145 Happiness comes to those who smile

"As for what you should do." Aki trailed off. "I believe it's best if you stick with Mashima Toh."

Sumire blinked, surprised at Aki's piece of advice. She thought that he would take back his previous words and make her stay here. Does Aki know something about Toh that she doesn't?

Now that she thought about it, the one who did Toh's background check was Aki. Toh passed the Holy Knight's background checks, but the one who approves those checks is usually Aki. She previously suspected that he manipulated the information, and she can confirm that theory.

What is he hiding? She has gotten better at reading others' expressions. It's practically a requirement for this job. But it is difficult to do so with this person. More importantly, if he is hiding something about Toh from her, then it means there is more to Toh than what she has already seen.

From the first night they met, she already suspected that there was something else. Initially, this was why she didn't want to get closer to Toh. But now that it has gotten to this stage, she is thinking of accepting his feelings. She may have to conduct the background search herself.

Suppose Toh is working with the people causing havoc in the town right now. What will she do? She cannot imagine Toh being her enemy.

"Very well." Sumire agreed.

"I see you're not arguing today."

"You are the boss."

Although they both know, had he suggested that she stayed here, she would have kicked up a fuss.

"The others seem frightened, and even Masaru-senpai. Is there something about this guy after me that is different this time?" Sumire wondered.

"Other than him being a wanted criminal in several countries, you mean?"

"Yes, something other than the official superficial reasoning."

It wouldn't be her first time dealing with terrorists, and yet Masaru-senpai insisted that was the reason he was concerned.

"Hmm, I do know something, but it will cost you."

Sumire sighs, hearing his reply. Of course, he would do this. There is a saying that nothing in this world is free, but this person overdoes it. How many unreasonable favors has she had to do for him?

Aki suddenly appeared in front of her. "Why don't you take a stroll with me?"

'What a surprisingly reasonable request. No, this is him. There must be more to this than meets the eye.' Sumire exhaled deeply as she agreed.

Aki grinned and led her to the back of the courtyard, and her eyes twitched, annoyed when she saw the large creature in front of her. She knew there must be some type of catch to this 'walk.'

"Aki-san, with all due respect. I think you know better than anybody that I am afraid of heights."

"Relax, you can hold onto me. You will be fine." Aki said confidently. "Besides, wouldn't it be bad for you? If you were seen on a night stroll with a man before your first TV performance?"

Indeed, she cannot refute those words.

"Then we don't have to go anywhere." Sumire pointed out the flaw in his plan, and Aki laughed.

"Then you won't be able to get the information." Aki winked as he extended his hand toward her.

Sumire could only sigh again as Aki helped her up. The first time she tried climbing on this thing was years ago, and she lost count of how many times she lost her footing and fell on her butt. Sumire glanced over and noticed that Aki wasn't on the ground anymore and turned to her side. He truly is mysterious.

"Now then, shall we go?"

Sumire nodded. The sudden movement startled her, and she had no choice but to grab onto Aki's arm to balance herself. It didn't take long before they ascended into the darkness of the night. She felt herself swaying a few times due to the wind, but eventually, they reached a point where the breeze had calmed down.

It was an unusual experience. She was afraid of heights, and the last time Aki forced her on this, she kept her eyes shut the entire time. But, perhaps it was because she had been feeling confident recently. Sumire kept her eyes open.

The view before her was gorgeous. Amid the darkness, the bright lights of the city glowed brightly. There were patches of darkness, with no lights. This is only normal since it is already quite late. Unlike larger cities, star town is only a small place. Most people tend to sleep quite early. But there is always activity in places people cannot see.

A flood of lights that resemble stars. The stars right beside them and the stars below. It truly is a breathtaking sight.

This truly is nice. Sumire recalled how Aki sent her on a job earlier after her rehearsal. He did that so she could get away and clear her thoughts. Regardless of how it went, he sent her away, knowing she would need time to herself.

He truly is an odd person. 'The one I like is you, Riri.' When she first started dating Sano roughly a year ago, Aki uttered those ridiculous words. No matter how ridiculous it was, she still responded to him properly.

She wonders if he helps her so much because he loves her. But if that is true, he would have no reason to help her anymore after being rejected.

Her gaze flickered towards him, and for the first time in a long time, she saw a dark and clouded look in his eyes.

'Has he been doing that this whole time?'

Since joining the Holy Knights, Sumire has learned a lot about this person; it didn't take long before she understood him. When he goes on his little outings, it's because he has something on his mind. The reason he was in the courtyard before she came must be because he has something on his mind again.

Sumire takes a deep breath before she calls out to him. "Aki-san, stop making such an unhappy face when the view is beautiful."

Almost after she said these words, she felt like a hypocrite. But she truly doesn't want to see anybody unhappy.

"Smile Aki-san. Happiness always comes to those who smile."

If invisible arrows could hit a person after each lie they tell, then there would be several arrows already hitting her. She is a hypocrite and a liar. But, even if it is for a short moment, she wants to dispel his unease and worries.