His thoughts broke off hearing familiar footsteps. Sanos gaze dimmed when he saw who it was.

"Didn't you heal faster than her? Why are you still in the hospital?"

The person who just appeared is the researcher who was with Sumire during her disappearance. The man was also somebody Hino despised.

"Now, now I simply came to visit."

Sano looked at the documents in his hands. "You can't give that to her now. She is making good progress healing, but if you give her that, she will do something to worsen her condition."

Eli chuckled at those words. "I see, but is it okay not to give this to her?" Eli pulled something out of the large brown envelope. In Eli's hands weren't papers but a traditional-looking pocket watch.

"It seems she hasn't noticed yet, so she has no need for it." Sano took the watch from Eli. "Besides, we still don't understand how it works. It would be better to keep it under control."

"I see; well, I also thought the same. I came here to hand this to you, however, since if I keep it, she will figure it out eventually."

"So she is on to you." Sano sighed. "You're not very reliable, are you?"

He dove into his pocket for his cigarettes and lighters only to realize they were missing. Eli chuckled.

"It seems you two are on good terms."

"Ha, if only." Sano already knew that Sumire took his cigarettes and lighter. "It's not like that she just doesn't like the smell of smoke."

"Is that so? But something has changed. I am sure even Hino-kun will have no complaints with how things are now."

"You're overestimating me; that girl doesn't love me."

"Right, she doesn't love you." Eli agreed. "But there are many different forms of love."

"Don't bother giving me that kind of speech. I have heard it all before."

"What are you going to do if she leaves Tokyo and returns to Star town?"

At that comment, his gaze darkened more, and Eli's sweat fell.

"Fine. But you know even if you keep it to yourself, everybody wants to know what you plan to do with her. I doubt that stingy old woman will continue letting you get away with this."

"Isn't that why I asked for your help? Have you figured out a way yet?"

"Even if you convince Miss Penelope, it will backfire on you since that old woman knows that she loves you. She will make it hard for Sumire-chan."

"That's why I need to find a way."

Eli paused for a moment. "Why don't you ask her fiance?"

Suddenly Eli sunk to the ground. "I would rather get shot by a gun than face your terrifying killer glare."

Why does he have to deal with so many idiots?

"What did you find out?" Sano asked, changing the topic.

"It was like what you said. It seems there are more people in the elite circle involved in that fire."

He asked Eli to investigate the demise of the Terashima family; what caused that fire? He wanted to know the details.

"The last time I came there, I ran into a few politicians from the central cabinet. It was the first time seeing them there, but from the looks of things, they have been frequent patrons of that man." "I see, so you think they know something?"

"From the very start, that man has shown an unusual interest in Sumire. It wouldn't surprise me if he wanted her since before I broke up with her."

In the last few years, Sano has carefully observed his behavior whenever it came to Sumire. Although he has never seen the man's facial expression, he could tell from his tone. It is too dangerous for Sumire to go near him.

Sano recalled what happened at the base earlier. Even though Sumire was right there, he didn't leave the curtain, so it must be exactly like what she said. There is only a recording there.

"But what brought this on?" Eli wondered. "I didn't think you would ask me to abort my other mission and to start investigating this."

"Jack can handle the one you were doing, but he is no good at investigations. He will just kill people the second he gets annoyed."

Eli chuckled. "Indeed, but this also comes with its own set of problems. I don't think Hino-kun appreciates it.."

"Hino is Hino. Whatever grudges you have with him has nothing to do with me. Moreover, I need to use all I can."

This is one of the cases Sumire asked him to look into when they started dating. At first, she seemed very reluctant to ask him for help, but it became unavoidable since the people around them spoke about her inheritance.

"You care so much for her. Indeed it is a waste. But perhaps if you are careful enough, the situation will soon turn out to be in your favor. The only reason you can't get to her now is because Terashima is here."

"What are you trying to say?" Sano felt like he already knew where this was heading. Before Eli could say any more, the doors opened, revealing Terashima.

Terashima tosses him something, and he immediately caught it. It was a packet of cigarettes and a lighter.

"Sorry about that." Yuhi apologized. "I told her already she can't do that with somebody who isn't me."

Despite the normal-sounding words, Sano immediately understood what he was trying to imply.

Sano tossed the cigarettes and lighter into the bin. "If she doesn't like me smoking, I will stop."

"You seem very obedient."

"Naturally, since I love her."

Other people walking by most likely saw small lightning bolts forming between Terashima and him.

The black-haired man sighed deeply. "I suppose I can't argue with that logic. But if that is the case, watch her better. If you were watching her properly, she wouldn't have snuck off."

"You seem quite confident asking another man to stay by your woman for twenty-four seven."

"Of course, I'm confident. I'm the one she chose."

Sanos eyes twitched, annoyed. What is wrong with this man? Not once has he lost his composure when talking. He was about to say something else when they heard the sound of Terashima's phone.

"I got it. I will be there right away."

Sano sensed the sudden shift in tone and listened carefully.

"Leave Yoru in charge until I get there. Yeah, I got it. I will get Atushi too."

Now that he thought about it, there were many unsettling rumors regarding Terashima Yuhi. The bar akagaumi he frequently visits and the place he briefly stayed in before because of Sumire. That place is actually a base for delinquents.

"Sumire? No, she cant go. It's fine. I will update her another time."

It seems Sumire is aware of Terashimas little group. Too bad he can't use this against him. Then again, Terashima isn't stupid enough to take an important phone call in front of them. Sano spotted Sumire peering at the door and sighed.

He didn't want to see any more of their lovey-dovey interactions today, but it seems he will have to. Still, he is curious how she is going to react to this. How involved is she with Terashimas deals?