"I would be lying if I said no, but I can't say yes either."

'She must feel conflicted. Whenever I watch her back like this, I remember all the other times I watched her.'

Back then, even though he was so close to her, he could only watch from a distance. The situation has changed now, though.

Yuhi got closer to her and grabbed hold of her hand.

Sumire's gaze softened, and she laughed softly. "Are you taking my hand hostage again?"

"Yeah."

He wants to say something. But he has no experience with family, so he doesn't want to sound like a hypocrite.

She suddenly turned to him and let go of his hands. For a moment, Yuhi paused, thinking he did something wrong when she pulled on his arms.

"I taught you before, but let me remind you again. During moments like this, you wrap your arms around me."

Yuhi wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She buried her face in his chest.

"Hold me tightly."

"- and not let you go?" Yuhi finished for her.

Sumire mumbled. "Mm, so you're smart after all."

"As usual, you always try to get the last word in. Aren't you destroying this moment?"

Sumire mumbled. "Mm, so you're smart after all."

"As usual, you always try to get the last words in. Aren't you destroying this moment?"

"Maybe I just want you to punish me."

"I see how devious."

They spend the next half an hour or so just hugging in that single spot. Yuhi, however, didn't let his guard down once. It seems many people dislike Sumire in this place. While there are just as many who respect her, there are those with grudges.

His gaze fell on the girl walking a few steps ahead of him. Her movements still seemed a little clumsy, so he still kept close. But her leg does seem to be getting better now. She should be able to perform in this condition.

Still, it won't hurt to be too careful.

"What about that guy just now?"

"Hmm, I think he took revenge on me for killing his brother." Sumire trailed off. "When I first came here and looked around the gangs. Some were being unreasonable and not very cooperative. That guy's brother being one of them. He used underhanded means, tried to drug and kidnap me. But it backfired on him since I fought back."

Yuhi looked at her startled, and his gaze darkened. From that scenario, it was clear what they were going to do to her.

"So even though they managed to drug me, I still managed to fight them off and get off scot-free."

Yuhi immediately grabbed hold of her hand, and Sumire laughed nervously.

"I thought if I told you casually, you wouldn't react."

"When was this? If they succeeded in drugging you, how did you-" Yuhi paused mid-sentence. "You asked Nagwa for help, right?"

"It was the first favor I asked of him since I saw him again. At the time, we were still on odd terms, so it was a bit risky. But I didn't want to bother you, Yuhi."

He should be flattered that she was so considerate. But Yuhi got a very bad feeling from this. "Did he do anything to you?"

"No."

It was a flat-out no, but Yuhi still sensed that there was something amiss. Unfortunately, it was before they went out with each other, so he can't say much. All that matters is that she made it out safely. Still, she is amazing. He and Atushi already increased the security around her then, but she still managed to slip away.

"You look conflicted, Yuhi-san."

"It's because I can't say anything; we weren't in a relationship then."

Sumire laughed at his words, and Yuhi sighed. "This isn't funny. I am mad about this. But what can I do?"

"For one, maybe you should ask for some details."

"I will pass!" Yuhi exclaimed. He would rather not hear the details. Besides, he could already picture the situation. She managed to escape, but the drugs must have taken effect on her. She must have been in a drugged state when she called Nagawa.

"I was going to call him and ask for help, but before I could do that, I ran into him. He was in the area."

Yuhi frowned at those words. What type of coincidence is that? He shook the thought out of his mind but couldn't help but be suspicious. His gaze fell on the girl looking at him, concerned, and he sighed.

"You have to make it up to me."

Sumire beamed happily as she clung to his arm. "Alright, then I can do that."

For the next few minutes, neither of them spoke, but his gaze remained on the girl clinging to him. What is with her today? Normally she doesn't cling to him like this in public. Then again, maybe she is in a good mood.

"I just realized Yuhi-san, you're probably late to your practice now, aren't you?"

Yuhi looked up at the fading orange skies and then at his watch. It was six pm. He hadn't realized how long they spent in that base. He sensed her cheeky tone.

"Shall we go for dinner?"

"Then I know a good place!"

Her recent bold actions and behavior surprise him recently. It won't hurt to ask now, would it?

Yuhi grabbed hold of her wrist. "Hey, let me ask you something."

"What is it, Yuhi?"

"Do you keep smiling like that because you know it makes me want to pounce on you?"

Sumire laughed nervously. "Uhh, I had no idea."

She didn't, huh? Of course, she didn't know. Sumire is very bad with this stuff. But sometimes, when he is around her innocent self, he loses control. Yuhi didn't say anything and pushed her towards a wall. He trapped her with his arms, and she shyly looked down.

"Yuhi? What are we doing?"

Shouldn't she ask him why he is doing this? Yuhi cupped her cheeks. "Your not afraid of me, Sumire?"

"Of course not."

"You must have heard those rumors. You should know that rumors like that usually start from something."

"I- I understand that you slept around before."

Does she really? Then, why did she accept his confession? If she understood, normally, one wouldn't accept. Or maybe there is something wrong with her?

"Do you like me, Sumire?"

"I-"

"Let me rephrase that." He brushed his lips against hers. "Do you love me?"

At those words, her cheeks colored, and she nervously looked down. But she only looked down for a second before she raised her face.

"I love you, Yuhi."

"Repeat it."

"I love you."

'Am I hearing things? Normally she would- his thoughts broke off when he felt a familiar pair of lips on his.

Sumire was kissing him rather oddly, he chuckled, realizing she was trying to get him to open his mouth. The moment he opened it for her, he immediately took control of the kiss.

Honestly, she is too much. How can she smile so innocently like that in front of him? Doesn't she realize what impact her words and actions have on him?