He is not good at reading other people's emotions. But when it comes to Ibuki Sumire, it only takes one look for him to understand. So once again, he tried to change the topic and spoke about the piece again.

'Why does she look so happy over something like this?' This won't be the first time they are working together, but the expression on her face is like this is the first time.

"Are you that happy?"

"Yes, very."

Still, his gaze fell on the escorts Soujiro sent to fetch her. Do they have to stand out? Couldn't he have sent less suspicious-looking people? If Sumire didn't vouch for them just now, he would have thought they were terrible people.

"Have you discovered anything new lately, Yuhi?"

"No." He responded immediately, but the girl looked at him suspiciously.

"Are you sure? You're always sneaking off once I fall asleep."

'She noticed that? He supposes there is no use hiding it from her.' Then again, he didn't intend to hide it from her; he just wanted to confirm a few more things. Since she already found out, he won't keep it from her. There is no use doing something like that.

Yuhi never understood why the other guys who liked her kept things from her. Atsuro and even Ichinose said something like they are doing that to protect her, but he didn't get it even then.

"Have you ever heard of the tree of life?"

"The tree of life?" Sumire repeated. "Ah, the silver tree?"

Yuhi nodded. "That tree represents all life forms in this world, not just limited to humans. The earth, the birds in the sky, the creatures on the ground, the water we drink, the sky and air we breathe in."

"Is that what Ru was investigating?"

"I am not sure exactly what he was trying to do with the tree. But, it seemed he made repeated visits to the several silver trees around the world. Is that familiar to you?"

Sumire tilted her head. "He did disappear a lot, but he never said where he was going. But, he did bring back photos and souvenirs."

"Photos? Did you bring them when you came here?"

"Mm, I did. Should I show you when I finish later?"

"Just tell me where it is."

"Yuhi-san, are you the type of person who would look at your girlfriend's belongings?"

Yuhi sighed when he heard her say those words. "You know, if you put it that way, I will sound like a bad person."

"I am curious."

"No." Yuhi trailed off. "Though Makino often shared her stuff with me. Touko was very protective and said she didn't want me to invade her privacy."

Yuhi watched as a dark aura surrounded her, and his sweat fell. "You don't like me mentioning them?"

"I don't; it makes me feel unpleasant."

Geez, this girl, can't she just say she is jealous? Then again, this is already good enough for him. It is enough that she is sparing him a glance.

"It feels like we're at the boundary between two worlds."

"Yeah, I knew you'd like it. After running around doing extra work for the slave-driving president, I arrived here. I didn't think I would find this place; it must be due to my charms."

Sumire laughed. "You use whatever opportunity you can get to compliment yourself. Hino will get mad, you know?"

Yuhi sighed. "Is it that obvious I skipped out so I could see you?"

He didn't think he gave anything away just now. But just like he is the only one who can understand her, the same goes vice versa. They know too much about each other.

"While I am flattered Yuhi-san, you should at least call and tell him where you are."

Yuhi reluctantly took out his phone and typed Hino a quick message. The moment he did.

Hino: Alright.

He blinked, surprised at the words on the screen.

Yuhi: Alright?

Hino: Yes, alright, cheer Sumire up.

The moment Yuhi saw those words, he deeply sighed. Now that he thought about it, Hino also likes Sumire, huh? It is not like he doesn't understand. Despite the things Sumire says about herself, those who get to know her will quickly understand what kind of person she is. She is a good woman. Why wouldn't guys go for her?

This was one of the things that worried him back when they worked together. Back then, so many people slandered her every day; they would say all kinds of outrageous things. The main reason why he never countered those rumors for her was because of his selfish feelings.

He didn't want others to see how good she was. If they saw, then the person closest to her wouldn't be him.

Whenever Sumire praised him, he would feel nothing but guilt. If she knew such ugly feelings existed inside him, what would she say?

"Hino kissed me recently."

At that comment, his gaze dimmed, and Sumire laughed. "I thought you didn't realize, but it seems like you did?"

"I was pretending not to notice," Yuhi mumbled.

Sumire's cheeks puffed into a pout, and he sighed. "You know why right? Hino is different. If Hino is the other guy, it is hard for me to get angry."

Sumire sighed. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I would think you two were a couple."

"Oi!"

She laughed. "But I mean, the way you two fondly talk about each other-"

"That is because I treat him like family."

Her gaze softened at those words, and she nodded. "He said the same thing to me too. He only kissed me to prove his point that he would choose you over me."

"Did he have to kiss, though," Yuhi muttered? He isn't mad at Hino, but how many times has another guy kissed her since they dated?

The main culprit for all those other kisses is Nagawa Sano and not Hino. But it bothered him. He brushed his fingers across her lips. "There needs to be a way for me to stake a claim on these."

"Maybe you should kiss it more to find out?"

Yuhi immediately pulled away from her, and he hears her click her tongue annoyed. "Look, you know that I am on a self-restraint p-" His sentence fell short when he felt her lips on his. "Mm, minx."

She laughed softly again as she drew back.

"Wait, your stopping?" He only just felt her lips; why would she pull away?

"Mm, I have to. You are supposed to be comforting me; why do I have to lead?"

This girl is a devil in disguise.