94 My muse

On the way down, all he could think about were the words she whispered so only he would hear.

'Do you see me as a monster now?'

Toh clenched his fist at the memory. Unfortunately, he couldn't approach her after what happened. Momoi Futaba swiftly made the arrangements after calling someone, and the first thing she was instructed to do was to get Sumire out of there.

Indeed if they had stayed there any longer, staff members would have rushed back in to examine the scene alongside the police that was already outside.

It would have been difficult to explain the current situation. No, the police would have certainly arrested Sumire. After all, anybody who saw that would have believed that she was the attacker.

'She must have negotiated or something; not everybody was there. Amongst the ones who remained, they were all unconscious.'

It was not long before he reached the auditorium where they were holding the auditions.

There she was on stage, and the judges were questioning why she joined and if she had a team in particular that she wanted to join. Sumire was just finishing telling them how she had no choice and was dragged there.

His sweat fell hearing her honest-sounding words. It seemed like the judges didn't know what to do about that reply either.

"Then, if that's the case, the second question. Did you come here for somebody in particular?"

"Yes."

"Whose team do you want to join?"

"Mashima Toh," Sumire replied swiftly.

Toh felt a pounding sensation in his chest after hearing her say his name almost immediately. This is the first time he likes the sound of his own name escaping another person's mouth.

"-if you mean what you said to me. Then come out here now. I didn't participate in this silly selection just to be humiliated." Sumire exclaimed.

He could hear many disapproving grunts from the judges and some saying they should kick her off the stage. The other female members all seemed livid after she said his name.

She is truly interesting. Toh burst into laughter, earning everybody's attention. They all turned to look at him, including her.

Koichi was mumbling about how he was playing with fire and shaking his head disapprovingly. But by that point, he was already walking down the steps.

When he finally reached the stage and stood directly in front of her. He watched her for a few extra minutes before he sighed and grabbed hold of her hands.

The girl seemed startled for a moment but didn't say anything.

"Alright, I'll be taking this one." Toh turned to the judging panel. "I suppose nobody has any complaints?"

Nobody spoke for a moment, but then they all protested.

"But Toh-san, this girl has been disrespecting the selection process from the beginning."

"Right, right, she hasn't been following any of the rules."

"We only let her stay on the final round because we were curious why she even came here."

Toh looked back at the girl who kept her head down and whistling innocently. She truly does seem to cause trouble wherever she goes.

"I have to question what type of rules she broke. I think you have all forgotten that this selection should promote the model's individuality. I don't know what she did, but I am sure she passed every stage naturally because she showed who she truly is rather than pretend to be somebody she isn't."

After briefly glancing at the other models, he already knew that everybody auditioning focused more on behaving like a model they respected rather than themself. Sumire is different; she knows nothing about the fashion industry. But that is exactly what makes her a hidden gem amongst the models.

She is still in that stage where she can be earnest and straightforward.

"But, to have this type of girl-"

"You should at least pick several more."

"I told you I was missing something. I didn't mean that I was missing several people. What I wanted was a muse, and I found one." Toh turned to her with a smile. "My muse is right here, and I won't let anybody judge or take her from me."

_______________

To Toh's relief, nobody followed them; he half expected some of those models to chase after them. But fortune was on their side, and nobody was following.

He found an empty classroom, locked it, and turned to the girl who caused this mess in the first place. He doesn't even know what to say to her. Sure he made that announcement just now, but he wasn't too sure.

'I did that so she could save face, but maybe I shouldn't have bothered.'

His gaze fell on the girl who was looking at the classroom, half amazed and curious.

"Sometimes I feel like you have no worry in the world."

Sumire laughed softly. "I don't think that's possible." She trailed off. "No humans out there have nothing to worry about, even the coldest individual."

As she spoke, Toh sensed the pain and loneliness in her tone. Her violet-colored eyes reflected something more than the average person. What type of story, what kind of past has she had to have such hazard-looking eyes?

Would it be okay for him to get close and find out?

"So, why did you come here?" Toh decided to change the topic instead of replying to her words.

"Um, didn't we promise to meet up a few days ago?"

"We did. But since then, you've taken to ignoring me and not answering my calls." Toh stated flatly.

Her casual question reminded him of the frustration he had built up the last few days.

"Ah my phone!" Sumire exclaimed and took a purple-colored phone out of her pocket. "Aki-san only just gave it back to me! Well more like I snatched it when I found an opening. You called me?" Sumire quickly booted up the phone.

Toh recalled how many times he contacted her like he was some type of stalker. He tried to snatch the phone off her, but it was too late.

Sumire laughed softly. "Too late, I saw it. Twenty-seven messages and fifteen calls."

"..."

Damn it.

"Were you worried?"

"Yeah."

"I am alright now. I am sorry you had to see that." Sumire hesitantly caressed his cheek. Her fingers were trembling; it was the same last time too.

This girl is not used to displays of affection.

He recalled Momoi Futaba's disapproving gaze and warning and frowned. Why can't he help her? Because he is older? Because of the bad rumors surrounding him? He felt his irritation grow, and before he knew it, he kissed her.

He only kissed her for five minutes, but it was more than enough. When he pulled away, her entire face was red, and she looked at him in disbelief.

"Hah." Sumire exhaled deeply. "Toh-did you drink?"

"Yeah."

"I thought you didn't drink often."

'I've been stressed because of you.'

It was almost like she knew what he would say since she sighed and nodded.

"Alright, I suppose I am partly to blame for this situation. That's why I was going to invite you out today."

"Invite me?"

"I said that, but it's more like I'll be intruding in your place. I have been practicing cooking recently, although I am still making a lot of blunders. I can make something simple now."

Toh blinked, hearing those words. This conversation has jumped from one topic to another so quickly. What is she talking about now? Going to his home, cooking for him?

Sumire placed her hands on her hips. "Are you listening to me, Toh? I know I made a blunder by not contacting you sooner, but I already agreed that I would visit your place at least several times. It's already Friday, so I thought I'd just stay over the next few days instead."

After worrying him for several days, she is right in front of him, even asking to stay at his place.

Toh slumped his face on her shoulder. "So, you're staying the night?" He mumbled.

"Yes."