Before Sumire could say anything else, she heard the sound of her phone and frowned. She already knew who it was without looking at the caller ID. Sumire quickly excused herself and walked out of the room. She knew Yuhi wanted to say something to her but she had no time. She walked down the hallway slowly at least anybody who walked by would think that but she was in a hurry.
Sumire looked for a quiet spot and recalled something Yuhi told her. The back stairwell? It was used for fires and other emergencies. She scanned the hall and saw something, a dark coloured door at a strange place. She walked over and twisted the rusted looking door.
She quickly shut the door behind her and leaned on the brick wall. The ground beneath her felt very unsteady. She could see why nobody would come here.
Sumire returned to focussing on the phone call. The owner of the voice was somebody she knew all too well, and yet she had not heard from him in such a long time.
"Soujiro."
"It seems you are alive after all Princess Sumire."
She sighed when she heard that title. A Princess huh? Just because her family descendants are royalty. Sumire did not see the need to use such old fashioned terms during this day and age. But this man has always upheld such traditional values. The owner of the voice is none other than her fiance, Makoto Soujiro.
"Yes."
Sumire did not apologize. There was a time where she felt the need to say sorry, especially when she heard that he looked all over for her. But that has changed now.
For the next few minutes nobody spoke a word. Sumire was not very good at breaking awkward silences, whenever it happened, she did not know what to do. But since both her and Soujiro are clumsy people, unless somebody speaks up, this silence will drag forever.
She took a deep breath but before she could say anything, Soujiro spoke up. "Tonight, you will not show up?"
It was the least thing she expected him to start with. After not meeting for so long, she thought he would have more things to say to her. But then again, he has always been a man of little words. He is the type to express his thoughts, and his emotions using other means.
"Mmm." She trailed off. "Did you want me to?"
"I do want to see you. However, I care more about your mental health. If you still think it is too soon to appear before others, then I shall respect your decision. I will not rush you."
"Then why did you call?"
"To let you know I will be a simple call away if you need me."
Her eyes widened when she heard those words.
Not once in the past did he say such sweet sounding words to her, so Sumire was slightly surprised. Perhaps something has changed over the last few years. Maybe she ought to go and meet him after all? But, Sumire recalled Yuhis expression not too long ago. He acts subtle and everything, and yet she saw right through him.
She knew what Yuhi was concerned about too. He was concerned that she would leave him and return to Soujiro. Foolish man, why would she leave him now? Yuhi has done so much for her that she is afraid that she is in debt to him for the rest of her life.
"Thank you." Sumire mumbled. "I know you are concerned for me. But I will be okay, Yuhi is more helpful than you would think."
Sumire did not hear an immediate reply and her sweat fell. She could already imagine what he would say. Sumire has never seen the two speak to one another before but she heard the rumors and saw something on television before. Soujiro seldom appeared in front of the media but whenever he did, it was for something important.
She recalled that broadcast very well since she was in a cafe and waiting for time to pass by. The two openly showed their hostile attitude towards one another.
"So you two are…"
"A couple yes." Sumire finished his sentence for him.
I want to tell him everything but telling your fiance that your dating another man is already difficult, let alone tell him that I am living with Yuhi.
Soujiro would eventually find out.He is a man with many connections after all. There are those who still worship the values of traditional families.
"Your living together?"
It would not surprise her if he already knew but even then this is far too quick.
"So scary, how come you know already?"
Soujiro sighed. "It is not difficult to guess, with that mans personality…" He trailed off. "I find it difficult to believe that you are associated with a man like that."
Sumire frowned when she heard those words. "I know you dislike him, but please refrain from judging him." She paused. Especially in front of me.. Sumire wanted to add but refrained from doing so.
"Judge?"
"Yes judge. A man like that? Who are you to put that label on him? You think you know Yuhi based on all those rumors you have heard of him. You might have even clarified those rumors with a silly investigation. But did you actually try to get to know him yourself? Did you try to learn about him?" Sumire retorted. "I am sure you didn't and you simply based your judgement on the investigation."
"I see, are you upset about that broadcast a year ago?"
Sumire bite her lip. "How could you?"
"I did that to catch you out. I knew if I insulted him, you would come out. It seems like I was mistaken."
Her eyes widened when she heard those words. So he provoked Yuhi on television and said such hurtful things to confirm whether she was alive?
"But, I did confirm you were alive. Your pen name online is very convenient."
Sumire clenched her fist and sighed. It seems like there is no hiding the truth. Besides, it is indeed exactly like what Soujiro said. She could not stand what he said to Yuhi in the broadcast. She almost called him personally but managed to stop. Sumire decided to post on the online forums and slander him for saying such things. Of course this meant fighting against the people who agreed with Soujiro.