Sumire should not have a hard time managing money due to her strong business sense. But since she is only a young girl, it is easy for people to trick her.
To his surprise she suddenly bursts into laughter. "Of course you would think of it that way."
"Am I wrong?" Sano questioned. "If it isn't money and a different kind of favour, then tell me. I will do anything I can to make sure you break free from him."
In Sanos eyes Terashima Yuhi is not any different than him. Sure the kid is rich and famous. But everybody knows he is an orphan, in terms of family backing he has nobody. Sumire lost her parents, yes, but the wealth of the Ibuki family is all hers. Terashima is very sly. Sano does not know what method the kid used to win her over but he will not lose her.
Sumire stopped replying and he frowned.
It seems like he will have to change tactics. He took a deep breath and stood up. He kneeled on the ground and bowed. "I'm sorry."
At that comment Sumire seemed surprised. "Huh?"
"Forgive me, you were right all along. I should not have cheated on you."
"Uh.." Sumire looked at him awkwardly. "Even if you apologize--"
"I understand, I will work hard."
"Work hard?"
Sano nodded. "I will work hard to earn your forgiveness."
She didn't reply right away but he heard the sound of her chair. He found that the girl had also bent down onto the ground. "Say.." Sumire spoke up. "I actually don't understand what kind of stunt you are trying to pull here. But you wont get anywhere trying to pursue me. Yuhi and me are not dating like you said, we are only good friends. I already decided that I will not date anyone ever again. I will accept your apology, if you mean it but nothing else." She quickly stood up.
Sumire picked up the documents from the desk. "I will photocopy this."
With those words said the girl swiftly left the room. Sanos gaze dimmed, he did not expect that from her. That lonely face and those soulless looking eyes. Did the death of another man bother her that much? Sano did not think that it would affect her that much. He feels strange, what is this?
Sano did not remain in that position long and chased after her.
The filing room was not too far from the meeting room. Sano however ran after her so he was quite out of breath. "Let me help you."
Sumire blinked but nodded. "Alright."
This entire thing felt strange to him. Why on earth did he run here? Why-- why does he feel like this towards her? Is it because he has never seen that expression on her face before? That lonely look, that hollow gaze would frighten anyone away.
"Did you come here to Tokyo for a reason?"
"I wanted to escape the town, it was suffocating there." Sumire replied.
In the past Sano thought all of Sumire's loneliness was merely teen angst. He blamed everything on her net . But just now when he saw that look on her face, Sano realized that something was different. He did not understand why he was suddenly paying her this much attention. Is it because it is thrilling? Thrilling to know there is something he can still learn about the girl he discarded and threw away.
His gaze fell on the girl who was busy making copies of the documents. She was a lot taller now and her hair was longer. Her body was more developed too, long legs, bigger chest. Right now Ibuki Sumire looked like a goddess. Sano wondered if this oblivious girl had any idea how she looks right now. It is no wonder so many people complimented her appearance when she debuted.
He was overseas when Sumire made her idol debut, and the news there did not feature her so much. But the people he asked to keep an eye out on her reported everything to him. Her new look baffled him, he did not think she would change so much.
Back then she was timid ...wasn't she?
....
2014
Sano re-entered the room and found Sumire changing. He stood silently by the door and watched. He could only see her back and yet he liked what he saw. She looks beautiful. Sano refrained from doing anything with her this entire time, but it seems like he can go a bit further today.
"Sano?"
"Hey." Sano greeted and walked over. "Care to stay over tonight?"
"I guess I can stay for a little while, but I have to go home."
Her parents are far too strict. But then again, it is only natural for them to be so protective over their daughter. This girl is a real gem and nobody seems to realize that. Sano wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear. "Isn't it okay?"
Sumire nodded and Sano led her to the bed.
One of the things he found while dating Ibuki Sumire was the girl had lips that were very kissable. Any guy would enjoy kissing these luscious lips of hers. He found it strange that the girl never had a boyfriend before.
"S--sano.." Sumire panted. "This feels a bit weird."
Sano licked his lips. "Weird?"
"Should we be.."
Is she starting to have doubts? No good. Sano gently kissed her chest and saw her shudder. "Leave everything to me love."
...…..
Present
"--s-sano!"
Sano snapped out of his trance and found a much older Sumire standing in front of him shaking her head. The girl pointed to the photocopier machine. He ended up printing 3,000 fliers instead of three hundred.
Sumire sighed and picked up the papers. "I guess we can recycle some."
"..."
He wonders how it would feel now to kiss her. How would it feel to touch her like he did before? Nobody is around right now. Sumire maybe stronger now, but he is still a man. He is physically stronger than her and he could easily overpower her.
But does he want that? Even if he forced himself on her here, would that be enough to convince her? He could blackmail her with pictures and she may agree. But Sano recalled her hollow gaze from earlier and paused.
The current her is a bit dangerous. Sano does not know what she would do if he went through with his initial plan.