But he recalled what just happened and sighed. He already messed up so early on. Why is it whenever it comes to her, he is unable to be himself? All the rationality flies out, leaving behind nothing but a mess. It is unlike him to act emotionally; people around him have always praised him for his calm behaviour. So Sano knew there was something wrong. He only behaves this way when he is around her.

Doesn't that make her a hindrance? If he only experiences these bad emotions when he is with her, he should stop associating with her.

At first, he was desperate; he clung to her even though he knew how dangerous it would be. There is a reason why all those people respect her, a reason why even those who scorned her didn't do so in front of her.

They feared her, even though she was only a fifteen-year-old girl. He knew how risky it was. If he didn't chase after her, then he doubts she would have followed him up on the situation. It was because he chased after her that they started dating.

But back then, he was desperate; he needed it badly, a strong connection.

Sano didn't even know at what point did he fall for her. She was fifteen, far too young for him to like her, let alone touch her. Even kissing was a stretch, but considering how she initiated those, he tried not to feel guilty.

It wasn't like him to fall for anybody, let alone a young girl. Her age was very off-putting. When he first saw her, he thought she was eighteen, but when he learned her real age, he pushed the thought out of his mind.

Another fact was well her personality. It didn't take him long to figure out, no more as he noticed within the first day. The girl had a very complex personality. She was unusually cold and cruel to people she didn't know, and even with people, she knew she would say cruel things.

His previous women had been a mixture of meek or just slutty-Ibuki Sumire was neither of those. Her strong behavior bothered him greatly. That sharp tongue of hers caused him a lot of problems.

While he could not directly announce, they were dating since it would destroy his image. He made it seem like she was interested and had a crush on him. He made it seem like he was important to her. It was surprisingly easy to do that, considering how she was the first one to approach him at parties or bring him along everywhere. Before long, all the connections he needed were right at this doorstep.

It was the right decision. At one point, he amassed enough power to call his own. He didn't need her anymore. But he still remained with her because she was already the only woman in his heart.

He liked how hard she tried to get along with his family even though they made it clear that they disliked her. He liked how she even tried to speak the same way his grandma and parents do, even though she would fail miserably.

She worked very hard as his girlfriend and did whatever she could to make their relationship work.

It was him; he is the one who ruins- his thoughts broke off when he spotted a shadow leaning against the sliding door.

"Is your visitor gone?"

"Mm, your taking a longer bath than usual is there something wrong."

Even when they are not in a relationship, she is considerate enough to take notice of things regarding him.

"I got caught up thinking about the past."

"Our past?" Sumire guessed.

"Yeah."

There is silence on the other end before Sumire mumbled. "I see, you know San, I think this is a good time to say this. I think both of us act this way towards each other because we had a bad breakup; we need closure."

"Sumire, I don't want to let you go."

She laughed softly. "Mm, it seems you are stubborn about that. You know it was hard for me after we broke up. Even though I said I wouldn't get attached to you, I ended up doing so. We spent all that time together. It was only natural for me to get attached. It was so stupid back then if I said something. If I communicated my feelings properly, this wouldn't have happened."

"Sumire."

"I liked you a lot, San. It was my first relationship, and you were a good boyfriend. Im sorry for causing you problems."

What on earth is she rambling- Sano quickly realized something. He wrapped the towel around his waist and slid the door open. There was an unusually light around the girl, and it looked like she was fading. Sano immediately grabbed hold of her shoulders.

"Do you have to leave?"

"Ru is alive."

At those words, Sano looked down, and Sumire laughed again. "You can't deny it now?"

"It was only recently, Sumire, that I found out what truly happened. I didn't intend to do that. No matter how much I despised him, I didn't want to kill him."

"Mm, I understand that very well. San, you are a nice person." Sumire looked towards the hallway and her gaze softened. "This house is exactly like how I wanted it. You even kept some of my clothes." she laughed again. "It is a bit hard for me to keep pushing you away when you show how strongly you feel for me. I understand that you still love me; what happened in the past is because I couldn't communicate things properly."

No, it wasn't just her not communicating; it was him. He should have told her from the very start that he was serious about her. If he told her that, then she wouldn't have misunderstood. That other stuff that was happening with his family, if he said something- his thoughts broke off when he felt her lips lightly brush against his.

"Sumire.."

"This will be the first and last time that I kiss you sincerely."

So this means she is directly rejecting him now?

"Is it because you found Mamoru?"

"There is that, and I can tell that your fiance cares a lot for you. Hey San, I think this is enough now. We are not getting any younger. In my heart now, there is only room for Yuhi. But before I can tell him that properly, I want to meet Ru first. I want to communicate the feelings I couldn't get across before."

At those words, he leaned forward and kissed her. It was not an aggressive or emotional kiss; it was the type of kiss one would give to the person they love.

Sumire covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed again. "Your very pushy."

"Sumire, please, don't go."

"I need to see if it is him. I'm sorry, Sano. But while I am away, can you do me a favour?"

"I will do anything."

"Please watch over Yuhi for me."

So she is going without saying anything to Terashima. Of course, she will. "Even now, another guy."

Sumire brushed her forehead against his. "When I come back, I hope you have sorted your feelings a little. For now, goodbye, Sano."