'Even if I acknowledge that I have to change, I do not know the first steps of going about that change.'
His thoughts broke off when Hino suddenly extended his fist out, getting ready to punch him. Although he is not good at fighting, he is still flexible and knew the basic self-defense movements. However his entire body ached due to his beatings, and the wound on his arm was still fresh.
Two days ago when, those people paid him a house visit and beat him up again.
Sano exhaled deeply. The ones who came were just taking out their frustration on him. He didn't do anything wrong.
To his surprise, instead of being punched, all he saw was Hino's hand just inches away from his face.
Hino's eyes twitched, annoyed. "I wondered why you were wearing long sleeves when you have a fever. How bad is it?"
"As you can see, it's hard to move it."
He forced himself when he hugged Sumire earlier. But if somebody attacks him directly, it is hard to dismiss the pain.
With the pretext of a house visit, he watches as Hino stomps around the room to fetch his medical supplies. Hino is as impatient as ever, huh? Then again, he must be quite busy, and yet he still came here.
Sano didn't need anyone to see to his injuries since he could take care of it himself. However, Sumire most likely saw that he wouldn't be able to use his hands for a while and so asked this guy for help.
That girl is surprisingly sharp; is that due to her fighting instincts? No, even back when they dated, she always noticed these small things about him. He never complained about being hurt or sick in front of her; she would just notice automatically.
He hadn't realized how much he took those days for granted until she was no longer by his side.
Even if he got sick, his family would not look after him personally. They would simply hire other people to do so. The people they hired varied, some did care, but even those people did not overstep their boundaries. Most of them did not care about his well-being; all they cared about was completing their job and getting the money benefits.
Some younger servants tried their luck to 'seduce him' when he was sick.
Sano laughed as his 'guest' 's irritated tone knocked down one of the cabinets. Well, now, he's still the same as ever. " Are you going to get me a new cabinet next? "
"Like hell, your the one who keeps your medical supplies in weird locations." Hino finally took out a first aid kit. "Show me your arm so I can leave."
Sano extended his arm out and mustered the strength to roll up his sleeves, revealing a large discolored bruise. There were traces of blood that remained too.
"We're already twenty-four. Is there any need for you to lose your temper all the time? Even that guy doesn't snap as much as he used to. "
"Shut it. I'm stressed out."
Stressed huh? Sano decides to leave it at that, not wanting to further make him angry, and stays quiet as Hino continues the medical treatment.
After a few minutes, Hino finished up, and right at that moment, Hino called out. "Come out already."
Sano watched as Sumire appeared from behind one of the shelves, and he spotted the dishes nearby. 'So she pretended to go out and snuck back in when he was far too busy speaking with Hino?' But why would she have to eavesdrop on them?
He watched as the girl shifted uncomfortably. Hino sighed and flicked the woman's forehead. "My lips are sealed. I didn't see anything. Just don't do anything uncalled for." Hino turned to him. "That applies to you as well."
"Don't strain your arm, idiot. I'll charge you for this visit if I do. "
With those words said, Hino left, and he extended his hand out. "If you heard everything, you should know just doing this is painful."
"You're an idiot!" Sumire shouted.
Before he could even begin to make excuses, the girl had jumped into his arms and hugged him in the next second.
For a moment, it felt like the world had stopped. Her sudden hug shocked him that he almost forgot how much pain he was in. This is the first time she has ever reacted this way. However, he saw her cry when she first learned why he joined those people. But since then, her reaction has been low.
What is this situation? Moreover, even though he saw her cry that time, something was missing. He has never seen her cry this much. Even back when they dated, even back when he did such cruel things and when she first found out about his cheating. Sumire never cried like this, but now she is shedding so many tears.
No matter how oblivious he was with these matters, he knew that the girl was crying this much for his sake.
Sano didn't know what to do. Is it okay to put his arms around her? This is the first time he has encountered this type of situation. After debating about it for a few minutes, he eventually did so and carefully caressed her back.
"I want to stay with you for a while," Sumire mumbled.
Sano's gaze softened as he felt the girl's hands shaking. " You don't have to."
The fact that she came here today was already a miracle; she does not have to do any more than this.
"I want to."
Her reply startled him more. This is the first time he hears her say that without a cold tone and a disgusted look on her face.
"Should you be here? What about Terashima?"
Sano regretted mentioning him a second later. 'Why do I have to bring up that man and remind her?'
To his surprise, she did not answer him and mumbled.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She looked at him accusingly, and his lips curved to a smile.
For a moment, he recalled how she used to behave around him when they dated. She always sulked like this whenever he disappeared without informing her.
"You already know the reason why. I don't want you getting involved."
"But they are only taking their frustration out on you because of me, right? I ignored you during that time."
'This girl is now boldly admitting to my face that she did that deliberately?' Then again, it is not like he did not notice. But it does not matter anymore, even if she plays with him and uses him. As long as he can remain by her side, he does not mind anything she does.