It was a risky question, but Sano understood something. This is the best time to get the answers he wanted.

"I thought I did. But I don't get jealous of seeing you with other women anymore. I wouldn't mind if you got married either."

"Then--"

"But somehow, it is strange, even though I don't mind that stuff. Somehow I don't mind you being near me. If you end up sick or hurt because of me, it makes me feel unpleasant."

His eyes widened when he heard those words. It almost sounds like she still likes him, but at the same time, it is not like that. What on earth is with that?

Sano sighed. He didn't know what to say, and Sumire laughed softly.

"Is this confusing?"

"It is, but-" Sano trailed off. "It is better than you saying you hate me."

This is the best time, though, to talk about the things they couldn't back then.

Before Sano could say something, however, she extended her hand out and caressed his cheek. She sat up and leaned forward till their foreheads touched.

"It's okay, San. I know what you want to say. But you know something? I am still slowly figuring things out, so I do not want you to reveal those things. I should learn about my mistakes on my own."

"Wouldn't it be better if you heard it from me?"

Sumire laughed softly. "But you will feel guilty. I don't want that."

"No matter what my excuse was, I still hurt you, so it is okay for me to feel pain."

Sumire flicked his forehead with her finger. "No, that is not allowed. If anybody has to repent, it is me. After I met you again, I realized many things I didn't know before. You still remembered that I didn't like rainy days; you knew other things about me that you possibly wouldn't know unless you watched over me carefully."

"How can you say that for sure? I could have planned all of this."

What nonsense is he saying when she already figured things out?

"I wonder why you still insist on playing the bad guy. I already understand, San; it was never you." She trailed off. "It was those people, that organization-" Her gaze dimmed, and Sano felt the air turn cold.

Sumire pulled away from him. "If those people continue to do this, then I will have no choice. No, they already lost their chances."

Sanos eyes widened when he heard her say those words. No, she can't, she can't do anything. Sumire has no idea how dangerous those people are! All his sacrifice this entire time would have been for nothing if she rushes ahead like this.

He can't allow her to do that. Sano grabbed her wrist. "If you are going to do that anyway, then I might as well accept your earlier offer."

If he has to become the devil to save her, then he will do exactly that. The moment he got close enough to kiss her. However, she bit his lip and told him no. Sano angrily looked at her, but before he could do anything.

"She said no idiot! Let go of her." A familiar voice said.

"Hino!"

"Tsk. What is with your timing?" Sano said, irritated when he saw his friend.

Hino rolled his eyes. "After having a nice conversation with her like that, don't ruin it."

Sano paused when he saw the red marks forming on her wrist; he immediately drew back.

"Here, I got permission at last. These are all letters from that love-sick idiot."

"From Yuhi?!!"

Sano watched as her violet-colored eyes brightened. The darkness from moments ago completely vanished. Sano clenched his fist. It is not like this is anything new already. From the moment he saw Terashima Yuhi beside her, a part of him understood already.

This is the reason why she remained distant from him even when they dated. He already learned from her then that there was somebody she could not forget, but he dismissed those words. She is only a young girl; how can she already have somebody she loves so deeply?

It has to be a joke; she can't be serious. When Ichinose Arashi came along, Sano thought that maybe she was talking about this guy. But even then, something was nagging at the back of his mind. There is something wrong here, and yet he still focused on that guy.

Sano looked at the letters, no boxes Hino brought.

'Only two weeks have passed; why did he write so much?'

"Yes, from that idiot. Initially, he wasn't allowed to send these letters, but apparently, he is writing so many of them that his entire cell is full. So the guards gave me a bunch."

Sano hesitantly watched her expression and immediately looked away. It was just for a moment, but he saw the tender look in her eyes. Not once, has she ever made that face in front of him. Sano thought he already understood it, yet seeing this in person hurts more than it should.

His thoughts broke off when Sumire suddenly put the box away in the cabinet.

"Huh? You're not reading them now?"

"San, you said you made my food, right?"

Oh, is she trying to send him away?

"I'll get it," Sano mumbled. Of course, she does not want him to be around when she reads the letters from her beloved.

"No, Hino, can you fetch it?"

He seemed reluctant to leave, but Sumire urged him. The moment Hino left, Sano pulled her into his arms. "I don't know what you're up to, but I appreciate it."

"Mmmm."

"You can read those letters but not in front of me."

"Okay." She trailed off. "Is there anything else?"

"Please eat."

"Alright." Sumire caressed his cheeks. "I'm sorry for worrying you so much. I will be fine."

Sano shook his head. He wanted to talk to her about everything. If he told her everything that he knew, she would not react this way. No, even if he did tell her, she would still behave this way since it concerns those dear to her.

…

It was difficult to send Hino away; his friend insisted on staying. Hino argued that his emotional state isn't good, and he may end up doing something to Sumire. Indeed Sano couldn't trust himself after the earlier events, but he still managed to get Hino to leave. Sano leaned against the wall outside his backyard with a cigarette in his fingers.

What is he going to do about this now? At this stage, those people will hurt her.

The only reason why he put on that grand show was to protect her. But if she will end up getting hurt anyway, what is the point in all of this?

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