After the surgery ended, it didn't take long before Sumire woke up much to everyone's surprise.

But, she woke up screaming, and in pain.

Yuhi watched horrified for a few minutes as she pulled out the wires from her arms. There was a dangerous look in her eyes.

It was a good thing Nagawa cleared up the room si no other staff was around. Yuhi immediately pulled the girl into his arms.

___

When she finally calmed down and realized where she was, Sumire wanted to crawl into a hole and hide somewhere. Instead, her gaze fell on the wires she tore off and the glass cup she broke and bit her lip. What was she about to do there?

How long has she been awake and more importantly, her gaze fell on Yuhi, who was bandaging her arm. Whe--when did Yuhi get here?

It looks like she is in the Nagawa family hospital, but Sumire didn't know how she got here. She saw Soujiro. Did Soujiro bring her back? No, she remembers fading into a pool of light. Did she somehow end up in Tokyo? If so, Sumire looked around, and Yuhi sighed.

"Your companion is still in surgery."

"Ah."

Eli got poorly hurt because of her, and it wasn't just Eli. Sumire recalled Rus' pained cries, and she bit her lip. To think that was the reason why he didn't return to her. Sumire knew it wouldn't be simple, but she didn't think it would be like that. She shuddered as she recalled his state the last time she saw him. He ended up hurting her, but it wasn't his fault.

"Sumire. You're here, right?"

"Yes."

"We can talk in detail later, I'm sure. But for now…" He pulled her into his arms.

"Yu--" His warmth, the warmth she hasn't felt in so long. Only two months have passed, and yet it feels like it has been forever. As much as she enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms again, there was a problem.

"I can't brea-- "

"Sumire. Sumire. "

He kept repeating her name over and over like some sort of spell. He's hugging her so tightly; she can tell how much he's missed her from this tight embrace. It is a bit too tight, though.

"Yuhi, geez, just listen to me for a second. " However, he wouldn't let go, instead his hold on her increased. This isn't romantic at all.

Sumire mustered whatever strength she had left and hit him.

"Ouch, why did you hit me?"

"I had to. I couldn't breathe."

"Like that's my problem."

"Are you trying to kill me?" Sumire retorted, but those words fell on death ears since he was kissing her lips passionately before long.

"Nnmmmmmmgh... Yuhi?"

"Don't go anywhere anymore, Sumire. Please, please don't go.."

Her eyes widened when she heard those words. It was the first time for her to hear Yuhi this weak and vulnerable.

Tears streamed down from her eyes, the ones she had been holding back since earlier, even though she doesn't deserve him.

Even though that's the case, right now, she wants to tell him.

"Sumire?"

"I missed you. "

"Yeah, I figured. Not having a human water bottle must have bothered you, so it was just about time.. "

"Dummy."

She wants him to hold her. But now really isn't the time for that.

"What is it? Don't be silent on me. Otherwise, I'll think I'm dreaming again…."

"I want you to hold me."

Yuhi awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "You know you're the one who suggested it, but you're turning red."

Sumire quickly averted her gaze. Stupid, this isn't the time to say such things. But she wants to feel his warmth again; she wants them to be one-- she paused mid-thought. It is a good thing that Yuhi does not have any mind-reading abilities.

"Even without mind-reading abilities, I can tell what you are thinking."

"Gah."

Yuhi laughed. "Well, even I understand that now isn't the time, but," He cupped her cheeks. "We can when you get better."

Uh, what did she just suggest?

"Yuhi, did anyone confess to you?" Sumire suddenly asked him.

Is it just her, or did her boyfriend become more handsome?

"She asks that so easily. "

"Sorry, but the way you are now, I wouldn't be surprised if loads of girls fell for you. "

"I won't deny that there have been a lot more stares. However, you're the only one for me, so it doesn't matter. "

Her cheeks flushed red, and she looked away. What on earth is she doing blushing like this around him? It reminds her of her of those times. Yet Yuhi has always had this effect on her. His feelings for her. When he held her in his arms, Sumire could tell right away how deeply his feelings still are.

Sumire felt very embarrassed by his love. They aren't children anymore, so such naive and pure feelings should have disappeared already. Over time such pureness ought to have vanished, and yet, even now, Yuhi is showering her with so much affection.

She felt his head rest on her shoulder; she blinks. "Are you tired, Yuhi?"

"Yeah. I was running around half the world searching for a certain somebody. " Yuhi said it normally, and yet Sumire understood.

It must have taken a lot of willpower for Yuhi not to resent her. She suddenly left like that even though they had that talk with each other. It is only normal for him to resent her, yet he still shows so much love.

"I'm sorry."

"Are you really? I wonder what's going to happen when you recover? Will you rush off with a different guy to find Mamoru again? But, what am I getting all jealous of? I know you haven't done anything wrong."

Sumire shook her head. "You're not to blame Yuhi. You're not. I drove you to a corner. I'm so sorry. "

"Don't cry, Sumire. I said we wouldn't talk about this now, and yet here I am, breaking my words. Sumire, I just want to know one thing. Do you still love me? "

Sumire was about to answer him immediately, but then she recalled something.

' If you leave him and remain with me.

I can negotiate with zero.

Him attacking us is merely a warning.

But he has no power over me once I'm serious.

If I do, under the condition you remain with me.

I will spare Terashima Yuhi's life.'

She has to lie again; she's sorry, Yuhi.

"I hate you, Yuhi. After I thought it through, I couldn't understand why you left me alone for so long. Ru was always there beside me, and yet I couldn't say anything. " Ah, what is she saying? He's going to see right through her. She can't even lie and say she loves Ru anymore.

"I hate you. That's why I ran away. I'm sorry you had to come all this way, but please leave me alone. "

Yuhi sighs deeply, "You are stubborn and a terrible liar. You're also reckless and a huge idiot."