To what extent

'I know of Shin's feelings for me, and Tsurumi must know that too, and yet the girl confined in me regardless.'

To have another person trust her like this. It was an unusual feeling. But she doesn't want to lose it. Even if nothing ever happens between Tsurumi and Shin. At the very least, she can't make the girl misunderstand or feel uncomfortable.

Even so, this back, huh? Quite some time has passed since she last saw it. Somehow, it's comforting.

When she and Shin are outside in the courtyard, he immediately lets go of her wrist. 

"Sorry."

"Hm?"

"Atsuro just found out this morning, and I didn't get a chance to tell you." Shin apologized.

Sumire laughed, seeing his troubled expression. "You don't have to worry about it too much. It caught me off guard, but recently it seems like my past is returning to haunt me. Instead of running away, I want to face everything coming to me."