Sumi didn't move as Izaki watched her from across the table. He wasn't glaring, but something else rested in his eyes that made him threatening as he sat silently in his school uniform, one arm reclined across the back of the couch. She wasn't sure what he thought, or what he'd do, but she made an effort not to make any sudden movements.

Izaki stood nonchalantly and slipped his hands in his pockets. His eyes never blinked or left hers. "Your cousin—the one you care so much about—is Serizawa Tamao." He sounded calm, but the lack of inflection only made him all the more intimidating.

Sumi shrugged defiantly. "Yeah, so?"

He suddenly kicked the coffee table, sending it skidding across the room, and the abrupt noise sent her sprinting across the living room and into her bedroom, slamming and locking the door behind her. His fist banged on it a second later. "Sumi! Come out here, now! Sumi!" He pounded furiously. "Sumi!"

Sumi collapsed against the door and took a shaky breath. How did he find out? Why did he have to find out! She pulled the clip out of her hair, and the black strands collapsed down her neck over her shoulders.

Her eyes stared at the floor, but she wasn't really seeing it. He continued to bang on the door, yelling out to her, his anger growing with each pound. She fell sideways onto the carpet and clenched her fists as tears spilled over her blurring brown eyes.

Why did he have to find out?

Strange. She must have fallen asleep. When did it happen? Sumi glanced at the clock on her nightstand as she sat up. 2:30. She got home at midnight, and the apartment was quiet. Did he leave? He must have; who would wait around for a girl for two and a half hours?

She got up, silently unlocked the door, and peeked out. The apartment was dark and silent, except for the lamp still on beside the couch. She glanced around then stepped out and walked to the coffee table.

The pictures must have slid off the table when Izaki kicked it because they sat askew in the middle of the floor. She picked them up and studied them, absently running her fingers over Tamao's happy face. "Tamao."

"You must care a lot about your cousin."

Sumi spun around and backed up a step as Izaki stood in the bathroom doorway with a yellow envelope in his hands. "Y-You're still here?"

Izaki was reading the papers in the envelope but looked up then. "You look out for Serizawa." It was a scold, not a question.

Sumi pressed the pictures against her chest. "Of course I do. Tamao's the only family I have."

He tossed the deed aside and gradually approached her. "Is that why you mingle with Suzuran? To help your cousin get a heads up on everyone else's business?"

"Tamao doesn't need my help to beat anyone at Suzuran," she snapped then gasped as he gripped her arms and slammed her back against the wall.

His gaze blazed fiercely down at her, not moved by her determination to maintain eye contact. He carefully released her arms and planted his palms flat against the wall on either side of her head. "Then why keep your last name a secret? What were you afraid of?"

"I wasn't afraid!"

"Why did you lie to me?"

"I didn't lie!" she shrieked. "I never said I was anyone other than who I am! I haven't told you a single lie!"

"You deliberately withheld things from me, not for my protection, but for yours. You willingly deceived me, which is worse than a lie. Why?"

"I'm not part of Tamao's business at Suzuran, and I have no interest in being part of yours either! I can be with whoever the hell I want without needing ulterior motives!"

"Friendship doesn't require deception!"

"Would you honestly have looked twice at me if you knew I was Tamao's cousin?" His jaw tensed as he looked away briefly. "Would you?" He didn't answer, but she already knew. "No one ever does! Even my own classmates are scared of me because of him, and the only people willing to give me the time of day are the ones like Suzuran! People who understand Tamao's lifestyle, except they hate me because he's their enemy, or they use me to get to him! Tamao and his crew are the only ones who are willing to see me for who I am, and not because of who I'm related to!"

"You keep him tucked away when you meet people to show how much he means to you?"

"That's not why!"

"Then stop with the bullshit and just fuckin say it!"

"Because I wanted you to see me!" She pressed her hands into her chest and felt it tighten to the touch. "Me! Not Serizawa Tamao's cousin, or some asset to the Suzuran game! But really see me!" She choked only a second, but her voice dropped. "Just Sumi."

His eyes weren't cold anymore, but his feelings were still unreadable. "Why me?"

