Different

 TOH

Despite her roundabout way of saying things, Toh immediately understood. It's because she has no self value attached to her life. That's why even if she gets hurt or is suffering, she won't care anymore. This is not the first time he has dealt with a person like this. Countless patients the last few years especially have come to him with similar concerns. There was one guy, that was extremely bad, even when he was losing so much blood, he continued to speak like nothing was wrong.

'Sumire behaves in the same way. But, unlike that guy, She actually has people who care for her.' Still, those people don't know what to do when she behaves that way. Not even Tsueno who is the closest to her.

"I understand beautiful. But, I care."

Sumire's cheeks colour. "I-I mean, I know that but-"

"If someone cares about you beautiful, they won't like it when your hurt."

Toh sees the confusion in her eyes. This won't be easy, but, he will try.

"Let's look at it this way, if you see me hurt beautiful. If I was in that situation you wouldn't like it correct?"

"I'd feel horrible." Sumire admitted.

His eyes widened at her words. Just three words, but he can feel her pain already. She really would feel terrible if something happened to him.

"It's just like that."

"I'm sorry for making you feel that way Toh. I'll try to do better." 

Toh places a gentle kiss on her forehead. "How are your debut preparations coming along? You've been absent from school more because of that, correct?" Toh said changing the subject as he ran his hands down her back.

Sumire nodded. "The president is really enthusiastic about it. He says that a large concert at the end of the year, towards the new year will attract more attention."

Indeed, that is a good marketing strategy. Ending the year with a new act, and starting the year with one.

"So the concert will run past midnight?"

"At least two hours after."

"We will have to make sure you're fully rested then." Toh said.

Sumire laughs softly. "I suppose that means we won't be fooling around?"

Toh smirked. "Did you want to? Have a bit of fun after your concert?"

"I thought it would be nice being held after working so hard."

"That I can do for you beautiful, but I hope you have enough stamina for it."

"I've been working on my stamina a lot recently."

'I've noticed. I wonder if she has been putting in that much effort because I can't seem to keep my hands off her recently?' 

Sumire really has been doing her best for his sake. Sometimes he wonders however if she was like this when she was dating Nagawa Sano. It is a stupid thought, even if she did behave the same way. It doesn't make him less special. It just means she puts in effort for the people she cares for.

At some point in the conversation, his hands trailed on her thighs, lifting her gown. "Mm, Toh- your food." She started.

"Your needs come first." Toh mumbled.

'I didn't just randomly put my hands on her, I noticed her inching closer, and her own hands wandering.'

Sumire's face colours and she coughs. "Ahem, is it normal to notice that?"

Toh chuckled. "Normal people wouldn't make it so obvious."

Sumire pouts. "Are you saying I'm not normal? What happened to wanting me to experience life as a normal girl?"

A normal girl huh?

She has never been a normal girl. From the moment they met, he understood that. Koichi warned him repeatedly too. But, regardless he deluded himself into thinking he could change her situation. When she first smiled properly in front of him, Toh knew he was doomed. Because that single smile? It intensified his need to help her live a normal life.

His thoughts break off when Sumire suddenly curses. "Screw it, I'm just going for it."

Before he could get another word out, Sumire's tongue is inside his mouth. Toh blinked. 'Well, I didn't think she had it in her to do this. Although we have become more comfortable touching each other since that trip.'

It's different. There is something different about how Ibuki Sumire kisses him now. 

Now she skilfully nibbles at his bottom lip and playfully traces circles on his chest to get him worked up, so he could gain her access to his mouth. 

If someone told him that she would end up being such a good kisser. He might have laughed; laughed because he knew it wouldn't be because of him. 

From the very start, he knew his time with her was limited. Even if she wasn't the boss girl was looking for. At the back of his mind, he already accepted it was her. But, seeing Hijiri, having him admit it and followed by Sumire's reaction- Toh exhales deeply and shakes his head.

'Let me focus on her right now.'

Toh remembered toying with the idea that Sumire was just like the other women he dated. Women who focused on getting their own pleasure, rather than keep both parties satisfied. The women the boss asks him to go after tend to be like that.

When they first met she was already a full fledged budding beauty. To think it was only a few months ago, but Ibuki Sumire has blossomed from that budding beauty into something more. 

'I've had dreams, dirty ones about her. Despite how noble she sees me, even I have thoughts like any other male has.'

No matter how realistically he imagined it, he never thought his dream would come true. 

So even when they started to date, they'd kiss as well as make love. Toh tried not to get his hopes up. Sumire isn't that kind of woman, she's not like the other women he's been with before. She's not a good kisser, she doesn't make him crave her body so much that he pounces on her without hesitation, let alone moan like an animal whenever they make love. Toh didn't mind. He didn't want her to be like those other women. He enjoyed that she was different.