I do like you

At Sumire's home.

Toh placed a cold drink in her hands and Sumire's gaze softened.

"Is he going to be okay?" Toh asked.

Sumire nodded. "He just needs to rest." She trailed off. "Sorry for dragging you along. Is everything okay with your work?"

"Yeah, it's fine."

'I haven't actually checked my messages. But it's not like today's job was urgent.'

Toh turned to Sumire and placed his hand on her thighs. "So beautiful, can I stay over tonight?"

"Ah." Sumire paused. "But, Ru is using the room--"

"Where were you planning on sleeping?"

"The couch."

"Then, I'll join you here too."

Something tells him, if he were to leave her alone now, it would be dangerous.

"T--the couch is small--we--" Sumire stammered. "-will have to sleep really closely."

"Is that an issue?"

Sumire didn't reply but her face gave it away.

She reluctantly agreed but Toh's gaze fell on the girl who was sitting on the corner of the couch.

"I'm not going to attack you."

"I-I know that."

Toh sighed. They won't be able to get any sleep this way. His gaze fell on the guitar in the corner of the room, and her composition book opened in the middle.

'ANGEL - For you.'

He blinked seeing the 'angel' part. From what he has seen, Sumire writes the band name or person's name and then the title of the song. As for a group with the name 'angel', in the entertainment industry there is only one with that name.

That legendary group, that only formed two years ago. The lead singer being the youngest member and only in middle school. That girl was-

"Your angels Ria?"

At that comment Sumire quickly grabbed the composition book, but it was far too late.

"I have to say, your disguise is perfect. Did you do your makeup yourself?"

Sumire slowly nodded. "I-I didn't-"

"Take a deep breath."

Sumire followed his instructions. "I'm sure you know by now if you did a background search on me. How things ended up in my last company."

"Yeah."

"I was really struggling. I wanted to sing, and I could write songs. But whenever I stood on stage, I would freeze up. That's when an old friend of mine told me to join his band. I've always liked rock music, so I figured it wouldn't do any harm. Still my stage fright wouldn't go away. As a joke one of the other band members borrowed a wig from one of the staff members, put on some flashy make up on me and then-

When I became 'Ria,' for some reason I could sing on stage. After realizing I could sing as another person, I started to work on a more efficient disguise." Sumire explained.

"I see."

"I thought after I became a member of Angel, I would get over my stage fright. But that's not what happened."

"Did you ever think to put on another disguise?"

"I did, but my manager laughed it off and quote said that much make up will only make me look gaudy."

Toh frowned. 'I really want to have a serious word with this former manager of hers.'

"Um, what do you think?"

"Honestly, if I didn't find out I wouldn't have recognised you. You did a really good job."

Sumire blushed and laughed softly. "That means a lot to me."

Thump.

Thump.

'This girl, the longer I stay with her. the more I experience emotions I didn't have before.'

"You really are beautiful."

"Eh--? Um..?"

"Your smile. When you smile, my heart beats a lot." Toh admitted.

"M-my smile? Oh." Sumire fidgeted uncomfortably. "You don't think it looks weird?"

Toh frowned hearing those words. "Who told you that?"

Sumire turned quiet and his gaze dimmed. It was probably those people in her last company. They really did severe damage, however he can fix that.

"Me telling you with words may not be sufficient." Toh leaned closer as he cupped her cheeks. "I'll have to show you."

He didn't hesitate to kiss her. Kissing her is one of his favourite things to do these days. He can't get enough of these lips.

For You

To keep from lying to myself, I shrouded myself in false strength,

Forcing myself to smile.

Tomorrow may never come.

I may even be gone by then.

That's why...

I may as well confess it all now,

Transcribing the depths of my heart, singing...

Yeah, I'll tell you how I feel!

Toh paused as he scanned the lyrics again. "This, is this a love song for Terashima Yuhi?"

At those words Sumire blinked. "Ah." She looked down at the lyrics. "Oh."

She didn't realize?

"I guess, I should change it?"

Toh shakes his head. "It's alright. Besides I understand. You didn't accept my confession because you love me."

"I do like you Toh."

Toh nodded. "And that's fine."

'If we had time, I wouldn't have confessed in such a hurry. But, Lucifer is becoming impatient. I need to hurry up and find his woman and get it over with.'

The minute he finds her, he won't waste time seducing her and just tell her.

Then he will tell the boss that he finally found what he is looking for, and ask to be set free.

As long as he continues this line of work, one day he may end up crossing Sumire as an enemy. He doesn't want to risk that.

"Toh?" Sumire suddenly called out.

"Hm?"

"When is the best timing for a kiss?"

"Whenever you want."

After he said those words, Toh felt Sumire's lips on his.

"When I'm sad, you always do this to me." Sumire trailed off. "Just now you seemed to be in deep thought."

"Yeah."

'How long do we have together?' Toh recalled something Sumire said to him when they first started dating.

"Toh, I like you a lot."

'Not a I love you, but this is better than nothing. She really is doing well now.'

Toh placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Can you sing this song for me? I don't want to sleep yet."

Sumire beamed happily. "Sure."

She really is pretty. But, it's not just her looks he is attracted to. She-- Toh paused when she started singing.

'I am no music expert, but a voice like this deserves more credit.'

"Who taught you to sing? You're very good."

Sumire's cheeks coloured. "Oh, I-I learned on my own. I naturally had a louder voice than most people. So, I tried to give singing a go."

Is that how it's supposed to work? Or is she just a musical genius?

"What about playing the piano, guitar and is it the violin too?"

For somebody her age to be skilled with three instruments. This girl has no idea how talented she is. Seeing Sumire flustered and averting her gaze. Toh paused.

She really is clumsy at receiving compliments. Toh doesn't urge her to speak, and plays with a strand of her hair. He truly enjoys these peaceful moments with her.

*Unedited*