To her surprise, he suddenly flicked her forehead. "You really do have to be more careful. Next time I'll attack you."

Before she could reply, though, she spotted a group of men clad in white clothes. "Ah, guess there here to get me."

"Get you?"

Sumire nodded. "Yeah." She pointed to the change of clothes in her bag.

"I see another souriee. You have to keep on keeping appearances."

Sumire chuckled. "It doesn't fit your personality, right?"

"You got that right."

Only after he said those words did she notice him hold her hand again as they walked across the ocean. They were pretty far away, huh. Even so, his hand it's different from the time they came before.

He was holding her wrist then, and now it's her hand. No matter how close they got to each other then he ensured that there was a distance. But now that's different; he's firmly holding on to her hand like he doesn't want to let her go.

What an odd feeling. Why does something simple like this make her so happy? She has become so strange, Ru. It wasn't like this before.

This back and this sight, somehow it's familiar. Where did she see it before? That snowy concert several years ago was the first time she met Yuhi. For the longest time, she thought that way, but recently she is starting to think differently. How is it possible for Yuhi to develop feelings for her in such a short amount of time?

When he took care of her, it felt familiar, like it was not the first time.

It seems so nostalgic? Did something like this happen before? If so, then how come she doesn't remember.

If she met Yuhi before that concert, then surely she would remember him. His presence is so strong; it would be impossible for her to forget.

Moreover, if they did meet before, Yuhi would have told her. He is not the type of person who would hide; he would tell her right away.

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"You heard I am in charge of the painting for the festival, right?"

"Ah yeah."

Though it had been a while since she had been in school, that much she did here. "Everyone was making a big deal out of it. I saw your previous works too. I know that if it's you, it will definitely be amazing."

That's right; she figured it out a long time ago. She figured out who the owner of that painting was.

When she saw him again - she got the same feeling as from that painting. It's then she thought, 'Ah, coincidences really do exist.' But even now, she kept quiet about it. If he were to know, then he would surely disappear again. For some reason, she didn't want that.

She didn't want anyone else to leave.

"That is what I was thinking. Would you like to paint it together?"

Eh? It took her a moment to register what he just said. "Does that mean...."

"Be my partner."

This time she saw it, his whole face turned red, even his ears. This is so unusual; this is the same person who gives off a Yankee appearance and aura even without any piercings or anything. Someone who gives of a distant aura, that's why such an expression is rare.

It seems he only makes this type of face for her. For Terashima Yuhi, she is the only special one.

Sumire shook her head, no. There's already no more means of keeping such feelings.

"Sumire?"

"I'd love to be your partner. Please take care of me!"

Yuhi laughed as he extended his hand out and patted her hair. "If I knew you would be this excited, I would have asked you right away."

So, in other words, he was nervous about asking her? Why would he get nervous over something like that? It doesn't make sense.

Yuhi pointed to the wall along the beach. "Let's sightsee for a bit longer."

Sumire nodded and followed his head as they sat on the wall.

Despite what it looked like, she wasn't a person who believed in fate. She didn't disregard it to a complete degree like some people do by saying it is make belief' or a figment of people's imaginations. But she couldn't believe it. Because it is something that doesn't have any meaning to her, and that's why it isn't important.

From the very beginning, she's never held any particular attachment to anything. From the start, she was always empty, and that's why she unconsciously builds a wall between herself and other people.

Sumire reached over and extended her hand out to the sky, even though things are different now than before. Even though she has accepted it to a degree about needing others, she knew that her core views hadn't changed in the end.

No matter how many times she gets shaken up or amazed by someone's actions. In the end, it will always revolt back to this. 'It's your color,' Ru, has she gotten stronger now? Is it truly okay for her to take hold of this power and take another step forward? On days where she is left alone, she often thought about it deeply.

Even though Yuhi is right beside her, he is not talking. When there is silence, she often reverts inside her shell. It's painful, and it hurts, being this way. This feeling of helplessness that she doesn't like.

Sumire closed her eyes, recalling the words she had said to Nao that day.

'You see, I don't have anything. Things I want to do, things I can do, I don't have any of them. That's why, on the other hand, maybe something like that might work or something'.

That's right.

Because she never had anything to lose from the beginning. No matter what reckless action she takes, she can easily go through it since there is nothing to lose.

Just now, she lied about the soiree gathering. If Yuhi knew what she was secretly doing behind his back, how would he react? This person is willing to sacrifice the world for her, but she will not allow him to do that.