This isn't a date
This isn't a date
dearly. Her feelings for Yuhi will not disappear just because Toh is kind to her, but she cannot deny her interest in this person.
Just interest? That seemed wrong to her. 'I am not an easy woman, yet I allowed him to kiss me.' Is this simply interest? Indeed, she doesn't think a kiss is special. But, it would give any average person the wrong idea.
"Are you thinking about the kiss?" Toh asked, breaking her thoughts.
Sumire sighs, hearing his reply. "You're the worst."
"Now, I will let you know that I didn't kiss you without your permission."
"I didn't say you could kiss me whenever." Sumire immediately understood what he was talking about.
"But you said it was okay to do at least that much." Toh reminded her.
Sumire felt her entire face colour turn pale. She almost forgets how stupid she behaves when she is in a weak state.
"I-I am feeling much better now. So, I thought I could return home." Sumire stammered.
"Do you truly want to leave, though?" Toh didn't seem convinced.
"I can't stay and impose on you for so long-" Her sentence fell short when he grabbed hold of her hand across the table.
"You're chatting a lot today, but it's because you are nervous."
"Mr psychologist, has anybody ever told you to respect people's privacy?"
"My clients do when they feel like I have pried too much into their personal affairs. But you are different from them."
"H-how so, I-Im also your patient, aren't I?"
"You are." Toh agreed. "But, you're different. Those people come to see me as a professional, and that is why I help them because they gave me the money for their treatment. However, you aren't like that."
"I can also pay-"
Toh shakes his head. "I am helping you because I want to because that is what I chose."
Sumire is only left speechless. She truly doesn't know what to think of him. At first, she was simply interested in him, which was the same for Toh. But did spending all that time together caring for her in his home change his mind? She wonders exactly how Toh sees her now.
Seeing Toh edge closer, she screamed. "Kyaa-do-don't come near me."
"But isn't this a date? It's natural to get closer."
"D-don't say this is a date."
"But isn't it?"
"I-if -if this is a date, you should have told me. I didn't get ready-" Sumire fumbled, trying to fix her hair with her fingers.
Toh only replied to that with a gentle smile as he continued to look at her.
"I take your silence as you accepting that this is a date."
Sumire looked at him, baffled. What is wrong with him? Ever since the other day, something feels different about Toh.
"Aren't you being too pushy?" Sumire exclaimed.
"Oh, I am surprised you noticed. But you're right."
T-this person! What was she thinking? He isn't kind at all. This is bad, so bad. He is dangerous! He must be playing with her. That background check she did on him wasn't enough.
"Ar-aren't you too used to this?" Sumire mumbled. Her entire face was red, and she fumbled over her words. Her emotions feel like a mess.
"If you think about it, Sumire. I confessed to you yesterday, so my next approach is to try and court you. So even if I get close to you, hold your hand, and kiss you, it shouldn't surprise you."
"I-is that how this works?"
So he is simply hitting on her like a normal guy would towards a girl they are interested in?
Toh laughed. "You've never been courted before, huh? But you seem to be popular with guys. Tsueno made it sound like you have loads of friends but seeing what happened with that girl just now. It's hard to picture your friendships with other females."
"I-I do have friends, but they are mainly guys. The reason I am friends with Futaba to is because we were both social outcasts in middle school."
"So you are mainly friends with guys. Do you have any pictures?"
"Huh? Oh." Sumire takes out her phone and flicks through a photograph. It was a picture of her and the other guys in nanairofeather at the recent winter training camp.
"These guys are idols, aren't they?"
"Ah yes."
"Isn't that difficult for you? I am sure you get harassed a lot for this."
Sumire shakes her head. "Actually, the ones who harass me are Ru's fangirls. I think the guy's fans have already accepted that I am the composer for nanairofeather. Oh, I compose for their group officially."
"So you not only sing well, but you can write your own music too?"
"I-I wouldn't say that-"
"Your amazing, aren't you, Sumire?"
At those words, Sumire slumped her face in her arms and put her face on the desk, pretending to sleep.
Toh, however, continued to speak. "I don't normally give out compliments. Those around me say my standards are too high and no normal person can meet my expectations."
"What does that make me then?" Sumire questioned.
"The girl I like."
Sumire immediately regretted saying those words. The girl he likes? They have only known each other for a short time. It's only been a month, to be exact.
"But, the moment I met you. I already knew there was something different about you." Toh squeezed her hands, and she had to stop herself from raising her head to look at him. "What do you think?"
"E-even if you ask me that, I don't have an opinion. We aren't strangers anymore, but I do not think we can be in a relationship either." Sumire raised her head as a thought came to mind. "I-I know what you want now."
"What?"
"Y-your only after my body!"
"I am surprised you can say that with a straight face. It's true I am attracted to your appearance, but there are plenty of women with better bodies."
"M-my charm point isn't my chest. It's my collarbones or ankles."
"That's a surprisingly weak argument. I see you as a normal cute girl."
"What do you mean by normal?" Sumire questioned.
"At the end of the day, appearances are only superficial. No matter how cute or good-looking a person is, if their personality isn't good, there is no point." Toh explained.
Then why is he still chasing after her? She doesn't have a good personality.
"Anyway, I'm not just after your body Sumire. You are very cute, and I mean that."
No matter what she says, it feels like he will have a comeback for anything.