Toh frowned upon hearing her reply; that wasn't what he expected. Is she trying to avoid his question?
"Were you in love with me or not?" Toh decided to just ask her.
"I-I was-" Sumire stammered. "I was in love with you, okay?" She exclaimed.
Toh chuckled. "Good girl, it's better when you're honest." He turned to the bathtub that was filled with water already, and he stepped inside.
"Your hair and your arms, that's all I will help with," Sumire mumbled.
"I see."
'That will do for now. If I am too pushy, she will get scared. I'd rather not frighten her if I can.' Moreover, she just revealed some shocking news to him. It was difficult to process, but he was more concerned about her condition.
"Sumire, how have you been?" Toh decided to break the awkward atmosphere.
She seemed startled at his question. "Huh?"
"Your mental health."
"Oh." Sumire trailed off. "Um, when you said it was good for me to live with you. Do you mean-" She seemed embarrassed.
"Yeah. But it's not an issue. I want to help you. Or rather, I need to make it up to you."
"I-I'm fine Toh." Sumire stammered. "I-"
Toh shakes his head. "It's okay, Sumire, not to be okay. Didn't I tell you this before?"
Sumire turned quiet before mumbling 'thank you.' and turning to leave. "W-we can discuss this after you finish bathing."
He didn't get a chance to reply to that before she bolted away. Toh sighed deeply. He didn't think anything would happen, but wasn't she making it too obvious that she didn't want to get close to him?
...….
They spend the next few days getting comfortable with each other's presence again. Sumire still seemed cautious, and there were times when she would look at him with an empty look in her eyes. But then she would snap out of it. He used these few days to calmly asses her psychological state. Mamoru, Narasaki Hino, and Nakara Shin's concerns were correct.
His gaze fell on the girl feeding him chocolates.
"Toh, eating chocolates in the morning isn't good for you."
"Says the one feeding me."
Sumire didn't say anything and placed another chocolate in his mouth. He bravely caresses her hair and runs his hands through her back, and she suddenly freezes.
"This is stupid," Sumire muttered as she got off him and tried to leave the bed. Toh grabs her wrist.
"Why are you angry?" Toh asked.
"It feels like you're taking advantage of me, so it's making me feel unpleasant," Sumire muttered.
"The woman who just shared my bed is so cold."
"Don't put it that way!" Sumire looked livid. "I was trying to sleep in the guest room, but you dragged me to yours."
The only reason he brought her to his was because she was having a nightmare and screaming in her sleep. He thought she would rest before with someone by her side and, indeed, after he brought her to his room. She seemed more relaxed.
The words she uttered in her nightmares, however, worried him. Is this what Lucifer was talking about?
'Sumire will have no choice but to come to me eventually.'
Toh used to think that Lucifer was bluffing, but it seems that isn't the case. That confidence isn't a bluff. Unfortunately, he still has too little information; he needs to gather more evidence before confronting Lucifer.
But he needs to get Sumire to trust him again. They can't confront Lucifer together with her in this state.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to tease you too much." Toh decided to apologize.
Sumire reluctantly nodded, but she still seemed troubled.
"I'll make you breakfast." Toh offered.
He silently led her out of the room and towards the kitchen and pushed her against the counter. He only wanted to check if she had a fever, but she was very cautious.
"Toh," Sumire muttered.
"Hmmm?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not really upset. I'm just a bit confused." (f)reeweb(n)ovel.com
"I understand. But you should know that I'm serious about taking you back."
He wanted to say more, but they heard the sound of the door, and Sumire immediately bolted to the door. Minutes later, she returned with two children in her hands and a little boy hiding behind her.
Toh immediately recognized the young boy. That must be Mamoru's kid; they truly resemble each other. He walks over, and Sumire freezes and watches his expression. "Come with me."
He led them up the stairs and into the room opposite to his room, and Huan's eyes sparkled.
"Mom, Mom, there are so many toys!" Huan exclaimed happily.
Sumire looked at him, surprised. "This-?"
"I had it set up. I figured the boy could use his own room, if he wants to be with his siblings. Oh, there is a crib here if the kids want to be together."
"Thank you."
"Mom, can I play with Kyoko and Satomi?" Huan asked.
"Yes, but remember, they are still young. Be careful, okay?" Sumire said.
Toh looked at the scene surprised. There was something mature about Sumire when she was speaking with her child. After they left the room, Hino spoke up about coming over to discuss some job offers and asking how she was.
Hino looks at him and then back at her. "I'm surprised he hasn't laid a hand on you yet."
"O-of course he wouldn't," Sumire exclaimed.
Her response puzzled him. Toh was under the impression that she no longer trusted him. Perhaps he was wrong. They eventually arrived in the living room, and he proceeded to the kitchen to make Sumire a drink. The two of them have had a little routine the past few days. Usually, now they would watch a movie together on the couch while she wrote songs.
"Hino, you're so cruel." Toh hears Sumire mumble.
"Yes, I'm cruel, but you're the one who keeps skiving."
"But I don't like acting," Sumire said dejectedly.
"I know, but you're an idol. You have to do this. It's just a small drama; the co-lead is someone you know well." Hino holds up a picture of Nakara.
"Ah, Shin?" free(w)ebnov(e)l
"Yes, so don't skip practice again."
"Oh, I feel silly worrying. I thought it would be some weird guy." Sumire sighed in relief.
"Even though he likes you."
"Shin is safe." Sumire nodded.
Toh walked over with a cup in his hands and placed it in front of Sumire.
"Oh hot cocoa! Thank you, Toh." Sumire thanked him as she happily drank.
"It's hopeless; only Sumire can behave like this with guys who like her."
Hino sighed. "It doesn't make sense how she can be so nonchalant."
"Agreed. It's lucky she is cute. Otherwise, that type of behavior would be annoying."
"Did you mean me?" Sumire said, surprised.
Toh nodded and saw her freeze.
"Did I say something wrong?" Toh immediately replied. He watches as her entire face slowly turns different shades of red.
"N-N-! I'm going to check on the kids." Sumire exclaimed before dashing out of the room. He heard her stumble a few times and chuckled.
She is as clumsy as ever. But he finds that side of her adorable.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