Sano kissed her harshly the moment Yuhi was no longer in sight. Sumire already sensed his mood when she saw Yuhi with her.

'I tried to signal Yuhi-san with my eyes, but he didn't get the hint.' No, he probably saw it but decided to trust her. That guy trusts her way too much. He should understand that she has a hard time dealing with Sano.

​​

It has already become a habit, and she is still searching for the old him. So naturally, it is hard to refuse.

Sumire mustered whatever strength she still had and pushed Sano away. "That's enough!" Sumire exclaimed. "I--I told you already. Why are you still making it worse for yourself?!"

"Then what about you? You're daring enough to walk back here with those marks on your neck. How many times did he touch you?"

Sumire looked at him dumbfounded.

They may have had that talk, but as expected, nothing has changed. Her gaze dimmed. But this shouldn't surprise her; she already told Yuhi that she knew it was hopeless. The person she got to know is no longer there.

Sano must have sensed her disappointment since he walked over. He shrugged Yuhi's jacket off her shoulders and placed his on top. "It is too cold out here; let's return."

Sumire reluctantly nodded, and they headed back towards the building. On the way, they passed the security guard, and Sano gave a few instructions. She couldn't miss the way the guard looked at the two of them as they left.

She only has to put up with the unusual stares for a while longer. After she gets discharged, it will be much harder for them to meet. They live two completely different lives, after all. She will return to the entertainment industry and be as busy as ever; there is also school. Indeed they won't be able to meet for a while.

So whatever rumors transpired during her stay should vanish too.

'I don't want Yuhi-san to feel uncomfortable anymore.' The reason she left the rumors about her and Sano be is because it worked to her advantage. But there is no longer any need for her to play along.

Also, it would be hard to go along with the rumors about the upcoming concert. 'I plan to confess to my dearest on stage.' Sumire's lips curved to a smile at the thought. Yuhi won't expect that at all. How surprised will he be?

It was one o'clock in the morning when they returned to the room. Sumire didn't realize how long she was walking with Yuhi-san. Then again, he did come quite late. Sumire sat down on the bed.

"Stay still," Sano said as he took out some medical supplies from the cabinet. He didn't say anything and continued to disinfect her small wound.

Sumire carefully observed him before she voiced out her thoughts.

"Are you upset?" Sumire wondered. "You're the one who told me I could go see Yuhi today."

"That doesn't mean I'm okay with you two--"

"You're not my boyfriend, remember?"

Sano sighed deeply. "You're as harsh as ever." He trailed off. "I told Penelope that I would attend the event with you."

"Ah."

'So that explains why she was so upset.' Indeed showing up to a formal gathering with someone other than the fiance openly announces how bad the relationship is.

This is why she would always attend with Soujiro. She may not like him, but she doesn't want him to lose face.

"Drink this." Sano passed a cup to her.

She scrutinized the glass. 'a pink substance.'

Sumire didn't hesitate to drink it, and Sano frowned.

"What if I gave you poison?"

She laughed at those words. "Then I will deal with it."

Sano walked over and cupped her cheeks. "Do you not remember tet?"

'Uh, why is his timing so in sync with her, dearest! How dare they both ask me this question. I managed to get away with it before and said I don't remember, but recently, it's become clearer.'

Something happened between her and Sano that night.

She recalled it clearly when she was in the facility. The first time she recalled it, she ended up screaming and lost control of her powers. Thankfully Ru was there and stopped her.

Sumire looked away, and Sano nodded. "So you remember."

".." She didn't say anything, but this only made the situation worse,

He leaned closer. "What do you want to do?" After each word, Sumire gradually felt the distance between them decrease.

"We can't--!" Sumire exclaimed.

Sano frowned. "You already remember. We did it once before; why can't we do it now?"

"That time was different! I wasn't in a relationship, but now I am."

It seemed her words only made Sano more confused. 'right, he is this type of person.' How to phrase this? Sano took a seat beside her, and she flinched.

"I'm not going to do anything if you're rejecting that strongly."

"Uh-huh." Sumire looked at him doubtfully. This is coming from the guy that was about to kiss her.

Sumire peered over and noticed that he had gotten a book out.

'What is he reading? More medical books?' No, it seems different.

Sumire reluctantly laid down, but it was hard for her to get any sleep. So she just stared at the man who was reading. 'Indeed, he is different, but like Yuhi said, he still doesn't respect her.' Fortunately, she can't clearly remember what happened between them.

She knew how badly those memories would haunt her. Why doesn't she remember?

Could it be that? When Ru passed away, she started to blank out a lot more. She would go through long periods of memory loss because she couldn't accept the reality of him not being there.

It was all for nothing; not remembering made it worse. She was in so much pain but couldn't remember why.

Her thoughts broke off when she felt Sano's hand on her forehead. "Why don't you sleep?"

"It's hard."

'I don't have Yuhi.' Sano doesn't know this, but she has a hard time sleeping without Yuhi here.

He ran his fingers through her hair, and Sumire looked at him puzzled. He is acting so gentle with her, but she couldn't forget what happened earlier. Does this guy have something wrong with his personality?

"Sumire."

"Uh, yes?"

"Do you want to go somewhere with me on the twenty-fourth?"

"Somewhere with you," Sumire repeated his words before realizing something.

'Is he asking me out on a date?'

If that's the case, she has to say no. Besides, the twenty-fourth is Christmas eve.

"It won't take up too much time."

'Why does he look so serious? I wonder what it could be.' But even so, she needs to draw a line.

"I'm sorry, I want to spend time with Yuhi until the new year."

"You already made plans?"

'Not quite, but I suspected as much when I saw how he cleared his schedule.'

Sano must have understood since he nodded. "Then, make time for me on the second and the twentieth."

"San--"

"I want to spend time with you."

He is way too straightforward. Sumire sighed deeply. This is a bit troublesome. Maybe she should get Yuhi-san to deal with him? But, she doesn't want to trouble her dearest for such things. Contrary to what Yuhi-san says, his jealousy is very severe.