Sano smiled softly and turned to the bottle of wine. He frowned. "I don't think you should be drinking."
"I'm spending the night with you, right? It should be fine."
She has barely drunk any of it and only ordered it due to her irritation of waiting.
She assumed she was spending the night- at least, that's what she had to tell Toh. In case he went out looking for her because he would.
"Yeah, I booked a room upstairs with a good view."
Of course, he did. He hadn't drunk her blood since yesterday, and it was only a little when he did drink. He must be hungry. When they first started this arrangement, they both had to find a place to do this. Ultimately, these random meet-ups at hotels were the arrangement they came up with.
It's risky. Of course, she knew that. But Hino does have her back. So she can relax a little.
Sumire let go of his hand, and Sano turned to the menu. "Do you want me to choose?"
"Yes."
No doubt that he will pick something she likes. Despite how badly their relationship ended. There is no doubt that he knows a lot about her.
After scanning the menu for a few minutes, Sano calls for the waiter and gives their order. He quickly turns his attention back to her. Sumire immediately noticed the hungry gaze in his eyes.
"San, later." Sumire almost snapped.
"Sorry, you're just very pretty."
He probably means that.
"How was work? Were you busy?"
"We do seem to be getting more patients recently, and we are short of staff. So I've been in the operating room more than I'd like."
It must be hard for him to be around all that blood in his current state. According to the books she read, new hanyous are especially sensitive to blood, especially in their first year. Their bodies are still adapting.
It's only been half a year for San, so there is no doubt that he is having more of a hard time than he lets out. Sumire takes a deep breath before she extends her hand out.
"Should I bring you lunches? It doesn't seem like you have time to eat."
More importantly, if she has access to the hospital, then there is a high chance she will stumble on San's grandmother and other family members. As much as she doesn't want to see them, being close to them would benefit her right now.
Sano's gaze softened. "If you can. Food is the last thing on my mind when I am jumping from one surgery room to another. I don't exactly have the luxury to make it myself when I am so busy."
Sumire nodded. "Then I'll do that."
Sano suddenly stood up and sat down beside her. He rested his head on her shoulders. "As long as I see you. I will have more strength."
Sweet-sounding lines, kind words, and actions. The current Nagawa Sano is vastly different from the guy she met when they reunited. No, he is acting kinder than he was when they first met.
Is it because nothing is restricting him anymore? She wants to understand. If she understands the current him, then perhaps this remaining resentment in her heart will vanish. Perhaps she can then firmly reject him.
......
Sano wasn't joking when he said he booked a room with a good view. This has to be the best room in this hotel because of the view. The furniture is practically made out of gold. Sumire exhaled deeply. He doesn't have to go this far. Surely he knows that she dislikes fancy places?
He no longer hesitates to drink her blood. At first, when the suggestion came up. Sano was very careful with her, but now he has adjusted to drinking from her.
Roughly two hours after they entered the room, Sano finally let her go.
"Do you want to shower first?"
Sumire shakes her head. "It's fine. I'll just wipe it."
Sano nodded. "I'll be back." He paused before leaning over and lightly kissing her lips.
"Take your time."
Sumire slumped on the bed and sighed deeply.
'What am I even doing here..?'
She recalled Toh's words. When Toh learned about what was happening between San and her, he didn't stop her directly. But, he offered advice.
'You don't owe him anything.'
Maybe she doesn't. But, after she started getting nightmares or, more accurately, visions of Sano's pain during those experiments. She knew she couldn't ignore him.
In one of those visions, she saw it clearly.
He needs to feed, and it seems only her blood will do.
'The blood of your special person.' Yuhi-san was the one who told her about this. No matter how much blood Sano drinks from other people, his blood lust won't vanish. When she learned he was struggling, she suggested he drink from her.
Since then, this unusual relationship has continued. Her thoughts break off when she hears the sound of her phone. Sumire immediately answered it.
"Hello? Hino?"
"I covered for you. But, really. Did he have to take you to a dammed hotel?" Hino snapped.
This isn't their first time having this conversation, and it certainly won't be the last. At least until Yuhi-san returns, naturally when he comes back. She would have to discuss with him what to do with Sano,
Sumire laughed. "If I went to his place, the damage would be just as bad."
"Next time. Do that in the apartment. I am sure Mashima won't mind."
Not the first time they have spoken about this. But this is the first time there has been an alternative.
"Won't the kids be sensitive to blood?" Sumire said worriedly.
"Other than Huan, the other two haven't shown hanyou traits just yet."
"I see."
"You're letting Sano feed off you. But what about yourself? Have you been drinking?"
"Tablets. I don't want to drink from anyone who isn't Yuhi." Sumire said firmly.
"He won't mind."
"I know but I mind."
Sano already gets very intimate with her when he drinks. She can dodge the guilt since she isn't doing the touching. But, if she drinks from anyone else and gets the urge to touch, the guilt will eat her away. She already feels bad doing this with Sano.
She tells herself it's fine and she has boundaries. But how much more of this can she take? How much more before San loses control?
How much longer before something falls apart again?