*UNEDITED*

When he learned from Hino that Terashima Yuhi was around too, Sano immediately headed back into the shop. He half expected to find the two kissing or doing something but instead they were just standing there.

"I don't think I can say it if you look at me like that."

Yuhi laughed. "It almost sounds like you want to confess to me."

Sumire rolled her eyes. "Why would I have to confess, your already mine."

"Indeed." Sano watched as Terashima turned around. "Alright then, go ahead."

"It is a bit uh weird to say, but I am very reassured that we are working alongside each other as partners again. I mean after you left things were very bad for me, I lost control a lot and went off on my own, in short I was a troublemaker. With you by my side I feel like I can do anything, so, uh thank you."

Sanos eyes widened when he saw this scene and heard her words. This is the first time he has ever seen Sumire look like that.

Terashima turned around. "Yeah, me too."

"So-"

He watched as Terashima caressed her cheeks. "I have to go, is Nagawa really here with you? You didn't sneak off right?"

"Mm he is."

"You go first."

Sumire laughed. "But you're the one leaving."

"Call him, I need to make sure. I think you have forgotten how badly the media wants your blood."

Sumire laughed again. "Your so silly."

Sano could no longer take the sight anymore and immediately turned away. He pulled out his phone and typed a quick message.

…

At Ruby Hotel, a few hours later,

Sanos gaze fell on the woman fast asleep on the bed beside him and sighed deeply. He ran his hands through his hair and pulled out his cigarette and lighter. He didn't have to know what time it was to know that several hours passed. This hotel is famous for its views, he could see from the large windows that it was already dark out.

Terashima must have dropped her off, he gave them extra time together. Why did he do something like that?

Is it because he was jealous? But even if it is like that he shouldn't have done this. This was the first time he regretted calling up another woman and sleeping with them. Sano sighed deeply. What is Sumire doing to him? The things he could do so easily before, he can no longer do because of her.

She is important to him, but to this extent?

"Mmm," Penelope mumbled as she pushed him back down and climbed on top of him. "What happened? You called me so suddenly."

"Does it matter?"

"Is this about that girl again?"

Sano looked away and Penelope sighed. "You really have to let her go. You've been hung up on her for so many years. At first I respected your decision but you already twenty five Sano. Your in the perfect age to get married."

"Didn't you have a boyfriend?"

"I broke up with him before I came back here. I thought auntie and uncle called me back here because you were ready to get married. But it turns out they just want me to shift your attention."

"Are you not up for the challenge?"

"Sleeping with you is great and you are very open to doing physical things. But I don't think this will lead to marriage."

"It wont?"

"You have another girl in your heart. As long as you still like her you will prioritise her over me. I am not asking for your heart, I have never done that. But I want you to at least respect me when we get married. You can have your lovers but you cannot love somebody."

Indeed this is the reason why he maintained his engagement with this woman. Penelope has never asked for anything from him. She even left to study abroad for awhile because she wanted him to sort his feelings out.

From: Sumire

So, this is great. I've been locked outside for several hours and your not picking up your phone at all.

So many people have been staring at me. If I get caught, this is your fault.

Sano blinked when he saw the message.

It just occurred to him that he hasn't given her the new passcode yet. Since she returned to his side she hasn't gone out, so he didn't think to give her the new code. Sano immediately pulled Penelope away, and picked up his trousers from the ground.

Penelope rolled her eyes and passes him his shirt. "Leaving?"

"Yeah."

"I will drop you off. You left your car behind in that bookstore."

Right, he did didn't he? Sano quickly puts on his clothing and Penelope got dressed too. They were out of the room in five minutes.

"You didn't tell her--?"

"I forgot."

Penelope sighed. "Sano, whenever your head is in the clouds you end up doing stupid things."

Is that how it is? He never paid much attention to his personality, let alone certain characteristics. He spent more time focussing on the family business, his studies and the women in his life. The latter however only applied to Ibuki Sumire. He never paid much attention to other women.

…

The car journey was fairly quite. It looked like Penelope wanted to ask him more questions, but he was not responsive.

It seemed there was no need for him to rush, by the time he arrived- there was somebody opening the door.

"Thank you for this Jun-kun."

"It is not a problem but Sumire-san, you have to write a long explanation to Ran-san where you have been."

The girl laughed sheepishly and he felt his heart beat, just a single laughter from Sumire and he ends up as a mess.

"Mm I understand! Oh and did you get Yuhis mail? Are you guys ready?"

"We made the arrangements as you two sent things over. It will be a bit of impromptu performance but our debut was the same."

Sano silently walked over. Sumire was the first to see him, when she did she immediately glared at him.

"Listen I'm sorry-"

"Don't you know that the weather is getting colder?"

Sano pulled her into his embrace and she stepped on his foot causing him to let go. 2im angry, no hugging."

"Listen I—" Sano paused in mid-sentence. He cant tell her that he got jealous and ended up calling Penelope to sleep with her. He knew she would never let him off for doing that. It is not like they are dating, but it does seem weird for him to sleep around with other women when he supposedly likes her.

Right at that moment Penelope walked in. "Sano, if everything is fine, I'm going to go."

Sumires gaze darkened. "So while you left me waiting out here in the cold you were fooling around?"

"That's-"

"Alright, I get it." Sumire trailed off. "Jun-kun, sorry but can I stay over at the m5 mansion tonight?"

Sanos eyes widened horrified at her suggestion. He grabbed her wrist. "Wait Sumire, you cant go."

If she goes to a place like that then those people will surely try to get to her.

"I can leave at any time, I told you that already."

"I'm sorry, please don't go." Sano apologized.

Please don't leave again.

To his surprise she suddenly grabbed hold of the edge of his shirt. "I feel sick, lets go inside already."

Sano slowly nodded. He turned to Penelope who was observing the scene carefully, she mumbled something like I see before walking away. He would have called out to her but realized it would not be wise to do so in this situation.

After Sumire said a few more words to Kira Jun, he led Sumire inside the apartment. The moment he closed the doors, the girl slumped onto the ground. Startled, he bent down and placed his hand on her forehead.

Warmth transmitted from her face to his hands in seconds and his eyes widened. Just now she was complaining about the cold and lectured him, it was because of this?

"Sumire? Hey—"

"Your so foolish, you don't know that I get a cold easily? Aren't you my doctor—no you were my boyfriend before. Did you forget something that simple?"

At those words, flashbacks appeared in his head to when they first went out with each other. It was winter when he first started to date Ibuki Sumire.