It was a question he thought she would evade. But instead, she looked at him with confidence. "That's right."

Sano's eyes widened when he heard those words. Did she admit it just now?

"But then why are you dating…"

Sumire deeply sighed. "With the way Yuhi confessed, it would be too cruel for me to reject him. I have no reason to."

So she felt obliged to date Terashima? No, that does not seem right. After all, she looks so happy when she is with him. She even admitted that back then, she worked so hard for his sake.

Ahh, this gives him a headache. He does not understand this girl.

"Yuhi doesn't mind." Before he could reply to that, the doors opened, revealing Tachibana Masaru. He wore his usual trademark grin on his face as he waltzes over.

"What are you even doing here?"

Masaru chuckled. "Of course it's to see you."

"Don't mess around, I told you to stay--"

"I heard Shin-chan woke up, so I thought I would come and see him."

Sumire sighed deeply. "Then let's hear it."

Before Tachibana Masaru could speak, however, his gaze fell on him. Sano shuddered when he felt a murderous aura around the man. What is it with these people? How many times does he have to experience this unnecessary fear?

"It's okay," Sumire said. "I can explain."

"Explain? Explain why I shouldn't destroy this man limb from limb?"

"Nothing happened. I did this to trick them."

Sano blinked. He thought he would tell Tachibana about what he did, but she isn't saying a word? This girl's behavior puzzles him, he does not understand whether she likes him or not.

Her feelings, huh? Even if she is fond of him, it's not like it was before. Besides, now that he knows she still likes Tsueno Mamoru, he won't overthink anything. This girl will return to him, he is confident about that, but it will not be easy.

"Have it your way." Tachibana did not seem pleased, but he nodded. "You should go to that place lady, if you make your appearance there, then people will listen."

Sumire nodded and turned to him. "Aren't you coming?"

.....

An hour and a half later, downtown Tokyo, 10:30 am.

Sano thought the place they stayed overnight in was weird. But now they are on the side of town he would never go to. In every city, there is a place for delinquents to hang out. Currently, they were in what Sumire called one of the Holy Knights bases.

For the last few minutes, she kept rummaging through the drawers.

"Now, where did I put it?"

"Sumire, why did you---" Sano finally spoke up. It was challenging to speak to her with Tachibana around.

The girl turned around and sighed. "You were supposed to go on a mission last night to bomb one of the bases. But because I came to the hospital, you rushed over, and then I asked you to come with me."

"...You planned it?"

"Mmm, the guy hitting on me was unexpected. I would have found some other excuse to come."

Hah, unbelievable. She is different now.

His thoughts broke off when he felt her hands on his cheek. "It's strange, but I don't sense malice from you anymore."

"..."

This girl, why is she getting so close? How defenseless.

"I wonder what changed."

'She is so pretty...'

"Lady, can I have a minute?" A familiar voice said. He immediately moved away from her.

"Ah, Masaru-senpai."

Sano felt the man's hostile and piercing gaze on him. "In private?"

"It's fine to say it in front of him."

"The situation with the underground society in Star town is serious. They have attacked several groups, and the enemy has shown no mercy. Each time they leave a strange mark using their blood."

"Isn't this like the victims from the hospital case?"

"Correct. I also think the cases are related. Several murder cases are similar, but the police are brushing aside the obvious connection."

"Naturally, people would panic if they learn that the culprit for each case is still on the lose." Sumire trailed off. "...the people who attacked Yuhi-san, dropped this."

It didn't take long for Tachibana to examine the badge; rather, he let out a large sigh when he did. "I'd stay out of this if I were you."

"You know which group it is?"

Masaru nodded. "A symbol that looks peaceful like water but is a mythical dragon... Only one group can have it. But that's why I said to leave it to Terashima."

Sumire shook her head. "I can't do that. I am his partner, and I will not let him fight battles alone."

There was one thing Sano noticed about Sumire and Terashima's relationship. Sumire's loyalty doesn't waver even after everything. No matter how much he observes their relationship, he cannot figure anything out.

"Please tell us what you know."

Masaru sighed but nodded. "I understand. The group's leader is a rather deadly man, his name Kirasagi Aoi. He is the same age as you, lady, but he is a bit odd."

Sano spoke up and raised his eyebrows at this comment. "Strange...?"

"Yeah. There's something about him that gives of a different aura than all the others. You know anyone that crosses this side emits a different aura than the average person. Individuals who others regard as abnormal have no choice but to cross over to this side. But it's different with him, he has lived a normal life without getting hurt.

People almost worship his strength and treat him like a god. In that sense, you could say that their not treating him like a human but a mystical creature. The aura that guy has guy far surpasses those of the legends in the underworld society."

Sumire harshly cut in and sighed. "No need to explain. I know who he is." She turned to him. "Sano, have you met him?"

Sano tilted his head puzzled but then paused. Now that he thought about it, there was that unusual man with sea golden colored hair and odd ruby-colored eyes. After meeting Razel, Sano did not think that red eyes were unusual anymore, but now that he thought about it, there was something different about that person."

"Briefly."

"How troublesome. Im no good dealing with people like that."

Sano did not say anything to that and remained silent as the two discussed more subjects. The world they live in is completely different. He wishes he could help her more, but he does not know much about these matters. Where did this desire to help her come from?

But now he understood after seeing a part of the world she lives in why he always felt that distance when they dated. It all makes sense now, and yet this is painful.

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