Those words remained on his mind for the rest of the day.
So when she comes to him at night, he feels weird.
Sumire slumped into his arms. "Hino is a slave driver."
"Is he giving you too much work?" Sano asked concerned.
If he is, then he would have to have a word with Hino. While he understands that Sumire's break in the entertainment industry, has lead to many issues. Her overworking shouldn't be the solution to fixing the issue.
Sano knew how career minded and driven his friend was.
"I don't mind being busy, it's just I wish he had more tact about the jobs I get."
Sumire paused and turned to him. "You didn't return to the hospital?"
"There weren't many cases this afternoon, so I decided to go back here and read some new academic papers."
Sumire plays with the glasses on his face. "Are these for show?"
"You know they aren't."
She laughed softly. "They do look good on you.
His lips curved to a smile as he leaned forward and kissed her lips.
"Do you want to take a bath? The water is warm."
"Ah, then I'll take you up on that offer."
No reaction to the kiss. Not that he expected one. She made it clear on more than one occasion that she may allow him to do things to her. But she won't show how she feels about it.
This unusual relationship, he wonders how much longer it will last. Sano takes the girls bags of her, and ushered her into the bathroom. As he was sorting her belongings out, Sano hears the sound of the phone.
That's not his ring tone.
From: Mamoru
So, your mad at me aren't you?
I know your mad but hear me out.
Whatever I am doing, it's all for your sake. No, that's wrong too. This is also for me. I hope you can understand that
.
Sano paused, as he quickly closed the phone down. He was very curious what happened but, knew better than to pry. That explains why they weren't talking earlier.
Why are they wasting their time fighting? They finally get to see each other again.
He shakes his head. This is none of his business. Still, that doesn't stop him from messaging Mamoru with his phone asking why they are arguing.
Moments later he received a call.
"Are you with Ki?" He asks like he was asking about the weather.
"Yeah, why are you fighting?"
Mamoru laughed. "The question is, when aren't we fighting?"
"Yeah. It seems like after she calmed down, and seeing me with Huan more. Whatever she was holding back, gradually started being loaded off during my visits."
"Did you apologise?"
"You know an apology doesn't always work out. Sometimes actions are needed."
"I see."
"If Ki is with you, then make sure she relaxes. She seemed stressed about something these days."
"I am surprised your okay with this." Sano mumbled.
Surely Tsueno knows what they are doing? Then again, he has never been the judgemental type.
Mamoru laughed. "I know you will never hurt her. Despite what others say, your a good guy Sano."
From the very beginning, Tsueno Mamoru has been calling him a good guy. A few days after that casino incident, Tsueno Mamoru came to him and had a talk. Sano was expecting a confrontation. But then Tsueno tells him that he persuaded the investigators to stop looking into what happened, and that his friends came up with the idea to assault Sumire on their own.
It was confusing, he knew that Tsueno didn't believe that one bit and suspected that he was part of it. But still he persuaded the detectives and closed the case permanently.
When Sumire and him broke up, Tsueno came to him. Most-likely prepared to beat him up, only to stumble on that sight and offered his assistance.
"Your also, a friend of mine." Sano mumbled. The words seemed foreign in his mouth. But Tsueno Mamoru has truly done a lot for him.
'At some point, I no longer resented him and searched for him desperately so he could patch things up with Sumire. Despite knowing that it would possibly lead to Sumire not spending as much time with him.'
Mamoru laughed. "Right, as your friend. Make sure you eat. Don't just focus on Ki."
After a few more words, he ended the call.
A friend huh? He knows many people. But, how many years had gone by since he last properly made a friend? Hino didn't count, as they had known each other for a long time.
Sumire returned from the shower, and he had to stop himself from staring. She is gorgeous, everything about her is simply a work of art. He is no artist, but everytime he looks at Sumire. He wonders how is it possible for somebody to look so perfect?
Sano walked over and kissed her hair softly. "Your hair."
"Hmm?"
"I found something else I like about you."
Sumire laughed. "I didn't know you liked long hair."
"I do, I like it a lot."
He likes everything to do with her.
Her hair was nice when it was short too, but there is a different sort of elegance with her hair longer.
Sumire turned to him with a bright smile. "San, can you give me a copy of your schedule?"
Sano blinked hearing her words.
"Sure."
She caresses his cheek. "I hope you don't think I'm prying. I just want to make sure your okay."
'I don't understand what she means by those words.' Sano reluctantly moved away from her, and rummaged through the drawers before pulling out a book with the current month labelled. He immediately handed it over to her.
Sumire starts flicking through it with an intense gaze. Why is she focusing so hard?