Somebody he likes

'I certainly hope that isn't the image the company is trying to go for because those words do not suit her at all.'

Then again, she does not understand what the president thinks when it comes to her. Even when he first poached her from the company, that man is always smiling.

Sumire recalled the day very well after one of her mental breakdowns. Her manager sent her to some stranger's room.

No, she recognized the man as a huge investor. But it does not change the fact that she sent him to some random weirdo. The president of her current company was the one who saved her.

'Ibuki Sumire-chan, right? Pleased to meet you. I came here to poach you.'

He was so straightforward and blunt about it that all the nerves she felt then vanished.

"Not just rumors; you show up on the radio too." Mamoru trailed off. "The entertainment industry is frightening."

"Right? I have to deal with all sort of pointless dramas even though all I want to do is sing."

It is suffocating thinking that she will receive more hate than she already does.

Her thoughts broke off when she heard the sound of a shutter. Sumire turned and saw a woman with red-colored hair tied in a high ponytail and chocolate brown eyes taking pictures with a camera.

"Asahi!"

This girl is Kuruga Asahi, one of her close female friends who is the same age, but she attends a different school. A school that focuses on training students as an assassin. It is disguised as an elite school, but it is obvious what happens in the academy.

Whenever she walked past, she would hear screams.

"What a picture-perfect scene. Are you sure you two aren't dating?"

"Oh, we-" Before she could comment on that, Mamoru stepped forward.

"A person from another school shouldn't waltz in so easily."

"Or so you say, Mamoru-san, but you're the one who called me here."

At those words, she immediately understood. That was way too fast; she just told him that she got attacked. If he is asking Asahi to walk back with her, it must mean that he can't go back with her today.

"Ru, I'll be fine--" Sumire tried to reassure him, but he kept shaking his head.

"No! Just earlier, you were attacked. Walk home with Asahi."

"You're worrying too much. I mean, if something does happen, she will be the one protecting me." Asahi interjected.

Sumire laughed. "Right?"

Mamoru shook his head and placed his hand on her shoulders. "I want you to be more careful, Ki. There are a lot of weirdos hanging around recently."

"Isn't that always the case?"

"It is exceptionally more dangerous! Don't walk around alone if you can."

Her sweat fell as Ru continued to lecture her. Well, she supposes it can't be helped. She lives alone and doesn't have a guardian/family. Ru is under the same circumstances, but he is more concerned about her. Then again, who would be crazy enough to attack Ru? He is the typical kind guy, but he is the strongest person in this town.

Only a fool would attack Ru. He probably understands that, too; otherwise, he would not insist on walking home with her every day.

"School doesn't end till later, though."

Asahi smiled. "I had some business in this area, so I thought I would drop by and make sure you knew. Also," She took out an envelope from her bag. "Here it's for that missing rich lady case."

"This is a lot," Sumire said, impressed as she took the envelope.

"It wasn't easy at all. But I have connections."

Sumire glanced over at Ru and saw a dark expression on his face as he looked at the envelope. She rolled her eyes.

"I will be fine alone."

"But Ki-"

"For jobs like this, it is better for me to go by myself." Sumire trailed off. "Besides, don't you have something important to do?"

At those words, he frowned. "Are you going today? Didn't you say you hurt your ankle? Maybe you should wait a little."

"It is better to check it out sooner rather than later."

Asahi nodded. "But if you're really concerned about her Mamoru-san, I could tag along."

"Eh, but-"

At those words, her friend shook her head. "We haven't done a job together in a while; it won't do any harm if I go with you."

She saw Mamoru's eager expression and sighed. It seems like she has no choice in this matter.

…..

A few hours later

Sumire found herself waiting for Asahi by the lockers only to hear a group of girls looking over at her and whispering. Among them was a girl in the center who she recognized. That is the one who confessed to Mamoru a week ago but got turned down.

Tsueno Mamoru attracted a lot of attention. He is not cool looking or that handsome, but his innocent smile and cheerful attitude drew loads of people towards him.

'I sometimes wonder why he hangs around me when I am so dark and depressing.'

But she can never bring herself to ask him that. Ru is so understanding and listens to everything she says. However, he always has that pained look on his face whenever she belittles herself. She does not want to see him in pain.

Her thoughts broke off when she saw a girl with short hair standing right in front of her.

'So she is going to confront me and not just stare, huh?'

"Ibuki-san, I have a question for you."

"Yes?"

"When Mamoru-kun turned me down, he said the reason was because he has somebody he likes. I have watched him for a long time and have not seen any other girls around him except you."

'Somebody, he likes?' Sumire raised her eyebrows at this. This is a new excuse Ru. This is not the first time girls like Ru have confronted her like this, and they usually explain to her why he turned them down.

Ru has used a variety of excuses before, but this is the first time for her to hear this one. She recalled what he said earlier. Could it be that he truly has found somebody he likes?

"Ibuki-san."

Sumire sighed deeply. "It's not me."

"How are you so sure?"

For a moment, she freezes at those words. Indeed, how can she be so confident that the girl Ru likes isn't her? They have spent so many years by each other's side, it would not be unusual for Ru to fall in love with her. But at the same time, they have known each other for far too long to suddenly become lovers.

"See, you can't even answer that!" The girl exclaimed. "Ibuki-san, you don't have feelings for Mamoru-kun, right?"

"Why are you confident I don't?"

"I mean, you recently had a boyfriend; he would pick you up from school."