Chapter 111: Your not in love with me are you?
'Maybe I should have asked Tsueno Mamoru for some advice.' He stared at the girl who was looking at him with puffed cheeks.
"You don't want to?"
"I think we should talk about our relationship first. This started with both of us being interested in each other because we see the other person as different. Now that we have spent some time together, we have gotten to know each other better." Toh trailed off, seeing how she was looking at him. "Sumire, let me greet your guardian first. I think you know this well, but there is a large age difference between us."
Sumire didn't reply to him, and yet Toh knew she was listening.
"I have no regrets about touching you. However, society isn't like that. You're a minor. Even if I misunderstood your age, it doesn't change what I did. But I do want to keep seeing you regardless. If your guardian allows it, we can take it a bit further."
'Moreover, it's not like she is saying this because she fell in love with him.' There is a particular name Sumire says in her sleep. Terashima Yuhi, huh? Her bad state from three days ago seems to be related to him. But to avoid the girl from breaking down again, he hasn't bothered to search on the internet, so he doesn't know what happened.
Did Terashima get a girlfriend? Is that why she was so sad? No, this doesn't seem to be a case of heartbreak; if that was all this was, then she wouldn't react that way.
"So, we can be in a relationship?"
"If your guardian allows it." Toh trailed off. "Besides, you're not in love with me, are you?"
Sumire nodded. "That's right."
She didn't hesitate at all, did she?
"But I do feel comfortable around you."
"Is that enough for you to enter a relationship with someone?" Toh wondered.
This entire conversation is crazy. When the girl said she was interested in him too, Toh already understood that it wasn't the romantic type of interest. But that was fine with him; initially, he wasn't interested romantically too. He still doesn't know if he is interested in her that way, either.
However, the idea of seeing another woman right now bothers him. A woman who isn't Sumire.
Beautiful laughter passes her lips. "Toh, am I troubling you by asking this? Even if I am, it's the first time I am seeing you bothered by something."
"You have to stop laughing like that. It makes you cuter than you already are."
"Ah, so that's why you kept looking at me like I was your first love."
This girl is truly troubling him.
"How are you feeling? We just started cuddling, but I was initially going to get you some medicine."
"Mm, I still feel bad. But now I'm too cold. So being hugged like this makes me feel much better."
Toh removed the compress from her forehead and tossed it in the bin. He placed his hand there, and it felt colder than before. So she has a fever; hopefully, it's not too high. When he saw those crazy numbers when he first went to her place, he started to think there was something wrong with her.
That wasn't a temperature for a normal human. Perhaps she is one of those? Is she an evolved human? If so, she would match the boss description- Toh shakes his head. No, it's just a coincidence. It can't be Sumire. He won't let it be Sumire.
He moves a strand of her hair away from her face. "Don't you think we have talked enough? You need your sleep."
"I wanted to talk more. Toh, if your interested in me. You won't hurt me, will you?"
"I won't."
It surprised him how quickly he answered her.
"Then, that's all I need to know. As long as you don't hurt me, you can do whatever you want."
Toh immediately understood what she was talking about. She shouldn't talk about giving her body away so easily.
"Sumire, I think we need to change that mindset of yours first. Yes, I won't hurt you, and yes, I am a good guy. However, just because I don't hurt you doesn't mean I don't hurt other people. Just because I am good in front of you, it doesn't mean I am the same as the others."
"So, Toh, you're the type whose behavior changes depending on the person you are with." Sumire trailed off. "But, it doesn't matter to me what others think. I want to be with you."
'But she truly likes Terashima Yuhi. Otherwise, she wouldn't have cried like that.' Toh changed their position, so he was on top of her.
"So, you want to become my woman?"
"I-Uh-" Sumire laughed nervously. "Um, wait. Maybe I shouldn't have phrased it that way."
So now she is nervous? "Your face is a lovely shade of red."
"Toh, I-"
Toh leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I won't do anything. But you have to remember that I am older than you. If you tease me too much, it will backfire on you."
"Then I, um-"
"Go to sleep. We can take a stroll tomorrow since the weather should be good. There is a quiet park nearby that you will like."
...…
The following day, like he promised, he brings Sumire to that quiet park. Whenever he has free days, he finds quiet places like this in Star town. This is a small town, but there are a lot of hidden areas.
"Toh, there are so many flowers up ahead." Sumire beamed happily.
Toh glanced up and saw rows and rows of purple and blue colored hydrangeas. His eyes widened, 'Was this place always like this?'
The panic attack from last night didn't last long, so perhaps she is finally healing. But when those panic attacks vanish, Sumire will certainly leave and return home. Even though this was only supposed to be a temporary arrangement, he has gotten used to her being by his side.
'Maybe I can persuade her to stay longer?' Toh shakes his head. He can't do that to her.
"Don't run too fast. You might fall."
"It's okay. I am feeling much bet-" The moment Sumire said those words, she stumbled backward.
Toh immediately rushed over and broke her fall.
"What did I tell you? You're so clumsy."
Sumire laughed nervously. "Um, but I trusted you would catch me."
Toh sighed. "I won't always be around." He trailed off, seeing a flash of darkness in her eyes. "Forget it. I have a simple solution to this."
"A solution?" Sumire repeated.
He extended his hand out. "Let's hold hands."
Her gaze softened, and she nodded. "Alright."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone