'I want to understand him. Someone told me that doing that is fine, but someone also told me to lay down the boundaries.'

Sumire recalls very well the words she said to old man Nobucha. She had heard two pieces of advice, and in the end, the one she felt herself more drawn to was the understanding him factor. Although it really should have been the other one. After all, those words were from her fiance. Soujiro hadn't known she was a Yankee then, but he had often seen her with Yuhi.

When he saw them together all the time and discussing rather serious matters, the golden blonde hair boy directly told her not to get too involved. He told her, 'That man is a mere dog. Even if you have to concern yourself with him, please draw a line and show your social statuses are different.'

Old Man Nobucha had told her something similar to, 'An elite is an elite. A dog is a dog. A relationship like that is better for you.'

But although he said that, Sumire saw the look in the old man's eyes and understood. There was a hidden meaning behind his words.

Afterwards, he said.

'Understanding Terashima means seeing things like Terashima does and doing things in the same mindset as him. But if you do that, darkness will surround you. If you do that, then there is a chance - no, it's definite you won't be able to see the light ever again. I tried to bring him back to the light, but it was already too late then. I couldn't stop him from making that decision, what about you? Will you be drawn in, or will you be able to stop him? Ojou-chan, want to place a bet?'

Even though they warned her, it was only twice. She should have taken those words more seriously. No, she knew they were serious. But that did not stop her from wanting to know more and more about him.

She wants to know more about that person surrounded in such a dark color, and yet, in her eyes, it was so very beautiful.

"Sumire-chan, I have finished with the miso," Jae said, interrupting her thoughts.

After her breakdown, Yuhi led her back home and immediately put her in the kitchen where Jae was baking. He said something to Jae before leaving quickly.

She immediately understood despite not hearing the context of their conversation. Yuhi probably wants her to cheer up. She hugged the jacket still wrapped around her shoulders.

To think she cried like that, no, what was embarrassing was her drinking his blood. It was the first time she ever did that. Since she learned about her urges, she tried to drink her blood, but it did not quench her parched throat.

Even though she drank so much, Yuhi did not collapse and still carried her back home. That person is so very strange. Why does he never get mad at her no matter what happens?

"Ah, thank you." She catches a whiff of the plate in Jae's hands... "It smells lovely. You cook well, Jae."

"I should be saying those words to you, Sumire-chan. Even though back then you were prohibited from the kitchen."

Her sweatdropped. "Please forget that already."

Sumire glanced down at the pan and the oil brush and spatula in her hands. She brushed the oil away and poured the remaining egg batch. "But I suppose it's true, and I was terrible then."

It was only a few months ago where she could barely cook. When would she have learned how to cook? Ren didn't eat much, and he preferred takeaways like ramen. Mamoru spoilt her too much. Sano….well, they always ended up doing other things than eat.

"Indeed. Why the sudden change? It's not like you need to learn how to cook."

That's true. She received quite the scolding from Atushi, saying she shouldn't be coming here often.

But it seems Yuhi intervened.

"Yuhi did something, but I think Atushi let me because you were here."

"She probably believed that I would stop you."

"Aha, that might be the case. But the reason, huh? After a while, I felt bad letting Atushi cook Huan's meals after all since he is my son. There's that, and I practiced for Yuhi."

"For King?"

Sumire nodded, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"That guy gets hungry easily after all. From now onwards, he would be busier than ever, and I wanted to do something to help him, even if it's something minor like this. Since we cannot always be together."

"Is that so?"

A hint of red appears on her cheeks. "Considering how far apart we are now. This skill seems quite useless.."

'Even though I am a girl, I can't beat Jae's cooking. Even Atushi cooks better than me.' It's a depressing thought.

Jae shook his head. "Not at all. I think it's wonderful. Sumire-chan, you've changed in contrast to before. That change is a good one too. Mamoru-san would be proud of you."

Ru would be proud of her? Even though he was the one who spoilt her so much.

"Shall we finish off?"

"Yes."

If Ru could see her now, she wonders what he would think.

....

After they finished the dishes they rearranged everything onto the dining table. Sumire felt very nervous when Jae said he would fetch Yuhi. It turned out that Yuhi left to take a nap. So it seems like it had affected him after all, her drinking his blood. A deep sigh crosses her lips as she gazes at the plates on the table. Will he be happy with something like this? Ever since she came here, she has caused Yuhi so many problems. She once to do something to help him for once. Will something like this do?

She fidgeted about uneasily before she walked over to the table and rearranged some of the dishes.

"That looks good." A familiar voice whispered in her ear. Sumire, startled, almost fell backward onto the table, but Yuhi grabbed her arm. "Easy there."

"Yuhi."

"You're not feeling weird still, right?" Yuhi parted her bangs and brushed his hand across her forehead. "You seem fine, but why are you red?"

Indeed right now, her entire face was redder than the dress she wore. Her heartbeat sped up, and she could hear the sound clearly, thump, thump, and thump. What is wrong with her? Why does she feel this way whenever he gets so close to her like this? It was not like this with Ru. Why is it so different with Yuhi?