Who she is to me?
Who she is to me?
What does Terashima have that he doesn't? Having these thoughts are so petty, and he knew it would do him no good. But his growing envy towards the man that has captured her heart doesn't disappear.
'San was good to me at the start. But after he saw me with Arashi-senpai, his behaviour changed.'
Toh paused. 'I wonder if this is what Nagawa was feeling too.' If that's the case. He has to be careful not to make the same mistake. Sumire is getting better, but she is still recovering from the heart break Nagawa Sano caused her.
She is still very careful with her words and actions around him. So careful, because she is afraid if she makes a mistake he will end up hating her.
"The good thing is, the police cannot arrest her or even question her since they have no concrete evidence. The leader of Hyou4 too, insists that their people help with the investigation."
"Hyou4? That's the group lead by Houjo Reishi. What does that man want with Sumire?"
"It seems Ibuki is quite close to the leaders there. Het friend Kiragi Asuka is the vice commander. In fact, Houjo ensured that she would be one of the leading officers of the investigation. How he managed that when it's common news that they are friends I don't know. But, with Kiragi on the investigation team. Ibuki should have time."
"Unless they plant false evidence." Toh said coldly.
"Right. There is a danger if the investigation goes on too long for that to happen."
"I'll take care of this. Good work bringing this to my attention."
Koichi sweat fell. "Whatever you are planning don't over do it, not even Aki is interfering as much and Hyou4 are taking formal procedures."
"I know what to do. I'll just have a friendly chat with a friend of mine."
At those words Koichi shakes his head. "Sometimes I don't know who is scarier, you or Ibuki."
"Your fear of her makes no sense to me. She is a normal girl."
Koichi kept shaking his head. "I think your definition of normal and the universally accepted definition is completely different. For starters anybody involved in the underworld isn't normal."
'I can't refute that. Members of the underworld sees so much blood shed every single day.' Anybody exposed to such horrors isn't normal. However, everytime he hears Sumire laugh and say something innocent. He can't help but think.
Would she smile more if she wasn't involved in the underworld? Would he get to hear her laughter more often?
"But, I can see that you're serious about Ibuki. So I was thinking I'd get a chance to get to know her too." Koichi paused. "Our circle is having a meet up in a few days. Why don't you ask Ibuki to come too? The others have been wanting to meet her, and it's a good chance for you to introduce your friends to her."
Toh recalled a conversation they had not too long ago. Right, his friends. Sumire mentioned wanting to meet them.
'I know we have to keep our relationship a secret. But, do we really have to do that amongst people we are close with? My friends know about you, and you have met some already. So, I was thinking I'd like to meet your friends too.'
When she said those words, he noticed how oddly she acted and asked why. When he learned about Sumire's first time meeting Nagawa's friends. The sympathy he started to gain from realising that their jealousy was similar vanished again. That sympathy was replaced with rage.
'I truly don't understand why that man hurt her so much despite loving her.'
Despite his anger towards Nagawa that day in the hospital. Toh paid attention to him, and noticed the look in his eyes when he looked at Sumire.
"I'll do that, but how much do they know?"
"Not much, other than you taking an interest in some girl you met after going to a bar. That very same girl showing up at the university and crashing the auditions."
So they have the basic information. Toh however had to be cautious. There were a few girls in their circle that he dated previously, and while he already made it clear to them that they are only friends now. Toh wouldn't be surprised if some still harbored feelings for him.
This is one of the reasons why he was in no rush for Sumire to meet his friends.
"Give them some more details, and then they can meet her. Make sure they know I am serious, and if anybody tries anything funny they'll regret it."
Koichi sighed but nodded. "I can guess who you want to direct those words too. But I'll make sure to say it to everyone." He trailed off. "Even if Ibuki is innocent, there is no doubt that girl has blood in her hands. Do you still-"
"That doesn't change who she is to me." Toh interjected.
After all, their first meeting was her running away from some thugs. Koichi didn't say anything else and Toh returned to resuming on his designs. But his mind was occupied, he couldn't wait for their date.
...…
A few hours later, Toh arrived at the meeting place. Toh leaned against the lamp post and glanced around, much to his surprise the girl wasn't here yet. There is still ten minutes left before the original meeting time. So, he is early. However, she is normally very punctual.
Sumire told him before that she has a habit of showing up half an hour early to everything.
Did something happen..? For a moment he recalled what Koichi said and shakes his head. The police can't just arrest her.
But as the time went by, he grew more and more worried.
Ten minutes turned to fifteen.
Fifteen turned to twenty.
Twenty, to forty.
When he was close to waiting for an hour, he tried to ring her phone. Only to end up on voice mail. Still Toh tried to keep himself occupied and read the news. There wasn't anything reported about a girl being arrested.
When that single hour turned to three hours. Toh knew something was wrong. There was nothing on the news, but perhaps the news hadn't been published yet? Perhaps they are questioning her now-
Toh continued to call, but nothing.
She was late.
extremely late and worse thing was, he couldn't get to her phone. Normally he would have more patience than this, but it suddenly started raining out of nowhere a few minutes ago.
The rain was getting worse, and he didn't think to bring an umbrella. Because they weren't supposed to be outside for long, by now they should have been inside.
*Unedited*