Nagawa General Hospital - August 29th.

Only a day and a half have gone by since then. Truthfully he wanted to be by her side the moment she woke up. However, Atsuro told him to go,' She's going to undergo several transformations. Knowing her, you're the last person she wants that form to be seen by. Relax, I'll mail you when it's all done. '

It's not like he worried about Atsuro flirting with her or anything, contrary to the girl's warnings. Yuhi knew Atsuro would not pull any stupid moves anymore during her treatment.

His gaze fell on the door in front of him that had Sumire's name on the label. 'Hospitalized again.' How many times has this happened already? Then again, this didn't happen when he wasn't looking; he was right beside her.

"Ah, Yuhi. Did you come to see me?" The voice didn't come from inside the room but outside. Yuhi frowned when he saw her.

What the hell is she doing up and about? He immediately rushes over and hugs her.

"I expected to find you resting; why are you walking around?"

"I heard you would come. So I wanted to get some drinks from the canteen." Sumire pointed to the bag in her hands. "Ah, I even prepared you a meal. The nurses were mad that I snuck into the kitchens, though."

Is she serious? Why on earth does she do these crazy things for his sake? Honestly, why is this the one thing about her that never seems to change?

"Let's go back to your room. Let me carry that."

"Yes. Alright."

When he arrived, he was relieved that the room was empty. The last thing he needed was any unwanted visitors during his precious time with Sumire. Honestly, he worries a lot about it still. He can never shake the fear that all of this is a dream. It's all a dream, and he would wake up to being all alone.

Suppose he were to wake up and find that all of this was a dream. Whatever sanity he had left would break.

Yuhi watches Sumire walk over to the fridge and take something out.

"Ah, wait for a second. I will heat it."

"Yeah."

"I know your hungry, Yuhi. So I'll permit you to attack me from behind while I prepare."

This means he can drink her blood, right? Yuhi walked over and hugged her from behind, arms wrapped tightly around her. He repeated her name in his head. If this is a dream, he wouldn't know what to do.

"Yuhi? Don't be silent. It scares me."

"Sorry. Just-" Yuhi didn't know what to say.

To think he let her suffer when he was right there. This is no good at all; why does this keep happening?

"I know, this time around I overdid it. I won't say I'm fine now because I feel like collapsing even as we speak. However, I want to see your smile Yuhi. I've always liked it a lot. Did you know? When we were children, it was your smile that motivated me."

"Hah. Don't make me listen to that stuff now. I'll get nostalgic."

Sumire chuckles softly. "Indeed, now isn't the time to get nostalgic. I suppose it is the time to get frisky, though. Before we eat, would you rather touch me first?"

At some point, he gradually got closer to her until he kissed behind her ear. His hands are trailing on her sides. Dammn, what is he doing? He isn't a horny brat anymore—a guy who is older than he shouldn't act this way.

"If I attack you here, I'm pretty sure even Atsuro can't cover it up."

"Yuhi, you've become so considerate."

"Brat. That sounds sarcastic." He was not in the mood to keep teasing her and quickly turned quiet.

Whenever he is in deep thought about something, he would end up turning quiet like this. He was still trying to figure out what went wrong.

"Yuhi?"

"Please don't leave me again. Please Sumire. .don't go anywhere anymore. .I know I've avoided talking about this since you got back. But --"

Sumire turned around and placed her hand on his face. "Yuhi, your shaking….. you're trembling so much. I understand already. I do, so don't worry anymore. I know it's difficult for you to believe in my words after all that's happened."

No. . .it's not that. It's not that he doesn't believe in her. What he doesn't believe in is himself. Yuhi recalled the sight from yesterday. Why did she lose control like that?

He frowned as he recalled what happened. He examined the girl carefully. She looks fine now, although the color from her face had yet to return, and she staggered as she moved. She can talk normally but--

"Before we eat, can you tell me?" Yuhi asked. He couldn't figure it out just from looking at her face, and he wanted answers. Surely Atsuro gave her an explanation.

"It seemed like I came in contact with a demon familiar or something? Since I was near it for a long time, it made me absorb its powers."

So that was because she was overflowing with power, one of them being an unknown one? What a simple-sounding answer; it scared him so much when he saw her that way. It was a good thing Atsuro and Shin were there that time, and he wouldn't know what to do.

His thoughts broke off when he saw how Sumire looked at him. It always felt like she was searching for answers whenever she stared at him. What kind of answer does this girl want from him?

"You're already at the end of your limit. You can barely fight anymore. What can you do?" He exclaimed.

He really didn't want to bring that up, knowing it was a sensitive issue. But it's already something she can't keep hiding, aside from those who are always with her. The people in school have begun to notice too.

Yuhi knew when the next semester started, more and more people will talk. He needs to get this discussion out of the way now.

At that comment, she suddenly spun around and pushed him towards the nearby wall. He hit his head lightly, yet it still hurt.

"Sumire...you can't hide it anymore!!"

The last thing he wanted to do was argue with her, but after the train accident and losing control, Yuhi felt frightened. He needs to strengthen his defenses around her.

Sumire is stronger than him and can handle herself. But whenever it came to any news regarding Mamoru, she would behave irrationally. Her enemies could use such moments to go after her.

She raised her hand and hit his chest several times. "Shut up, please don't say it. I still have time. I have to last. I can't go now. Not when the situation has become like this. I can't leave everyone behind to suffer.

At that, Yuhi finally noticed the tears in the girl's eyes. His eyes widened when he saw how sore her eyes were.

She must have cried this entire time. How many tears did she shed since she lost control of her ability?

Yuhi lifted the girl's other hand to notice several bruises. Not just normal ones either, all sorts of cuts not limited to her hands, he noticed some on her neck.

"I can't break down now. This whole thing, this whole thing, is my fault, to begin with. That's why I have to be the one to end it. I have to be the one to end it. I don't want any more people to get involved."

Yuhi felt her hands no her entire body tremble.

"Why did Asahi die? She didn't deserve to die. She didn't do anything wrong why?"