Does it matter when she got close? He likes it when she is near him, close enough to touch and yet far enough. Yuhi looked at her with a troubled expression. Sometimes he does not know what to do with her.

"Actually, I don't understand what you mean by starting over from step one." Yuhi finally managed to bring it up. It was something she suggested the other day.

Sumire looks up, "Isn't it about doing stuff together, and getting to know each other?"

"Really?"

"For example, naturally holding hands."

"Don't we always do that? "

What does she mean by naturally? It's something they always do, so isn't that natural? Or maybe there is something he is missing here.

"Or eating meals together, or going on walks and other places together."

"We did that every day when I was a member of the Holy knights." Yuhi trails off when he saw her innocent expression turn darker. His sweatdropped. "We can just do it again. What's with that funny face."

"That's right, you and me. There is nothing innocent anymore."

"There are still some things I don't know about you. I'll ask you now." Yuhi took a sip of the coffee. It was colder since he took a long time before he drank it, but it did not matter. "That charm lost its power a long time ago when the structure in France was destroyed but I noticed you wouldn't take it off."

It was one of the first things he noticed when she first came here.

Sumire lifts the bracelet she wore in her hand. "Yeah. This is a promise after all. 'Don't kill Yuhi' that one. At that time, I was so very weak and powerless. It was the only thing I could do. The one and only thing. I just couldn't accept your future to be painted completely black because of what happened to you before. 'If only my very kind partner...Someday, could smile peacefully. I always had these wistful thoughts. "

"Yeah. I somehow already knew that. " He already knew for a long time that she had deep feelings for him. But it was because he knew that he did not expect anything to change after confessing. He knew she would turn him down.

He watched as her gaze remained on him her eyes seemed to search for the remaining answers. But both of them knew that he did not have any answers for her, at least not right now. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"We can take our time can't we?"

"Mmm." She chuckled. "But I wonder how many people I will have to chase away until then? There are many who don't approve of this relationship."

Yuhi sighed and slumped his head so it rested on her shoulders. "Those people need to get a life."

"Yuhi-san, you should understand their concern."

"I know," Yuhi mumbled. He understood better than anybody. No matter how famous he becomes, he is a man of unknown origin. He has no noble blood, so many think he does not deserve her.

What an old fashioned reason. But there was also something else. Members of the underworld society disliked it. Sumire and him partnering up were already bad before let alone being in a relationship.

"Yeah, I see now. Since then so much time has passed."

In the passage of time, they have both gone through a lot. Events that ordinarily people would not survive. "A name for the child, I will think harder."

Sumire laughed but nodded. "Mmm, okay. So what are our plans today?"

"Well, the big thing is happening at night." Yuhi trailed off. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I want to work on some songs with you, do you mind?"

When they did this during the first day Sumire did not mind since she was adjusting but now it is different. He does not want her to think that he is bringing work into their alone time.

"I would love that but could we eat first?"

Yuhi nodded and stood up. He walked over to the mini kitchen and opened the cabinets and fridge.

"Sorry, there's only ramen left. Do you mind? "

"It's fine. I prefer a casual meal."

Yeah, he knew that. The last time their date fell through, they ended up having hamburgers on the sidewalk and she looked far happier eating that than when they're in a fancy restaurant. Yuhi boils some water in the ketal. She should desire so much more and he has the power to give her anything she desires and yet she looks so happy over something so simple.

He hadn't thought much about what to do during the day. He made the perfect night plans but during the day he has nothing,

"Are these your photo albums? I knew you kept them somewhere."

"Oi. who said you could---" His sentence fell short when he saw her pouty cheeks. What's with her? Pulling that sort of expression on him is hardly what he would call fair. "You can look at them."

"En! But I will wait until you finish so we can get close."

Ultimate defeat. Now that he thought about it, has he ever won against her? From the very moment, they met each other. Her words and actions have thrown him off balance.

Once he finished boiling the water. He pours it inside the two open ramen packets and stirs the contents.

"It looks yummy. But first. .." She shifted over until she was sitting down on his lap. Sumire nodded to herself. "Cuddling with Yuhi is the best. "

Dear lord. What on earth is she? Is it possible for there to be somebody so cute in this world? Or rather what is she doing acting all adorable for? Normally she does not behave this way. Then again it is her birthday, does she want him to spoil her?

"Yuhi? Do you not want to cuddle with me?"

"No, stupid. Of course, I like this."

He realized what he said a second too late, he averts his gaze clearly embarrassed. Sumire laughed softly.

"Aha, I see!"

Yuhi sighs deeply as he caresses her brunette locks. "You know, recently I've been thinking you've gotten used to it. Messing around with me. "

At that comment, Sumire chuckled. "Is it not your fault for being so easy to trick?"

"You were tricking me just now?"

"No, I just wanted you to spoil me a little."

So he was right. "If that's what you want then I can do that anytime. Honestly, since we are on this topic. You don't have to act so mature all the time Sumire. I know all about your insecurities too so I wish you would confined in me more. I wish you would act childish once in a while, act childish and let me spoil you."

His sentence fell short when Sumire wrapped her arms around his neck and mumbled. "If I did that, I would end up giving everything to you."

"Is that bad?" Yuhi asked. "Are we not serious?"

Sumire paused but she slowly answered. "We are but this is hard for me. Getting attached to another person means giving everything away again, it means forming ties. If something goes wrong, we will no longer be able to return to our previous relationship. The fact that I met you despite our different status was already a blessing, let alone become good friends."

"Is this why you turned me down before?"

Sumire nodded. "I thought to myself then, I do not want to lose Yuhi. Even if it would be awkward after the rejection and there was a high chance you would no longer speak to me. I would rather end things that way then date and break up."

Her insecurities and fears regarding people leaving her must be due to her childhood. Unfortunately, he does not know much about her family situation. It seems he will have to ask that man after all. Somebody who knows about Sumire's family situation would be her fiance.