Nearby their school was a small beach. Or rather, it was directly opposite. Yuhi suggested that they go there to relax.

Once they arrived at the beach, Sumire took her shoes off and walked towards the ocean. She let the coolness of the sea brush against her feet. "This feels great! Yuhi, you should also ----"

Her sentence fell short when she felt the black hair boy grab hold of her hand.

'Such a warm hand despite a black flame."

"…Ah, I didn't know you were bold…that's quite an unpleasant thought." She changed her words halfway when she saw the look in his eyes.

Why does he look so serious? Did she do something wrong?

"Sumire, are you hiding something from me?"

He is direct, huh? But she supposed that was one of his rather good quality traits.

"Hey, aren't you going to let go of my hand? If people see us like this, they will misunderstand. It's not too far from school, and I know people pass by this way." Sumire did not reply to his question and said something else.

Sumire tried to tease him like usual, but her cheeks colored when she saw how serious he looked.

"Yeah, I am aware. That's why I am doing it."

At that comment, her violet-colored eyes widened.

"I already told you before, did I not? Back then, I told you not to act like your life based on a script. Since many unexpected things occur."

Sumire nodded. "Yes, you told me that you would write your ending."

"Yeah, that's right. Even now, that hasn't changed. No, perhaps there's been alterations. I also want to write a part of your ending, even if it doesn't match mine." Yuhi said.

Yuhi closed the distance between them. He lowered his face until their lips touched. He didn't kiss her, yet he nibbled on her lip - almost as if he was trying to savor it.

Yuhi quickly let go of her and scratched the back of his head again. His entire face beat red. She usually would savor his embarrassed looking face, but right now, she couldn't.

"W--hat was that for?" Sumire stuttered.

"Being illogical..."

At that remark, her eyes widened. Isn't he the idiot here? She took a step forward and rested her head against his chest. "Yuhi's color is warm. Even now, I think so."

He suddenly flicked her forehead. "You really do have to be more careful. Next time I'll attack you."

"I don't mind."

Yuhi looked at her dumbfounded. "Sumire, has anybody ever told you that you're too straight forward?"

"Is that wrong?"

"No, but…" Yuhi sighed. "This is a problem."

A problem?

He doesn't say anything but lightly kissed her lips again. "If this makes you nervous, I guess we need to practice more."

Practice?

"Okay." She trailed off. "After the festival, I have to attend a few gatherings with Soujiro. Do you mind?"

"I see another souriee. Man, you guys have to keep appearances."

At that, she chuckled. "It clearly won't fit your sort of personality, right?"

"You got that right."

Sumire realized that Yuhi laced their hands with each other again, as they walked across the ocean. They were pretty far away, huh. Even so, his hand it's different than the time they came before. He was holding her wrist then, and now it's her hand.

No matter how close they got to each other, Yuhi always ensured that there was a distance. But now that is different; he is firmly holding onto her hand like he doesn't want to let her go.

This back and this sight somehow it's familiar. Where did she see it before?

It does seem nostalgic...? Did something like this happen before? If so, then how come she doesn't remember.

"Hey."

"Hmm?" Sumire said.

"You heard that I'm in charge of the major paintings, right? For our final year."

"Ah yeah." Though it had been a while since she had been in school, that much she did here. "Everyone was making a big deal out of it. I saw your previous works too. I know that if it's you, it will be amazing."

That's right.

Since already figured it out a long time ago, who owned that painting. Even before she saw him paint, Sumire got the same feeling as from that painting when she saw him again. It was then when she thought. 'Ah, coincidences do exisit.'

Yet even now, she kept quiet. If he were to know, if Yuhi were to know, then he would surely disappear again. For some reason, she didn't want that.

She didn't want anyone else to leave.

"That is I was thinking, would you like to paint it together?" Yuhi offered.

Eh?

"Does that mean...."

"Be my partner," Yuhi said.

It was just three words, and yet it felt so powerful. Sumire was about to reply when she noticed his entire face turned red up to his ears. Oh, it's cute. He is usually a person who gives off Yankee's appearance and aura even without any piercings or anything.

Someone who gives off a distant aura. That's why such an expression is.....

Sumire shook her head, no. There is already no more means of....keeping such feelings.

It's different now; right now, he is the closest person to her.

"Sumire?"

"I would love to be your partner. Please take care of me!"

Yuhi brushed his hands across her forehead. "We shouldn't stay in the water for too long, and you might get a fever."

Sumire nodded, and the two of them quickly left the ocean.

Despite what it looked like, sh wasn't a person who believed in fate. She didn't disregard it to a complete degree like some people do by saying ' its make-belief,' or a figment of a person's imaginations.

But she couldn't believe it since it held no meaning to her, and that's why it isn't important. However, from the very beginning, she never got attached to anything or anyone.

From the very start, she was empty, and that's why she unconsciously found a wall around her and others. Sumire reached over and extended her free hand out to the sky.

Even though things are different now, then they are before. 'I have accepted it to a degree ..about needing others.'

But she understood that her core views still haven't changed. No matter how many times she gets shaken up or amazed by someone's actions. In the end, it will always revolt back to this.

'It's your color. Ru, have I gotten stronger now? Is it truly okay for me to take hold of this power and take another step forward? On days where I am left alone, I still think about this.'

Still, her gaze fell on Yuhi beside her. She isn't alone anymore.