Does Sano still think that she is the same naive girl that she once was? Surely not. Sumire knew that ever since that apology, he decided to stalk her. So he must understand by now that something like this would not work.
"Such cruel words. How could you say that after everything we have gone through? Are you going to abandon our relationship just like this? What about the promises you made?"
Wasnt he faltering? What suddenly made him regain his con-- Sumire paused when she noticed that a small crowd had gathered. It seems like he genuinely plans to corner her today. He could have done this last time, but Soujiro came.
Sano could easily turn this scenario into his favor and make her and Aika look like bad people.
"Even though I stayed by your side when everybody left you and judged you. Even though I accepted everything about you, even your emotional and negative outbursts, all the things I did for you, all of it meant nothing? Is it because you have other guys that you wish to push me away?"
Who was the one who left for another person? Who was the one who mocked and insulted her until she broke down? Support her when she was emotional? What support is he talking about? He is the one who told her to get over it. Whenever she mentioned her problems to him, he would pretend to listen and then criticize her harshly.
No matter what the problem was, it would end up being her fault at the end of the day.
Aika sharply interjects. "Please spare me the soap opera lines. First of all, the people here are mere speculators, who stopped by because we caused a commotion. Second, your only saying all this nonsense to guilt trip Sumire. You figure she won't be able to argue back in front of a large crowd. Otherwise, why did you not say this earlier? Third, drop the innocent act. Do you want me to tell people that you're chasing after your ex? Your ex, who is already in another relationship?"
At that comment, murmurs appeared in the crowd.
Sanos remaining confidence seemed to have vanished in an instance. He turned away.
"Fine, I understand."
"One more thing, this guilt trip thing and messing with somebody's mind thing that you do only works for a little while. That shit will get old eventually. Some people will not be swayed by your words and make their judgments. Will you label those people as bad too? Either way," Aika grabbed her wrist. "We are done here. Hino, coming?"
Hino, who was silent this entire time, looked at Sano and then back at her. He gave an apologetic smile. "I will text you later."
Her gaze softened. "Okay."
With those words said, Aika pulled her away. Hino stayed behind to help Sano out; he truly is a good person, isn't he? Sumire has never met a person like that before.
"Aaah, I can't believe you," Aika exclaimed.
Her sweat fell. "Today, I gave it my all."
"You were impressive, but your still visibly shaken whenever he brings up the past. Honestly, I don't know what happened between you two, so I cant help. I won't ask you for the details now since we only just became friends. I can tell that the subject is a sore one for you."
This is the first time she has met somebody with such a strong-willed personality. No, it must be the second time. Aika resembles her best friend, Futaba, a bit.
Sumire burst into laughter. "You really are very cool."
Aika looked embarrassed but sighed. "Well, I have to apologize for getting worked up. But I have seen many other girls go through such terrible forms of harassment, some who could not escape."
"I see. But you know who he is, right?" Sumire clarified. Normally people wouldn't mess with
"Oh that's right, you still don't know."
Sumire blinked at her friend's words. Still don't know?
"But we can discuss that another day. I thought you were busy with work, but it seems you have enough time to take a stroll. Why haven't you been coming?"
Oh, she is mad, after all. Sumire knew she should have dropped by at least once. But...
"The preparations are almost complete now, and the event starts soon. So I figured I'd leave the rest of my painting to the day before..."
"Not to the event to the hospital," Aika said like it was undeniable.
Actually, Sumire knew what Aika meant the first time, but she wanted to feign ignorance.
"Well, he's alright so.."
So there is no need for her to go.
Sumire felt that way that as long as she knows, he's okay. Then there wouldn't be any need to see him, as she is now too...she wouldn't know what exactly to say. "But he's not alright!"
Her eyes widened alarmed at those words, but she managed to ask calmly. "Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"When we went to visit him, we overheard the doctor say that his hand will take a long time to heal. At least another two months, movements will be impossible with his dominant hand."
Sumire recalled how he pushed her away with a lot of force. Yuhi did not get a chance to shield his hands.
Aika continued as she pointed to her arm as an example. "They said that a nerve right here was severed and they tried to reattach it with surgery. But it will take a long time to heal. He knows, but he just acts like nothing is wrong. But that can't be it." She trailed off. "Also, it seems like he is up all night. If he tries to go to sleep, he ends up having these attacks.
By that point, she was looking at the other side.
She thought that things would be alright just as long as he was alive. But it seems like that isn't the case here. How much pain has he suffered in the time they did not meet?
I did not intend to avoid him forever. I just wanted to think for a bit. Who would have thought it would end up having such a negative effect?
It never occurred to her that Yuhi needed her this much.
.......
Hospital - Tokyo - 1:00pm
By the time she arrived, she hears the nurses whispering about 'Terashima in room five hundred and five in the middle of another attack.' It saved her the trouble of having to ask. She's never been any good with directions, but she has been to this place before.
She managed to navigate through the white halls reasonably quickly. After a few minutes, she managed to find a familiar place. She spotted Atushis familiar black hair speaking with the doctor.
"He has calmed down now. But I am sure it will happen again."
"Why does that happen every day?"
"It might be from mental fatigue." he trails off, "Oh, does he have an acquaintance with the name of a color?"
Eh? Could it be...? Sumire felt her heart speed up. It could be anyone, but how many acquaintances does Yuhi have with the name of a color? If she filters it to his close friends. Sumire knew there were not many.
Atushi must have understood and sighed. "Yes, he does. His girlfriend."
"Then I think he must be calling for her. That might be the cause of his unease too."
At that comment, Sumire stepped up. "Atushi, you don't have to call."
His gaze fell on her, and he walked over. Atushi extended his hand out and patted her hair. "Go to him now; he needs you."