Chapter 110: What if I ask you to marry me?
"Uh." Sumire laughed softly. "Either you're staring at me or the food?"
"Which do you think it is?"
"The former, since you're interested in me."
"You're quite bold."
"Am I wrong?" Sumire questioned.
"No, you're right."
Sumire laughed. "If you stare too much, the food will get cold. Toh, you should eat too."
She truly is an unusual one. How many times has she rendered him speechless? Maybe he should have asked Tsueno to take her back. If they continue like this, he will- his thoughts break off hearing the sound of his stomach growl.
At that, Sumire laughed again. "Toh, eat."
"Yeah." Toh reached out for a piece of the Japanese mochibuta pork sirloin cutlet. That guy is getting better at cooking. His gaze fell on Sumire, who was eating some yakitori. Her face was brimming with happiness.
Now that he thinks about it, she seems very happy whenever they eat. She seems to like food a lot, but she doesn't gain any weight.
"Is that good?" Toh asked.
"Mm, it's tasty. You should try--"
Toh licked the falling piece of sauce from her fingers. "The sauce is good."
"T-"
"Hm?"
"Do you not have any manners?" Sumire said, flustered.
Toh paused upon hearing those words. So that's why she turned red?
"It seems you're not too unfamiliar with acts of affection," Toh replied nonchalantly.
"I told you, I had a boyfriend not too long ago. Although, he wouldn't do something like that."
"Hmm." Toh intertwined a strand of her hair with his fingers.
"Toh, you-" Sumire paused and shook her head. "I suppose it's okay."
Flirting with her like this isn't bad, but he shouldn't overdo it. He lets go after hearing her reply, and she looks puzzled. It seems her trust for him is still very small. Sometimes she would get that blank look in her eyes whenever she looked at him. It's almost like she is waiting for
"Today, why don't we talk about your family?" Toh swiftly changed the topic.
"My family? Ah."
"Is it too soon? But I think it would help me understand you better."
To what extent was her childhood damaged? He has already discovered that she is weak mentally and needs support. But how did she end up in this state?
'I have learned about her being betrayed and lacking faith in the world. But, she seldom speaks about her childhood.'
She really doesn't want to talk about them, huh? Well, that's fine too.
"Give me your hand," Toh asked.
"My hand?"
"I'll change the bandages for you."
Sumire hesitated but extended her hands out, and he slowly undid the bandages. The scar won't fade. It will probably stay for at least a year. It may even leave permanent damage.
"Toh, I've been meaning to ask. But why aren't you disgusted with me?"
"Why do I have to be disgusted?" Toh massaged her arms. "I told Tsueno that you were healing, but you're still having difficulty, aren't you?"
"Ah, you could tell?"
"It's quite obvious. Tsueno was just overwhelmed with the fact that you cooked without burning anything. But if he focused on the food properly, he would have noticed that the taste wasn't perfect."
"Mm, I still have a long way to go. Thank you so much for helping me, Toh. Three days ago, I wasn't in a good state. But I truly feel much better now."
"Even if you feel much better now, it does not mean you are okay." Toh moved the tray to the cart and laid them both down. He gently strokes her hair as he wraps his arms around her waist, drawing her close to him.
"Did you eat enough?"
"Yes, but there is still some left over." Sumire glanced at the tray. "Can we save it?"
"Sure, if you want some more later, just tell me."
"Toh, this feels comfortable."
"I see. We can stay like this for as long as you want."
"Then, if you don't mind." Sumire trailed off. "Toh, can I ask some questions?"
"Is this another way of getting to know me?"
"Well, I figured I have your basic personality figured out already. But I am a bit puzzled. You look like a player but treat women very kindly and respectfully."
So she wants to discuss that, huh?
"I don't like the idea of seeing more than one woman," Toh admitted.
"But why? Normally guys like you would." Sumire seemed genuinely confused.
It would be easy for anybody to take offense to those words. But he wouldn't. After all, just recently, she was betrayed by a guy who cheated on her. It's natural for her to experience trauma after it.
'Guys like me, huh? I suppose the damage from her ex-boyfriend hasn't gone away yet. If only I could get her ex's name, then I would know what I'm being compared to.'
If he uses the organization's resources, he may find a name. However, if he does that, it feels like an invasion of privacy. Besides, if she wants to tell him, she will. He should wait for that.
"Am I not allowed to focus on one woman?"
"You are, but it's just surprising." Sumire paused. "Which woman are you focusing on right now?"
Is she really asking him that?
"You."
Sumire giggled. "Right, but what's the trigger to make you feel bored? At some point, you change women. What makes you change your mind? I don't think they are the ones who leave."
"Well, let's use a recent example. The girl I saw recently was from an all-girls college nearby. I ended the relationship because my business with her was finished."
"Business," Sumire repeated. "So you were using her for something?"
Sensing her accusing tone Toh knew he couldn't go into details. Maybe he should have used another example. But the ones before that one were similar too.
"Not too long ago, she came to see my grandmother and said she wanted to truly be with me. However, when grandmother asked her if she wanted money or marriage. She went for the money."
"Ah, if she asked for marriage. Would you have married her?"
"I may have considered it. I do believe in taking responsibility, after all."
"So what if I asked you to marry me? Would you?"
"Yes, I-" Toh paused, realizing what she had just said. "Hold on a minute, Sumire-chan. Marriage is sacred. You can't just throw it around to someone you just met."
"But your kind to me, your handsome, and you cook well. I think it could work."
Toh raised his eyebrow at those words. What type of logic is that? Countless guys could fit those requirements.
'It doesn't necessarily have to be me. I just happened to show up in her life at the right time.'
He figured out this shortly after he met her and started to get to know her.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone