Bowling must be a thing for Yuhi and Hino. But unlike the empty place she went to with Yuhi before, this one had many people. Sumire did not think they would get in, but the people inside led them away from the main bowling alley when they approached the counter. She blinked when she saw the room on edge.

A private place?

Hino opened the door, and she followed him inside. The room was a lot larger than she thought; there were comfortable-looking leather couches and a large aisle in the center.

Hino slumped on the couch, and Sumire laughed. "If you are tired, why did you suggest bowling?"

"It is an excuse for me to slack, but if you want to bowl, go ahead."

"This is only the second time I have done this."

He raised his eyebrow before nodding. "Right, Yuhi must have taken you around on a quest."

"A quest?" Sumire repeated.

"Or more like a right of passage. You told me before you didn't have much of a childhood, right?"

"Yes."

"Yuhi probably took you around town and made you do things you have never done before." Hino trailed off. "By the way, I am not saying this because he has done this before with another person."

Sumire laughed softly when she heard him say that. "You know him very well."

"I told you before that I treat him like family." Hino trailed off. "Are you two doing okay? All that stuff happened recently."

Despite the vague sounding questions, Sumire understood what he was trying to get at. "You must have heard of me saying such terrible-sounding things."

It is no wonder he has avoided her recently.

Hino sighed deeply. "Are you an idiot?"

"Eh?"

"Look, Sumire, I told you repeatedly before that I knew your situation because Sano asked me to investigate you. We became closer because of Yuhi too, so I already know what type of person you are. You did not say those words to hurt him but to push him away and create a distance so he would not get hurt."

Her eyes widened when she heard him say those words. This person doesnt he understand her far too much? The only other person who understands her this well is Yuhi, but that is normal since he is in love with her.

Now that she thought about it, that time Hino told her to stop messing with Sano, he said something like the one he worries about is her after he said that things have been odd between them.

"Say, Hino, you like me, right?"

"As a friend?"

"No, the other thing."

Hino sighed deeply but nodded. "I do. But at the same time, you know I never intended anything to happen between us. I care about our friendship more than anything else."

Indeed, she thought the same, and that was why it surprised her when he behaved that way.

"But isn't it difficult?"

"To be honest with you, Sumire, this is not the first time. For a girl, I like to like Yuhi, not me."

Ah, now that he mentioned it. "You said you liked somebody before, but because of what happened with her, you slowly began to resent girls."

"Yeah." A solemn expression appeared on his face. "She didn't do anything wrong. I met her after Yuhi did, and she already had feelings for him, so it is not like she betrayed me or anything. But it hurt a lot."

There is somebody who likes Yuhi that much and somebody who Hino also liked. She wonders what type of person they are.

"If your curious, you can just ask, you know?"

Sumire shook her head. "I don't want you to think I am taking advantage of you anything, even more so after you admitted that you like me."

At that comment, Hino laughed. "Even though you are so cold-hearted towards others."

"Is it really fine with you?" Sumire muttered. "I know you understand my circumstances, but the pain of not having your loved one look your way, I understand that very well."

"Even if it wasn't Yuhi, I would never have told you."

At that comment, she fidgeted with her fingers. "Sano and I are over. It will never happen again."

"Yeah, I understand that much from watching you. That is why I told you to stop getting involved with him. If it will never happen anyway, it is better to stop appearing before him."

"I can't do that."

Even though she understood it would be better to stop this, for some reason, she can't do that. The complicated and dark thoughts she has towards that man that made her suffer so much has yet to vanish.

"I know that too." Hino trailed off. "But I just want you to know that nothing has changed. You can still come to me if you have a hard time. It is difficult talking about Sano or Tsueno in front of Yuhi; that is why you came to me before."

"Then Hino," Sumire mumbled. "If I told you to choose between Yuhi and me, who would you choose?"

Sumire understood it was a cruel question to ask. But she wanted to know his answer. Would he choose his friendship with her or his family relationship with Yuhi? For this person, who is more important?

Would he choose a future that has no clear path, or would he choose a certain life?

Her thoughts broke off when Hino suddenly stood up and sat down beside her. Before she knew it, he leaned forward and lightly kissed her lips.

It was a quick one, and yet all his feelings poured through.

Hino pulled away and sighed deeply. "Did you eat chocolate or something?"

Sumire raised her hand, but he immediately caught it. "You asked me something cruel, so I responded in the same way."

"You would choose Yuhi?" Sumire mumbled.

"Yeah, disappointed?"

Sumire shook her head. "No, that is for the best." If he said he would choose her, she would have gotten angry. "But kissing me to prove your point, you have no tac when it comes to girls."

At that, she noticed a tint of red appeared on Hino's face, and she laughed. "Dont do it if you will get this embarrassed."

"I have never met a woman like you."

"You probably won't meet many women like me." Sumire pointed out. "I am one of a kind after all."

"I don't think I want to meet another woman like you."

"Uh, time out." Sumire raised her hand. "Just because I know your feelings, it does not excuse you for saying cheesy lines, or rather where did that come from?"

Hino awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "I guess I am learning from Yuhi. You like straightforward people better."

Sumire blinked when she heard those words. "Wait, are you trying to make a move on me?"

"I value my li-" Hino's sentence fell short when they heard the sound of somebody knocking on the door. Hino stood up after he checked his phone, but Sumire grabbed his arm.

"Let me go." She felt like she already knew who it was. If she considers this timing, it can only be one person.