191 For her sake

She feels very frustrated knowing that guy can do something nobody else has been able to do. Her thoughts broke off when Ran stirred awake.

"Is that food?" Ran immediately said. He stands up, letting go of their hands in the process. "That smells good."

Sumire frowned. "It's for Futaba! Nobody else can have any."

"You're stingy."

"I don't want to hear that from you."

Futaba glanced at their interaction curiously. So Succhan can interact naturally with Ran-chan? She thought things would be more awkward between them, but it seems like that isn't the case here.

Mamoru chuckled. "Right, right. No need to worry." He placed the tray in front of her. "Eat before it gets taken away."

Futaba nodded and opened the pot. It was a pot of fresh congee with honey and her favourite strawberries. The appearance is good, and the smell is good, like Ran-chan said. She confidently picked up the spoon and dug right in.

She stared at in shock for a few seconds before she continued to eat.

Sumire laughed. "Is it tasty? I'm glad."

'It seems I have underestimated Mashima Toh. What did he do to get Succhan's cooking to become this good?

"It's not like you to get so sick, Futaba. Did something happen?" Sumire wondered.

The reason she suddenly became sick. Maybe it's because she has been investigating the drug-related case seriously? Perhaps she subconsciously came in contact with something during one of her jobs. Futaba was about to voice out this theory, but she paused and realized something.

But that job was initially in Succhan's territory. She will blame herself. Right at that moment, her gaze met Ran-chan's, and he was talking before she could stop him.

"It's because of the jobs she has been doing since she returned to the country."

At those words, the air turned cold, and Sumire's expression darkened.

She turned to the door, and Mamoru frantically grabbed her hand.

"Hold on, Ki, what are you thinking?"

"I am going to march into Aki's office, grab the location of where Futaba has been going, and wreak havoc."

Futaba's sweat fell at how casually Succhan said it.

"You can't, Ki. You know how dangerous this job is."

"From the very start, this was supposed to be my job. If Aki-san didn't keep it from me." Sumire shakes her head. "She must have come in contact with something. I need to go there myself and find out." She turned to her. "Futaba, go home and rest. If it gets worse, admit yourself into the holy knights medic center."

"Succhan, wait you-"

Sumire looks at her with a pained smile. "I will sort it. You don't have to worry about it."

With those words said, Sumire left, and Mamoru looked at her and whispered. 'Leave her to me' before chasing after Sumire. The minute they left, Ran told her to finish eating, and she did so.

"Are Tsueno and Sumire dating?" Ran suddenly asked.

"Eh?"

"Just now, I saw how they interacted," Ran said, clearly uncomfortable.

It was her first time seeing such a distressed expression on his face.

"N--no-" Futaba said nervously.

"Then is her boyfriend, Masato? I notice they get along well."

"Why do you think she has a --"

"Don't you think she is rejecting me even strongly now?" He argued.

"No?" Futaba replied honestly.

Just now, when she saw them interact, it actually surprised her how naturally Succhan was treating him. What made him feel this way?

"She is. She must have a boyfriend."

This is bad. She doesn't want Ran-chan to find out yet. Rather she could imagine his fury if he discovered that Succhan was dating some older guy. Futaba placed her hand on her head, and Ran-chan took the tray away and picked up the tablets.

"For now, take these painkillers."

"Right." Futaba said nervously as she accepted the pills and the glass of water. Ran placed his hand on her forehead again, and he kept frowning. "I think we should go to the hospital after all. Your not well."

"If I stay in the holy knights medic center, chances are they will drain my blood for some experiments."

"Hm? There are other hospitals in the area. It won't hurt to go."

"I suppose we could go. I'd like to rest a bit more."

"Cool." Ran trailed off as he took out his bag and took out a script with post-it notes.

Futaba tilted her head. "Are you going to be participating in a drama?"

"Yeah, normally I don't like this type of work. But with my leg in this state. I decided this would be better."

Futaba blinked. So he is making use of his unfortunate situation? She wonders when did Ran-chan become so mature.

Sometimes she wonders just how well people who know Ran really know Ran.

For example, she used to think she was the person who knew Ran-chan the best. After all, she practically spent her entire life since she was born right by his side. Their mothers got pregnant at the same time, and while Ran-chan was born a couple of days earlier. He was right by her side when she was born in this world.

She'd always been there with him – through thick and thin. They have spent so many years together, and they have both endured so much. Her being the daughter of a mafia boss, and Ran's father is a well-known thief. Their lifestyle was embedded in crime from the moment they were born.

But look at them now. Both are famous figures in the entertainment industry. Although she is part of the underworld, Ran-chan is different. He has a normal career and goes to school like a regular kid.

She is proud that he didn't turn to the underworld as she did. At the very least, he doesn't have to stain his hands. Ran-chan probably wanted the same for her since when they were in France, he frequently tried to persuade her to quit.

'You don't need this. Your career is successful.'

It's not like she joined the underworld for money. She only joined to protect Succhan.

She always stayed quiet whenever he brought up quitting, sensing her attitude towards the subject. Ran-chan stopped bringing it up.