I'm not going to give up

She knows that he is a hard worker. It's truly amazing that he has achieved this much in such a short amount of time. He is talented at business too, but Sano has always seemed happier when studying medicine.

Her thoughts break off when he suddenly sat up,

"Hey, you're still not well-" Her sentence fell short when he slumped his head on her shoulder. Sumire bit her lip and exhaled deeply. "I don't understand what you are trying to do, Dr Nagawa."

"Won't you say my name?"

"San." Sumire whispered.

The moment she said that, she was laying down on the couch with Sano hovering over her. Sano stares at her for a few minutes before bringing his lips to her neck.

"Sumire, Sumire." His voice sounded so needy and desperate. It was wrong, it was definitely wrong.

How can he still want her so much? How strange. This is strange, maybe she is wrong? But then what is he doing right now? As she was thinking what to do, Sano started to kiss her neckline and then her lips. It was strange, just two months ago they were dating. They did intimate stuff like this all the time.

But, the image of Toh kissing her flashed through her head.

Sano's bold lips crushed against hers, hand and hungry. It almost hurt. She felt his hot tongue track against my bottom lip demanding an entrance. She squeezed her lips tighter shut when she felt this and yet his demand grew stronger and stronger. Sumire gasped for air and Sano used that chance to stick his tongue inside.

She refused. She closed her eyes and tried to fight back. Sumire punched and kicked him, but it was no good. His legs pushed against hers

"Please stop." Sumire begged.

It was a futile attempt, even when they were dating. He always did whatever he wanted. He never thought of her feelings. Now that she thought about it properly, she doesn't know why she dated this scum.

Sano clicked his tongue, anger flashed through his eyes as he pulled away.

"Is it because of that man?" Sano mumbled.

"That man?"

"The one you were kissing the other day."

Sumire couldn't lie to him, and she slowly nodded.

"I was thinking of accepting his confession."

Her sentence fell short when she heard a loud crash. Sano had thrown something across the room.

"San-"

"I'm not giving up on you."

'Not giving up? But, your the one who dumped me?'

Sumire looked at him in disbelief. Does he truly regret it? But how could she possibly trust him again? Her thoughts break off when Sano draped his white doctors cloak around her shoulders.

"Do you want to know about Tsueno's condition?"

Sumire slowly nodded her head.

"It's tuberculosis."

Her eyes widened horrified. "He--he has to-"

"He needs to be hospitalised permanently."

Sumire drowned. "You know that's not possible."

"In a few months, there will be another hospital opened up. It's a hospital not owned by my family."

She looked at him even more puzzled than before.

"Huh? But, um-"

"My friend will be in charge of the place. I'll write a letter of recommendation."

"I don't mind, but--um?"

Sumire felt very confused. What is going on?

"I'll write down your number."

She could only continue to nod. She doesn't understand. Moreover what is with his attitude? Just a few minutes he was needy, desperate and then he got angry. Sumire tilted her head puzzled. But before she could ask anymore questions, Sano is suddenly pushing her out of his office.

"Go back to Tsueno. I just have a call to make."

"Mm, okay." Sumire managed to say as she exited the room and walked down the hallway. A relieved sigh that she was holding back escaped her lips.

He actually stopped because she asked him too? How can a person change so much in two months, and yet have traits that remain the same too? She truly doesn't understand that person and perhaps she never will.

Sumire walked down the hallway quickly and arrived in front of Ru's room. She pauses when she hears coughing, she opens the door slightly and peeked inside. There she saw Ru sitting up and coughing, traces of blood on his lips, hands and the sheets.

'I wonder why I didn't notice it. Why didn't I realize? Surely there have been many other signs.'

If he isn't treated soon, this will become life threatening. In the past this was an incurable disease, and while modern medicine has found a cure. The chances of death are high.

How long has he been supressing it? Sumire wanted to go back and ask Sano for more details. But recalling how he suddenly pushed her away, Sumire immediately understood. He is probably meeting with that woman who looking for him earlier. If he was going to fool around, why did he kiss her?

"Ki? Is that you?"

Sumire takes a deep breath hearing Mamoru call her name, as she slowly opens the door. Mamoru worked fast, there was no trace of the blood she just saw seconds ago.

"Did you finish eating?"

Mamoru nodded. "I even took my medicine." He trails off and scans her appearance. "Ki, come here for a second."

Sumire got closer and the minute she was directly in front of the bed, Mamoru pulls her into his arms.

"That dammed Sano, I told him specifically not to do anything."

"Ru, does San still like me?" Sumire mumbled.

"Yeah."

It was a faint response, almost like he was afraid of anybody else hearing it.

If Ru is saying so then it must be true. But, if that is truly the case then why did he break up with her? Why did he say all those cruel things? Why did he cheat on her? Sumire felt very emotional, her mind was a mess and her chest hurt. Before she knew it she was crying.

Ru didn't let her go and patted her hair and her back. It was comforting just being held.

...….

She ended up staying in the hospital until visiting hours were finished. Even then, she received permission to stay two hours longer. It was only when she saw how dark it was outside, did she realize how late it had gotten. Sumire made sure that Ru was asleep before leaving. In the end Sano never came back. It was a huge relief to her, she didn't want to see him after what happened.

'I need to clear my thoughts.'

Sano still likes her, but what are her own feelings? When Sano kissed her, the one that came to mind was Toh. But, when she first met Toh she was still hurt after the break up with Sano. Sumire sighs deeply.

'I don't understand love, and it seems like I never will. Maybe I should just forget entering a relationship with anyone, and just focus on my career.'

But, it felt wrong for her to dismiss Toh when he obviously cares so much for her. Aaaahh, Sumire screamed in her head. This is driving her crazy.

Her thoughts break off when she felt a menacing presence, and frowned. She could hear the sound of footsteps from several directions and exhaled deeply. She really didn't want to have to deal with this tonight, she isn't in a good mood.

Recalling Masaru's warning, she paused. She can't fight them. Right now the media is watching her carefully. It wouldn't surprise her if they are lurking in the shadows somewhere. No matter how careful she is, one day she will be so engrossed in a fight and miss one.

If she can't fight, she will have to escape and that is something she is good at.

*Unedited*