It upset him how the day after Sumire returned; he had to go to that urgent meeting. During the meeting, he could barely focus because he wanted to see her as quickly as possible. The next few days followed a similar pattern. Sano had enough with the random meetings that would not help him in any way, so he officially requested leave for a week.

Sano immediately found her in the backyard with a spaced-out look on her face. She had a tray of watermelon and a fan beside her.

"Sumire."

The girl tilted her head and gave him a lazy smile. It seemed like she was half-awake to him. Did she go back to sleep after she sent him off this morning?

"It is unusually hot for this time of year," Sumire commented as he sat down beside her.

'I won't see Yuhi for a while, so..'

She must have met with Terashima too. But if so, why would she return here? The last few days, Sano repeatedly asked himself this question, but he would not get any answers. Those two, did they fight?

"Yesterday, that girl-"

"Ah."

"Why didn't you just reject her? You don't have feelings for her, right?"

Sano sighed. "Well--"

"In the end, you thought she was cute and good to use as a rebound."

'Whose fault would that be?' Sano wanted to argue but knew he couldn't.

"That's a bad habit of yours, you know? Collecting weak and feeble girls. Are you trying to act superior when you're just a weak and helpless man?"

'This girl is just way too blunt.'

"Since you came back, you're unusually harsher."

"Well, because I have to."

She has to, huh? Sano didn't know what she learned from Hino while she stayed with him. But she must have learned something regarding him. She was already blunt and cruel before, but at the very least, she didn't do so directly.

"I can't move like this."

Sano didn't budge an inch and continued to inhale her scent. They are so close enough that their lips can touch, but he can't do it anymore. Yesterday, she trembled so much.

"San? Were you that worried?"

"Yeah."

"It's okay; you know how sturdy I am."

"That's why I worried."

Today the reason he officially requested leave is because the last two days, the girl hasn't been very well. Sano only intended to continue to hug her, but the more he inhaled her scent, the more he wanted from her. Before long, he was hovering over her.

Somehow, he gets more turned on when she refuses him.

"Wait, this is too sudden."

"If it wasn't so sudden, would it be okay?"

"Eh, what?"

"Stick out your tongue."

He knew her very well; on days where something bad would happen, she would be more submissive and more open to do things with him.

That was how it was when they dated, but what about now?

"No."

A flat-on refusal - "Isn't your relationship with Terashima on hold? Can't you let me kiss you?"

At least he assumed it was like that since she has not contacted him since she came back.

Sumire looked away, and he sighed as he buried his face in her chest. "You came back for me, but you're even more distant."

His sentence fell short when he felt her run her hands through his hair. "What are you doing?"

"Mmm, I think you haven't been sleeping well."

Hah, what on earth?

"San?"

"What do you want from me, Sumire?" Sano lifted his face. "You know what I want from you, but--" His sentence fell short when she traced his lips. "Sumire.."

"Be quiet; it's okay."

"Why?"

"Three o'clock."

At that comment, Sano immediately understood. 'Somebody is watching them?'

They remained close like that for a few minutes before Sumire pulled her arms away. He frowned at the sudden absence of her warmth. Sano grabbed her wrist, however.

"You don't expect to do something like that and just walk away, right?"

"Actually, I do."

"Tsk."

Sumire turned to him and smiled softly. "You won't hurt me, will you?"

'She is right about that, but since when was she brimming with confidence?'

"What would you like for breakfast?" Sano swiftly changed the topic. "Or is it lunch already?"

"Actually, can we eat out this morning? I want to go into town for a bit."

...

Downtown - Bookstore-

Unlike the first time she stayed in his house, she was able to leave because of Hyou4s protection. Hyou4 they are a government organization that deals with criminals; at least on the surface, it looks like a normal office job. But the criminals they deal with are specialized beings, in other words, people with evolved genetics like Sumire.

"You wanted to go to the bookstore?" Sano mumbled as he watched her browse through the shelves.

Sumire laughed softly. "We can grab a bite to eat after this. But there were a few books I wanted to buy."

Now that he thought about it, back then, she liked to read a lot. Whenever he picked her up from places, she would always have a book in her hands. Sano didn't see anything special about books; for him, books were just things with unrealistic dreams or false facts. Physical books collect too much dust and take up valuable space. The time spent reading could be used for something more valuable.

In the past, whenever he saw her read, he would find a way to pry the book off her.

"Make it quick."

Sumire rolled her eyes. "You're so impatient; choosing books takes time."

"I thought you said you already have something you want to buy."

"I do." Sumire nodded. "But each visit to a book store, there is a chance of finding something new."

Sano only sighed at those words. Why does she seem happier talking about books than speaking with him? His thoughts broke off when Sumire tugged on his sleeve. "I am going to look over there for a bit, okay? San, you're treating me today, right?"

Even though she has plenty of money herself, Sano, however, didn't mind it too much; he liked the idea of her using his money. It made it seem like she was relying on him.

"Sure."

"Alright!" She said happily and rushed over to the other side.

Sano leaned against the wall, deep in thought. What is he going to do about Penelope? Since she came back, he has been indebted to her. She has done a great job helping him while Sumire wasn't around, but he still couldn't love her.

He knew what his parents were doing; anybody could see it.

From: Penelope

Sano, do you have some time today?

I would like to meet you briefly.

Unfortunately, you cannot say no today; my grandma will be joining us.

At those words, Sano frowned. Penelope grandma? She is of royal descent from England. Why would somebody of that status come all the way here to a small place like Japan? It seems those people lurking in the shadows are making their moves; soon, he won't be able to ward them off as he has done.

His gaze fell on Sumire. In the center of this upcoming struggle is her, but Sano recalled her expression when they saw each other again. She already knows, doesn't she?

He has to decide what to do soon; otherwise, she will get even more hurt.