Sumi lifted her arms limply and shook her head. "I don't know, I just…" She pressed her lips together and met his probing gaze. "I just wanted to be with you. I don't have any ulterior motive. I-I wanted you to be with me, as no more or less than who I am." She looked down at the pictures in her hand then dropped them. "But Serizawa is part of who I am. And it seems Serizawa can only be your enemy." She cupped her hand over her eyes, ducked under his arm, and walked away.

Sumi shuffled into the bathroom and planted herself in front of the mirror. She didn't look at herself but squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep, calming breath. He'd leave soon and never see her again. It was stupid for her to feel so attached to him after only a few brief encounters, but she felt things when she was with him.

Relationships weren't anything new to her. While it was true that boys rarely asked her out because Tamao threatened to throttle them, she more than once went behind his back and had secret affairs with boys. But she had never felt emotionally bound to them.

Tokio had been an unusual case. He was a good man and the first to openly ask her out in front of Tamao, not that it took much guts considering his and Tamao's relationship. Still, she loved the way it felt to be with him. He was kind and loyal; he treated her with respect and liked her for who she was, not for who she pretended to be. But they still had their differences. She didn't like that he got in constant fights alongside Tamao, and it lead to their inevitable separation.

Even then she never felt as lost being away from him as she did at the mere thought of being separated from Izaki. And she wasn't angry with Izaki and his attitude. She wouldn't like him if he wasn't that way.

But now he was going to leave, any minute now.

There were footsteps, scuffing on the linoleum floor of the bathroom, and she felt him behind her. His right hand scooped beneath her hair and cupped the back of her neck, using his thumb to keep the strands away from her skin. He stepped closer, and his lips lightly caressed her exposed left earlobe. "When I found out about Serizawa, I wasn't angry at you. My first thought wasn't that you were a spy or using me." He glided his smooth mouth down her hairline to the curve between her neck and shoulder then kissed it. "I'm angry at him. I'm angry that, when the time comes, you may be with him instead of me."

Sumi sighed against his ghosted kissed moving along her shoulder and leaned her head back against his chest. "I couldn't leave you. You'd have to keep me away."

Izaki's fingertips brushed the skin of her exposed back then drew them along to a strap, slowly pulling it down her arm to kiss the curve of her shoulder. His other hand released her hair and slipped the other strap down. "Never," he breathed against her. His left hand slid across her chest then gripped her other shoulder as his right arm encircled her waist. "Sumi-chan."

Sumi's eyes fluttered open. Their reflection gave her shivers as his face pressed into the curve of her neck, and his eyes were closed as he clutched her tightly. Oh, God.

She turned in his embrace and cupped his face. For the first time, their eyes met, and his were so very tender. She wrapped her arms around his neck, rose onto her tiptoes, and slammed her mouth against his. The impact threw him off balance, but he held the sink with one hand and squeezed her waist with the other. He pressed her back against the porcelain, tucked his arm beneath her buttocks, and hoisted her up onto the porcelain, giving both hands the availability to tug up the hem of her tanktop.

They parted long enough for him to pull the violet fabric over her head and toss it to the floor then capture her mouth again. One of his hands caressed her back, massaging its way to the snap of her strapless black bra, while the other molded perfectly over one of her breasts. His fingers pinched at her nipple through the lace, enticing a soft whimper from her as she leaned into his touch, using her legs to pull him tighter against her. His hand found the snap of her bra, but she pushed him away and hopped down from the sink. She clutched a handful of his shirt and pulled him along in her backward steps out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, kissing all the while.

When they reached the bed, she pushed him down onto the sheets and walked back to the door, swiftly closing and locking it. She glanced slyly over her shoulder him. He lay on the bed, his legs still dangling over the end, propped up on his elbows to watch her every move. She smirked and gradually unzipped the side of her miniskirt. She slid it down her legs with intentional slowness, watching him as he groaned approvingly at the sight of her black lace underwear, and then kicked the skirt away into the darkness. Clad only in her bra and panties, she walked back to him, straddled his hips, and pulled him upright as he grinned mischievously at her. "Can you pass this true test of champions, Izaki Shun?"

