193 Investigations

She watched the two shake hands, but she noticed Atushi's face twist in pain. It takes her a moment to understand what was happening. She quickly clung to Toh's arm.

"Let's start investigating?"

"Sure darling."

Sumire shuddered seeing the smile on his face. Ever since Toh beat up Sano in the hospital. She is slowly starting to understand how suited this person was to be involved in the underworld. He certainly has the aura for it. Sometimes she wonders if he has a split personality.

How can he treat her with such kindness and yet has such a scary aura towards those who hurt her? Whenever they meet up in the park, she hears the passing by comments from fellow females who look at her in disgust. They all wonder why Toh is 'dating someone like her.'

Last time someone said that out loud. Toh got very angry. But unlike most people who would express their anger with glares or raising their voice.

He would do so with a smile and with words. She supposes being a psychologist and a public figure means he cannot lash out properly. But it certainly surprised her every time.

After investigating with the two for a few minutes, it didn't take her long to realize that they didn't get along. At first she thought Atushi-kun was only reacting negatively due to Toh's behaviour, but it seems like the two clearly disliked each other.

When Toh said something about 'this not being a playground for rich young boys.' She saw Atushi-kun about to snap, so she quickly sent him away insisting that he should check out the second floor.

Atushi reluctantly agreed and told her to be careful before heading towards the direction of the stairs that lead to the second floor.

Once Atushi was safely out of earshot, she turned to Toh.

"What was that?" Sumire questioned.

"Nothing."

Sumire frowned and tugged on his sleeve. "Dr Mashima who is usually so calm and composed actually snapped?"

This isn't like the other times he told those previous girls off for bad mouthing her.

"I don't like how he looks at you." Toh admitted.

She blinked for a moment before laughter escaped her lips. "Um, so are you jealous?"

Toh looked annoyed and sighes. "So this is jealousy? It's unpleasant. I can see why it would cause so much distress."

Ah, that's right. Toh has never liked anyone before. So this is the first time he is experiencing jealousy. 'That makes me a bit happy. I knew he was growing fond of me, but perhaps he likes me more than I thought. I wonder if I can like him the same way?'

Her thoughts break off when Toh suddenly leaned forward and backed her against the wall. It takes her a second to realise what he wanted, and when she finally understood. Toh is already kissing her.

"Probably not the best place for our daily kiss. But it'll do, we will be busy later on."

Sumire stood there frozen in shock for a few minutes.

Right the daily kisses. She agreed to it when he suggested she built up resistance towards guys. However, how could he do this now when they are in the middle of a mission? No, that's not the point. So far when he has been kissing her, he has avoided using his tongue. But just now he- Sumire screamed silently in her head.

What is she doing allowing him to mess with her so much?

"So.." Toh mumbled in her ear. "How does it feel?"

At those teasing words, Sumire hits his chest.

"You're doing this on purpose." Sumire mumbled.

"I told you, I like honesty."

"If that's what you want, then date someone else."

She regrets those words a second later. Fortunately Toh didn't seem to mind. He even leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly.

"There is no other woman who interests me."

Buf isn't that only right now? If Toh get tired of her, if he realizes that there is nothing special about her. He would certainly leave her.

It was almost like Toh understood since he extended his hand out. "Shall we hold hands?"

"Eh?"

Toh chuckled. "You seem like the type of person who would get lost easily in a mansion of this size."

Sumire felt her cheeks colour and she puffed her cheeks. But accepted his hand.

"Let's get going already. I don't want Atushi to find something before we do."

Unfortunately even after looking around for at least an hour, they couldn't find anything. It's true this mansion is large, but they have already explored a lot of the rooms.

'I thought we would at least find a small clue in the lower rooms. But there is nothing.'

Moreover, ~~Toh~~ wasn't kidding when he said he would continue holding her hand. He hasn't let go once in the past hour.

Her thoughts break off when he gave it a gentle squeeze. "What?"

"Look at the edge of the painting frame."

The edge of the painting? Sumire was puzzled but followed his instructions. At first she couldn't see anything, however the closer she looked she noticed something. The colour of the frame seemed different in one corner, and there were small dent markings on the wall.

"This-"

"They were trying to conceal something. I am guessing an argument must have taken place here, someone hit their head against the frame and there was blood. Panicking the attacker probably didn't think to check that he had the right shade. There are traces that he tried to scrub the dent from the walls."

That was such a small mark, nobody would notice that unless they look really closely. But Toh was standing further away from the frame and yet he noticed it.

So, he truly is capable. It's not like she doubted him. She was standing outside when he was in the station the other day to visit his patient. She overheard their conversation. He truly knows what he is doing. Not just with that person, but with her too.

"Your looking at me like your very impressed."

"Mm, your good." Sumire trailed off and she looked at the painting and the dent marks carefully. "Do you think there might be something behind this painting?"

"What makes you say so?"

Sumire pointed to the ground. "There are scruff markings on the corner. It looks like he might have backed towards the wall. Isn't that strange? Normally you would head towards the door or the window. But he headed in this direction that would corner him more."

Toh's lips curved to a smile. "Now who is the one being smart?" He suddenly kissed her forehead.

Sumire is stunned for a moment and before she knew it she was crying. Why does he treat her so preciously? She thought he was good to her before they started dating, but now it's different. He treats her even better than before.

*Unedited*