I want to see beyond that

It was not easy to trick the big boss, although he replied to every follow-up question after lying. The entire time he felt tense, his heart beat fast, and sweat trickled down his face. But it was almost like the boss knew since he quickly hung up.

'I should start doing that job soon before he starts questioning my loyalty.'

After washing the dishes, he went upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door. Is she still in there? Fifty minutes have passed already, and while he likes his long baths. Staying there for almost an hour isn't good for her.

There was no response. Frowning, Toh leaned his face against the door.

It indicated that she had switched the shower off, so Sumire was already done taking her shower. But it was weird that he didn't hear her footsteps.

"Sumire?" Toh turned the doorknob and opened the door to reveal the steam-filled bathroom.

He looked around and saw a female figure laying on the ground. He walked to her, grabbed a towel in case she wasn't wearing anything, and knelt down beside her body. Luckily she was wrapped tightly around her slim body.

"Hey, wake up." Toh shook Sumire lightly. She groaned, and her eyes flickered open.

"W-what…"

Toh put his hand on Sumire's forehead "Holy shit, you're burning!"

"Huh? I'm on fire?"

Toh rolled his eyes. "Come on. I'll take you to my room."

"No, wait." Sumire tried to stand up and succeeded. "I can walk." She wobbled to the door of the bathroom, and she stumbled down. Before she could hit the ground, Toh grabbed her arm and picked her up.

"Hey!" Sumire protested.

"Be quiet, your too stubborn." He exited the room and brought her to the bedroom. Once he placed her on the bed, he sighed. "Are you sick again? You'll never get better if you don't rest properly."

"But it's boring resting. Besides, how can anybody rest in a headquarters filled with killers-"

So she must have stayed in the Holy knight's headquarters since the incident. That would make sense. Aki probably didn't want to take any risks.

Toh placed his hand on her forehead, and the heat immediately transferred to his palm.

"Sleep."

"You sound frustrated."

'Of course I am. I was planning to at least do some kissing with her. But touching her is no good if she is in this condition.'

It was almost like she understood his thoughts since she extended her hands out. Toh immediately grabbed hold of it.

"Good grief, it feels like I have been running around recklessly because of you recently." Toh sighed.

"Do you hate it?"

He can almost hear her saying, 'do you hate me?'

"No, it's refreshing."

Sumire laughed softly. "I see. Your honest feelings make me very happy, Toh."

"Speaking of honest feelings," Toh pulled out a bathrobe from the corner. "Put this on."

It just occurred to him that she was only wearing a towel.

She looked puzzled for a moment before loudly exclaiming. "Ah!!" Before snatching the garments from his hands.

Toh turned around and waited until she got changed.

"I'll pick some clothes out for you later. Let's try to cool your fever down first."

"Yeah." Sumire trailed off. "Say, Toh, can I borrow some paper and a pen?"

"Sure."

Toh walked over to his desk and found a spare notepad and pen as he returned to the bed. Sumire had just finished getting changed.

"So what are you writing?"

"Lyrics."

With everything that has happened recently, he almost forgot that she is an idol on the verge of debuting.

"What happened to the song from the other time? Have you finished writing it already?"

"I have."

"So you're writing another one?"

Sumire giggled at his reaction. "When inspiration hits, it's better to write it down quickly. It makes it easier for me whenever I end up in a slump."

Right when she is in a slump, she ends up in that state that he saw before.

"So, what type of song are you writing now?" Toh asked as he picked up the hairdryer. Initially, he only lightly wiped her wet hair with a towel, but since she wasn't going to sleep, he might as well do this.

"Mm, it's a song about people's dreams." She trailed off. "Hey Toh, do you have a dream?"

"A dream, huh? I would call it a goal rather than a dream."

"For me, it's the same." Sumire looked at him curiously.

He supposes it will do no harm telling her. Besides, it's not like people don't know. He has announced it several times during interviews that he aims to be a better designer than his grandmother and that he would surpass her.

"Hey Toh, are you aiming for Paris fashion week?"

"You know about it?" Toh asked her, surprised.

This girl, how much of a background check has she done on him? He simply assumed before that the only background check that she did was regarding his activities in the underworld. But that is not the case here.

"Mm."

"No."

"Don't most designers aim for that?"

"I want to see something beyond."

"I see. Then it's the same with me."

'I want to discuss the subject of teaming up with her permanently. An idol needs a brand. If she has one before her debut, she can attract more attention.'

However, he still doesn't have a full grasp of her circumstances. Why is it taking her so long to debut? Strangely, her company would even wait for her that long. Is it simply because she is a talented individual? It feels like there is something crucial that he is missing.

"Can I ask? Why are you choosing to be an idol? You could easily debut as a singer."

Or rather, he believes that it would suit her better if she were an idol. She has to do all sorts of work ranging from not just singing but to variety activities. If he bases what he has learned of her so far, she is not suited for those types of programs.

Moreover, there is a lot of criticism for idols; most cannot sing and dance well. He hasn't seen her dance before, but her singing skills are certainly top-notch.

At those words, Sumire didn't reply immediately. She paused, almost like she was thinking about it. But her answer came swiftly after that brief pause, making him think she already had an answer.

His thoughts break off when Sumire brushes her forehead lightly against his. "That is an answer I will postpone until my debut. You will find out then. Look forward to it."

Toh sighed, frustrated. "You keep leaving me on edge."

"Mm, but I'll let you know this. I just love to sing, no matter what people say. No matter what criticisms I will face. For me, singing is my lifeline. I cannot survive without it. These powerful emotions, I want to share them with everyone."

She won't tell anyone till her debut huh? 'But the words she said just now are more than enough.'