Since the first meeting

TOH

Masaru chuckles weakly. "Even I know when to admit defeat. Besides, when you personally witness the girl you love being happy because of another guy. When you see the way they look at each other-" He trails off and shakes his head. "I wish you luck, but do not say you weren't warned."

Before Toh could reply, he hears his phone beep to see a message from Sumire. 

From: Sumire

I found the perfect spot to eat!

Can you meet me outside the hall? 

Toh quickly excused himself and walked away from Tachibana. 

'Just when I think I have you all figured out, you do something unexpected.'

Sumire's words from the other day echo in his head.

Something unexpected huh? There is something he wants to do.

'I wonder how she would react if I proposed to her? I know we haven't been dating long, but even Sumire has said something similar to a proposal before. So, perhaps she won't mind.'

He truly wants her. They are both still young, so this move is definitely reckless. However, these days when he is away from her. There is this longing he cannot get rid of her.

When he see's her, he wants to keep her close, and to give her everything. A single word from her is all it would take for him to give everything up.

'I'm going crazy, my feelings for her are no longer normal.'

Still, Tachibana's words do worry him.

'Ever since our hot spring trip, I knew eventually the issue of Terashima Yuhi would come up.'

But, he truly underestimated the love Sumire had for the guy. If even someone oozing with confidence like Tachibana Masaru is staying away.

He needs to look into this situation more.

'To what extent do they care for each other? Can an outsider like me intervene, or is it truly impossible?'

____

SUMIRE

Ever since she met Mashima Toh, it feels like her quality of life has improved. While she still does work for the underworld, it feels like she has been able to balance attending school and working towards her debut better. There has been nothing but positives. At the start, she was worried that dating would get in the way of her career plans and the underworld. It certainly did when she was dating Sano. However, Mashima Toh's presence in her life has actually helped her.

The president of star records, her 'guardian' also seemed to be pleased that she is working towards her debut more earnestly these days.

'I was in a good mood, and that's why I went along with Kou and Mikaze-kun.' Normally she wouldn't participate in such challenges. 

However, after last night?

'I wonder, since when did Toh touching me have such an affect on me? I still get embarrassed but when we do it, I feel such joy.' 

When she saw him at the concert hall, she was even happier.

'There was a fifty percent chance that he wouldn't show up.' But, he came for her.

Unfortunately this happiness is being shattered by the arrival of this person. The moment she saw him, she excused herself and told Toh to wait while she greeted an 'old friend.'

"What on earth are you doing here?" Sumire exclaimed.

This person standing in front of her wearing a dark lab coat was none other than Eli. A researcher from the facility she used to belong to as a child. 

When he first approached her, she was wary of him. After all, she regarded all those who worked in that place as enemies.

Eli chuckled. "I heard about the trouble here, and thought to check up on you."

"I'm busy." Sumire snapped.

Eli peers over her shoulder clearly spotting Toh. "-it seems I interrupted your date."

Sumire glared at him but Eli continued to shrug. "Times are getting really dangerous, and here you are fooling around with a guy."

At those words her gaze dimmed and she sunk to the ground. "I don't know what I'm doing these days."

Eli blinks. "You seem to be extremely fond of him."

Sumire felt her face flame at those words. "It wasn't like this with San. Sure, I really liked him, but-" Her sentence fell short when she saw Eli looking at Toh oddly.

"Queen, this man you're fond of looks extremely familiar."

"He's also a member of the underworld."

"Which group?"

At those words she averted her gaze and Eli was shaking his head.

"Don't tell me you've been dating a man who belongs to the underworld without knowing which group he belongs to?"

"He won't hurt me." Sumire exclaimed.

Eli was looking at her with disapproving eyes. "You must find out. Rather, when did you meet him?"

Sumire bites her bottom lip and explains everything.

She sees the suspicion in Eli's eyes and she raises her hand in surrender. "I get it, the timing of our meeting was suspicious. It was during the time the black alice organisation suddenly became more active."

"If you know then-"

"But Eli, Toh is really good to me. I haven't been treated like this by anyone in a long time. Although I have many friends, who respect and like me enough. None of them act the way Toh does with me."

"Toh, as in Mashima Toh?" Eli suddenly said.

"Yeah, do you know him?"

Eli looked back at Toh and then at her and exhaled deeply. "I don't think he will be able to hide it for long, especially with what has been going on recently."

"What does that-" Sumire's sentence fell short when Eli dumped several stacks of files in her hands. "Wait, are you expecting me to read all this?"

"Yes, no skim reading. Read every word."

Sumire sighs. "You know how busy I am."

"Trust me, this information is worth it." Eli turned to leave but paused. "Queen, no matter what you hear or see from now on. Do not act on impulse. Judge based on how you feel."