For the first time

TOH

From the moment he met Ibuki Sumire, he has been drawn to her and only her. 'I'm not just exaggerating this either. The moment I saw her in the casino, I was hooked. I wanted to get to know her. That's why I followed her out, I wanted to take that chance.' 

He has found plenty of females attractive in the past, but he never put in the effort to court them. Ninety nine percent of the time they would approach him. While Sumire's gaze did wander in his direction, the girl never came to him.

'That's why I went after her instead. For the first time in my life, I chased after someone.'

He would never have thought that decision would lead to such drastic changes in his life.

That decision, led to him falling in love.

Mamoru stares at him in disbelief. "You really do like Ki."

"Is it that surprising?" Toh wondered.

"Do you want my honest opinion on that?"

Toh nodded.

"I didn't think you were serious about her." Mamoru admitted. "Although I figured earlier on that you would not harm her. I couldn't figure out your feelings for her."

"Trying to analyze a psychologist feelings? I don't know whether that's stupid or not."

"I have always cared about Ki. Regardless of my feelings for her, I would have kept her safe and protected her the way I have been."

'I know that too. I can tell Tsueno Mamoru is genuinely a kind person. The self sacrificing or hero complex is annoying. However, that's just how he is. Even if he didn't harbour romantic feelings for Sumire, Tsueno Mamoru would have continued watching over her like he does.'

"That's why, I only want what's best for her."

"And you figured Terashima Yuhi would be the one for her?" Toh asked.

Mamoru nodded. "I didn't think anybody could love her like Yuhi did. Although there are plenty of others who love her, they don't love her as deeply as Yuhi does." He trails off and looks him up and down. "But you might actually love her just as much."

Mamoru's tone contained traces of uncertainty and Toh understood why.

'Even I'm not sure. I know I love her, and that I feel strongly for her. But, is it more than Terashima Yuhi? I haven't seen how the two interact yet. However, ever since I learned the identity of the one she liked. I have been doing my own investigations.'

From the information he has gathered so far, there is no doubt Terashima Yuhi has someone he likes. Every single music critic in the industry have pointed out that nearly all of Terashima's songs, if not all are dedicated to one person. To go that far, must mean those songs are dedicated to someone he likes. Unfortunately, Terashima has kept it a tightly guarded secret. Nobody knows the identity of the person he likes.

'So, I listened to his music properly and I knew immediately. Only those who know Sumire well would notice. But, he was singing for Sumire. I felt threatened. I don't know Terashima, but after listening to those songs, I knew he was serious about Sumire.'

But just being serious isn't enough. After all Nagawa Sano is also serious about Sumire, however, look how he ended up treating her. Until he knows for certain, he cannot hand Sumire over.

'I don't doubt his feelings, but I need to make sure he is a good person-' Toh stops in mid thought realizing that he was starting to sound like Tsueno.

Does Tsueno always consider these factors?

"It's really weird how much you like her, almost like you two are connected by fate."

Toh raised his eyebrow. "You don't seem like the type of person who believes in such things."

"True, but after seeing Yuhi with Ki. I started to believe it was possible." 

"And now you think the same with me and her?" Toh said mildly amused.

It's true he has strong feelings for Ibuki Sumire, but to call it fate is a bit of a stretch.

Mamoru shrugged. "Just think about it. How else would you explain growing so attached to her in a short amount of time?"

Indeed, his connection with her isn't normal. 'If it was just me feeling this way, I could brush it off as experiencing new emotions that I haven't before. But, Sumire made it clear how comfortable she felt around me even before we started dating.'

"We live in a society where evolved humans, and hanyou's exist. So, things like being connected by fate shouldn't be surprising either." Mamoru continues. "Moreover, if you truly had a bond like that with her, then it would stablize your relationship more."

'Meaning, I wouldn't have to hand her over to Terashima.'

"I see." Toh mumbled. "But a theory is a theory, and if there is no evidence to back it up, acting on it would be foolish."

Mamoru doesn't say anymore and continues his work.

Despite his reply, Toh was already storing the information in his head. Tsueno wouldn't have said those words for nothing. Unfortunately he has too much going on right now to actually look into it.

'I need to focus on my plans to betray the Lord, focus on a way to be with Sumire peacefully.'

He doesn't have time to chase down theories of fate.

But, 'I do like the idea of it. Sharing a deep connection with her.' The one person who has brought the light into his life that he didn't think he needed.

His thoughts break off when he feels someone glancing over.

Speak of the devil and she appears.

It was Sumire. She was peeking through the door and watching them curiously. Toh walks over and Sumire leans forward to greet him with a kiss on his cheek.

 "You're not fighting today?" Sumire asked.

Toh chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Did you want to see a fight?"

Sumire's eyes brightened. "I want to see who is stronger."

"So, you could challenge the winner?" Toh said knowingly.

Sumire pouted. "What's wrong with that?"

She's so cute, 'I'd really like to kiss her right now, but Tsueno is around.'

To his surprise Sumire suddenly stood on her tip toe. "My kiss?" Sumire asked.

Toh chuckled. 'I shouldn't be surprised anymore. She has certainly gotten a lot bolder.'