It was a good thing there were some rooms downstairs too. Atushi said they hadn't started the repairs yet, but she saw the rooms blocked off when she went upstairs.

Sumire laid Sano's futon on the ground. "Sorry, but all the beds are upstairs."

"…"

"I know it is smaller than what you're used to, but at least it is safe. The next few days, we can gradually bring some of your things or buy new things."

Or they could call Razel. Razel is like his assistant outside of the hospital, too, right? That might be a safer choice than actually going to the house to get things.

"…"

A deep sigh escaped her lips. What is with this awkward situation? Then again, Sano did catch her kissing Yuhi. It was weird; she spotted him and yet carried on anyway.

Ah, this is no good at all. Recently she is acting far too cruel. She was already cruel before but now? Now, this is too much, and yet a part of her does not want to stop. A part of her likes to see Sano like this.

"Alright then, I will get going. If you need anything, just cal-" Her sentence fell short when he pushed her down onto the futon as he hovered over her.

His fingers lingered on her shirt. Oh, of course. He wants to do this, after all. She thought he was acting well too behaved. But what is this feeling? There is something different here? It looks to her that he is in a lot of pain, not just from his injuries but something else. How can that be, though?

Since when she wonders, did he look at her like this? What an odd feeling.

"San? don't your injuries hurt?"

"Sumire…." He mumbled softly. "I just want to touch you."

Indeed she can see it in his eyes. This person desires her, but his desire isn't like what she thought. So even a person like this can change, huh? It seems she has underestimated people far too much. If even somebody like Sano can change, then perhaps it isn't impossible for her.

"Can I take it off?" Sano tugged on her shirt.

"Mmmmmm, but it's cold."

For a moment, he seemed surprised at her response before he sighed. "Hah, that's not the reason, right?"

"Please get off."

Sano didn't and kissed her deeply. It felt strange the way his tongue went inside her mouth, and for a moment, Sumire forgot to breathe. She wonders if he used to kiss her like this. Did he use the same cologne back then?

It is strange, but she didn't pay much attention to those things before. It was so easy for her to get lost in that passion and just forget everything.

But the situation now is different. She has become more aware of her surroundings thanks to the efforts of Ru. Now she can see things she didn't before.

After a few minutes, he drew back irritated.

"Tsk. Why didn't you pull away?"

"Well, you'll only be satisfied this way, right? You'll think you have the upper hand because you kissed me."

"…please don't do this anymore."

Sumire caressed her cheeks. "Alright, I get it, it's my bad too. I shouldn't sulk too much just because Yuhi is busy." Or rather, he is taking too long again.

Yuhi said he would fetch a few medications from Atsuro, who couldn't come over in person. He also said he would pass on her message to Shin if he saw him.

"You're way too cruel."

"If you can't accept me as I am, then you have to give up now."

"Sorry, I just wanted to give you a gift."

She raised her eyebrows at this comment. "A gift?"

He took out a small-sized box from his pocket. "I managed to keep it safe. But, you can check yourself if the contents were damaged."

"This isn't a ring, right?"

"Like I'm that brave."

She laughed. "That's true." She took the box from him and opened it. Inside was a small trinket, a teardrop necklace. The design was fairly simple, surprising her.

How strange, normally he would get her extravagant gifts. But now, this looks like a cheap necklace one would find in a corner stall.

Why did he give her something that she likes?

"What's wrong? Your acting a bit strange?"

"You… don't dislike me any more right?"

"Mmm, correct. I guess we are friends now?"

Sano played with her hair. "Your hair has gotten longer after all."

"I grew it out."

She grew it out for Yuhi, and he told her that he liked long hair.

"When did you get sick?"

"I don't know."

"Did none of those girls notice? How careless."

Those girls? Of course, they wouldn't notice. It was a stupid question. The girls who go after Sano do not like him at all.

"Why did you come here?"

"Hino told me you weren't picking up your phone. I tried calling too, but you wouldn't answer, so I came."

"Say, San," Sumire mumbled softly. "I know that you still like me. But you do understand, right? It's hard for me to forget what you did. You may have changed slightly, but I can't get rid of my fear that easily."

"I.. I'm…"

"Ssh." She whispered. "Don't apologize. I understand already; it's enough, and your suffering."

But she is no saint. She can't completely forgive him. If she does that, then she would be betraying her own heart again. She no longer wants to lie about her true feelings.

Sano was about to kiss her again, but suddenly somebody grabbed her arm.

"Oi."

Sumire laughed. "Welcome back, Yuhi-san."

"Geez, I leave for a few seconds, and I see you two flirting."

"Aha, silly, we weren't."

Yuhi extended his arms out and passed her a bag. "I got you some meat buns and other things."

"You did? Lucky!"

"Nagawa, you eat too."

So this is how she found the three of them sitting down on the floor eating snacks. This is quite strange being with both of them like this. Surprisingly, Sano hasn't complained yet.

"Yuhi, did you see Shin?"

"He said he would drop by later. It seems Atsuro is watching his every move lately, so he hasn't met with you."

Sumire sighed deeply. "Why does he have to do that? He isn't my boyfriend. Besides, Shin is a good friend."

"Ouch, have you said that to his face?"

"Of course he knows." Even though Shin supposedly has feelings for her, she knew he wouldn't try anything.

"Harsh. But maybe next time you turn somebody down, you should say how much you love me?"

"Narcist."

Yuhi laughed.

'Geez, he is having way too much fun.' Then again, recently, he seems stressed out. This is a good thing for him.

Both Shin and Yuhi have sped up their investigation. That's why she doesn't see them as often before. Bit by bit, she is getting closer to the truth, and an uncertain future awaits her. She wonders if Yuhi will be by her side in that uncertain future.

"So Nagawa, when will you tell us what happened? Though I can guess."

"I mentioned before to Sumire how involved I am with those people."

"The new thing they are smuggling in is a bit, no on a different level of danger."

"Ah, you tried to stop that?"

Sano nodded. "I did."

So he really is willing to do things for her. To what extent, though? She still needs to experiment a bit more.

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