Sumi glided her hands beneath his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. His grin softened to a sly smirk, eyes never leaving her face as she worked to strip him down. She unbuttoned his black collared shirt leisurely, enjoying his undivided attention on her, and finally pushed it down with the jacket and threw them both off the bed. "You look sexy in uniform," she giggled. "But if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to protect yourself with all these layers."

"It keeps all the women from getting too close to anything important."

"Oh really?"

"Really." They grinned at each other and she yanked his long-sleeved black t-shirt over his head where it joined his other clothes on the floor. "In contrast, you look sexy in anything, but if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were expecting someone with so few layers."

"Mm." She bit his lip lightly and touched the cross necklace hanging over his bare chest. "I went to a group date bar."

Izaki's eyebrows flew up. "A group date?"

"With guys from Suzuran." She laughed at his dark stare. "As a spectator. I wanted to see Genji-san try to hook Makise up with a living, breathing woman."

"Genji. The new transfer?"

"Ahuh." Sumi tilted her head. "What, are you gonna to go into fighter mode now and think only about Suzuran?"

He grinned. "Not with you here, and so very," he grabbed her butt firmly, rocking her against him and pressing her breasts into his chest, "indecent."

She giggled between the lingering kisses he left against her mouth. "Take off your shoes." He sighed irritably but released her in compliance. She pulled off of his lap and crawled behind him to throw her arms around his neck. Her lips brushed over his earlobe, pleased with the goosebumps rising on his neck. "Tamao will kill you if he finds out," she whispered teasingly.

Izaki threw his second shoe and whirled around, pushing her back onto the bed. "Bring it," he barked and captured her in a searing kiss, drowning out her laughter.

Sumi squinted against the sunlight winking over Izaki's shoulder and pressed her face closer to his chest. Her fingernails traced his jaw line lazily, and her other hand rested limply over his waist. He faced her, one arm tucked under her head as his fingers played with her hair, and the other wrapped possessively around her hip. His eyes were closed as they clung to each other, naked and uncovered in the morning sun, but his hold never weakened. She held his cross in her hand as she stroked his face as her eyes devoured his warm skin.

Last night had been utterly amazing, to say the least. He was her first, but the first experience pain didn't detract from the affair itself—especially not with him. He slowly carried her up to that point and nurtured her after their simultaneous, mindboggling unison. She never felt used or wronged, even now. Their experience was real, between two people who cared for one another before, during, and after. The thought let her sleep well for what little she did sleep, and now that the morning threatened to end the night, she didn't want to relinquish him.

"You're gonna be late for school again," Izaki spoke. He didn't open his eyes, though, or loosen his hold on her.

Sumi moaned sleepily and pressed her face into his chest. "I don't think I could stay awake through class anyway."

He smirked. "Your teacher's gonna think I kidnapped you or somethin if ya don't go."

"True." She kissed his skin and flicked her fingernails against his spine. He arched at the tingle, and she squealed when he pinched her butt in retaliation. "All right, I'm going." S he propped herself, and his arms melted away as she sat up. When she threw her legs over the side, his hand clamped down over her shoulder and pulled her flat on her back. She blinked at his upside-down face.

Izaki grinned. "We didn't try this position last night."

Sumi blushed scarlet and smacked him upside the head. "Pervert!"

He laughed, kissed her soundly on the lips, and then sat up to find his clothes as well. "I need to get going anyway. If what you said last night's true, I have to represent my men against this campaign."

She put on her bra and panties then swiped his jacket from his pile and threw it on overtop. She glanced herself over in the mirror. "Hah! It looks better on me."

"Anything of mine looks good on you," he chuckled.

She giggled then blinked and reached into the pocket. "I think your phone's vibrating." She pulled it out. "Makise."

Izaki jumped up and quickly took the phone. "Hai? What's goin on, Makise?"

Sumi tiptoed away from him into the kitchen and checked the fridge for a quick bite to eat. The vanilla pudding looked pretty delicious at the moment. She had just retrieved a spoon and started eating when Izaki came out of the bedroom, fully dressed except for his jacket. "What was that about?"

