There was one more thing he asked Hino to prepare. Yuhi scooped her up in his arms and brought her to the bathroom. She seemed oddly nervous again when he took her clothes off her, but it did not take long before she relaxed.

"I don't know whether I should be glad that you're more honest when you're in the bath," Yuhi commented as she snuggled up to him.

"Quiet, help me wash my hair. I hurt my arm earlier on the job, so it's hard for me to do."

"Yes, yes, Queen."

But still, he heard from some of the patrol guards that Makoto Soujiro is here; it appears as though only the main guards were informed though.

Yuhi won't be surprised if the third prince already knows or will find out tomorrow and come for her. He's lucky that the people out here recognized him; otherwise, gaining access would have become a lot more difficult.

Still, she doesn't want them to do anything, and yet she's okay with them being bare naked in the baths together? Women, it's difficult to understand them after all.

"Still, you really like rose baths, don't you?"

"Mmm, the aroma is fresh and good for me, according to those guys. Well, even if it wasn't, being surrounded by a pleasant scent helps me relax better."

Yuhi reached over and put fresh shampoo on the girl brunette colored locks. "Sumire. Why did you grow your hair?" It was long before, but it only slightly passed her shoulders.

"It wasn't for Ru if that's what you were thinking. It was for somebody, though."

Yuhi recalled something he heard from Asuka when he followed her to Star town. "For Ichinose was it?"

"I see you saw through me. Right, it was because that idiot said he liked long hair. You know whether it's Arashi or Ru or Sano and Soujiro. I still don't think I've sorted everything out properly. Not just those four either, I know that there are plenty more people that I need to talk to."

For a moment, Yuhi felt uncomfortable. So she can mention her lingering regrets to Nagawa openly now? Then again, he was the one who made her openly confront it.

She should admit it than keep it from him.

"Before I left for TOKYO, I promised Arashi something. We made a promise, not necessarily a promise for commitment, but when we met everything, things would have changed.

I was the only one who couldn't fulfill my side of the promise, and I ended up getting much worse instead. However, he kept his promise. He really has changed now, and he is doing his best to make up for the damage he caused. I can see how much effort he has put and how deeply he conveys his feelings."

Yuhi didn't say anything and continued to listen to her story. He gently ran his hands through her back, and a content sigh passed her lips.

"His feelings I've known for a long time, and he knew mine. Even though we never conveyed it directly. In middle school, we circled each other a lot. Whenever we would see each other, our eyes would meet without fail; we would look away once before it met again."

So something like that happened. He supposes Nagawa was right to be suspicious.

"It was cliche like some sort of romance movie. However, it wouldn't have such a sweet ending and the two of us knew that. Arashi knew about you Yuhi and that must have been why. You were also the reason why I didn't do anything more than watch senpai because it wouldn't have been right. The day before you left we had that huge fight after all. I didn't want to leave things on such a sour note.

So I decided that if I still didn't have feelings for you when I saw you again, I'd tell Arashi. But by that time, things were already spiraling out of control, and when you returned, it worsened. Yet you were the only one who could save me from my sadness."

So that's how it was; it makes sense now. Why Atsuro turned her down, he knew that it couldn't be him no matter what he does.

"What about now? Is that still the case? Am I just your refuge?"

"No, you know that's not it." Sumire turned around, and he saw the tears fall from her eyes. "That's not it. I really am just confused right now. I know that I still care for Arashi and have regrets regarding Sano, but I can't leave you alone. I love you, Yuhi, but I don't want to leave things unsettled with everyone else. I don't get this at all."

Yuhi pulled her into another hug; their bare bodies pressed against each other provided more warmth than earlier. When he saw her squirm, he kissed her forehead gently.

"Don't be nervous. I won't do anything. Hugging is fine, just being close like this is fine. Sorry, I didn't mean for my words to come out harsh like that. I understand; you're just afraid of being left alone; that's why you're not giving out proper answers. Because you want an excuse to continue having ties with those people."

It would make sense if he thought about it carefully. Suppose he considers her life till now. Sumire is the type of person once she gets closer to someone, will treasure them; she is the loyal type. As long as they show they are sincerely good to her or have helped her out in any shape or form, they would remain their ally.

She doesn't want to lose the connections she made with others now because she is afraid to be alone. It took a few extra minutes before she settled down.

"Did I comfort you after you comforted me?" Yuhi mumbled. He recalled the strong arms that supported him on their way here.

Sumire slowly nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Sorry about all of this; lately, I know things are weird between us."

"Even if that is the case, you know you don't have to blame yourself for everything. We can work on things together."

"Then I have something I have to talk to you about."

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