85 Since when?

"That's not it. Ru, you, when did you start to like me?"

"Since we first met."

Sumire bit her lip. She was struggling not to cry. This is so unfair, confessing to her like this. No, the reason why she wants to cry is. If Ru has loved her for as long as he said, how much did he have to suffer and endure?

How could he push her towards Yuhi like that?

"It wasn't an easy choice, you know? Supporting your feelings for Yuhi. There was a time when I entertained the thought of stealing you away. But then I heard you sing in the park. You sang in the park in the middle of the night with tears in your eyes. You were singing for Yuhi."

So Ru saw that too. This is strange; it's not like when Daiki-sama confessed or even Toh's strange interest in her.

This is a confession that she doesn't know what to do about. A confession from the most unexpected person. No, from the person who has always been by her side.

"Ru, can you let me think about it?"

Mamoru blinked, surprised. "I thought you wouldn't-"

"You're different, Ru; you always have been."

That's why she does not want to respond hastily. She wants to give this some careful consideration. The one she loves is indeed Yuhi, but at this rate, both of them are being stubborn. She will die of loneliness before they even get together.

Would it be wrong of her to give Ru a chance while she waits for Yuhi-

That sounds wrong; if she puts it that way, it will be the same as her relationship with Sano. Her thoughts broke off when Ru kneeled down and kissed her palm.

"Then, I'll accept that. Thank you, Ki."

Mamoru immediately stood up, his cheeks red as he rubbed the back of his neck. He coughed awkwardly. "I think I just did something amazing-"

"C-can you not talk like that, please?" Sumire exclaimed, embarrassed, only leading to Mamoru laughing.

She heard his confession but unlike the ones she received just recently. She does not feel uncomfortable; she wonders why.

...…

Instead of heading home after the game, she decided to visit her friend.

Sumire goes to see Asuka right afterwards. Because out of all the people she knew, only the girl will remain calm and listen. She needs to talk about the information Toh gave her and also about Ru. The second one is something she needs to discuss urgently; otherwise, she will go crazy.

Her friend did not seem surprised to see her.

"So I only know two people who would visit somebody's home this late."

Sumire laughed as she extended a bag out. "I bought meat buns. Let's eat."

Asuka sighed and opened the door to let her inside. The moment she got inside, Asuka pushed her toward the couch. "Sit down; you look like you're about to collapse any moment now. Where is Mamoru?"

"He is waiting downstairs. I told him I wanted to speak to you privately."

Asuka walked over and placed a mug of hot cocoa on the table.

"You're lucky. I wasn't sleeping and was typing up some reports." Asuka paused. "Your injuries still look bad. It's unlike you to heal slowly like this."

"It's fine. It happened a lot when I was younger; my body is naturally weak, so I do not expect to heal like normal people. Or rather, the last few years have been unusual."

"Did something happen?"

Sumire explained what happened with Mashima Toh and the information he gave her.

"So, what do you want me to look at? The identity of the potential suspects or why he knows that information?"

"A bit of both, actually start with the latter."

It's been weighing on her mind since he told her; why does he know so much?

"If it's Mashima Toh, I am quite familiar with him myself. He has accepted a few jobs from the captain and helped us analyze some criminals. I have spoken to him a few times."

"If he passed Hyou4's checks, then there should be nothing suspicious, right?"

"I wouldn't be sure about it. The one who handled his security checks was the captain; normally, there, it goes through sora's team. But the captain personally handled it." Asuka trailed off. "I suspect that the captain is hiding something."

Sumire sighed. "I don't think he will tell even if we force him."

"Use forceful means against him? It's like talking to a second Aki."

"Why do we have such unusual superiors?"

"Tell me about it; why do you think I am doing paperwork in my own home? I couldn't finish it at the office." Asuka sighed. "There is something about Mashima Toh. A detailed background check shows that he was an orphan before his grandmother Mashima Mizusa adopted him."

Isn't that the name of one of the legendary fashion designers?

"An orphan?"

"Yes. But when we conducted a DNA test between the two under his grandmother's request. It turns out the two are actually blood-related."

"Then-"

Asuka nodded. "An accident during his birth led to him being abandoned. Unfortunately, digging into cases that occurred twenty years ago is difficult. There is a special place for all the files. But even Hyou4 doesn't have the authority."

"I see, so there is no way of finding out."

"-using underworld means no. I am not saying you have to go to the police. But, do you know what the SF is, Sumire?"

"Ah, the secret police?"

"Right, it's not going to be easy to persuade them. But I think it would be easier to ask them than the police."

"I see. I got it, thank you, Asuka."

"But this is rare; you usually dislike doing background checks like this because it invades a person's privacy. Why are you so interested in him?"

"I-I am not interested in him!" Sumire exclaimed.

"I am not talking about that type of interest-" Asuka paused. "Is he the rumored one-night stand guy?"

"Ru, you blabbed."

"Actually, he came to me asking me for advice on how to approach the topic. I don't think he told anybody else."

Sumire averted her gaze. "Are you not going to judge me?"

"There is no need; you are my good friend Sumire. As your good friend, I know how lonely you have been. I cannot understand your loneliness. But I do know you're not the type of woman who would randomly sleep with a stranger without thinking it through."

"Uh, you're making me sound like such a good person, but I even got myself drunk. I can't say I was in the right state of mind."

At those words, Asuka shook her head. "But from what you told me, you cried in front of him. How could I possibly judge you after hearing that? I don't know much about Mashima, but I have seen that he dislikes women who cry, believing they have ulterior motives."

Ah, now that she mentioned it, Toh used the term ulterior motives a lot.

How many people have approached him with ulterior motives to the point that he questions everybody who gets close to him?