'I want to be with him a bit more. I wonder when I started to feel this way.'
In the past, it was okay as long as she could see him occasionally, but that changed. Now she just wants to be with him every single day. She wonders, since when did she become so selfish?
When did she start to desire something only normal people should have? Even though a person like her does not deserve such happiness. Here she is enjoying the attention and love another person gives her.
Yuhi has already sacrificed a lot for her. Ever since she came here, he has neglected and pushed back a lot of his important work to spend time with her.
While his actions flattered her, Sumire understood how bad it was for his career. Nobody will like an idol who skips out on his job. After all, look at the backlash she has received for taking a break from her career.. At least she had an excuse, but Yuhi, it looks bad on him.
Recently he has been attending work again. But many people are using the previous incidents as an excuse to take him down from his position.
"Is this a new song?" Yuhi pointed to the scores on the ground.
"Right, but it's incomplete."
Yuhi picked up the sheets of paper and looked at them with great interest. His gaze seemed to soften a little.
"You've gotten better."
"Huh?"
Uh, she wasn't expecting that reaction.
"This is something you should be proud of." Yuhi lightly knocks her forehead with his fist. "Your amazing Sumire."
It was just a few simple words of praise, but somehow it made her feel strange.
'I feel happy.'
Even though Hino complimented the song earlier, she did not feel like this. Is it because she respects Yuhi? Or is there something else? Whenever Yuhi praises her, it feels like her heart will stop. Sumire was about to answer him, but she suddenly felt his lips on hers.
Her already frantic heartbeat seemed to increase even more. 'Oh, this dummy, he is so impatient.' But Yuhi would never kiss her if he knew she hated it. Even though he randomly kisses her, he only does that because he knows she likes it.
"Sorry, but you are adorable." Yuhi briefly parted their lips. "Do you understand?"
"I--" He kisses her more passionately before she could get another word out. Sumire enjoys the feeling of his lips on hers. The love and kindness this person gives her, sometimes it feels like a dream.
Is it truly okay for her to live a happy life? Is it okay for her to have a normal relationship? How many times has she asked herself this question? She has already lost count.
No matter how happy she is, she hasn't fully accepted his kindness and love.
There are many times where she would wake up frightened. But during those times, Yuhi would hold her tightly. He won't say anything but simply caress her back to calm her down.
After he kissed her for a good few minutes, Sumire slumped her face in his arms. She felt drained.
"Are you alright?"
"Dummy."
Yuhi patted her back. "Sorry, but I like kissing you."
She already knows that very well. Whenever they do anything couple like, Yuhi is the first one to get into it. Even when they do something simple like holding hands, he looks so happy.
"Yuhi-san, where have you been?"
"Hmm? Now you want to know?"
"Hino said you were preparing for our anniversary."
Yuhi laughed. "I guess there goes my surprise."
This dummy, he was seriously planning for it.
"I also met with some forces in the underground to strike a few deals. But you know how unreasonable most groups working in the underworld are."
"Mmm, I know." Sumire played with his shirt buttons, causing Yuhi to laugh. "Not funny. I need to check."
"This isn't the time and place for me to strip-"
Sumire cuts him off with a glare as she undid the top shirt buttons. From the top, she briefly spotted red. Her eyes widened, horrified, and she immediately tried to undo the rest, but Yuhi stopped her.
"I'm fine."
"You're not. Is that blood?"
"It is; for some reason, it won't go away, but it's not bleeding anymore. It was from two days ago."
'That doesn't make it any better.' Sumire pulled her hand back from Yuhi and undid the rest of the buttons. Her eyes widened, horrified when she saw the large claw mark on his chest.
"This-" Sumire trailed off. "Did you go into the forest?"
"More like they chased me into the forest. How those people managed to tame several bears was beyond me. Or maybe they just lured me to an area that was popular with wild animals."
"Yuhi."
"I told you before, even if I am strong. I am still a human. I will still falter if I get hit by a paralyzer or something stronger than me."
That doesn't make this okay.
"You should have called me."
"There's a thought. Maybe we can have our next date fighting side by side in the forest surrounded by wild animals." Yuhi jokes.
Sumire carefully examined his face and noticed his pale complexion. 'It's not bleeding, but the pain must still be there.'
"Cancel your work."
It wasn't a request but a demand. She wasn't going to allow him to work in his condition.
"But the other guys-"
"The others will understand. Those four are reasonable." Sumire trailed off as she placed her fingers on the top of the scar. It was only a brief touch, but Yuhi flinched. "You can't even handle this."
"Then, I'll leave myself in your hands."
Right after Yuhi said those words, he collapsed in her arms.
"Yuhi?!!!" Sumire said, horrified.
Right at that moment, Hino walked in. He rushed over and sighed. "Damn him. I knew this was a bad idea."
Sumire frowned at those words. Does this mean he knew?
"I know what you are thinking, Sumire, but let us move Yuhi to a safe place first."