New complication

SUMIRE

She must have cried herself to sleep, because when she opened her eyes. She found herself in an odd position. It takes her a few extra minutes to register what had happened, and where she was. Right, the urgent mission. Her frantically accepting without thinking of the consequences. The first two kills, the unusually kind and friendly nurse, Arata and then finding Sano. 

Now the odd position she is in now. Waking up not only beside Sano but their bodies entangled with one another. Sano had one of his arms supporting her head, protecting her from the wall. The other one was wrapped around her waist. As for her, her hands were tugging on his shirt. 

'I don't remember how I ended up falling asleep beside him. Even if I agreed to sleep, surely I wouldn't have laid beside him? I am not that naive.' Her emotions may have been a mess but she wouldn't have done something so silly. That aside, his thigh was between her legs. If she so much moved, it would get worse. So she simply remained still.

A deep sigh escaped her lips as she debated what to do. She thinks back to what happened before she fell asleep. 'What was I doing admitting that? It's over. It's already over. But, hearing the truth. At least part of the truth, I realize I can't just walk away and pretend I didn't hear it.'

As much as she hates to admit it Sano has sacrificed a lot for her sake. 

'I am no saint to forgive him for his behaviour. But, I can't hate him either.'

She sighs again. Right now it would be helpful if she had Toh by her side. If Toh was here, he would help her sort her thoughts out. Sumire paused. She still doesn't know what time it was, but there is no doubt that she has missed her performance slot already. Being disqualified from the first concur doesn't mean 

'I wonder if Toh picked out a dress, and how did he feel about the notes? Did he find them all?'

Toh. Toh would have shown up, he would have realized she wasn't there since he wouldn't see her watching Ran's performance. Even though Toh always encourages her to do whatever she wants and lets her make her own decisions. Sumire understood how difficult it was for Toh.

It's difficult because he wants to express his concern like Ru and the others, but he can't. Because for Toh her choice is all that matters, even if it puts her in danger. 

Sumire reached over and played with his hair. He looks so tired. Has he not been sleeping again? One of the traits she liked so much about him was this, he works so hard. He has power and connections, but he has never abused that. 

"Mmm, Sumire?" Sano murmured.

Sumire pulled her hand back but Sano grabbed hold of it. "It's fine, continue. I probably look like a mess since I haven't slept in a week."

Her eyes widened startled. "An entire week?"

"Yeah, getting a day off to watch your concur wasn't easy, especially during this busy time frame."

She already felt bad after hearing what Riho said about him staying over time. But it turns out he has been doing this for the past week.

"Did you, just come to watch?" Sumire wondered as she continued to fix his hair.

"Actually I got you a gift. I am relieved that I left it at home though. Had I brought it with me, chances are I would have lost it."

A gift. Is it something expensive again? He often brought her expensive gifts to appease her. 

Sumire finished combing his hair but her fingers brushed against his injuries. "Does it hurt?"

"A lot, but if you keep doing that it will feel better."

'We need to talk.' Sumire stopped herself from saying those words. There is no use saying it now. Maybe after this, when they escape this situation, they can meet up and talk properly.

"San-" Sumire's sentence fell short when he suddenly kissed her.

She remains still, thinking he would pull away immediately like before. But, even after a few minutes his lips remained on hers. It didn't take long before he had her mouth pried open and his tongue shot inside. 

She was completely out of breath. He's have-not once when they were dating did he kiss her like this. Sure there were a few 'passionate' kisses. But, it never went too far. If he can kiss like this, then did that mean he was truly treasuring her? Her mind was a mess. Everything she knew about the man she dated for a year and two months seemed to be a lie. Did she ever truly know him? Now she understands what he meant by needs. If he could kiss this way, and yet held back with her. She shuddered.

'Have I really misunderstood him? Was he truly in love me? Did he truly treasure me?' Admitting that she is wrong, isn't the problem here. She would be more than happy that she made a mistake, but then what about her feelings? Now that she knows he truly likes her, what is she supposed to do?

"Sano--San." Sumire corrected herself. "Don't do this."

Sano frowned and yet moved his lips away. He was still holding her, still pressing his body against hers. But at the very least he stopped kissing her. She would have sighed in relief, if she didn't see the look on his face.

Honestly, she didn't know what to do.

He sacrificed a lot, and while his methods weren't the best. He truly didn't mean any of those words.

'What am I supposed to do now? Had I learned this information before hand, before I met Toh. I wouldn't have dated Toh. I would have waited for San until they found a way to be together.'

She would have stayed with Sano.

She would have put up with everything.

All his cheating and lies, knowing it was just an act.

Even if it hurt, she would have still had faith in him. Her remaining faith in the world wouldn't have vanished. Why is she learning of this now? God can truly be cruel. She already feels guilty about what happened on her trip with Toh, and since then promised that she would try harder to love Toh. Now, a new complication has turned up.