I will accept everything

After eating, Toh suggested they go shopping since quote. 'You will be staying at my place often. I think you should buy some stuff to make you feel more comfortable.'

So this is how she finds herself shopping with Toh and looking at different flowers on the shelves. Plants huh? She was never much of a plant person, but she recalls her mother liking plants a lot.

"Do you like flowers?" Toh asked as he walked over.

"I don't think there is any other girl out there who doesn't like flowers."

Her thoughts break off when she felt Toh pick several plants and put them in the trolley.

"Uh, Toh?" Sumire said, puzzled.

"They remind me of you."

For a moment, Sumire freezes as she stares at the trolley now filled with colorful flowers. Why is this person so nice? Usually, when she shows this side of herself to other people, they would end up put off and leave her. But somebody this kind, doesn't he deserve a kinder girl? Why does he like someone like her?

"You suddenly turned quiet. Do you not like these? I can get you something else."

Sumire shakes her head. "It's just I want to know, Toh. Why did you pick me off all people? You say it's not because of my face. But surely it can't be my personality." She trailed off. "It must be my appearance."

"Listen, I already said-"

"Surely there are other options," Sumire exclaimed. "It doesn't make sense for you to pick me when thousands of people are kinder. There are so many people out there who are good and will treat you well. But you picked me."

"Sumire-"

Sumire shakes her head."It has to be a mistake. You-" Her sentence fell short when Toh cupped her cheeks.

"Look, your crying again, you are a terrible liar. I can't give you the exact reason why. But, I have noticed that you never protect yourself."

"What do you mean-"

Hasn't she been protecting herself this entire time? She maintains a distance between herself and others to avoid getting hurt and betrayed. She created a wall and continued creating more layers that nobody could ever reach.

"You can rely on me, Sumire. You don't have to do everything alone. You have me by your side. When I look at the current you, all I see is a stubborn girl trying to do everything alone when she can easily accept other people's help."

"It's not easy," Sumire exclaimed. She felt the tears falling from her eyes again. "It's not easy for me. It's so difficult for me, to be honest. I am afraid they will reject me if I show people this side of me."

"That's why I will accept everything."

This is so unfair. Why does she have to experience this now? Why is it with another guy who isn't Yuhi?

"By the way, I overheard your conversation earlier. Is Tsueno coming over for dinner?" Toh suddenly changed the topic.

Is he trying to be considerate of her?

"Ah yes, sorry for deciding without you."

"It's alright, but I think we should buy more ingredients. That guy has quite the appetite."

That's true, but this situation is truly unusual. Her thoughts broke off when she spotted a man with red hair and one with indigo-blue colored hair walking past the shop. She immediately crouched down on the ground.

Mikaze-kun and Masato! Did they just finish working? They weren't at school earlier. Nao wasn't around either, and that's probably why people were openly staring at her and whispering.

"Sumire-chan was apparently at school today. Maybe we can still catch up to her if we run now."

"It's almost four. Moreover, if she was alone, she probably left early and didn't attend afternoon lessons."

"I see. Maybe we can drop by her house."

"So you can report how you missed a step on live TV?"

"D-don't tell her. Besides, I am sure nobody noticed."

A relieved sigh escaped her lips when they were out of sight. It took her a moment to realize that Toh had joined her.

"So, were those guys your friends?"

"Y-yeah-" Sumire looked at him, startled. What on earth is he doing crouching down? Since the other night, Toh's behavior has been unusual.

When they first met, she was under the impression that he was someone who would never reveal his emotions on his face. But since the other night, she is starting to understand his personality better. He is the same type as her. He only shares who he truly is with people he is comfortable with.

...

At Toh's house.

Ru had just arrived a few minutes ago as she placed the last dish on the table. Coincidentally, Toh had to take an important phone call, and so it was only her and Ru eating.

"This is great! You're truly getting better." Mamoru said happily.

Sumire, however wasn't happy when she saw cuts and bruises on his face. She removed the medicine kit from the corner and applied ointment on his cheeks.

"I told you so many times you have to be more careful." Sumire lectured.

"You say that, but the guy they paired me with wasn't very good. I kept having to cover his tracks." Mamoru grumbled.

So he must have sustained these injuries trying to protect someone. The reason why Ru ended up paired with another person is probably because of her situation.

"I am fine now. I'll return to work shortly, so tell Aki to give it to both of us if anything comes up."

Mamoru laughed. "Both of us? Normally you'd say that you would take care of everything. Are you finally starting to rely on me?"

"I-I just think it will be faster if we work together." Sumire stammered.

How stupid, because of what Toh said earlier. She is acting differently. Truthfully, she doesn't want Ru to accept the jobs Aki gives. That man has no concept of danger, and he gives her the most dangerous jobs. No matter how strong Ru is, she still doesn't want him to get involved in something that would endanger his life.

'I have already discussed that with Aki too. Ru isn't a formal member of the Holy Knights. So, he shouldn't be given any dangerous and life-threatening jobs.'

However, it seems recently, he has forgotten about that discussion.

She looks through the medicine box and frowns. A few items are missing.

"Look into my bag Ki."

Sumire followed his instructions and found surgical needles, sutures, and scissors.

"Why do you have all this?" Sumire wondered.

Is that why he is always carrying a big bag around with him? Was it for this purpose?

"Just in case, actually I have another injury-" Mamoru trailed off. "I-I have to remove my shirt so-"

Even without looking at his face, Sumire already knew that Mamoru was blushing.

"D-do you want me to leave?" Sumire mumbled.

"That's not it."

"I should stay. I don't trust you to stitch up your wounds on your own."

Actually, she is just worried that he is hiding a more severe injury.

"Okay, thank you in advance."

Mamoru removes his top, and she sees a large scar across his right arm. Sumire frowned. 'The first thing I will do when I go to the base is find out what idiot Aki paired Ru with.' Mamoru is the strongest person in star town, no the strongest in Japan. The only way for him to sustain an injury is him obtaining it after protecting someone.