After a few hours, he finally drew back from her and watched her sleep for a while. But he couldn't stop himself from kissing her in several places, causing her to wake up.

"Are you alright?" Yuhi caressed her cheeks. "Sumire?"

​​

"I think so."

"Sorry, you should sleep some more. I will make some food."

Sumire tugged on his arm. "Stay with me?"

Just three words, but her saying them in this state--it makes him feel strange. Yuhi laid back down beside her, and she buried her face in his arms.

"Mmmm, better."

'Is she not going to comment on why I lost control like that?' Then again, Sumire has always been like this.

"What are you thinking?"

Sumire laughed shyly. "I'm just looking at you Yuhi, I'm not planning or thinking anything weird."

Is that so?

Sumire raised her face from his chest and climbed on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her bareback. "Are you sure you're not planning anything?"

"Maybe I am."

"I'm sorry about just now. I got jealous."

"Do you think I am too soft on him?"

"Well, a little. But I know you have a hard time being harsh around people you care for."

"It's true my urge to mess with him has lessened since that talk. But I'm still not comfortable around him."

"Then what about me?"

Yuhi ran his hands on her back as he said this, and she turned scarlet.

"Yuhi, don't do that."

"How come?"

"Uh, it feels a bit strange."

He knew 'intimate' topics were taboo. Yuhi decided a long time ago that he would wait for her. 'I will be patient.' It doesn't matter how long it takes. He won't rush her with these things.

Still, to think just a bit of caressing led to her reacting this way.

"Do you not like it?" Yuhi referred to what they just did. "I know normally I don't ask you, but-" He trailed off when he saw how red her face was.

"Sumire?"

"Uh, hold on a moment." Sumire covered her face with her hands. "I just need a time out. You are bold today Yuhi-san, I thought you were just teasing me because I made you jealous. I didn't know you were serious."

"I'm always serious about this."

Sumire leaned forward and kissed him. "I'm sorry, don't be mad at me."

"I feel frustrated, but I know better than to lose control. Your so special to me." Yuhi trailed off. "I want to wait until you are ready, but occasionally I have moments like today. I'm sorry if it was too sudden."

"N-not at all. Uhh," Sumire laughed. "It's a bit embarrassing speaking like this. Can I put something on?"

Yuhi reached out for the nightgown he tossed aside earlier. "Raise your arms."

"Thus nightgown."

"Oh, San bought it for me."

"Sumire, this thing is a bit transparent. You haven't worn this in the hospital, right?"

Sumire laughed. "Silly, don't worry. I said I wouldn't wear it unless it's you. He still gave it as a gift, though."

'Nagawa is really bold.'

"You know gifts from men usually have meanings. A transparent gown like this means they have impure thoughts."

"Mmm, I figured. Then what do you call the outfits you give me, Yuhi?"

"Those? 'I want to take them off.'"

Sumire rolled her eyes. "You're a bit too honest there, mister."

Yuhi tugged on her hand. "I can't? I don't want to lie to you."

She turned red and averted her gaze. "Well, it's not like that but-- I don't know how to react, Yuhi."

His gaze softened at her words. Well, this should be enough for now. Yuhi gently caressed her cheeks. "Why don't you go back to sleep?"

"Oh, I'm not trying to run away-"

Yuhi shook his head. "I don't want to wear you out too much. Although I do want to continue."

"Then, instead of me sleeping, can you cook something for me?"

"Sure."

"Mmm," She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yuhi, I'm sorry for behaving strangely. You know I love you, and I don't mind those things if I do them with you. But I am still a bit frightened. What if one day that's the only value you see in me?"

"I understand that thought; that's why I restrained. I don't want you thinking I only want you for that."

Yuhi saw her troubled face. "I'll cook you something delicious. Just wait here, okay?"

….

Even when he was making her a meal, Yuhi remained dazed. He needs to stop touching her. Although he cannot avoid it, what else is he supposed to do when they are alone together? Yuhi sighed deeply.

'Do sweet things.' He should take her out on more dates. Yuhi recalled the time Sumire sang carefully in that place she found downtown. Having a moment like that with her is not bad.

Did she fall asleep?

Yuhi paused when he saw the box in front of her.

'Whenever she doesn't wear those, she has a habit of staring at them.' Nagawa did tell him that, but this is the first time he sees it.

Silly girl, does she like it that much?

He initially hesitated with the gift because he knew how Sumire felt about receiving presents. It was due to her relationship with Nagawa. Sumire only told him bits and pieces before. But it seemed when Nagawa started to change; he started to give her loads of gifts. He would send them over whenever he had to cancel their dates.

Sumire always says she is okay as long as she is with him, and he knew how genuine those words were. But at the same time, he felt that he wasn't doing his job as her boyfriend very well. He can at least do some things that were similar, the expensive dinner dates and gifts. He only avoided it because of Nagawa, but sometimes he wants to do those things with her.

His thoughts broke off when the girl woke up. She looked at him dazed, and then her face turned red like she just realized something.

Sumire turned scarlet again and tried to run away, but Yuhi stopped her. "I'm happy you like it."

He wasn't sure about getting her a gift like this, knowing how she rarely wears such things.

His thoughts broke off when she rushed back and buried her face in his arms. Yuhi's gaze was gentle as he looked at the cute bundle in his arms.

He apologized for overdoing things and that she ought to eat to regain her strength with a loving tone.

"Yuhi, you're upset, right?"

"Well, it is hard to say without the details."

"At that time, they drugged me heavily, my memories are very vague, but I have some vague recollections. San isn't a good person. When we first met again, he still behaved like a jerk too."

"Have you ever asked him?" Yuhi questioned.

"I'm afraid," Sumire mumbled. "There are times where I do strange things, Yuhi. My head gets all muddled, and I don't think straight. I don't think it was because of the accident either. There were times before where I would blank out and wake up in a random place."