104 Back off (1/2)

”Ah, a chat..” Sumire suddenly turned shy as she nervously brought her fingers to her lips. ”That would be good. I haven't seen you since the last time, and I was afraid that you misunderstood me.”

”Nonsense, why would I?” Sano edged closer. He brushed his hands across her cheeks. ”I apologize for catching you off guard. But I believe we can discuss things now, no? Why don't we find a place to rest.”

Sumire's gaze dimmed at the hand on her cheeks. It seems like the guy won't ever change. She gave him a chance to prove himself wrong, but it looks like he will continue behaving in this manner.

She moved his hand away and stared at him directly. ”I don't need your bullshit, so back off.”

Sano seemed surprised. ”What?”

”Are you deaf? I don't need your bullshit so back off.”

”Sumire, it seems like you have changed a lot since the last time we met.”

”What did you expect after harassing me? Did you think I would get so frightened that I would be scared the next time we meet? Did you think I would break down in tears and cling to you? I'm not that pathetic. Do you think you're that important to me?”

She watched as anger flashed through Sanos eyes, but before he could hit her, somebody stopped him.

It wasn't Soujiro this time but somebody else. Hino-san?

”My dear friend, what are you doing?”

Hino looked troubled, and Sumire understood why. This entire time she knew Hino hid his friendship with her. But now all of his efforts will go to waste if he does not stop now.

”Let go of her.”

Sano blinked. ”Let go?”

At that comment, Hino sighed and pulled her into his arms. He wrapped his arms tightly around her. ”Yeah, let go.”

”Oh my…” Sano looked back at the two of them. His lips curve to a smile. ”I see, so the girl that you are fond of recently is Sumire?”

”Damn, what rumors are they spreading.”

”It's all over the company…”

Fond of? Wait, there are rumors? But Hino and her are just friends. Why would there be rumors about them? Then again, people's minds work in strange ways. It is easy for other people to make assumptions based on what they believe without listening to a proper explanation.

Sumire sighed and pulled away from Hino. ”I meant what I said just then,” Sumire repeated sharply as she glared at him. ”Quit bothering me already. I will never return to you.”

”Never, eh? I don't believe that is the case; you see Sumire, you are mine already. You never stopped being mine. Besides, those words you said earlier about coming back to me now, I never implied such a thing. Or is that something you wanted? Be careful not to put words into people's mouths based on your own delusion/fantasy.”

At that comment, Sumire froze.