do think that way."

"No, it's not like that." Yuhi took a deep breath. "I don't understand your relationship with Mamoru well since I never asked you. From what I hear from the others, it seemed normal, but there were some strange parts too, like him letting guys flirt with you."

He had a strange thought on the way here. What if their relationship was only a deal? It would explain why they remained slightly detached from the other's affairs.

"Then what did you think?"

"You were dating on the surface but not actually going out?"

"Yes."

Yuhi blinked when he heard those words. For a moment, he thought he just heard things. What?

"You see, Yuhi-san, I had enough. I was upset when Ren went off to go abroad. I liked him a lot, and he was very good to me. There was that thing with Sano too. I didn't want to date again. But Ru he said then let's make a deal if I can make you happy, then we can be in a proper relationship."

Is that guy an idiot? No Tsueno Mamoru was a genius.

"It didn't take him long to make me happy, but even then, he told me it isn't enough. He wanted me to say that I loved him."

Now he is starting to get a clear picture of their relationship. Indeed it wasn't normal, but they still dated.

"But even then, I respected our relationship. Of course, I didn't cheat."

"That designer…"

"He was a spy for another group I took over, but he supposedly ended up falling in love with me."

"That sounds vague."