Iro Road School Main Building -

Unfortunately for him, it was far too good to be true. One of his teachers heard he was back in school and decided to give him an assignment to complete.

"Terashima finally comes to school, and he's painting rather dark images…"

"Is that the pit of hell?"

"Ssh, don't say anything."

Tsk, it's too late.

He could hear every word they were saying. But they were right; he couldn't concentrate at all. His gaze landed on the canvas in front of him and noticed the bright colors had somehow turned black. Huh? When did that happen?

Yuhi sighs, really what's going on with him?

Ever since what happened the other day, he can't get the image of her crying face out of his head. She is suffering in more ways than one, although he knew that she had been holding herself back this entire time.

When he saw her in that state once again, he didn't know what to do and unexpectedly found himself rather angry and irritated. Dam, what's wrong with him?

A girl like her...someone like her, he already knew that further involving himself with her would end up this way. But now that it has gotten this far, he can't help but be frustrated. The old man said his fate is tied with Sumire. Is it okay for him to hope?

Is it okay for him to take action? Usually, he would be calmer than this. But yesterday and the events as of late had made him start thinking. 'If I don't do anything, won't other guys get to her?'

Does that mean it's okay for him to do the same?

Yuhi left the classroom and headed down to the vending machine area outside. Many students were still outside, and yet it was less noisy then being inside the classroom. Inside there, without her for some reason, it was suffocating.

How annoying, he never used to see their endless bickering and chattering as a bother. So how come it was suddenly bothering him now? He didn't like it at all. Since when did he start noticing matters like that.

Ever since school started, he was well aware that people stayed far and cleared from him. After all, he emits that sort of aura, that aura where there is a huge wall. So he has been left alone and considering his ' genius' status, which pushed people even further away from him.

Yuhi didn't mind that as long as he could paint. He would drown away all the feelings and all the emotions he felt within a single painting.

Back then, he couldn't hear those voices at all.

Yuhi took a deep breath and felt a cool gust of wind brush against his cheeks.

"Exactly what do you want to do with that girl? Many people are curious?" A familiar voice said.

At that comment, he sighed. "Even out here, I can't seem to get any peace, huh?"

"Sorry about that. But I'm your annoying guard for a reason. Iroha-chan will cry if she finds out your destroying school property."

Yuhi glanced over to find that he had indeed kicked the vending machine.

"You always bring up Iroha in times like this."

"Someone needs to remind you that if you do anything too foolish. Some people will be affected."

"I won't do anything."

Akatsuki sighs. "Usually, I would believe you. But you didn't heed my previous warning and became her partner again. Whether or not the force of love between you two is strong or not. Yuhi, you should understand it. It would be better for you to keep away from that girl. Even if she doesn't have anything to do with the matter directly, it's her fault that person disappeared. That person is no longer here for you, me, or Iroha-chan. Between her and us, who do you intend to choose?"

Who does he…

A series of memories flashed through his head.

The black hair boy reached over into his blazer pocket and fiddled with the charm she had gotten him. Gee, it's like that after all, huh?

His answer has changed, huh?

It's different than how it was before. His expression gave it away since Akatsuki panicked.

Akatsuki shook his head. "Yuhi, you can't be serious. Getting involved with her is …..!"

But his sentence fell short by the sound of his phone ringing. The black hair boy pulled it out, only to see the message on his phone and placed his hand covering his mouth, trying to hide his expression.

"Shin, you said something to Sumire, didn't you?"

Shin emerged from behind the pillar. "Only that you have a terrible personality. But you have a kind enough heart when you want. And so? Answer your friend here?"

"Sorry, Akatsuki, the Princess is waiting for me. I'm out."

It's not like he doesn't understand why Akatsuki is behaving that way. But, Yuhi disliked it when people thought badly of Sumire. 'Even if my friends tell me to stay away from her, I won't do it.'

___

She didn't intend to fall in love.

That's how it was supposed to be. As a member of the elite - such rules were drilled into her head from a very young age. That she wasn't supposed to fall in love, she should treat marriage as a political matter.

Due to the circumstances, Sumire never got a chance to ask either of her parents if they loved each other. Whenever her parents appeared in public, they looked like the perfect couple. But now that she thought of it was it not only for show? She can't be too sure, and now she doesn't have anyone to ask.

The brown-haired girl kicks the stone in her feet to a nearby curb. In the end, exactly why did she submit to such an emotion?

She closed her eyes. For a moment, she didn't think about anything, particularly, but then his face came to mind. That person's color was so very pretty and to her, for her, whose world is monotone. She didn't understand why that person seemed to be so very bright—a gorgeous red.

Perhaps it was fate.

After all, despite being a member of the high elite. She rejected it, she ejected the lifestyle and didn't want to live like that. Even now, it's the same; she doesn't want to be bound by any rules. She wonders if that's the reason she fell in love. Is it because she wanted to rebel? If so, then it is quite amusing.

'It may be the country's wish for you to remain ignorant. Defer to their will and think of that as for being the sake of your country, and I'm sure they will be happy.'

In the end, she couldn't do that.

To her, it may have started to become important despite how empty and fleeting her days were. When she met that person, she desired it. She desired the strength to be able to protect the others around her.

If she ended up failing at becoming stronger, then perhaps things may not have ended up this way. Indeed it may have been different.

But now that it has…. -- her thoughts broke off when she saw a motorbike parked in front of her. She didn't notice the person getting off until he was directly in front of her.

He placed his hand on her eyes. "You're troublesome. How many times do you have to cry?"

Her eyes widened at his words.

"I don't want to hear that from the person who was stalking. You can't justify yourself now, Mr. Stalker-san."

Yuhi took a deep breath. "Sumire."

Sumire slumped her head on his back. "Sorry, but just for a few minutes, stay with me."