A lot of people have asked her why Terashima Yuhi? There are much more fish in the sea, fish with better status. She knew how badly people in the elite circle criticize her relationship with YUhi. Many think she will get rid of him when she is bored and eventually marry Soujiro. People strongly believe that because she has yet to cancel the engagement. It is not like that; she just--wanted to sort out her lingering regrets first.

Until then, you can hold onto this title and use it when it is convenient for you.

Soujiros' words echoed in her head, and she sighed deeply. Even though it must be hard for him too. She heard from the others how he desperately searched for

"Here."

Sumire blinks in confusion at the sand which she was handing her. "You can't just rely on blood. "

That's true, and she refused to eat earlier.

"Thanks." Sumire took a bite into the sandwich. She usually is a very picky eater and would examine what she is eating first but not today. It occurred to her that she has not eaten anything at all the last few days.

Not a proper meal, but she recalled the time they locked her up. Ru was trying to sneak food to her when they were not experimenting on him. He didn't speak much, but she already understood just from looking at him.

How much torture did that person go through for her sake?

"Is it good?"

"Yes, very."

He has become so reliable. Even though he said before that cooking is a pain.

"I'd like it better if you smiled while eating. Your eating face was one of my fetishes, after all. It's a shame that I can't see it after coming this far. .well, maybe now isn't the time to be flirting with you. "

Sumire extends her hand out hesitantly. "Yuhi, am I…dreaming still? Seeing you, being held by you, and eating with you like this."

"You're not dreaming, Sumire. Come here, let me hug you again. ."

"Ah! Stop there!"

He sends her a puzzled look before sighing, "I don't understand."

"No, it's- it's just… I probably smell." She averted her gaze and fiddled with her fingers. "You see, I was in a tricky situation and was being held captive, so I didn't get a chance to bathe myself properly."

It just occurred to her how she entered the operating room in this state too. But that is not what bothered her; she doesn't want Yuhi to think she stinks. Sure she took that dive into the ocean while escaping, but that is hardly what she would call a bath.

Sumire somehow managed to stand up despite her weak state, so she could get away from Yuhi.

"I just told you I don't mind."

Yuhi had stood up and grabbed hold of the brunette's arms, yet she attempted to escape. She avoided looking at his eyes as much as possible.

Sumire vigorously shook her head. "I don't want to bother you."

"You're not the only one, though."

"No, you're fine as it is. I don't mind it."

"And I'm telling you I don't mind it either!!

"Your opinion doesn't matter here!" Sumire tried to say something harsh, but it failed since Yuhi pulled her into his arms.

"You've gotten louder and more annoying."

She felt the heat creep to her face, not due to embarrassment over her smell but more to do with his beating heart. Why is it beating this loudly?

"Damn, this is embarrassing."

"I'm the one who should say that-"

"You're not the one with the frantic beating heart."

Sumire felt her cheeks color even more at those words.

"This is bad; when I am around you, it is hard to contain my feelings."

What idiotic thing is he saying now? But this is the first time she has heard it.

"Whenever we get close, or whenever I see you, my heart ends up like this." Yuhi laughed. "Are you impressed?"

"Who would be impressed, idiot," Sumire mumbled. "Are you holding back?"

"If you mean holding back my desires even, I won't pounce on somebody who just had an operation."

"Uh, right." But normally, that doesn't stop him from doing other perverted things.

"I am holding back a whole lot of other things." Yuhi buried his face in her hair. "I'm not going to ask you in detail what happened. It is unlike you to get captured easily too, I know you went through something harsh, so I will not push you. You can take your time."

Sumire blinked when she heard those words. Should she tell him? It seems like he has misunderstood? Even though they held her captive, other than starving her, they couldn't touch her. She didn't understand it very well, but Eli explained that it had something to do with her ability.

Or maybe it is okay to let him misunderstand? She wants him to spoil her a bit more.

Her thoughts broke off when he cupped her cheeks, and she noticed the dark gaze in his eyes. Ah, forget it- she ought to tell him.

"Yuhi," Sumire said softly. "The thing is-"

It was hard for her to explain what happened without giving away everything. There were some things she had to omit, knowing Yuhi would most likely misunderstand.

"Mamoru protected you?"

"Well, mm, he tried to act cold and stuff at first. But that guy has never been good at hiding his feelings in front of me. I could tell right away." She trailed off. "Besides, if he hated me, I don't think he would be carrying my picture around everywhere."

Yuhi sighed and flicked her forehead.

"Eh, what was that for?"

"You're so inconsiderate. I didn't need to hear that. No man would be happy hearing that another guy carries around pictures of their wife."

"But you know we are both part of the entertainment industry. People carry around our pictures and even made albums of our photos/merchandise. It is the same thing as that."

Yuhi looked very troubled. "Im saying that I'm bothered by anybody carrying your photo who isn't me."

So that means he even gets jealous of her fans? This man is so silly sometimes. Her gaze softened, but there is no doubt that his feelings for her haven't changed. No that is wrong; they have gotten stronger.

"I'd like to take a bath together, can we? This is a private room, right?"

Yuhi sighed. "Hey, are you doing that deliberately?"

Sumire laughed. "Are you saying you can't restrain yourself around me?"

"You know I am already having a hard time; wait here a sec I will ask somebody if it is okay. You just had an operation after all."

The moment Yuhi left the room, Sumire slumped back onto the bed and extended her hand out. To think she came back in one piece. Under those circumstances, she didn't think it was possible to return. Even though she wanted to return to his side and did everything she could, even she understood the situation.

That underground lab, that facility-- it felt like she had seen something similar before. It seemed the researchers there were very familiar with Mamoru too; they had accurate records of him when he was a child. On a whim, she tried to type her name into the computer system.

Access denied, needs special authority to open files.

So those people have information about her too? It was weird and confusing. She didn't get a chance to crack it since Ru dragged her back to her room. He scolded her a lot and said that was very dangerous.

But even then, she could see how worried he was.

Ru, was it the best choice to let her escape? Will he get in trouble? Sumire shook her head and closed her eyes. Maybe she ought to sleep a bit.