Seven Coloured Melody

She won't do something stupid and try to defend Toh, when the signs are so clear. Because they started dating Toh told her there was no longer any need to test her.

Futaba was watching her expression and Sumire continued. "Do you truly think I am being blinded in love that I will dismiss what is going on around me?"

"Well, it's true your not the type to let love control your life."

'Actually, I am. But only if it's about Yuhi. Futaba however doesn't know that.' Sumire spotted Asuka staring at her and her sweat fell. Futaba doesn't know but Asuka does, because Asuka is also friends with Yuhi.

Sumire coughed. "Anyhow, I plan to watch his movements carefully when he finally uses his permit."

"He hasn't used it yet?"

"Of course not. I haven't been in the base long enough. But I plan to stay for longer durations the next few days. Then I'll ask him to pick me up."

'I have been evading doing this for a long time already. I need to know if Toh, if Toh is truly connected to that person.'

When she met Arata, Arata told her that he is currently helping Toh's boss because he has the power to take on Aki. It was vague information and yet it made her think. There are not many people with enough power to defeat Aki.

The only one with enough power to do that is, the leader of that mysterious organisation that has been rising recently. 'Black alice.' Even the name sounded ominous. At first she thought the Alice part was the name of the leader, but later she learned it was from Alice and the wonderland, and looking through glass.

Ominous, who uses the name of a character from a fairytale?

Asuka speaks up. "Even if Mashima is connected to that person, I do believe he will never betray you."

Sumire blinked startled at her friends words. "Isn't him being part of that circle already a betrayal to me?"

"You said it yourself, people have their circumstances. Thinking about Mashima's history, he was an orphan after being involved in an accident that separated him from his family members. Whoever helped him, he must owe a debt that he will never be able to repay."

Sumire immediately understood. "So, if that man is Toh's benefactor-"

"You can see why Mashima's hands are tied right?"

Indeed, if the situation is truly like that. Then Toh it's not his fault that he is part of such a dangerous organisation. Sumire played with the straw of the drink in front of her and realized something. This drink was full, and had a lot of whipped cream on the top.

"This-?"

"Read the note."

I hope this makes you smile beautiful.

"He truly isn't a bad guy. Before jumping to conclusions, learn more about his circumstances and then decide whether or not you trust him. I know as a member of the underworld, we must be on our guard and be vigilant at all times. We cannot truly trust anybody, we must be prepared to be betrayed by our own allies at anytime."

Sumire clenched her fist as images of Luna's betrayal flashed through her head. Luna, and several others have betrayed her since she joined the underworld. So she of all people should be more wary and cautious. But from the moment they met, she was suspicious and yet she ended up feeling comfortable around him.

"But," Asuka continued. "- that doesn't mean we push everybody away. We have to be able to distinguish between those who are genuine and those who aren't."

'I trust Toh. I have for awhile now. Even if Asuka didn't say this, I already knew how genuine he was.'

....

A few hours later, Sumire found herself with shopping bags as she returned home.

There was someone there, a man with blonde hair leaning against her gate on his phone. Despite him wearing casual wear, Sumire immediately recognized him.

Sumire dropped her bags. "Senpai?"

"Hey Rei." Arashi gave her a lopsided foolish looking smile.

Sumire couldn't believe who she was seeing. She couldn't believe he was here. Although she saw his name on the list of participants. The last time they met was when she was still together with Sano and-those brief stolen light kisses he gave her.

She should never have allowed him to kiss her. Sano had every right to be angry, every right to be jealous. She turned on her heels to leave but Arashi grabbed her wrist.

"I figured, you'd probably run away if you saw me in school. So, I decided I'd ambush you at home instead."

Sumire was about to say something when she hears coughing from inside her house. She glanced over at the doorway and saw Mamoru standing there looking worse than he did the other day. She immediately rushed past Arashi, and placed her hand on Ru's forehead.

She frowned feeling the heat transmit to her skin. "Ah, your fever has gone up! What are you doing walking around? Get back inside."

Mamoru laughed. "I saw you from the window and wanted to help you with your bags."

"I'm fine." Sumire sighed. Why is Ru like this? Why is he always so kind. Seeing him shiver, she frowned and was about to remove her cloak when Arashi stepped forward and gave Mamoru his jacket.

"Let me help you."

Sumire knew she wouldn't succeed in pushing him away now, so she simply nodded, as they both helped Ru inside. Once Ru was laying down on the couch, she walked over to the kitchen and Arashi followed her. She started to take ingredients out of the cupboards, and places a pan on the stove and got started cooking.

For the next few minutes neither of them spoke, and she focused on cooking. Arashi occasionally passing her ingredients and helping her.

Despite Toh's lessons, cooking still didn't come as naturally to her.

"So, this wasn't what I was expecting when I intended to ambush you." Arashi spoke up.

Sumire sighed deeply. "I didn't even think you had it in you to stage an ambush like this." She bit her lip.

The last time they met, he kissed her and confessed his feelings. A few minutes after Sano caught them, and that was the first time she properly understood Sano's jealousy towards Arashi.

It was also the first day Arashi learned about Sano. He took one look between us two and turned pale. He was mortified that he kissed somebody's girlfriend and confessed.

*Unedited*