Why?

SUMIRE

Even now she can feel the fire threatening to burst out of her body and simply burn everything away. Sumire shakes her head. She can't allow that to happen.

"Find a lady with purple hair, tell her that I'm fine and-"

'Send a message to Toh and tell him- tell him that I'm-' Sumire bites her lip.

Riho suddenly clasped her hands. "I understand the mission. You want your loved ones to know that you're fine and that you'll return to them. I'll get that message across."

Sumire guarded Riho until she is sure the girl safely made it down. With the amount of police and Hyou4 people, no doubt the car park is safe. But if that's the case, she should destroy any means for the enemy to get to them. Seeing the lift reach the ground floor. Sumire waited for a few minutes before she destroyed the lift. Now then, she ought to be on the fifth floor by now. Unlike the previous floors however, Sumire noted that this place wasn't under gun fire. Nor did there seem to be anybody else around. 

Sumire shakes her head. She has been in this industry for many years now, how many times has she been in a situation like this? It didn't take long before she sensed movement. Sumire quickly raised her gun and fired, right that moment someone lunged at her.

It was Arata. Sumire frowned. When she saw the terrorists, it did cross her mind that this person may be involved. But, seeing the methods of the group. Sumire dismissed that thought, it seemed like she was wrong to do so if he is here.

The previous times they have fought on the same side. However, she knew today wouldn't be the same. Arata must have thought the same since his attacks became more vicious. Now that she thinks about it, this person came to star town to defeat her right? 

Toh doesn't like talking about Arata often, but that was one of the pieces of information she managed to obtain.

It feels like so much time has passed since he left her that scary warning, that even got Masaru-senpai spooked. 

"I have to say." Arata commented in between blows. "I almost thought you didn't have it in you to be ruthless, but seeing the amount of destruction you caused here. It seems the rumors about you were correct."

It takes her a moment to process Arata's words. Wait, does he think she is responsible for this destruction? If he is misunderstanding this strongly then does this mean that he isn't involved?

"While it pleases me that you're living up to my expectations. I don't exactly appreciate my men being cut up into pieces."

"I didn't-'' Sumire paused. Does she really have to explain herself? Even if he isn't her enemy today, eventually they'll have to cross paths and fight each other. May be it would be better to allow him to continue misunderstanding her and yet, she doesn't want that.

'It wasn't me. I didn't do it.'

Sumire continued to fight Arata but she insisted that she didn't do it whenever she got the chance. Even though he wasn't listening to her. Sumire wasn't about to give up. She will keep this up until he listens. 

'I have to admit though, he really is strong.' Only a few people have managed to keep up with her pace like this. 

Her thoughts break off catching movement in the shadows, only to realize that someone was sneaking up on them. No not them, but they were aiming for Arata.

Sumire reached out for her knife and threw it at the person, causing them to land on the ground. 

"You really didn't attack my men?" Arata said, confused that she just saved him.

"That's what I've been trying to say." Sumire exclaimed.

Arata frowned and pulled his leg away from her face. "Truce?

Sumire nodded. "Until we find our way out yes."

She had no choice but to destroy the exit she made Riho use, and any other exits she found. However, not all. She has to secure at least one exit to get the remaining people out of this building. 

"If you've been here for awhile. Have you seen anyone with golden blonde hair? Blue eyes? Wearing a name tag that says-"

"Nagawa Sano?" Arata finished for her. 

Sumire nodded. "Do you know where?"

"Come with me." Arata said. 

She quickly follows him. After walking for a few minutes Arata eventually stops at one of the doors at the end of the corridor and opened it. At first all she could see was darkness, until she found a small spec of light in the corner of the room. There crouched down on a broken mattress was Sano. 

"Oi Nagawa, a guest for you."

At those words Sano raised his head and his eyes widened. "Sumire? What are you doing here? What about your concur?"

Right, the concur. Since her phone died, she has no way of knowing the time and for some odd reason. Every single clock in this building was broken. 

"I'll leave you two here for a bit. I saw something odd earlier and want to check it out." Arata didn't say anymore and quickly exited.

Neither she nor Sano made the move to talk or even get any closer. Both of them were looking at each other cautiously. This is awkward, she came all this way to save him. But, he doesn't actually look too pleased to see her. Not that she was expecting some sort of emotional reunion after what happened the last time they saw each other.

There is no trace of the beating Toh gave Sano, but instead he is covered in different types of wounds.

"How do you know Arata?" Sano asked breaking the silence.

"That's my line." Sumire mumbled.

Sano sighed weakly. "What are you even doing here...?"

'I heard...the hospital had been bombed. I took on the job because I was worried about you...'

How could she tell him that? No, the question here is. How could she tell him that without him misunderstanding? Her thoughts break off when she gets a proper look at him. Her eyes widened alarmed seeing the number of injuries on his body, and she finds him looking at her the same way. 

"Your hurt--" They say at the same time. But it was Sano who made the move to touch her cheek.

"I--I'm fine---"

Sano shakes his head and rips his sleeves as he wiped the blood from the cut on her cheek. 

"Why did you come here Sumire?" Sano repeated.

"I wanted to help." Sumire mumbled quietly before adding.

"This job was assigned to me."