"Makise wants me to think about joining with Takiya."

"Are you?"

He shrugged and leaned beside her against the counter. "I have respect for Makise, so I'll give Takiya a chance to convince me. But I have no intention of joining forces."

Sumi pouted her lip. "Genji's a good guy. I think you'll like him." She shrugged. "Plus it'll be nice if at least my friends and my boyfriend can get along, since none can get along with my family."

He half smiled and nudged her elbow. "Who said I was your boyfriend?"

"Who said I was talking about you?" she asked innocently. "Maybe I was referring to Genji, and you're one of the friends, hm?"

Izaki laughed, and she smiled. "Gimme some of that." He opened his mouth, and she put a spoonful inside, but he didn't relinquish the spoon. She glared at him, and he yanked the spoon out of her hand and took it himself. "Not bad." He took another spoonful, kissed her, and then tossed the spoon on the counter. "I gotta go."

Sumi allowed him to take off the jacket and throw it over his own shoulders. "Don't kill anybody."

"Shit happens." He stared at her a moment then set his hands on her waist. "Actually, don't go anywhere, and don't get dressed. I'll be back sooner that way."

"Sorry, my life doesn't run on someone else's demands," she replied and stuck her tongue out. "But I promise not to seduce everyone I come across."

"If you want that killing wish to follow through, you'd better not." He kissed her again, wrapping her up his arms, and she clutched his face with her hand. Several small follow-up kisses ensued before he finally winked and left.

Sumi ate another bite of pudding and looked around the apartment. The whole place had a new look—a good one. She dressed for school quickly, unable to wipe the smile from her face, and skipped out the door like a giddy child on crack.

Meiko gawked as Sumi came through the door. She jumped up from her seat and met her halfway to their desks. "What're you doing here?" she whispered sharply.

Sumi blinked. "What do you mean?"

"You should leave, quick, before one of the teachers—"

"Serizawa-chan," came the homeroom teacher's high-pitched voice from the door.

Meiko cringed, and Sumi faced her. "Sensei?"

"Could you please come with me, Serizawa-chan?"

"Oh. Is this about yesterday? I'm sorry about Izaki-kun, sensei, he doesn't have especially good people skills and—"

"I'm not upset about yesterday," she interrupted. "Now, follow me, please."

Sumi exchanged a curious look with Meiko, who stared forlornly at her, then followed the teacher to the principal's office.

Principal Kayashima looked the part with his tacky gray suit that was a size too big for his short, plump frame. He was completely balled by his mid-forties, and his small eyes were too far apart on his wide face. He squinted through large, circular glasses at her as she and the teacher entered. "Ah, Serizawa-chan. So good of you to join us. Please, sit."

Sumi raised an eyebrow at him then her eyes-diverted teacher and shook her head. "I'll stand."

"Very well." Kayashima leaned back in his chair and folded his hands over his gut. "The staff and I have been noticing certain particulars about your behavior lately, Serizawa-chan. Arriving late and wearing your uniform around town. Someone even said you were seen at a group dating bar last night." He lowered his chin to stare over his glasses at her. "And a small scuffle broke out. Is this true?"

Sumi nodded. "Hai. I was there with some friends, but the fight didn't involve me, kōchō. I—"

"It says here in your file," he continued and leaned forward to flip through a small folder, "you have no surviving relatives except for a cousin, a uh, Serizawa Tamao." He looked up at her. "Correct?"

Sumi frowned. "Hai."

"The file says he's a senior at Suzuran Boys' High School." He closed the folder and tangled his fingers together over it. "Ishikawa-san tells me you left school yesterday during classes, with a boy from Suzuran. You realize the reputation anyone related to that school may carry?"

She nodded. "Hai."

"And yet you still associate with its students?"

"Hai."

He sighed and stood up. "Serizawa-chan, I know you're young, and things don't really come together the way they should for young people. But this is a serious matter for our school. We can't have our students put in danger by associating with people from a place like Suzuran. You understand?"

Sumi glared but managed to keep her voice even. "Are you suggesting I disown my only living relative, kōchō?"