Chapter 98 - Coping

Honestly, Sumire makes it so difficult for him. Does she not understand that by saying such bold things, something bad could happen to her? Then again if she actually has Tsueno Mamorus child, then he shouldn't be hasty with her. When she turns eighteen huh? Even though he struck that deal with Hino, Yuhi was having a hard time holding back. He never would have thought that he could fall in love with somebody as much as he did Ibuki Sumire. She is unlike all the other women he has ever met before.

After that meeting, that snowy concert several years ago. Yuhi realized there was something wrong with him. Wherever he went, all he could see was Ibuki Sumire. No matter how many gorgeous women flung themselves at him, he did not care for any of them. Instead, the only one that remained attractive in his eyes is Ibuki Sumire.

Yuhi looked over at her again and noticed that she was purposely getting closer.

Damn, what is she trying to do?

"Yuhi-san, it is exactly like your thinking. I am flirting with you and hoping you would do something."

What on earth --- damn it. Yuhi puts the brush down and pulls the girl down onto the ground. Whenever he looks into her eyes, he ends up getting dizzy and confused. These amethyst coloured eyes of hers that resemble a jewel, it all belonged to him now. But sometimes Yuhi wondered if that was truly the case.

Sumire still hasnt settled her feelings for Mamoru yet.

…..

"Now then, this should be fine. Let's paint the small boards while we--" Yuhi cuts her off by wrapping his arms around her waist. He brushed his lips against her ear. "Unn, Yuhi?"

"Hey, do you really want to? When you're eighteen."

"Is that why you look so troubled?"

"Just tell me," Yuhi muttered as he continued his advances on her neck.

"Yuhi-san as you know I have no experience with such things, I only did it with Ru once and I did it twice with you. So whether we should discuss it or not, I'm a bit lost." Sumire trailed off. "I figured we should listen to Hino-san though."

"Alright but from now on, you're sleeping with me in the same room."

"Don't I do that anyway?"

"Quit sneaking off, I don't bite."

He hates waking up and not seeing Sumire beside him.

Sumire rolled her eyes. "I know you won't harm me."

"Then what was that comment about bearing with it…"

"I simply meant I would cope with your overbearing beast like kisses and attacks." She paused and sighed. "Yuhi-san, do you not know how to be gentle with a girl?"

Yuhi could not answer her question right away. What could he say to that? Indeed she was right there, he does not know the first thing about being gentle with the opposite gender. How could he know? His exes were the same type as him. But even more than that, he spent so many years fighting in the underworld society. 7

He was surrounded by guys most of the time. Even though he lived a double life and continued with his career, he seldom saw any girls. The scent of a woman's skin, the softness -- honestly, it drove him crazy. Maybe because Ibuki Sumire is exceptionally beautiful, it makes it difficult for him.

Yuhi shook his head. He needs to be sensible here. After all, he is the older one. Sure two years dont make much of a difference normally. But right now it does, she is underage but he isnt. It is frustrating after all, he wants to touch her.

To his surprise Sumire extended her hand out and brushed it across her cheeks. He could not miss the gentle expression on her face when she did this. Yuhi wonders what kind of pain she experienced in the time they were not together.

The effect mamoru had on her was very strong. But the main reason for that was because Sumire was in a lot of pain before. The only reason his death had such a huge toll on her was because she ended up relying on him when she had nobody else left. She gave everything to him only for him to leave again.

"Could you tell me about your journey?" Yuhi mumbled. "What happened after that accident?"

He wants to know everything. How did she live before Aki saved her? What did she do? Escaping from that fire.. Where did she go? He had so many questions he wanted to ask her, but Yuhi wondered if it was okay for him to do that. She is clearly still in pain. Would asking such questions now be insensitive of him?

"I ended up travelling for a whole month. And well we were actually being pursued quite heavily at the beginning. We wandered around endlessly and ended up leaving the city for a while and travelling in the forest. It was then I discovered the beauty of the countryside and the small villages. I fell in love with the scenery. The people were quite different then the ones in the city and there honestly wasn't much in the area. Yet, to me it was beautiful. We went to visit Nao's grandfather and hid there for a little while until he told of us of the ancient tale." Sumire pauses. " Truth to be told I was rather skeptical about it. Not that I doubted Nao's grandfather but it was more like...I doubted myself. I've never had anything, that's why... I don't understand how I can be someone important. Someone who has the power to change everything. We stayed there quite a bit until I made my mind up. But even when I did and set out on my journey, I realised that I really am powerless."

"As somebody who believes that power isnt everything, let me tell you something." Yuhi pulled out his lighter from his pocket and his cigarette. These days he refrains from smoking in front of her.

"Power is only a figure of people's imaginations. It is something they created in their heads to feel superior to another person. Sure there are those people in society who have more control than others. But it is quite easy for a commoner to rise to fame and overtake these people. It is easy for people to let their voices be heard, take a look at the French revolution."

"Ah, where the people took up arms to make changes to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic?"

Yuhi nodded. "Those people decided that they would not let other people govern and control their actions. They decided for themselves what kind of future, what kind of town they wanted, and chose the leaders."

Who cares if somebody has noble blood or not? At the end of the day even blood won't save you if the people disagree with your views and values.