“About Mashima Toh, it seemed he returned for your sake. What are you going to do?” Eli suddenly changed the topic.

Sumire recalled the sensation of his back against hers briefly. It was brief, yet she felt a rush of different emotions.

“I’d like to speak with him first.” Sumire concluded.

Eli chuckled. “Will it really end up with talking?”

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At those words, her cheeks burned in shame. “I-I-I won’t do that anymore! I’m dating Yuhi.” Sumire exclaimed.

“You let Nagawa Sano get away with it, why not Mashima Toh?”

Sumire didn’t know what to say to that. No matter how much she explains to Eli about her revenge plan against Sano, he makes her feel like she is acting like an idiot. Maybe she is, moreover, like she told Yuhi. It’s not like she hates him anymore, but whenever she sees him, all she feels is pain.

“Queen, you are still bad at romance.”

Sumire sighed deeply. “Did you come here to criticize me after all?”

“Not at all. I figured we could have a chat today since you unexpectedly brought Hino-kun with you.”

“Hino is only worried about me.”

Sumire knew that Hino didn’t trust Eli at all and warned her that Eli could easily betray her and truly join the Black Alice organization. Of course, she knew that was possible. She and Eli had a complex relationship, they weren’t exactly friends but not quite strangers either.

Eli approached her when she was dating Sano, and he briefly explained how he was tied to her past in the facility. Later, she learned the full truth that he had been one of the researchers at the facility. She confronted him, and he told her everything.

Hino probably doesn’t realize that she already knows the truth about Eli and that she accepts him regardless. Hino must think that Eli is tricking her. She still hasn’t found the right time to resolve the misunderstanding.

“As he should be. Does he know that the missing family case is a drug-related case too?”

Sumire nervously averted her gaze, and Eli sighed.

“When he finds out, he will be furious. So maybe it’s better if you tell him?”

“Then, I won’t be able to complete the job. I am sure he will try and take over.” Sumire grumbled.

There is a reason why Aki gave her this job and her alone. It means nobody else can complete it; it would be bad if she didn’t complete her mission.

“Is it that important for you to complete your mission?”

Sumire fiddles with the necklace around her neck. It was a symbol of the Holy knight’s group, a green dragon.

“Yes,” Sumire said quietly and confidently as she looked at Eli directly.

“Aki isn’t a good person. I am sure you know that better than anybody.” Eli pointed out.

“He has his faults, and I will admit that he can be ruthless. But, he saved me.” Sumire replied.

She owes him a debt she will never be able to repay. Moreover, Aki is a bit eccentric, but he has never hurt her, and she won’t admit it out loud.

‘I trust him to have my back.’ Because of that trust, they can work together. However, she does understand Eli’s concerns. Aki is a very ruthless leader. Although he smiles a lot, he shows no mercy to even his own subordinates.

Her thoughts broke off when Eli patted her hair. “Eventually, the missions he gives you will break you. How much longer do you intend to do his bidding without questioning it? I am sure you have noticed how incredibly dangerous the missions he gives you are. How many life-threatening situations have you been in?” He shakes his head with a deep sigh. “The reason I am mentioning now is because you are a mother now, you have your own family.”

At the mention of the children, she turned to Huan, who was fast asleep beside her, curled in a little ball shape, and the twins who were in the crib.

“I know what I am doing, but I appreciate your concern, Eli.”

…..

A few hours later, at 11 pm.

After Eli left, she was by herself for most of the day. Hino came very late and kept apologizing. She didn’t mind it too much, her body felt terrible, and getting that much sleep helped her regain some energy. So, by the time Hino came, she had enough strength to move. They had just finished watching movies an hour ago, but she couldn’t get much sleep. Is it because she slept most of the day? She tossed and turned on her bed. ‘Yuhi didn’t call me.’

It’s so weird, she thought he would be the first one to wish her happy birthday but nothing. Maybe he is busy? But even then, Sumire stared at her phone. It should be okay to ring him, right? Just as she was thinking this, she received a message.

From: Kou

I’m sorry, Mimi. Yu-Yu is in hospital. Relax, it was just a minor fight, and Takeyama-san is suppressing the news. But he spent most of his day in the police station. Right now, Takeyama-san is lecturing him.

Sumire’s eyes widened. Huh? For a moment, she couldn’t believe what she was reading. Yuhi got into a fight? But why? It’s not like him, he hates violence.

From: Sumire

Please tell him to call me when he gets his phone back.

From: Kou

I got it. I hope you had a great birthday.

Honestly, what is Yuhi doing? For him to resort to violence. It’s not hard to guess. Somebody must have said something about her, that is the only thing that would trigger him. He is so foolish, and yet she loves even this foolish side of him.

There was a knock on her window. Sumire sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily. How strange is it, Hino? No, Hino is in the guest room right now. She ignores it, thinking she imagined it, but just as she is about to sleep, she hears it again.

This is weird; who could it be? Should she get Hino? But an intruder wouldn’t knock on her window. Knock on her window? Memories of Ru knocking on her window on her birthday resurfaced in her mind, and she felt her heartbeat speed up.

It can’t be, can it? The day is almost over, but an hour is still left before midnight. Any ideas in her head that she entertained of him making an exception and seeing her on this day flew out earlier. But, now-

After taking medicine and resting the entire day, she felt much better than earlier, and her fever had gone down. Sumire walked over to the balcony window and took a deep breath before opening the curtains. It felt like her heart had stopped when she saw that mop of brown hair. Sumire immediately rushed over and opened the balcony door. She couldn’t believe it, but there was no doubt that the person standing before her is Tsueno Mamoru.

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