131 Right here

Sumire used a lot of energy fighting earlier. As a result, Sumire fell sick yet again. He noticed in the car that she seemed strange. When they got out, and she was walking oddly, he realized she was unwell and carried her upstairs until they reached his room.

Toh frowns, feeling the heat transmit to his palm as he brushes her bangs aside. 'Warm again.' Just when her previous fever had gone away. Why does it keep coming back? It's not like she has a cold or the flu.

'It's possible to psychologically trigger a fever if a person is stressed.' It's most likely that. Sumire has had a lot going on recently. It shouldn't surprise him that she keeps falling sick.

'Now that she is in an environment where she can relax, her body can freely break down.' Previously, due to her willpower, Sumire probably suppressed getting sick. But now that she is with him- Toh pauses. Is his presence by her side truly that helpful?

He has helped make a difference in each of his patients' lives. But none of them have had such a large impact like Sumire.

The girl looked pitiful as she curled into a ball shape.

"Toh." Sumire called out.

"Yes, what do you need?"

"Cuddle."

His lips curve to a smile as he happily joins her on the bed. The girl rolled over until she was firmly in his embrace.

"I'll be staying here, so don't worry, and just relax."

"It's already late, were you planning on going somewhere?" Sumire asked.

Toh doesn't reply to that. 'Actually, I was going to report to Lucifer about meeting Aki. But, thinking it through, that can wait.' Sumire would feel even worse if he were to leave her alone right now.

"Earlier, you seemed very surprised."

"I was. I've never seen anybody fight the way you do."

Sumire laughs. "I understand that it is very strange. But I'm not a cold-blooded killer. I do still have some morals left. I know better than to harm an innocent person."

"But those people were trying to kill you."

Although the fight had more or less ended when he came to her. He sensed their bloodthirsty aura. They clearly attacked her with the intent to kill.

He doesn't know how he feels about Sumire sparing the lives of people clearly targeting her life. He has even more complex emotions than when he first saw that bloody sight.

"I am alright, Toh. This isn't the first time."

"It should be the last. Sumire, I know have no right to tell you to quit the underworld. However, at the very least, I want you to be very careful. Your life is important."

"Thank you, your very sweet." Sumire thanked him.

Does she truly understand what he is trying to say? Sometimes when he is speaking with her, it feels like he is talking in riddles. Sometimes it feels like she is speaking in riddles with him.

"The fact that your ex still had your key. Did it not occur to you that he has been coming to see you?" Toh suddenly asked.

"I know. There are security cameras everywhere in my house. I know what he has been doing."

Then, why is she still avoiding him if that's the case? Isn't it obvious that the man still cares? It's true she is hurt, but Toh thought with her personality, she would immediately understand there was more to the breakup.

"I know, but it's already over." Sumire's gaze turns cold. "Even if he does have a reason, the damage he has inflicted on me cannot be erased that easily."

Sensing her odd tone and seeing the blank look in the girl's eyes, he hugs her tightly. Toh debates for a few seconds before he kisses her forehead, eyelids, nose, and then her lips but only lightly.

The girl seemed content since a hum of approval passed her lips.

"Are you sleepy? It's almost midnight. I think you should get some rest."

Sumire shakes her head and pauses before speaking again. "After a fight, it's difficult for me to sleep."

Despite the girl's vague wording, Toh immediately understood. Even if she didn't kill anybody tonight, it doesn't change the fact that she stained her hand.

"I'm sorry for asking. That was insensitive of me."

Sumire laughs weakly. "It's alright. I would rather you ask than second guess. I'm sorry for keeping you awake. You must be tired."

"I feel wide awake, so do not worry so much."

Toh doesn't know how long they spent talking before the girl eventually fell asleep. They only spoke about mundane topics, and yet he truly enjoyed speaking with her.

____

Friday 27th Feb.

As the days passed by, Sumire understood it would be very difficult to keep where she had been staying a secret. Several of her friends have dropped by her house at different times, and she is never there. So, eventually, she had to tell them that she was staying at another place for a short time while Ru was in the hospital.

'I can't possibly tell them I have been staying with Toh. It's not like I am ashamed, but I can already imagine the lecture.'

She has been staying over at Toh's house, going to work, and going to school. The latter she debated with Toh about for a long time, but eventually, he agreed. She only went that one day and didn't appear again until recently.

Her attendance has been truly appalling recently. At this rate, it wouldn't surprise her if she ended up held back a year. Sumire opened her locker, and she immediately took a few steps back. The moment she did that, a bucket of water fell to the ground.

Sumire exhales deeply. The oldest trick in the book. It seems that girl from last time hadn't learned her lesson and continued her pranks.

From: Toh

I'm outside.

She quickly changes her shoes and exits the school building. Sumire spotted Toh's car, but just before she was about to go over, somebody grabbed her wrist.

It was Masaru, and surprisingly Masato was with him.

"Hey there, lady, want us to walk you home? I hear Mamoru is in the hospital."

"Um, that's-" Sumire said nervously.

"Stupid Masaru, didn't she already explain to us that she isn't staying at home right now?"

Masaru's lips curve to a smile, and Sumire shudders. He is definitely onto something. But he won't confront her about it. 'That's even more frightening than a direct confrontation.'