That day she immediately understood. Hino wasn’t going to hide it anymore. The most important person to him now was her, and not Yuhi.
Her gaze fell on Hino, sitting on the sand guarding their bags.
“Why do you never come over?” Sumire called out.
“I’m fine, just watching,” Hino replied. “Rather, it’s surprising that you like the sea this much.”
“Hmm, places like this frighten me since there are usually many people. But nobody comes to this beach.”
“There are rumors that this place is haunted.” Hino pointed out.
Sumire blinked, surprised. “So that explains it.”
“Are you not even going to scream like a normal girl would?”
She tilted her head. “Is that what you are into, Hino? I am surprised.” She was about to leave the sea and walk back over but lost her footing. But before she could fall into the sea, Hino caught her again. “Um, aha.”
“The only reason I’m watching is because I know you can’t swim.”
“Shouldn’t you be asking why I always ask to come here then?”
“Yuhi told me before that he often came to the beach with you.”
So Yuhi told him about their study sessions?
“He quote called you naive for not realizing that he was treating those outings as a date.”
At those words, she felt her cheeks colour. D-date? Those were dates? So those were dates. Before she could say anything, however, she felt something wet against her cheek, and she looked up at the sky. The blue-colored sky from moments ago had vanished, replacing it with grey. She and Hino quickly left the sea and walked over to grab their bags. It started raining before long, and they quickly took shelter.
“Damn rain,” Hino muttered.
“It’s actually very pretty.”
“Only you would say something like that.” Hino trailed off. “How were classes today?”
“Hmm, it’s fun, but.” Sumire sighed. “My inspiration without my dearest is too low.”
Hino sighed. “Don’t you call him every day?”
“You have it wrong.” Sumire takes her phone out of her bag and shows Hino her call history. “He is the one who calls me all the time. Also,” She flicks through his messages. “-he flirts with me non-stop.”
“Are you complaining, or are you showing off?”
Her cheeks reddened even more than earlier. “I-I’m showing off?” Sumire mumbled. “Y-yuhi, I miss him a lot, and I’m upset that he is gone even though I have no right. But because he hasn’t missed a single day calling or messaging, I understand how hard he is trying. I want to treasure these feelings, my relationship with him, even more than before.”
Hino reached over and patted her hair. “That’s good, it means your heart is healing.”
“But, in the end, I stayed behind because I wanted to help Ru.”
“Regarding Tsueno, I think I can get in touch with him soon. If I do, what are you going to say to him?”
“T-that I want to help him.” Sumire looked at Hino with wide eyes. “Can you really get in touch with him? Even Eli and San are having a hard time.”
“Eli’s methods are too crude, and Sano is just a fool. He is probably giving it away so much that he wants to talk to Tsueno about you.”
“You really don’t like Eli.” Sumire pointed out.
“I don’t like anybody who harms you. Even if he has changed or regretted what he did in the past, he was the one who put you through that hell and forced me to erase all your memories.” Hino frowned, and she saw his gaze darkening.
Sumire tugged on his sleeve. “It’s alright. I remember a lot more now, so I understand your anger, but people can change, and he genuinely seems remorseful.”
Hino doesn’t say any words to that, and she is about to apologize when a car goes by, splashing water on them. Since Hino had swiftly covered her, she didn’t get that wet. For a minute, she catches a whiff of his cologne. Oh, so this is what he smells like. An unfamiliar scent, even though they are always together.
Since they spend this much time together, naturally, there are occasions like this where they get too close. But it never lasts long, and Hino quickly draws back.
“I don’t think staying here any longer will help.”
“That’s true.” Sumire looked him up and down and took out her handkerchief as she wiped his face. “Stay still.”
“R-right.” Sumire stammered.
It’s truly strange, his self-restraint? Or whatever it is, it is very strong.
……
At Sumire and Yuhi’s home.
When Yuhi first left, she thought this house would be too large for her. But, with two new additions to her life, this house didn’t feel as large. Hino’s presence has certainly helped but having the kids eased her loneliness. The largest change the past ten days was the birth of her children. It happened five days after Yuhi had left for the US.
The kids were fast asleep, and there was a note from Atushi apologizing that he had to go before they returned. Leaving the children alone for even a few minutes is not safe, but she can’t blame him. The fact that he is watching over and helping her with the children is enough.
Moreover, her gaze fell on Huan, whose arms wrapped around both children protectively. Sumire chuckled.
“He is exactly like his father.”
“I don’t know about that. Tsueno is more of an idiot. The kid is smarter.”
Sumire rolled her eyes as she placed kisses on the three children’s foreheads.
“If only I could be with them all the time.”
“You know that’s not possible.”
Sumire sighed deeply. “I know, but I’m their mother. It’s not good for the children growing up without their parents around. This is the time when I have to protect and give them fond memories.”
“You’re protecting them by not announcing another break. The first time aside, your fans will definitely riot, and so will the media. You need to keep working, Sumire.”
“I understand. But, I’d like to be with them more.”
“Then, once their powers have stabilized more, I will bring them along when you do your jobs. Is that okay with you?”
Sumire’s eyes brightened hearing his words. “Thank you, Hino.”
“Your wel-hachoo.” Hino’s sentence fell short when he sneezed. “I asked Hamano to warm the water before he left, so it should be warm now. You get going.”
“Then, should we go in together?” Sumire said playfully.
Hino immediately looks away and throws a towel in her direction. “Stop messing around.”
Sumire giggled, seeing his flushed cheeks. “I was joking.”
“Why you-“
She quickly moved away from him and headed towards the door. “Then, as you suggested, I will be on my way.”
On her way upstairs, she could hear Hino grumbling, and her gaze softened. He truly is too considerate for his own good. When she entered the bathroom, she slipped her clothing off and stared at her reflection in the mirror for a few minutes.
‘Maybe I’m not attractive enough?’ Or is there truly something wrong with Hino? When San was making excuses about those other women’s garments around, he used to say words like.
‘No man can resist a woman who shows their body or openly seduces, no matter their relationship.’
Then again, she probably shouldn’t use San as an example. Toh said something similar too, and Toh is more trustworthy. So, Hino is truly weird.
