Three hourster


    Yuhi stood in front of the painting deep in thought.


    "Yuhi?"


    Yuhi nced over at the door and saw Sumire standing by the door. "Hey, how was it?"


    "Mm, the rest of the events went smoothly. I thought I didn''t see you, you were here this entire time?"


    He nodded. "Yeah. I was looking at your painting again."


    Her gaze softened at his words and she walked over. "I guess that means you like it?"


    "How did youe up with this painting?"


    "What I want to convey to everyone today, is - '' my brilliant days''. Ever sinceing here to TOKYO, certainly a lot has happened and I never imagined that it would turn out like this. You should all know about it, yes i am nanairo feather''sposer. Even now that is still the case. I didn''t want to leave them behind, since those people are so very important and dear to me. Its because of all of them that I was able to regain my smile and the reason why I made it this far. Even now. Even though were far apart I''ve always kept them so very close to my heart.


    Although our paths are separated now I''m sure the day wille when we will all trulye together again on the same road. Sinceing to TOKYO, I''ve met so many people and everything''s changed so drastically in my life. At one point I was on the verge of giving up, but there has always been someone who''s been there for me no matter what. My brilliant days started after I met this person again."


    His lips curve to a smile. "Is that part about me?"


    Sumireughed softly. "Of course it is."


    "Heh, it seems like you are getting better at ttery."


    She buried her face in his arms suddenly. "What''s wrong? Do you feel sick?"


    "No, I am happy. Thank you so much Yuhi. You know I was traumatized due to the ident, I felt like an empty shell. I no longer saw the point in living, all my hopes and dreams - all of it was meaningless. But since I came here, slowly I have gotten better. It is still painful but now…"


    "Now you can smile more." Yuhi interjected.


    At thatment he caressed her hair and heard a content sigh pass her lips. "Its okay isnt it? For me to continue dating you?"


    "Were you worried?"


    "Mmm, a little. Even though I liked you since back then. I felt guilty towards Ru."


    Indeed, Mamoru''s ident happened in december. It is only April, only a short amount of time has passed. It is only natural to worry. "That article and the picture, sorry I didn''t ask you."


    Sumire shook her head. "No. I think it is about time anyway. We wont be able to hide it for long. This way we can at least control the situation."


    "A couple of geniuses." Yuhi nodded. "It sounds perfect huh?" A young genius art couple. It is a story that would interest anybody. The reporter took a good picture of the paintings too. This is more effective than holding a press conference.


    Due to their identities Yuhi knew that they would still need to hold one. But for now this is enough. People will talk and they will be the center of attention for a while. Yet his gaze fell on Sumire who was resting her head in his arms. She looked so content and at ease. He won''t let anybody take away the smile that he took so long to bring back.


    Yuhi lifted her head and cupped her cheeks. Lately it seems like he has developed a bad habit of staring at her like this. Not that it was any better before but it seems like it has gotten a lot worse now.


    Not too long after he did this, Yuhi noticed that her cheeks slowly turned red.


    It really is a rare sight seeing her flustered like this.


    Though Sumire is the type who ends up flustered with just a bit of teasing. This is the first time he saw her behave this way toward him. After all, whenever they do anything intimate, she remains calm despite the initial embarrassment. That sort of expression with that look in her eyes.


    It is so very empty every single time. It frustrated him, even though they are so close to each other. There always seems to be a wall between them. Ah, those walls aren''t the ones being put up by her. In fact they belong to him, it isn''t her fault. It''s his, because he is still afraid to truly be close to anyone.


    He spent so many years alone and without anybody by his side.


    ''I got used to living a solidarity life style.''


    These walls around him are tall, dark and cold. They surround him everyday and act as a barrier. Almost like he is a fragile object.


    He spends so many years adding more bricks to walls to make it stronger. He does this every few months to ensure that things do not fall under the same routine as before. He longer wants to return to those days where people stepped over him and treated him like dirt.


    Despite that, somewhere deep down, Yuhi waited for that one person toe; that one person who is willing to not only break the walls around him. But to climb high enough so that they can jump over the walls and stay inside with him.


    Depending on who that person is, maybe he would lower the walls just for them.


    But he never expected that person to show up.


    "Say Sumire, what is with you and Hino recently?"


    Yuhi noticed that something seems to have changed between them. At first Yuhi did not think much of the two interacting. It was a good thing for him if the two got along. He didn''t see anything specific that would tie Hino to Sumire, the thread was weak. Even weaker than Shins...so he didn''t think much of it. But when he checked again, when he checked once more there was something different. It''s not as though it was weak, it was just hidden away - it is a different colour.


    "Were friends." Sumire immediately answered.


    It was the reply he expected to hear and yet at the same time, her response made him feel uneasy.


    Friends huh? Friends, would take her away and almost exposing her identity. They would hug, no kiss on the forehead. Right, it seems like he has underestimated friendships these days. "Like hell will I believe that."


    At thatment her gaze softens. "You don''t have to be jealous, there really is nothing but between us. He''s the same as everyone else."


    Ah, if she is trying to reassure someone she shouldn''t say it like that.


    Though the truth was he already knew that too. That no matter how close those two get, as long as Sumire herself cannot ept others truly. No, she''s epted them now - it''s different then before and she at least epts people now. But getting close...and seeing the difference between '' belonging'' and '' Love'' is something she still doesn''t understand. It will still take time huh.


    "...somehow that annoys me, you really do like to push my buttons.


    Sumire chuckles. "I''m sorry, but aren''t I just sticking to my convictions?"


    Really, she''s unbelievably stubborn.