Sano didn't think she would follow him back after that. Sure he said he would drop her off, and sure they kissed a bit in the car, but why did she suggest going to his place? It was a good thing that he started to live alone several months ago. It would be hard for him to bring her to the manor. Even if his family were not home, the servants there would talk.

His gaze fell on the girl looking around at his room. "This is a nice place. I didn't think you could get a place like this."

"Hah, is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?"

"Hmm, in this case, maybe a bit of both."

Maybe he has gone crazy. It is not like this girl has feelings for him; he thought for a moment that she fell for him at first sight. But from the way she talked just then, and when they kissed.

"Do you want something to eat? You didn't eat much at the party, right?"

Sano knew this because he was watching her for a long time.

Sumire nodded. "It was the same for you. It must be hard pretending to go along with those people and eat at the same time. You can't appreciate the food that way."

Could it be that she has been watching him since the party too? He bent down and opened up the mini-refrigerator. There were a few microwavable meals inside. "Do you like curry?"

"I love it!" Sumire beamed.

Sano flinched hearing the words love. He needs to calm down; this all seems so stupid. He quickly microwaved the food and got some cups out from the cabinet.

"You can sit wherever you like- just-" Sano trailed off when he saw perched on his bed.

She must be crazy, or maybe she is just far too clueless? He didn't know that girls her age would be this bold. Sano quickly prepared other things like a bowl of chips and some salad. It only took a few minutes before he made a mini-meal for two. He pulled out the mini table and adjusted it before pulling it towards the bed.

Sano took a seat beside her, and she immediately held her hands up. "Wh--what?"

"You didn't want to eat here?"

"No, I was just wondering why you were sitting so close."

"The table is small, and you're the one who sat on the bed."

If she sat on the couch, there would be more space, but no, this is what she chose. Sano observed her for a few minutes. "Are you nervous?"

Sumire laughed awkwardly. "Uh, well, just a little."

Sano raised his eyebrow at those words. But isn't she the one who bravely got close to him and suggested they dated? Moreover, when they got inside the car, she is the first one to kiss him. Sano extended his hand out and interlocked a strand of her hair with his fingers.

"Have you had a boyfriend before?"

"No!"

Why is she acting so defensive and jittery about this? It did occur to him that the girl may be nervous, but even then, this is a bit too much.

He hasn't even done much- Sano thought back to how he kissed her in the car. Or maybe it was because of that?

"Don't think just because I like you too. I will let you lead."

Sumire shyly covers her mouth with her sleeve. "Mm, okay."

In the next second, he is hovering over her. "I guess you understand what it means to follow me back here?"

"I do."

..

It was Sumire who snapped him out of his trance by leaning closer to him. The images of the past immediately faded, and he discovers that Sumire already finished eating her food. How long did he space out for?

"You're looking exhausted."

"I'm okay."

"No, at the very least, you should take a bath and get refreshed."

Sano immediately understood and sighed. "You can only talk in the garden, don't bring him inside."

Sumire nodded. "I understand."

With those words said, he quickly turned back to the house and went inside. The person that would be meeting Sumire is a man Sano is all too familiar with. They have met several times due to the guy being a famous researcher. How many times have his parents tried to build up a connection with that man only to fail?

Sano recalled the warmth of her body when he hugged her earlier. If she is unwell, she shouldn't spend too much time outside. It is indeed colder now. To think she waited so long outside, the normal thing to do in that situation would be to find another place to stay. It is indeed more difficult in her situation, but it isn't impossible.

Why did she bother waiting for him for that long? Her actions even now made little sense to him. Sano approached the bathroom door and immediately opened it.

He slipped out of his clothes and slipped into the large bathtub. A deep sigh passed his lips. Why on earth did he call up Penelope like that? Why did he sleep with her? Why did he leave Sumire alone with Terashima? Those two were about to go their separate ways; why did he rush off like that? Is it because that was the first time he ever saw that look on her face?

He keeps worrying about stupid things like this; this is the reason why he kept losing her. The sound of feminine laughter from the window made him pause. She has never laughed like that in front of him. So is that researcher and her close too? Another man, why is she always so nice to other guys but him? Even when they first started dating, she always remained aloof and cold.

From the very start, that girl has never been remotely his. Unfortunately, he could not hear what the two were discussing, but he couldn't mistake her laughter.

What is he going to do with her?

Sano recalled Penelope's question in the car earlier and sighed. Indeed he is running out of time. If her grandmother is back, that old woman will urge the two of them to get married. Unfortunately, even though he has amassed all this power, Sano is not confident that he could take her down.

That and Penelope is very close with her grandmother. Even if the older woman is a terrible person, her granddaughter has never done anything wrong. She has helped him out and never asked for anything in return.

But he could never love her. Earlier, when Penelope asked him that question, all sorts of scenarios appeared in his head. Despite his chances looking very bad, there were many things he wanted to do with her. He is confident enough not to back down.

She wouldn't stay with him if she disliked him, nor will she stay out of pity. Sumire is most likely figuring out what to do with him too, which is why she is staying. Sano felt a warm, tingling sensation in his stomach at the thought. He can make this work during her stay here; he still has a chance to play his cards right.