Sano stole a glance at Hino who was watching him with an amused look on his face. He already knew what his friend was thinking. It did not take them long before they reached Terashima Yuhi's room. The moment they entered, Sano immediately noticed it. The state of the bed, the sheets seemed crumpled indicating that the people who used it engaged in intense activity. The chair seemed slanted slightly.
His gaze fell towards Sumire. Though she hid it well, he could see dark marks on her neck.
Hino laughed. "Well, this is interesting. Are you two having a hard time following my instructions?"
At that comment, a tint of red appeared on Sumires cheeks. "I can follow it just fine but he can't. He is all over me the minute I arrive."
"Isn't that because he can't see you as often now?"
"I stay here overnight most days. What is that not seeing me often, he is just a pervert."
"You seem happy though."
Sumire turned away and didn't reply. She walked over to her bag where the documents were. Indeed, it is like what Hino said. Contrary to her complaints, Sano could tell that she was happy. It seems like he has underestimated her feelings for Terashima Yuhi. Yet, he recalled what happened the other day at his home. She called out for Tsueno Mamoru twice.
She may behave this way towards Terashima Yuhi, but Sano understood that her love for him isn't too deep yet. It is still okay, he still stood a chance.
Sano walked over to where Sumire was, ignoring Hinos gaze. "Is this still about the--"
"Actually it's a proposal." Sumire took some documents out. "I heard that your company was originally supposed to participate in this project."
"Yes."
Sumire bit her lip. "The reason your company was dropped is probably his work. If it is like that then I can only ask for your cooperation."
His?
Sano glanced down at the documents she just passed to him. Their hands briefly brushed against one another. He wanted his hands to linger there for a few extra seconds, but he stopped himself.
"I know it is rather shameful to ask but.."
"I will head back and discuss things, however I am sure they will agree."
Those greedy businessmen will not let an opportunity like this slip away. "So, after you're done here. Could I take you away?" Sano asked. His lips curve to a sly smile.
Sumire sighed. "Are you taking me somewhere expensive? Just so you know I am quite high maintenance these days."
He blinked when he heard her response. Now this is surprising, he did not expect her to reply like this. But then again it seems like he does not know much about her.
At that comment, Sano watched as Terashima approached her from the back.
"Making date plans so openly hmmm?!"
"Yuhi." Sumire trailed off. "Wheres your chair?"
"The doctor said I can try walking without crutches now and only occasionally use the wheelchair. I haven't hugged you like this in a while so I thought I would while I could."
Sumire laughed softly. "Well, mmm. I have missed this."
Yuhi turned to him. It looked like he wanted to say something but shook his head.
.........…..
The sigh he held back finally left his lips and Hino burst into laughter.
"Those two are hilarious. But well, this is a first for me too seeing Yuhi this way."
Sano sighed. "I don't understand why she likes a man like that."
Rather in the past did she not say something about bad boys not being her type? She said she disliked those who smoked etc. But now not only is she allowing the smoking, she is dating somebody with a bad reputation. Those rumors of Terashima Yuhi being a player is all over the entertainment industry.
He didn't sleep his way up to the top. But Terashima helped new artists sleep their way up to the top. How many of those newbies slept with him and suddenly received good opportunities?
Sano wondered if Sumire even knew that about him. Did Sumire know how filthy the man she is dating is like? If she knew the truth about him would she leave him?
____
Inside Yuhi's hospital room
After Sano and Hino left, Sumire decided to cook something for Yuhi. Thankfully his private room had an attached kitchen.
Their relationship is complex, to say the least.
She knows that when she first met him, she thought of him as a spoiled, immature brat who had no business in the underground world. He was bossy and didn't understand anything about the world.
She wanted to protect him.
She ended up doing ridiculous things, for him. In the back of her mind, she wonders why she did these things for him.
Why did she sacrifice so much just to stay by his side? But her own question is by her pounding heart. The sound of her heartbeat.
It's for him. It's all for him, yet it's a long time later when she finally stops and thinks about why she does it.
Along the way something began to change and when she realized that. The brown hair girl realized how frightening it was, how frightening change was. She didn't know whether or not she would be able to deal with it. No, she already knew that she wouldn't be able to. The more days she spent with that person. It became clearly evident it would have happened eventually. Before she could blurt out something stupid, that happened.
Everything about Yuhi disappeared within an instant in her heart. It was only until she decided on going to Tokyo that she recalled that there was something left that she had to do. It only then did she recall it. Did that mean it truly wasn't an important matter to her? One would wonder really.
When she saw him again she recalled a sudden wave of emotions that she didn't feel before. That was also something rather mysterious.
"Hey, isn't that done yet? It's gold already."