Shin wanted to help her, but if he helps Sumire, it would mean supporting her with Yuhi. As much as he liked Yuhi now, he was still friends with Atsuro first. It would not be right of him to intervene like that. He watched as Sumire slumped her head on the table again.

She looks so helpless right now. This was the first time he was seeing her this way.

His gaze fell on the bracelet in her hand and blinked. It seems like she is still wearing it. Shin assumed that she would take it off since he did not give a proper explanation.

The main reason he got her that bracelet is indeed to protect her, but he also wanted to give her a present. He was busy abroad last year, so he did not buy her anything for her birthday.

His thoughts broke off when he felt Sumires gaze on him. "Tell me something Shin, did Ru tell you anything?"

"About?"

"About me...did he tell you that he liked me?"

Shin blinked when he heard her words. Now, this was a question he did not expect. Then again, even though Sumire is dating Yuhi now, she is still in love with Mamoru. It is different from his one-sided crush towards her.

"He told me everyday how he wanted to see you, how he wanted to hug you all the time." Shin trailed off and sighed at the memory. "It was so annoying when he sulked and moped around when we had so much work to do."

Mamoru did not trust many people regarding this issue. Shin understood that he was the only one who actually knew all the details. But the others said that.

Sumire laughed. "It seems like he caused you trouble."

Shin nodded. "He did." He trailed off. "This isn't what you wanted to ask me, is it?"

"Did Ru know that I loved him?

At that comment, his eyes widened. Shin figured she had something to ask, but he did not think it would be this. It seems like this is one of the things she regretted the most. "He didn't."

Shin did not want to lie to her. If he said yes just to appease her, she would not be happy either.

"I see, mmm, of course."

"You loved him?"

Sumire nodded. "Yes, of course, I fell for him. I mean, who wouldn't? He was so kind, friendly, and treated me very well. How could I push him away? I wanted to. I knew that I was only using him to get over Yuhi. But I wonder when did I start having feelings for him?"

As a scientist, the study of humans should interest him. It does interest him; however, he does not want to study Ibuki Sumire. Her complicated thoughts and her emotions, he does not want to dive too deep. That is not his role. His role is only to protect her and ensure that she is safe from that organization's hands.

Sumire does not know yet, exactly how dangerous this investigation into Mamoru's death is. The organization Mamoru looked into was involved in those illegal crimes and those with supernatural abilities. The latter is a bit concerning.

A research facility that exploits and conducts experiments on those with abilities. Shin clenched his fist as a vague memory appeared in his head. Is it possible that it has something to do with that place?

It does not seem like Sumire has any memory of it yet. The first time they met was actually when they were children; they met in that facility. Is the facility from their childhood and this recent one the same?

If so, then he has to pay special attention to the events from now on. He cannot risk her getting hurt in any way.

"Are you free after school?" Shin asked.

Sumire blinked. "Free?"

"Accompany me for a bit. I will give you more details."

The only way for her to protect her properly is this. He needs to keep her close and within his sight. If he keeps her well informed while doing this then nothing should go wrong.

....

The rest of the day seemed to go by quickly. Maybe it was because he did not openly participate in the ceremonies, but he did not have much to do. Shin spent most of his day reading up on some academic papers. Yuhi seemed very reluctant to let Sumire go but Hino was waiting for him at the gate. Something about important work that Yuhi could not miss out on.

His gaze fell towards the brunette hair girl who was beside him. He went ahead and asked her, but-- going out with her like this...does it not seem like a date?

Shin shook his head as they crossed the busy road. Still, didn't something like this happen in the past before too? Back then she was the one who grabbed his hand and led him along.

'Aren't you having fun?! If this isn't exciting, I'll show you another place.'

Even now the image of that carefree girl remained in his mind. To think something like that happened in the past. But now he noticed that there was no longer any trace of that bright smile. She was looking around with curiosity in her eyes. But Shin got cold vibes from her.

He heard rumors that she didn't usually go out anywhere with guys. But this was the first time he saw it with his own eyes.

"Hey, this isn't a date or anything weird. So…"

Sumire blinked and nodded. "Oh, right. So you're not taking advantage of me?"

Was she actually behaving coldly because of that?

Shin sighed. "Why would I do that? You said it yourself, that me and Yuhi are close friends--" His sentence fell short when she suddenly appeared in front of him.

"So if you two weren't friends you would have made a move on me?"

He felt his cheeks colour at her words. His heart beat sped. 'Made a move…?' Just how he had such crazy thoughts in his head. Shin started to seriously consider her question.

Sumire laughed softly as she backed away. "Sorry, sorry, that was a bad joke."

A joke huh?

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