Yuhi didn't know what he was doing. But he knew he needed to take a walk somewhere, anywhere than that stuffy library. So when he found himself on the edge of the forest, he expected to be alone. Why would anybody be here in a forest?
It was a familiar voice and familiar presence, but Yuhi couldn't believe it. He hasn't seen her in two days, not once did she appear before him, so why would she be here now of all places?𝙛𝑟𝘦ℯ𝘄e𝙗nov𝙚𝑙. 𝐜𝑜𝗺
The trees thinned out, and finally, he came to a stop at the edge of a small clearing, where he saw her.
She turned to face him; her beautiful eyes widened, surprised to see him.
He spoke to her first, or rather he saw how she was about to escape.
"Go."
"...Eh?" She said, puzzled. Had she heard him correctly? "G - Go?" she stuttered.
"I have no interest in harassing you now. However, I can't speak for the others should they find you here out in the open like this."
Yuhi noticed that she did not budge an inch.
"Aren't you leaving?"
Sumire continued to stare at him with her amethyst jewel-colored eyes before she asked him. "Why would you let me go?"
Her question sounded like, why would you let me go again? But Yuhi didn't want to get emotional. He had a bunch of things he wanted to ask her, one of the main ones being why she didn't contact him even once. Or if she has found Ichinose Arashi yet?
"Do I have to have a reason?" he grumbled.
"Everything has a reason."
At that comment, he sighs. "Your Shakespeare-like quotes won't work on me. I'm neither Kou nor Ichinose."
Sumire chuckles. "But, you know it's Shakespeare?"
Crap, he let his guard down there. Of course, he would know it was Shakespeare. After all, she frequently teases him with Shakespeare quotes.
Yuhi looked away then, and for a few minutes, nothing but silence loomed on them. At least that's how it was supposed to be until the Sumire murmured a melody. It wasn't one he had heard before... A new song?
"Will you be composing Emma's solo songs?" Yuhi knew that she accepted the deal to help out with Atsuros band.
"Un. I do plan to. But I probably won't have enough time until next year. There's a lot that's going on next month after all."
When she mentioned that, his eyes widened; of course, that is all that's going on in her mind right now. The burden this girl carries is far heavier than he imagined. After he left and returned to Tokyo, he heard many new rumors regarding her. She became the strongest member in the underworld and became the top.
He extended his hand out and patted her hair. "Yuhi?"
"Don't say anything." He muttered.
He himself doesn't know what to do when he sees her quivering and lonely figure like this.
He could monopolize her and make her his; yeah, he could go ahead and do something like that. However, it would have no meaning, and that's why this was alright for now.
Sumire's gaze softened as she grabbed his free hand. "I am sorry, Yuhi."
It was just four words, and yet it was enough for him. Even though he was the one who casually approached her as nothing happened, Yuhi thought she would continue pretending.
"You should be. I was worried sick." He moved his hand away from her. "I will be honest with you, and I only let you go because I didn't know what to do. When you are like that, what is the best thing to do? How can I help you?"
He tried to lecture her, but that did nothing.
"Mm, I figured that was why even though I knew you were here, I didn't go look for you."
"What about our meeting now?" Yuhi questioned. This was near the library he was using; surely she knew that.
Sumire laughed. "I guess I wanted to get a glimpse. I missed seeing your handsome face Yuhi."
"Just my face, huh?"
"This is what you were supposed to do." She grabbed hold of his arms and wrapped them around her waist. "You wrap your arms like this, and don't let me go."
His eyes widened when he felt the familiar warmth of the girl in his arms. Sumire buried her face in his chest and clung to him tightly.
She is so foolish; what was she doing pretending to be strong?
"Did you find him?" Yuhi asked as he patted her back.
"I did, I arrived on time, but he passed out. He is receiving treatment."
From what she said there, she hasn't spoken to him. It was a relief for him. Right now, dealing with Nagawa was enough, so he didn't want another guy in the picture. Makoto Soujiro has been very quiet lately, and while that one bothered him the most. Yuhi knew the man would respect her situation.
Yuhi lifted her face from his arms, cupping her cheeks. "You look like you have lost a bit of weight. If you come back with me, I can make you a meal?"
He wants to ask her where she has been staying, but a part of him is too afraid.
"Alright."
…
The place he stayed at was a spare building opposite the old library. The two buildings were connected, so he just crossed the bridge whenever he needed to go anywhere. Earlier, he was studying materials he brought over from the library, hoping for a change of mood. But it still felt stuffy, which is why he went on a walk.
Yuhi kicked a few boxes away and tried to re-arrange the papers.
"Sit down here, sorry it is such a mess."
Sumire shook her head. "No, I like this." Her gaze softened. "Is this all to help me?"
Yuhi, who was walking towards the kitchen area, saw her face and called her over. When she was beside him again, Yuhi leaned forward and kissed her lips. Her lips tasted so sweet, and there was a nice scent around her too.
He didn't know when he started to do it, but he isn't just kissing her anymore. She lands on the ground with a thud, and in the next second, Yuhi loosens his shirt buttons. "Sumire, can I?"
The girl extended her hand out and caressed his cheeks. "I want to, but-"
Yuhi recalled her wounds and immediately proceeded to stand up, but Sumire shook her head. "I want you to kiss me like this."