113 Getting closer

"So, are you saying that there was a high chance they accepted his aide using forceful measures?"

"That's right."

Sumire clenched her fist, which had been holding onto a flower, causing the vines to prick her hand. Droplets of red blood and a cut appeared on her palm.

"I shouldn't have been lenient," Sumire mumbled.

'That was lenient?' Her morals have indeed gone. But, to think it would be this bad. No, he doesn't want to give up on her. He has a ninety-nine-point-nine success rate. He has only ever failed one case before.

"Then I should stop being lenient too." Toh agreed with a nod. He appeared behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and placed a flower globe on her hands.

"This?"

"This is all I can do for you. Do you like it?"

Sumire laughed softly. "Don't be silly. You have done so much for me already, and yes, I like it. I'm sorry for burdening you, Toh."

He shakes his head. "Now, who is being silly? Your not burdening me at all."

"Then, if that's the case. I have to ask you to please take care of me for a bit longer."

Toh's eyes widened, realizing the meaning of her words. Did he make it too obvious? Either way, now he has more time to spend with her now.

_____

Sunday 22nd February

After recovering from her terrible fever, Sumire decided it would be better to head back. She felt like she could no longer burden Toh any longer. However, Toh caught her fever, so she stayed behind for a bit. But she ended up falling asleep. Sumire reached over and touched his forehead. His body temperature seems normal. But Toh told her that he seldom gets sick. In other words, it means when he does get sick, it will be worse.

Sumire gently removed his hand wrapped around her waist and removed her part of the quilt as she stood up. Her gaze fell on her slightly crumpled nightgown, and her cheeks grew hot. Well, part of the reason she fell asleep was because Toh dragged her to bed with him.

Wait, dragged her to bed- that sounds wrong.

Just as she proceeds to leave the room, a voice from behind stops her.

"Where are you escaping to?" Toh mumbled. He picked up the quilt and hugged it in his arms, only revealing one blurred eye. He seemed quite grumpy.

"I didn't want to wake you. Normally you sleep in more, right?"

One of the things she has learned about Toh is his unusual sleeping habits. He seldom sleeps when he has work to do, but when he has no jobs, he sleeps most of the day. Perhaps it is to replenish his strength from all those times he didn't sleep.

"It's your fault."

Uh, he is in a bad mood, isn't he?

"Besides, I locked the door before we went to bed. So I don't think you would have been able to get out."

That's right, the locks in his place all require a special electronic key.

"Then, can you unlock it now? I would like to make you a meal." Sumire asked.

"Do you not understand why I locked it?"

"To block others from coming in?" Sumire said, puzzled at his question.

"Not quite. What is the other reason?"

It slowly dawned on her when he said it. "To trap me inside?"

"This is why I like you."

Sumire panicked hearing those words and averted her gaze. He has been more open since he took her to the park.

"If you don't get closer, I can't kiss you."

"I-I won't move from here!" Sumire exclaimed.

When he is half asleep, he teases her more than usual.

"Come here," Toh muttered as he buried his head under the quilt. "It's too early. You can cook later."

Sumire sighed and walked back over to the bed. The moment she was in front, Toh grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her onto the bed. She landed in his arms.

"Sorry," Toh mumbled.

"About?"

"Last night, it seemed I have no control when I am sick. Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"

"Y-you just kissed me, don't make it sound so misleading." Sumire stammered.

"It wasn't just a single kiss, though. Kisses are very important to women, so I thought you would be upset since I kissed you without asking."

It is far too late to be considerate! But strangely enough, when he did that yesterday, she wasn't afraid. Why is it so different with this person? He isn't Yuhi, but she allows him to do this.

"The past week has changed my mind drastically. I hope that after all this, you can consider willingly handing yourself over to me."

"Your acting so arrogant!" Sumire sat up. "Weren't you the one pushing me away, saying you wanted to speak to my guardian first?"

"I changed my mind on the day we went to the park."

The day after? Sumire sighed deeply. This person does everything at his own pace. She hates to admit it, but they are quite similar.

Toh sat up and leaned forward.

"What-"

"Stay still, don't talk."

Sumire dumbly nodded as she closed her mouth, and Toh inched closer and closer as he brushed his fingers across her lips. E-eh? Wait, is he going to kiss her again? W-what? She closed her eyes and felt her heart beat violently in her chest. It's so loud. There is only a small distance between them; he can probably hear her. After a few seconds, however, she didn't feel his lips on hers; instead, his fingers lingered on her lips.

"Lipstick, you still have some of it on."

Sumire stared at him, speechless. Couldn't he have just told her a normal way?

"Don't tease me."

"I'm not teasing. After breakfast, why don't we kiss more?"

His suggestion made her avert her gaze. It was difficult to look away since he was so close. Mashima Toh isn't a player, but he just happens to have had many girlfriends. So he is experienced, it would make sense why he can say such embarrassing lines without being nervous. But it still surprises her.

She lowered her head further to avoid looking at him.

"I don't think we should. I-I'm still mad-"

That second half was a lie. She wasn't particularly mad. It just surprised her.

"Then I will apologize again. I'm sorry, my lady, do your lips still hurt? Does it require special medical attention?"

Sumire blushed hearing those words. "You even speak like a playboy, but there is something elegant about the words you use." She felt very frustrated.

Why is Toh like this? She has never dealt with this type of person before.