“I was bored, and you wouldn’t let me go see her.”
“That’s because you have to attend school.”
“You all know I have enough credits.”
Her sweat fell at this exchange. She could tell what Shin meant by those words alone. Oh Yuhi-san, just because she isn’t around doesn’t mean he can trouble the teachers. But so that’s what it was. She thought he was swarmed with work, and that was why he hadn’t been coming to see her. However, it was not like that at all.
“You were attending class?”
Yuhi sighed and rubbed the back of his hair. “Well, you said you like men who are punctual.”
Sumire blinked at those words. Indeed she had said something like that, but who would have thought that he would take that so seriously. She wasn’t joking with him, but she wasn’t too fussed over it. She knew what kind of person Yuhi-san was. He was a different type of genius than Ru, but he got a lot of things done faster than most. That included his studies.
Yuhi pried the teacher, who grabbed hold of her hands away from her. It surprised her when she finally paid attention to who it was. The young teacher Takamura Hayato, he was that odd guy who gave her meal tickets and chased after her when she left class with Aika.
Just now, she didn’t realize because she counted him as part of the mob, but now she thought about it. Aika said this guy might have a crush on her.
A crush, huh? Now that she thought about it, last year or the past few years, she was quite oblivious to anybody who apparently liked her. Then again, Yuhi was the only person on her mind. She has to improve her skills quickly and debut so she would have the right to stand on stage with him. After that snowy night, she became even more determined to stand by his side.
“Takamura-san, should you really be touching a student?”
“You make it sound so vulgar. I had no such intentions.”
“I wonder.”
Her sweat fell when she saw the lightning bolts appear between them. It feels like she saw something similar to this not long ago. Yuhi-san is so silly getting jealous over a plain man like this.
“Hey Shin, you look awful. Shouldn’t you go to the infirmary?”
“I am fine.”
Sumire looked over at Shin and saw him weakly leaning against the wall. She walked over to him. “Then I will take Nakura-sensei to the infirmary. Can you gather the stuff I need before I return?”
The group of teachers who had been kneeling nodded; they sent all sorts of commands to the other teachers. Her sweat fell when she saw them rushing around. What is with this situation?
Yuhi tapped her shoulder. “I will head back to class for a bit then; call me when you finish?”
“Mm good.”
Soon it was only her and Shin left in the corridor. The man kept averting his gaze, and she sighed. “You know I’m not mad anymore.”
“You weren’t angry, to begin with. I know that much.”
The walk to the infirmary was difficult since Shin kept behaving stubbornly. Eventually, he allowed her to help support his walk. But in the end, Shin was the one carrying her on his back.
Sumire laughed. “Aha.”
“You should have come with crutches or a wheelchair.”
“But if I rely on those things too much, it would be hard for me to use my own feet later on. I feel that I will become lazy.”
“Sorry.”
“For?”
“I haven’t been coming to see you. It’s not like I have been busy either.”
Her gaze softened at those words. “It is okay; it’s not like I don’t understand.” She said such cruel-sounding things to him the last time they saw each other. It is only natural for her to act cautiously. “I saw Atsuro yesterday.”
“He rushed out of a meeting when he realized that you came back. It seems Nagawa did a great job hiding the fact that you were hospitalized.”
“Mm, he is good at that stuff.”
“And so?”
Sumire laughed again when she heard his short question. “Sometimes it feels like you know me better than myself, Shin-chan.”
“Don’t call me that.” Shin sighed. “You know, the only things I know about you are the problems you end up bottling up. You find it easier to discuss it with me because you have no shred of romantic feelings.”
“Correct.”
“At least deny it.”
“But if I did that, I would be lying, and that is something I want to avoid for at least a while.”
While lies are necessary in her journey for the truth, she still wants to avoid it as much as she could.
“Then did you tell Nagawa?”
“Atsuro came over and mentioned it.”
“What about Yuhi?”
At that, she laughed awkwardly. “Well, mmm. It will be a bit hard telling Yuhi-san.”
“But you’re not getting Atsuro to say it; that means your going to do it yourself.”
“That’s right because Yuhi is different.” Yuhi is special, it would hurt him more if she didn’t confide in him.
“You know I am starting to pity Nagawa again.”
“Really? I think you should worry more about yourself. The second person I spend the most time with is San.”
“Well, forget about me for a while.” Shin sighed deeply. “I realize I was a bit too hasty. Since Atsuro came, I have been a bit unedge.”
“Mm, I know, but you don’t have to worry. I was avoiding him because of what you think. It was because of his overprotective behavior. Atsuro is very excessive when it comes to protecting me. Even if I am a target of that organization, I am still the queen of the underworld. It would seem strange having that much protection around me.”
“His behavior would expose everything.” Shin nodded. “I think I understand, but even then, people will find out. Accidents happen. Why do you think I know?”
“Because you saw Atsuro acting suspiciously, followed him and found the files. I know, if it is meant to be, people will find out eventually. There is no secret that remains a secret forever. Even things hidden from several centuries ago end up revealed. So even this will come out, no matter how well hidden it is.”
“When that day comes, you-”
“I will have Yuhi by my side. I will be okay.”
But she first has to tell him everything; she has to get over that large hurdle first.
