The minute the safe door unlocked, it revealed a dark tunnel. She knew it was large enough for a person to fit but who would have thought? Sumire proceeded to take a step forward when Ru stopped her.
"Hold on, I think we should discuss whether or not it's safe to go inside."
Sumire rolled her eyes. "Ru, didn't you read the mission details? This is a mansion where people have been going missing even though there is no actual trace of them leaving the mansion. That means they must still be here." She pointed to the tunnel. "-isn't it obvious that they are in here?"
"That's too simple. But Sumire is correct, we should check it out." Toh followed up.
Mamoru frowned at Toh. "You don't take safety measures."
"I will have you know that I do. However, you are being overly cautious. I doubt that caution is directed towards the rest of us." Toh's gaze fell on her. "It's her you are worried about isn't it? I do not understand why when she is stronger than the average."
"Ki, isn't ready for this type of case-"
"I see, so it's lack of experience?" Toh looked towards her for confirmation.
"It's true that I don't usually handle missing people cases." Sumire admitted.
The jobs she normally accepts end up with raids and killing off the leader. A case that involves a lot more thinking instead of brawls, she hasn't participated in one since Yuhi-san left. Is Ru worried that she will mess things up? But, it's not like she completely lacks experience?
No, Ru has never looked down on her like that. Sumire scanned his expression for a few minutes. He must be worried that she will get hurt.
"She is ready to join a more in depth investigation. I can cónfirm that."
Seeing the invisible lightning bolts between them, she turned to Atushi for help. Surprisingly he was already at the entrance of the tunnel with a torch in hand.
"Are you guys coming?"
Sumire beamed happily. "Of course."
"Ki-" Mamoru called after her. "You have to stay next to me okay?"
"Mm I will-!" Her sentence fell short when Toh pulled her into his arms.
"I'll have you know, she will be safer by my side."
Uh, Sumire laughed awkwardly at the situation. What is with this negative tension in the air? Her thoughts break off when Atushi pulled her forward.
"You go at the front. If anything dangerous happens, you can beat them up."
"Right." Sumire said and slipped away from Toh's embrace and joined Atushi.
The four of them headed down the tunnel with her and Atushi at the front, and Toh and Ru at the back.
"So, are all the guys who are interested in you going to fight it out?" Atushi asked.
Her sweat fell. "It's not like-"
"Tsueno likes you doesn't he? It's very obvious."
It is? It wasn't until recently where she even discovered Ru's feelings for her. But, according to everybody else around her. Ru's feelings have always been obvious.
"Say Atushi-kun. The reason you got accepted into tsukuhara at this strange point in the year. Is it because of Arashi-senpai?"
"I wondered when you were going to bring him up." Atushi trailed off and nodded. "Yes, it was because of him. He wanted to uh, confront you about what happened before."
Sumire sighed deeply. "I knew my romantic misfortunes would cause problems for me eventually. But does it have to be now?"
"It seems you are very busy these days."
"Mm, the underworld is in chaos right now. That's probably why you were called over too. I heard that Aki-san is recruiting some people from random groups scattered across japan to help with our diminishing numbers." Sumire trailed off. "Atushi-kun, which group did you say you belonged to?"
At those words Atushi looked
troubled before he mumbled something quietly. 'Akagumi? Where have I heard-'
'It's a small group called akagumi. I'd love to introduce them to you one day.'
Yuhi's words flash through her mind and she looks towards Atushi horrified. "Do you, know Yuhi?"
Atushi slowly nodded and she felt a headache coming along. What type of coincidence is this?
"Uh, I mean you don't have to worry so much. It wasn't until recently where I learned that you were the girl Yuhi liked."
"T-then, does Yuhi know about-"
"I just told him that there was a girl I was interested in, but it felt like she was messing with me because there was another guy in the picture." Atushi trailed off. "When I called him not too long ago, he said that it wasn't hard to figure it out. I am guessing he did his own investigation."
Sumire looked down ashamed. She doesn't want Yuhi-san to know about her messing around. He must have a bad impression of her now.
"You don't have to worry so much. He sounded so proud and spouted some lines about you being too cute and lovable." Atushi scolded. "I didn't need to know the details."
At those words she felt her cheeks turn red and she shyly fiddled with a strand of her hair. "Yuhi talked about me?"
"He did, now I can put a face to his stories. I feel sick." Atushi sighed. "I've never heard someone boast so much about another girl before. Did you know he used to spend a long time just staring at you?"
H-he did that too? Sumire felt her heartbeat increase. Just thinking that Yuhi was looking at her so much.
"So based on the reaction you're showing me just now, it seems like you still have feelings for Yuhi. Why are you dating Mashima Toh?" Atushi asked.
She sighed deeply. "It's a bit complicated. But, I do know that right now I want to be with Toh."
Right now, Yuhi and her cannot be together. However, it seems hearing about his feelings for her is enough to make her flustered. Her heart had yet to calm down.
"Right, but that guy is four years older." Atushi trailed off. "Are you sure you know what you are doing?"
'Actually he isn't that much older.' Sumire wanted to say but knew she couldn't say it.
It would be bad if Toh's real age is revealed now. According to Toh he has done many things that would be considered illegal if people figured out his real age. Despite him glossing over the words, she understood. He must have slept with older women.
Sumire sighed deeply. Well, she already knew this when she first decided to date him. However, even amongst those rumors about Toh being a playboy that switches from one woman to another. They all say that he never dates more than one woman.
*Unedited*