192 She knew him

Their friendship had become quite predictable after spending so many years together. He rarely surprised her because she had already learned his behavior patterns well. But that quickly changed when they were in France. She spent more time with him than she usually would. Sometimes she would fall asleep in his hotel room. It is during those times she caught a glimpse of a Ran-chan that she didn't know about.

Ran-chan has always been very carefree and uncaring toward other people's opinions of him. He is so carefree regarding his responsibilities, like practicing for a music program or attending basketball practice. He just shows up whenever he wants, and sometimes he just skips altogether.

It made others think that he didn't give a damn about anything other than himself. But that was wrong. Ran-chan behaves like that, but he is one of the most caring people that she knows, and she knows many people due to her career and her father.

When she becomes closer, after having known him for seventeen years before that, she can't help but wonder: did she really know anything about the boy next to her at all?

During their time in France, however, she learned a side of him that she didn't know about before. Now that they are older, it seems to have entitled her to more of his personal space. When they were younger, he was very overprotective of his belongings, but when they were in france, he casually shared everything with her.

He is the type of person who wouldn't mind invading others personal space but would get overprotective of his. So, his behavior when they were together in France certainly surprised her.

She knew Ran. At least, she thought she did. But when he started to shower vague and rare glimpses of his inner world. Futaba understood that what she had learned of him over the past seventeen years was only a fraction of the true Ran-chan.

Abroad people joked that Ran had feelings for her, and that's why he was letting her invade his personal space. She certainly understood why they misunderstood. A girlfriend would have more entitlement to his belongings than a childhood friend would.

Things happened, and they made her wonder: how well do his friends know Ran-chan?

How much do they notice about him?

Her thoughts break off when she realized that Ran is looking at her. "What is it?"

"Is there something going on between you and Hamano Atushi?"

Huh? Futaba blinked and was startled.

"I mean, rumors are deadly. You, of all people, should know that, and there is an unusual amount of rumors about you too."

It took her a moment to understand what was going on. So, that's why he reacted like that at the top of the stairs earlier. Futaba giggled.

"You're so silly, Ran-chan."

"H-hey, it's not that funny," Ran said as he nervously ran his hand through his hair. "Look, you know how important you are to me. If you get a boyfriend, if you start to like someone, you should tell me first. I don't want to hear it from someone else."

"Yes, yes, I know." Futaba trailed off. "Hamano-kun is a good guy, but I do not think I am ready for a relationship right now."

"Is that so?" Ran trailed off. "Sorry, it's just it's not like you to get so close with someone."

"Mm, I understand. How to put it? It's probably because I realized that he genuinely cared for Succhan."

When she previously heard what happened between them. Futaba was livid. She swore if she ever met this guy, she would make his life a living hell. But after she met him, she understood that he didn't intentionally hurt her.

_________

At a manor on the outskirts of town. 9:00pm

Sumire knew she was getting too comfortable with Toh

She tries to remind herself that she doesn't fully trust him.

Tries to remind herself of the suspicion of his appearing before her during the very night she accompanied Asahi to a job.

However, as the days go by, she finds her own walls crumbling away.

Currently, she and Toh were in a strange mansion on the outskirts of town. This mansion was the one where people were randomly disappearing.

It's so strange, was she always this weak? No, so many others have tried to get close to her.

Sumire was so distracted that she didn't see the stones in front of her. She immediately lost her footing. Before she could trip, however, Toh casually broke her fall.

"What are you doing spacing out?"

"Uh-t-thank you." Sumire stammered, still surprised.

Toh chuckled as he helped her adjust her posture. He brushed the dirt from her clothes. "You need to be more careful."

She couldn't tell him why she was so distracted.

They were led inside the manor, and the man with short brown hair turned to them and immediately apologized.

"I am so relieved that you came. But, since you were taking so long., sorry we ended up hiring another private investigator."

Sumire frowned. This didn't surprise her. Quite some time has passed since she accepted this request. However, Toh insisted that she focused on getting better and catching up in her studies in school.

"Who is the investigator? Perhaps I can discuss splitting the case with him."

It's not ideal, but she doesn't want to lose this job. The man who hired them Sean pointed to someone looking at a vase in the lounge. Sumire tilted her head. Why does this person look familiar?

"Mr. Hamano, these are the original ones we hired for the job. They wish to discuss a collaboration."

Sumire blinked hearing that name. Hamano is a common surname, and yet after learning that he was involved in the underworld. She wasn't surprised when the person turned around.

"Sumire."

"Atushi-kun?"

Atushi laughed. "I should have known it was you. Do you want to do this together? I have to admit I am struggling a bit on my own."

Sumire's gaze softened seeing his carefree smile and hearing his laughter. "Sure, let's do this together."

She heard a cough behind her and recalled Toh was there. Toh suddenly pulled her into his arms.

"Darling, who is this?"

Darling? What has gotten into him all of a sudden? Although it's not unusual for him to use an endearing name.

"Oh uh." Sumire trailed off. "This is Hamano Atushi. He is a friend from school."

"I see."

Sumire felt her heartbeat increasing, realizing how close Toh's face was to hers.

Atushi looked towards her and Toh waiting for an introduction.

"Atushi-kun, this is Toh. Um, my boyfriend." Sumire said quickly.

At her careless introduction, she felt Toh's gaze on her. What? This is the best she can do right now. She still finds it awkward to refer to Toh as her 'boyfriend.'