Continued involvement

When she and Futaba finally entered the room, she kept her head low the entire time. Places like this, with so many people, made her uncomfortable. But she wanted to get away for a bit and take this chance to speak with Futaba.

Futaba was supposed to have been held back and be in her class. But it seems like her friend took lessons abroad and now she is in the second year. But that meant they could not be in the same class.

"Toh, you only just got here, but all the women are flocking to you already."

"Is that so?"

Huh?

Sumire lifted her head, and her eyes widened, spotting silver hair. Right at that moment, he looked over too; he seemed surprised as well but didn't say anything and simply smiled.

"It seems you know many cute women, my friend."

"Huh what ar- Futaba-san! I am so glad you accepted!"

Futaba smiled. "It's been a while, Dillan, I just returned, and the invitation came to me as soon as I got off the plane."

"Of course, my timing is perfect!" Dillan trailed off. "Who is your friend?"

"This girl is my best friend, Ibuki Sumire. I hope you all treat her well."

Geh, why did Futaba have to introduce her? Right after that introduction, people gathered around her introducing themselves and making small talk.

Futaba walked away with a pleased expression on her face.

'Damn her. I should have known she would do something like this.' Although Futaba got bullied, many people liked her too. Her friend was the type who would get along with just about anybody.

It was difficult getting away from the crowd, but when she finally did. Toh sat beside her. At first, he did not speak to her, but she knew he was watching her. Sumire awkwardly tried to sit further away, but he casually got closer.

When she felt his hand on her lap, she immediately froze; this guy, what is he doing?

"So miss, do you come to these places often?" Toh asked casually.

He wasn't speaking to her but to the woman beside her, and yet the way he casually put food on her plate seemed to draw the eerie of the many women.

Eventually, he turned to her with a smile and mumbled something quietly.

Sumire returned his greeting with a casual smile as she stood up and said she wanted to get some fresh air.

She increased her footsteps and eventually reached the end of the hall after turning a corner. The moment she does that, she hears somebody approaching, and in the next second, Toh has her trapped against the wall.

"Toh, you drank too much," Sumire mumbled as she pulled away.

"I didn't think I'd see you here." Toh trailed off and kissed the strand of her hair. "Is it just me? You're quite pretty today."

Words of a drunk person, Sumire sighed.

"It was a coincidence, but since we have met, I think I'll take advantage of it." She mumbled. She extended her hand out and caressed his cheek. "I thought you said you could hold your liquor."

"It depends what I drink. That guy Dillan must plan to seduce somebody since all the drinks are like this."

Sumire recalled the man's reaction towards Futaba, and she silently prayed in her head. 'May he live in peace.'

"It seems like you're not worried."

"If I am worried, it's your friend I am concerned about. Anybody who makes a move on Futaba usually ends up getting hit. It's a natural instinct she has had since she was a child."

"So she isn't good with guys?"

"That is correct." Sumire paused. "You sent me a message saying you wanted to meet with me later on. What was that about?"

Toh's lips curved to a sly smirk.

"I have some free time, so I thought we could talk and get to know each other better."

Sumire blinked, hearing his words. It took her a moment to process what he had just said. When she received the message, she was expecting something else. She thought of all sorts of scenarios. It was the first time he took the initiative to invite her.

So, when he said he was interested in her and wanted to see how things would progress, he was serious?

It is hard to believe, but if that is the case she ought to respond somehow.

"I don't mind," Sumire mumbled.

"So after this? We can leave whenever you want to. I am not fond of staying in gatherings like this for a long time anyway."

"Hmmm, it is tempting."

"You did seem like you were struggling back there."

"I told you before that I am no good with crowds. Places like this make me very uncomfortable. But Futaba probably meant well. Just like she transformed, she wants me to do the same."

It's understandable. Futaba must have been worried about her. However, doing this on the very first day is a bit- her thoughts break off when she finds Toh staring at her.

"I see, then excuse me for a second." Toh pulled her into his arms, and her eyes widened, surprised.

For a minute, she tried to break free but realized that it was futile.

"Yeah, that's it, just relax."

Oh, hearing his soothing voice is quite relaxing. Sumire didn't realize how tense she had been. Is this why Toh hugged her? It's true that since she saw all those people earlier, she wanted nothing more than to find a corner and hide somewhere.

"The reason you are so bad around people, have you ever tried to find out? Perhaps there was something that happened when you were younger?"

"Mmm, actually, some of my childhood memories are blurry. So perhaps something did happen."

"I see, but let me ask you in general. From what you remember, do you ever recall feeling isolated from the rest of the world?"

"Ah, that's right. For a long time, I felt that no matter how-" Sumire paused. "Wait, are you trying to do a profile analysis on me?"

Sensing his silence, Sumire frowned.

"I don't mind you getting to know me; we already discussed that is what we want from each other for now anyway. But doing a profile analysis is forbidden."

Toh sighed deeply; it seemed like he hadn't thought about this one carefully.

"Then, what about this? Would you mind if I invite you over to my place a few times every week?"

"Your place?"

"Both of us must have very busy schedules. I don't mind meetings outside, but you probably don't want to be seen hanging around me too much."

"I suppose so."

'I have heard the many bad rumors surrounding him.' Even Masaru warned her that Toh is the type to fool around with women. But even Masaru said, 'only one woman at a time.' After hearing that, she figured that if she kept his attention on her, then he wouldn't see anybody else in the meantime.

Based on his behavior in the room earlier, although girls were flocking to him, he wasn't paying much attention to them. In fact, the moment he saw her, Toh immediately shifted his attention to her.

It seems like that information was correct. For now, this person is focusing on her. If that's the case, she has to use his 'interest' before it disappears.

"Then, I'll give you a signal when we can leave. I'm just going to wash my face. You head back inside." Toh gave her hands a reassuring squeeze before walking in the direction of the restrooms.

Sumire watched his retreating figure until it vanished.

'He truly is an unusual person, but I have stopped shaking, and my heart isn't beating as fast as earlier. I left the room thinking I would have a panic attack, but that is not what happened.'

Mashima Toh, huh? It seems like they will continue getting more and more involved with one another.