Proud

She hears Toh sigh before joining her on the bed.

Toh's arms wrap around her, pulling her close to him.

"Sumire." Toh whispered. "Don't hide, let me see you."

It pained her hearing his tone. He sounds so needy, needy for her. It was wrong of them both to fall for each other. Toh knows this, and yet he keeps her even closer.

Sumire lifts the blanket and turns around.

'He must like me a lot, but I don't understand why.' Actually, it's not just with Toh. She doesn't understand why anybody would fall in love with her. A cursed individual like her doe

Toh gently caresses her face. "I only heard a little, but you did great. I'm proud of you."

Proud.

Toh is proud of her.

Sumire didn't realise how much she needed this small bit of recognition. How much she wanted to hear these words from him.

"May I kiss you?" Toh suddenly asked.

"Don't you do that without asking anyway?"Sumire challenged.

It was an empty challenge. Indeed Toh has kissed her a lot. But it feels like if she allows him tonight, then something would change.

Toh traces her lips carefully. "It would not be right for me to steal a kiss from you right now."

"Why not?" Sumire wondered.

Didn't he just kiss her a few minutes ago? What difference does it make if he kisses her again now?

"Who did you sing for tonight?"

Ah,that's right. She sang for Yuhi. She sang because Ru said Yuhi was in the audience somewhere watching her. He was there.

"I know you love him, I know no matter what I do. I won't ever have your heart like he has. But, can't you see Sumire? I don't want the love you have for him, I want you to foster a love just for me."

Sumire felt her heart beat increase at his words.

She has never been treated like this before.

Maybe she should give him a chance.

She has known him for a while now, and he truly isn't a bad person.

'I am planning on accepting Toh's feelings for me.' That is what she told Masaru, Masato, Aki and even Yuhi. But, now that she has the chance to do so. It is difficult to get the words out of her mouth.

She decides not to respond and just close her eyes. It didn't take long before sleep took over her.

...

Saturday 4th March.

The next morning, she wakes up alone. The absence of warmth made her frown. Sumire looked around but didn't find Toh anywhere. But there was a note on the bedside table.

Going out.

Boss orders so I will be busy the entire day.

I will be back late, don't wait up for me.

I cooked you breakfast, lunch and dinner.

So just heat it up.

Love Toh.

Sumire exhales deeply. She wanted to spend some time with him and give him a response to his confession after she was well rested. She couldn't say anything last night, because she was too tired. It seems like it will have to wait.

Her schedule today, there shouldn't be anything. The president deliberately ensured that she had nothing for the weekend, knowing that the performance would drain her emotionally. The same went for Aki.

'Today, I can practice my cooking and if I succeed I will head to the hospital and see Ru. I can also practice my sewing.'

She has always been interested in designing clothes, but unfortunately even if she can design them. She cannot make them. Recently she bravely showed Toh her sketches and since then they have been working on making some of her pieces together. Even if Toh isn't around, she should be able to do something.

'I can also think about my response. I can't tell him that I love him too, that wouldn't seem right. I need to word my response carefully.'

Sumire weakly got out of bed. The minute her feet touched the ground, it felt like all the strength in her legs disappeared as she fell down. Her entire body felt sore all over. Sumire immediately understood. She has been practicing non stop for days. It's only natural that she ended up like this.

In the end all that practice went to waste, since she ended up singing a different song.

Every muscle in her body ached, and her throat felt painful. Last night was the first time she had gotten proper sleep. So, the minute she let's her guard down, her body becomes this way.

She sighs deeply and stayed crouched down until she regained some energy.

From the corner of her eye, she caught her reflection in the mirror and spotted a purple coloured bruise on her neck. Not just one but several. It takes her a few minutes before she recalled what happened. Her face heated up. Right, after she attempted to go to sleep. Toh started to harass her.

He claimed he was doing it subconsciously, but she knew better. That was definitely on purpose. After a few minutes she eventually got up and walked to the kitchen. Toh had taught her a few simple recipes for breakfast food, and it didn't take her long before she finished cooking.

Alright, she can head to the hospital first and then maybe go buy some fabric. Toh has a lot of fabrics around, but she didn't want to waste them.

…

At Nagawa General hospital

The last time she came here, people looked at her with disgust, however this time there was no sign of that. The nurse even made small talk with her and even asked for an autograph as she pointed to the vip ward. Sumire awkwardly said goodbye as she walked down the hallway.

Sumire appears in front of a door with Ru's name on the nameplate.

"I told you already to drink your dammed medicine, and not to go out on walks. It's too cold, it's bad for you."

"It's boring being cooped up on here."

"I don't care, I'm your doctor. You have to listen to me."

Ah, this voice- Sumire felt her heart beat increase. Maybe she shouldn't have come here unexpectedly. But the staff here were clearly expecting her to visit anytime. She cautiously walked towards the door, and the moment she tried to peek inside the door opened. She came face to face with her ex boyfriend Nagawa Sano.

"Ah."

"You're here." Sano nodded. "Come inside."

Sumire could only slowly nod her head as she meekly looked at the ground as he lead her in. This is so awkward, maybe she shouldn't have come here.

Ru was sitting on the bed, with wires attached to his arm. His eyes brightened seeing her.

"Ki!"

"Um hey, sorry I just dropped by randomly."

"It's okay, I was expecting you. Toh called earlier and said he would be busy so you'd most-likely come here."

So Toh already prepared in advance. Sumire passes Ru the bag. "Have you eaten yet? I made something for you."

"He hasn't. It's good you brought food because he needs to eat his medicine." Sano interjected.

*Unedited*