April 26th 2014

Just when she thought the weather would be fine today. Sumire ended up taking shelter at a nearby bakery. Why does that hospital have to be so far away? Sumire looked at the message on her phone. Maybe she should call Yuhi. When he saw the rain he messaged her asking where she was.

Sumire sends a pouty emoji and Yuhi sent a laughing one back.

Should I come fetch you?

The offer was tempting. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around his back and burry her face there as they rode on his bike. But it is raining heavily today. It would be better to get a car. Yuhi probably has one but she does not want to disturb him.

Just as Sumire debated about this, she hears the sound of a car beeping, A car slid right in front of her. The windows opened. "Need a ride?"

"Sano."

Sano sighs and opened the door of the car as he stood up, with an umbrella. He strolled over and extended it toward her. "My driver is inside too, we wont be alone."

Sumire managed to nod.

"Where to?"

"Actually, I wanted to see you."

….

"Get yourself dried up. I will run the bath for you."

Sumire stood stiff as a board when he said those words. Sano however didnt notice anything unusual.

"You came to see me?"

"Well, I didnt have much of an option." Sumire mumbled.

Sano sighed. "Kusaji Atsuro? You want to avoid him that much."

"Like the plague."

"Even though you hate me more?"

Sumire didn't say anything. "Is the hospital really closed today?" This is the first time she is hearing something like this. A hospital closing."

Sano sighed deeply. "Do you think that little of me? Do you genuinely think I would trick you over something like this?"

"Well…"

"Come here."

Sumire hesitantly followed him into one of the rooms. To her surprise the entire place reminded her of a typical hospital room, except here there were rows and rows of medical bottles. Drawers and cabinets most likely filled with equipment. For somebody who claims to have no interest in this side of his family business, he sure seems serious here. Then again, he always seemed serious whenever it came to work.

She took a deep breath and sat down on the chair.

"Terashima allowed you to come to me?" Sano asked as he rummaged through the cabinets.

"We argued."

"Ah." Sano nodded. "Now that would make sense."

Even though he said he would respect her decision, Sumire noticed how bothered he was by it. She understood the reason why. Sano isn't exactly a trust worthy person. But even then it is better than going to Atsuro who if she may add will most-likely push some boundaries that he shouldn't do. Yuhi has never seen Atsuro when he gives her treatments, thats why he doesnt know. Kusaji Atsuro prefers using very physical means to treat her.

"So you two argue?"

"It is human nature to argue."

"It is also human nature to stay away from vile men like myself, no?"

Sumire sighed. "What are you trying to say?"

"For somebody who claims she hates me, you came here willingly."

"Don't talk like that, empty threats dont work on me."

But they did in the past. She knew Sano wanted to say that but he stopped in mid-sentence. She watched as he continued to rummage through the cabinets. For a moment nobody spoke. "Say, when did you become a doctor?"

"It was a few months after we broke up, I think around two. My fathers brother died and so nobody from the main branch was running the medical business properly. As you know the medical business consists mainly of the branch families. But usually we slip in someone from the main branch. With the death of my father's brother, they decided to bring me in."

"Maybe they realized you were failing with your investments that year."

Sano almost dropped the bottle in his hands. "—and how do you know that?"

"When I stayed over I saw your work reports. It's not like you hid them from me."

"Indeed. Well I suppose so, I wasn't doing that well that year but my studies for medicine was going well. I could finish up that year too. Normally it takes six years of medical school, but due to my family I graduated that year."

"Was it difficult?" Sumire still found it hard to picture him as a doctor. If she didn't see it for herself, she would not have believed him. Besides back then he was always complaining about his medical studies.

"You seem strangely talkative today." Sano picked up a few more bottles before he walked over to her. He placed the bottles onto the table in front of her and pulled up a stool.

"Maybe its the weather."

"You always hated rainy days."

Sumire blinked when she heard those words. "How come you—" She had to stop mid-sentence. How come he knew? How come he knew about something she kept to herself this entire time.

"It was obvious from looking at you. Moreover you always stayed over when it rained. Those were the only times you came looking for me on your own.Most of the time it was me—" Sano sighed. "Well no use saying it now."

Sumire however was curious. What was he about to say? Or rather he must have a sharp memory. Indeed he is right, she only came to look for him whenever it rained. During those times she felt the most vulnerable and weak, thats why she went to him. Even if it was to engage in actions she did not understand. It was better than being alone. She recalled how she allowed him to do whatever he wanted then. No matter how strange it was, it was better than being alone.

After such intimacy Sumire cleary recalled how different Sano behaved.