"Miss Penelope." Sumire addressed her. "I am sorry for troubling you but did something happen with you and Sano? Didn't you say you would look after him?"
She contacted the woman the day before she decided that she would be ignoring Sano for a while. She understood that he would do something stupid with that guy's personality, but she did not know what that stupid thing was. So she asked miss Penelope to watch over him.
At those words, she heard a sigh at the other end.
"Miss Sumire, actually, do you know where I am now?"
"Where you are-?" Sumire trailed off when she heard the sound of an airplane and paused. "The airport."
"Sano terminated the engagement this morning, and my grandmother was furious. She said she would deal with the embarrassment, but I have to go abroad and hide for awhile till the mess dies down."
Sumire frowned when she heard those words. She had to admit that she was shocked. Despite Sano saying all those things, a part of her still doubted it since he kept his engagement. But now that engagement is over; he is practically making it clear that he would chase her.
"I see, alright, sorry for disturbing you." Sumire did not give her another chance to speak before switching her phone off.
She thought she could use Penelope as a scapegoat, but now that option is no longer available. He is practically forcing her to choose! Sumire cursed in her head. That person leaves no room for his enemies to get to him; that is the one thing about him that has not changed.
If he is doing something like this, does it mean he is serious?
Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi pinched her cheeks. "Damn, I knew it. I should have tossed him to the sharks a long time ago. Look how he is affecting you right now."
"No, uh." Sumire trailed off. "I am just shocked."
Even when they were officially dating, he did not do something like this.
"You know what that reporter told me? He said he had threatened all the media outlets in the city. This was why your concert went by smoothly. Initially, the media intended to stir trouble. On Christmas day, which is tomorrow, there will be an article regarding his actions and his statement that he would pursue you."
'What kind of twisted situation is this?' It sounds like something that would happen in a fairytale. But Sumire was more shocked than moved. It would be strange to say it has no impact on her; any normal person would be slightly moved. However, on Christmas day?
December 25th, 2012. It was a day she would remember for a very long time. The day he heartlessly broke up with her. The words he said to her that day remain firm in her mind. He was so heartless and cruel towards her. The fairytale-like dream relationship they had all seemed like a lie.
'Was he always like this? Did he truly trick me from the start?'
To think he is going to announce something like that, when two years ago, on that very day, he used the harshest words to cause her to break down.
She felt very conflicted about this. They are both public figures; making that type of announcement will lead to many people questioning her relationship with Yuhi. No, it will stir some excitement for the media who want to create a love triangle story.
Is he trying to win her back or cause her more stress? She no longer wants to deal with the reporters. But, at this rate, it won't be long before people misunderstand.
The details of her relationship with Sano, even though they have more or less admitted it individually, the media does not know the details. However, it would not surprise her if there was more information on it in tomorrow's papers.
This is giving her a headache. Sumire felt Yuhi rub her temple gently. "Don't overthink."
"I am trying not to."
She was truly trying, but the shock had yet to leave her.
If Sano terminated the engagement in the morning, she hadn't heard it. She was far too busy focusing on the concert with Yumi-senpai. It makes sense that there was no news on it, too, since the entire city focused on the concert.
Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi hugged her and sighed. "The road to your heart is difficult."
"Are you going to give up then?"
"No." Yuhi said with confidence. "But, I wanted to brood and sulk so you could pity me more."
Sumire laughed when she heard his words. She did not feel stressed for the first time since she saw him beat up. Her gaze softened as she hugged him tighter. "Alright, this is enough childish behavior. The person I am madly in love with is right here; why would I go anywhere else?"
She felt Yuhi respond by placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I think we should go now; you're cold."
"Mm, let's go."
'I can try and call Sano after the party ends.' It will be difficult for her to stop him from posting that article. The reporters will definitely not let such a big story out of their grasp. But perhaps if she speaks to him the night before, she can still control the situation.
.....
Bar Akagumi is located in the downtown part of Tokyo, an area that has more delinquents/crime rates. But that did not mean it was a bad part of town. Or rather the buildings in this area were more expensive.
She noticed when they were still a distance away, but it was oddly quiet.
Sure it is late now, but that never stops those guys from making noise. Moreover, it is Christmas eve; it is normal for people to be awake this time and still celebrate.
This is weird; why are all the lights out? Sumire observed the room and did not see a single sign of a human being.
"Eh, did they all go home-" Sumire's sentence fell short when she felt a pair of arms hug her from the back. "Yuhi, what's the matter?"
"I told them to leave. I want to hog you myself till New year after all."
Sumire laughed softly at his honest-sounding words. She thought he was behaving.
"Well, I don't mind that." She turned to him and caressed his cheeks. "I did want to be with you tonight."
She felt bad for the others, but she sent them away anyway. After pouring her feelings for Yuhi, she wanted nothing more than to keep him to herself.