"He kept calling me his muse or whatever." Sumire sighed. "He is one of those types that I am bad at dealing with. So I struggled to push him away."

So it was something like that. "You won't tell me his name?" Even though she was explaining things to him, Yuhi noted that she would not give a name.

"If I told you Yuhi-san, you would get paranoid and research him won't you?"

Indeed he would do something like that. She is probably thinking of his previous reaction when she mentioned Nagawa, and he did overreact a little then.

"You know I don't care how many men you had a past with Sumire."

"You don't?"

"Well, the petty side of me is very bothered, but the other side is saying something else."

She didn't reply, and he took a deep breath.

"I don't care how many men you had a past with; what is important to me now is the present and our future together."

Yuhi immediately regretted saying those words.

It sounded cheesy, corny, and so unlike him. Since Sumire did not reply right away, Yuhi assumed that she thought the same. Even if he does feel brave lately, what on earth is he doing?

"Sorry that—"Yuhi's sentence fell short when he got a good look at her face. The loveliest shade of red dawned her porcelain-like skin, and her eyes sparkled.

Yuhi felt his heartbeat increase. What? Why is she looking at him like that?

His eyes widened when he saw the look she gave him. For once, he didn't know what to do, so he looked away. What is she thinking? The words he said just then were it too much.

Yuhi was about to say something when Sumire kissed him. "Thank you, Yuhi."

This is the first time she has made that face for him and said such words.'Maybe he is healing her heart.' Yuhi didn't think it would work

His thoughts broke off when he felt the familiar sensation of her hand on his cheek. "Aren't you working too hard? You look a little tired."

Yuhi placed his hand on top of the hand that caressed his cheek. "Says the girl who got into an accident the other day."

"I am sorry for worrying you so much. But Yuhi-san, I wanted to see you quickly."

"Didn't you hate me?" Yuhi joked.

"Maybe I did. When I found the letter, I felt bitter and furious. But I couldn't keep it up for long. I remembered the warmth you gave me these last few months and changed my mind."

His eyes widened when he heard those words.

It wasn't all for nothing, and his efforts reached her.

After he saw her in that state in the rain, Yuhi felt that all his efforts this entire time were in vain. He couldn't heal her heart even a little bit. But now all those worries seem so silly. He looked at her eyes directly and saw a tender and warm-hearted expression. A few months ago, she would not have been able to make that face at all. Yuhi pulled her into his embrace.

"The beach, I still want to go with you."

"Ah-huh, I also want to see Yuhis swimsuit."

"Hah, right. But maybe I should rent it out. I don't need anybody else hitting on you."

Sumire laughed. "You so petty, Yuhi-san."

..

The two of them did not return inside and instead walked around the area hand in hand. Yuhi spoilt her on their walk, but he kept his eyes out on their surroundings every time.

Atushi and Jae mentioned that they wouldn't attack directly if he is next to her. But Yuhi could no longer be so sure.

After all, they attacked Sumire when she was with Aki of all people; what is to stop them from doing the same with him?

"By the way, Yuhi, you came with Kou and Jun-kun."

"Yeah, I was thinking of joining them."

"Then-"

"But, the timing is a bit off. Recently I don't see them together as much." There is always one missing. He doesn't want to bring up the topic when there is one of them not there.

"That's because those two get a lot of jobs together at this time in the year."

Sumire seems to know a lot about them, but what is more important to him now is her current state. Yuhi scooped her up in his arms, and the girl laughed softly.

"I can walk Yuhi-san."

"No, your movements are still a bit strange."

"But we're supposed to be going on a walk." She trailed off. "Yuhi, you don't have to treat me so preciously."

"But I want to spoil you rotten." Yuhi didn't want to hide this from her. "I want to spoil you, but you're always rushing off recklessly on your own."

"..do you want to ask me why I got on that train?"

"You must have known Sumire. It isn't safe to travel using public vehicles unless I am with you."

"I know."

"But you--" Yuhi struggled to get the words out. He wanted to deny it but based on her expression, his suspicions are true.

"You lured them deliberately."

"Yes, it was the only way."

"Did you find something?"

Otherwise, she would not have gone this far.

Sumire nodded. "Yes, but I hid it before the train crashed. I'll have to go back and retrieve it."

"I'm going with you." He won't let this girl out of his sight ever again. This time for sure, he will make sure nothing bad happens to her.

"Then Yuhi-san, I will have to tr-"

Yuhi saw it before she finished her sentence. A small wisp of black smoke around her gradually grew larger. Yuhi's eyes widened, it was not just the smoke around her, but a black shadow seemed to flash through her eyes.

"Sum-"

"Stay away from her." A voice from beside him said. It belonged to Atsuro, and he rushed over with a frantic look.

He pulled out some scrolls and wrote ancient letters with a large brush.

Yuhi was about to take another step, but Shin pulled him back. "She is losing control, Yuhi let's leave."

"But--"

"Atsuro will handle it."

Yuhi wanted to say that he would help too, but Shin was pushing him away quickly. He got one last look at her face before he followed Shin. Even when they walked away, Yuhi heard her pained cries. The expression he saw from a few moments ago reflected in his head.

Why cant he doing anything for her even now?