It was the day after Sumire said those words to him. Sano thought about it all night before he made up his mind and headed to the base. The enemy base was in a place one would least expect; it was in the large chapel at the edge of town. While he isn't the religious type to think they would conduct such evil deeds in a place of worship.

There was a figure behind the curtain that sat on a throne-like chair made of spikes. But despite being this close, Sano couldn't see who he was talking to. It's not like the material of these curtains is very thick, but he still couldn't see anything.

"I see; it will be difficult to reach her once she returns to the entertainment industry."

Despite those words, Sano sensed how confident he was.

"She has been staying in your hospital. Have you been giving her that?"

"I have."

"But she still seems normal. I suppose she is tougher to crack than most people."

Sano clenched his fist at those words. He has no choice but to sneak in that stuff into her medicine. At first, he didn't understand how harmful it was but when he learned how bad it was, he started to put it in smaller doses. That may be the reason why she hasn't shown any side effects.

Still, he wants to stop giving it to her altogether—that powder-like medication with an unusual color.

"How does she feel towards you?"

Sano blinked, surprised at the sudden question. "Excuse me?"

The man chuckled. "I was just thinking, haven't you two gotten close? Do you think you will be able to persuade her?"

Sano immediately understood what he meant by persuade.

This man's obsession with Sumire, Sano wondered why he never noticed it before.

"With all due respect, we may seem close, but she does not trust me. She has already learned that I was involved in her accident and has distanced herself from me."

"Is that so? Then just seduce her more openly. It shouldn't be hard on you. She may be strong, but she is still a woman. Moreover, she has weakened greatly recently and is staying in your hospital. As her doctor, you should have more leeway."

Indeed, he also entertained those thoughts not too long ago. Ever since she came to Tokyo, he has been her doctor and often hospitalized. It is his hospital, he can do whatever he wanted with her, and nobody would know. But not once did he cross that line.

After he had that talk with her, the beast he suppressed inside his heart seemed to calm down. Their current relationship isn't bad. Although he cannot act on his own emotions like he did before, she doesn't look at him with disgust, nor does he see that empty look in her eyes.

It is normal for anybody who is after her to take advantage of her weakened state, but he can't do it.

"I am afraid I will have to refuse those orders."

"Oh?" He seemed startled for a moment. "You're going to refuse my order?"

Sano unconsciously took a step back when he saw the figure moving towards him. The other man was still behind the curtain, but Sano sensed the sudden change in atmosphere.

"I am," Sano said confidently.

In that second, a flash of black-looking smoke surrounded only him. The smoke only briefly came in contact with his skin, but he felt his facial features hardening.

Sano briefly took a look at his hand to see his skin turning grey.

"There is no need for a hound who will disobey his master. I shall give you the time you need to think as a frozen statue."

Sano already knew they would punish him, but this isn't funny. If it were the past he would have used his family influence, but now people would only laugh if he uttered such wordsh. He already understood. This man has already gotten whatever he wanted from his family. His family cannot go against him now.

The only use they have now is his connection to Sumire.

But even then, isn't this too much? Ah, what was he thinking trying to do something heroic like this? Even if he refuses the seducing order, ,he is still giving her poison in the form of medication at the end of the day.

Before he could say anymore, however, a flash of black brushed past him. It was a woman wearing a red hooded cloak; she briefly looked at him. She wore a mask, so it was hard to see her face, but he couldn't mistake her ruby-colored eyes.

She used her sword to cut through the black smoke.

"Oh ho, I see." The man behind the curtain seemed amused by this unexpected development.

He, who was finally free from the smoke, sunk to the ground. He took one look at his hands; the edge of it was still black, and he couldn't feel his fingers.

"I didn't think you would come personally. After all, he just finished explaining how he doesn't think he is important to you."

Sano immediately understood the situation, but he couldn't believe it. Why would she come all the way here to help him? Moreover, just now, she cut through that black smoke like it was nothing. With her current state, it should be impossible for her to move around.

"If that is the case, then both of you are fools."

The cloaked figure didn't admit who she was, but ,he knew it was her from those words alone.

"Aahaaa, I see. But was it really wise of you to appear before me in your weakened state? Surely you understand that with the way you are now, it will be easy for me to crush you."

"That is true, but I would rather choose a risky situation than lose somebody important to me again."

Sanos' eyes widened when he heard those words. What did she just say? This girl is such a hypocrite. He truly doesn't understand what she is saying. She admitted to using him, and yet why is she saying this now?

"Is that your choice?"

"Yes."

In that second, the shadow from the curtain vanished, and Sano knew the man had left. He turned to the cloaked figure and intended to scold her. What on earth is she doing walking around? Before he could say anything, the girl had bent down and grabbed hold of his hand.

A white light surrounded his palm, and in the next second, his skin had returned to normal.

Sano was about to say anything, but he hears the sound of a frantic person banging on the door when he heard that familiar voice screaming; master Sano sighed deeply.

He pointed to the back door. "Get out that way."

Sano did have some questions for her. But he could ask them another time.