Now, this was more like her; for a while, the girl had been acting strangely meek like she used to. But even he understood that there was something wrong with that behaviour of hers.

Sano sniggered, causing her to frown. "This isn't funny, and I am serious."

"As I am. But you know, even if you tell me this stuff now, I have a hard time adjusting. So you don't want me to project your past self onto your current, but you've always said that some traits remain the same. I will acknowledge that you have changed, but even if you have, your still the same girl that I fell in love with." He trailed off. "I cant outright agree with what you say. Do you really think things will change if I follow you?"

"How should I know unless you try it? What I do understand is the current situation isn't good for anyone."

"What if things fail?"

"Then that is just how things ended up. But at the very least, even if either of us fails, this time we know that we both gave it our best."

"You know Im never going to be like Tsueno or even Terashima. I will do a lot of things that will make you hate me. And we both know you will never act sweet around me like you used to."

"Is it hard accepting how I am now?"

"Our personalities were never compatible, but now it is hard to predict how things will go."

Honestly, he was a bit interested. Sano thought that the last two months, the girl didn't think about him at all. But her current perspective on the situation differs from what she said the last time they met. It seems the situation has changed slightly.

"I guess we can try this. However, you need to stop comparing me to the guys around you." Sano trailed off. "I don't know whether you do it deliberately, but you have a bad habit of comparing me to Tsueno and Terashima. If you want me to drop my emotional baggage, then I expect you to do the same."

To his surprise, the girl burst into laughter. "I wondered what you were going to say."

"Are you agreeing?"

"Mm, that's fair."

It is strange; it doesn't feel like anything has changed. But this is the first time he has seen such a sincere look in her eyes while talking to him.

"You look red."

"Ah! I have a fever."

'Apparently, she says.'

Sano lifted her up and carried her over to the couch. Unfortunately, he lost his footing on some wire and ended up falling on top of her. Their lips lightly touched, but it was still a kiss nonetheless.

"Sorry, I just-"

"Mmmm, Yuhi?"

Sano sighed when he heard those words. "Wrong person."

"Ah, San?"

"What?"

"Did you just kiss me?"

"Yeah."

"Then I'll hit you once when I get better."

This girl is so-- well, no matter what. Sano placed his hand on her forehead. "Your fever is very high; you should have stayed in your room."

"But I'm all alone there."

"I see. Should I get Razel to stay with you?"

"No, that guy is so boring."

"Then I'll make an exception to extend visiting hours for Terashima."

'A quick doctor's note explaining the patient's circumstances should do the trick. Besides with her medical history, it wouldn't be unusual. It surprised Sano when he got a look at her records. Her mental health history is worse than he thought. The stuff he saw as teen angst and all those cruel things he said to her resurfaced on his mind.

If only he didn't say such things to her. But like she said, it is already too late to reverse what he did in the past; he needs to focus on the present.

"San, what about you?"

Sano paused when he heard those words. "You want it to be me?"

"Mmm, because I don't want to disturb Yuhi."

So it's fine to bother him? Sano sighed. "If that's what you want, I won't be able to talk much, though. Night is the only time I have to upgrade my knowledge."

"Mmm, I understand. So you'll come?"

"Yeah."

He needs to move some stuff, though.

"I'm sorry."

"About?"

"Everything. I didn't know anything. Ru, you see, he told me everything."

"I see."

"Are you still angry?"

Sano sighed deeply. "I think I have already said everything in regards to that moment."

"That is true, but I still wanted to ask and make sure."

Sano noticed the girl's eyelids barely open and wrapped the blanket around her. "Go to sleep."

"Goodnight, Sano."

It didn't take long before the girl fell asleep, and Sano moved away from her. A deep sigh crossed his lips; what on earth was all that about? He didn't think she would come here and confront him like this.

…

Sano didn't think she would visit him again the following night after that conversation. But a part of him felt that she would come, which is why he had tea and sweets ready for her. Sano remained at his desk as she sat on the couch wearing a pair of headphones, some pen, and paper.

When he went by earlier, he noticed that the sheets of paper were musical score sheets.

She always looks so dedicated to music, and yet she still can't return to singing on stage. She already knows that Tsueno is alive right? He wonders if there is something else that is weighing on her mind. Maybe he can help her?

After their conversation yesterday, he thought about things carefully during the day. They have had many conversations ever since she came here, but that was the first time where he felt that they reached a conclusion.

"Um." Sumire suddenly spoke up. "Are you sure I am not in the way? I find it hard to concentrate when there are other people around me, and I think it is the same for you. I could stay outside-"

Sano shook his head. "It is fine, your, not a bother, so just stay."

Sumire slowly nodded. "You know, even though you speak gently, it still feels like you are trying to boss me around."

Sano chuckled. "Old habits die hard."

At those words, Sumire sighed. "I suppose that is true. Say I've been catching up on the news the last two months, but I hear Atsuro has been coming to see you a lot."

"More like harassment."

Sumire looked troubled but nodded. "I suppose that is like him."

"Are you ever going to start speaking to him properly? He looks after your kid sometimes, isn't it hard for you?"

"It is, and really if it weren't for him, then Huan would be in a bad state. I do owe him, and yet," Sumire trailed off and sighed. "If he wasn't such a pervert, then maybe we could have a decent conversation."

"Huh, is that-"

"His medical treatments!" Sumire exclaimed. "No matter how I see it, they are just plain weird! Why does he have to touch me like that?"

Sano blinked, startled by this explanation. So it was something like that? He wondered why she went to such great lengths to avoid Kusaji Atsuro. They must have had that kind of relationship.

"When was this?"

Sumire looked down. "Awhile after Ru passed away."

Sano isn't surprised by her response. He noticed it when they dated, too; she has a bad habit of leeching onto guys whenever she is lonely. It doesn't make her a bad person, though; the girl just wants company. If she is left alone, who knows what she will do?