You will be fine
It was a clumsy and uncertain love. A love like a flower bud torn off by a gust of wind, before it had the chance to bloom, ended without ever beginning. Once upon a time she would have entertained the idea of falling in love with Ichinose Arashi. It wasn't too hard to imagine. He is the type of girl any girl would dream off being with.
Like those Princes, that belong in fairytales. That's the best way to summarize Ichinose Arashi. It was clear that he only had eyes for her. Others would argue that he is better for her and that she was a fool to turn him down.
'If only I wasn't so messed up. I would have turned him down better.' Sumire sighed. Even if she regrets it, she can't doing anything about it now. Just like with Atushi, she needs to minimize the damage as much as she could.
"So, what is the new guy like?"
"His name is Mashima Toh. You may know him."
At those words Arashi turned pale and looked towards her for confirmation, she nodded. "You really do have interesting tastes."
"What is that supposed to mean? Do you know Toh?" Sumire asked.
"I do, I've spoken to him at a few gatherings. You know how it is with the elite circle, connections are everything. My Dad made it very clear that he wanted a connection with the Mashima family. So, he tried to make us friends."
"I am guessing that didn't work out?"
"It's more like, we came to an agreement that we will act civil towards each other but that's all." Arashi trailed off. "I am honestly surprised that your together, do you know about his real age?"
Sumire blinked. Didn't Arashi-senpai just say they weren't friends?
"I know."
Arashi sighed but nodded. "If that's the case then I guess it makes sense." He trailed off. "I don't really have the right to say anything on who you date. But, Mashima's circle in the elite world is very toxic. You-"
Sumire immediately understood why he looked concerned and reacted the way he did.
Her gaze softened. "You don't have to worry about me senpai, I have gotten better now."
That wasn't quite a lie. Thanks to Toh, she is feeling much better these days.
"I will always worry about you." Arashi said and she laughed softly.
"That sounds very sweet. I forgot how good you are with compliments."
Arashi didn't reply but Sumire saw how red his face was. Is he sick too? She reached over to extend her hand out to feel his forehead but Mamoru grabbed her arm.
"Don't make the poor guy suffer anymore than he is already."
Sumire immediately understood what Ru meant. She really is clueless about this stuff.
Arashi didn't stay long, since Ru's condition got worse again. He did offer his assistance but she told him that it's better if he went. They can talk properly again back in school. Since he already made the effort to visit and apologise then, she won't be running away from him in school.
Sumire's gaze fell towards Ru who was resting on her bed.
"Why don't you sleep?" Sumire asked, as she pulled up a chair.
"I wanted to watch you."
At those words Sumire felt heat creep onto her face. If Ru said that to her in the past she would have made a joke, but maybe it was due to Arashi-senpai's presence. But she remembers how there are guys, guys who genuinely have feelings for her.
Ru being one of them. Ru's confession that she actually said she would think about.
He catches her blushing and immediately turned red, and coughed awkwardly. "Uh, hold on that's not what I mean-"
"Then you don't find me pretty? That's not why you were watching me?"
Mamoru responded by hugging her tightly. Her eyes widened surprised. "Sorry, just stay still."
It takes her a moment to understand that he hugged her because he was dizzy. She wanted to make him lie back down, but Ru wouldn't let her go.
"Ru, please tell me anything you can about your illness. I want to help you." Sumire mumbled.
"I'm fine Ki, I will be."
Sumire bit her bottom lip again. "Maybe, I should stay here more often?"
She has been staying over at Toh's far too much. If she stayed here, then Ru could move in her with her for awhile and she could monitor his health.
Mamoru laughed weakly. "Don't do that, you want to spend more time with Mashima right?"
Sumire recalled the trip and realized she hadn't told Ru about it yet. So she tells him and he laughed.
"It seems your getting on better than I thought. It's good that your able to trust him now."
Right, she wouldn't be going on a trip with him if she didn't trust him.
"I-I don't think I can leave you alone." Sumire admitted. How could she possibly leave him in his condition? Maybe she ought to go to the hospital and beg Sano to let Ru stay there.
But, she recalled what happened the last time they met. It wouldn't surprise her if he didn't want to speak to her anymore. The sensation of his kiss still lingered in her mouth and she shaked her head. She needs to forget about it, and erase it completely.
"It's fine, I'll stay with Atsuro."
If that's the case then she can go at ease, but it won't stop her from worrying about Ru.
"Are you, uh being careful? I mean an overnight trip is-"
Sumire's cheeks flushed knowing that Ru was implying the same thing Futaba and Asuka did. Is it really that obvious?
"I-I trust him." Sumire managed to say despite being embarrassed.
She wonders when she started to trust him. At first she simply felt comfortable around him. But, at some point something changed.
"I am truly relieved." Mamoru nodded. "If it's with him, I am sure you will be fine."
It's rare for Ru to praise somebody so much, normally he is overprotective whenever she meets anybody new. Toh is truly a good guy, if even Ru is defending him this much.
*Unedited*