Sano shrugged the thoughts away and brought his lips to her wounded hands.
Sumire shuddered but ran her fingers through his hair, pressing her hand further into his mouth.
"Take more."
Sano didn't hesitate and drank more. He took deeper and longer bites, ensuring she could feel every sensation. It worked, based on the expression she was making.
At first, the thought of drinking blood disgusted him. But, when he recalled the pain he had to endure during those experiments. Sano realized that drinking blood was nothing.
But he spoke too soon. The pain from not drinking? That is painful. However, during that time, he first experienced hunger. He bumped into Sumire. Since then, they made a deal about him drinking her blood.
Sano wondered how much of that deal was pity or something else.
He moved his lips from her wrist and moved towards her neck.
"Sumire, you smell good."
"San--"
"That wasn't enough."
Actually, it was. Despite his claims, his blood lust recently hasn't been that bad. Perhaps it's because he has been drinking a lot from her daily. However, his body has adjusted to feeding to the point that he doesn't have to feed every day.
Sumire, however, doesn't seem to realize. If she does, she isn't stopping him.
"Okay, take more," Sumire said softly.
When he hears her agreeing so easily, a part of him feels guilty.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut that guilt only lasts for a few minutes. Because just now, when he drank from her, she was thinking of Terashima. How annoying if this wasn't the only way to get close to her. He wouldn't do this.
He doesn't want to see how deep her feelings are for another man.
"Can I see you for dinner tomorrow?"
"Sure, I think I will finish early." She continues to play with his hair.
"San, what will you be wearing?"
"Hm?"
"If we're going somewhere fancy. I should wear something matching, right?"
Sano had to stop himself from smiling. Regardless of her intentions, he does like her making an effort for his sake. Before he could reply, Sano heard familiar approaching footsteps.
"Sumire---" A familiar voice said frantically.
Seeing Hino, Sano sighed deeply.
Hino looked at them with a disturbed expression. "If you're done, let her go."
"I'm not harming her."
"Yeah, but you two shouldn't be--"
Sumire stood up and clasped her hands. "Alright, you two don't fight. San gets tired after drinking."
"Even if that's true, he is taking advantage too much-"
Sano sighed. "She already said I'm not hurting her."
Hino still didn't look happy. Things have been awkward between them since he made that declaration during Christmas about openly chasing Sumire.
'As much as I don't want to let her go, I understand that her situation is different now, and she has work to do.'
The idea of her being active in the entertainment industry bothered him. Especially since she is an idol, there are disgusting rumors about idols.
To Hino's dismay, Sano tugged on her hand and pulled her closer to him. He kisses her before she can open her mouth again.
He doesn't know when the kisses started. But he does know that he doesn't want to stop them. He reluctantly lets her go, not before tracing her lips one last time.
"See you tomorrow?" Sumire asked.
"Yeah, tomorrow."
With those words said, Sano watched as she walked away with Hino. He didn't stop watching her until he could no longer see her.
'I have fallen so badly for her. I can no longer entertain the idea of letting her go.'
__________
At XXX Restaurant -
Late. Not by a few seconds or minutes, but forty minutes, close to an hour. Sumire exhaled deeply. She had already lost count of how many times she sighed and how many people had glanced her way.
She doesn't drink. But that doesn't stop her from ordering a very expensive bottle of wine just to add to Sano's tab.
Late, it's not like him to be late. Ever since they started this whole him drinking her blood thing. Occasionally he would treat her to a meal at a restaurant.
Today, Sano chose the restaurant at the new hotel that had just opened. So naturally the prices for this place are expensive.
It's not like she couldn't afford it. She was already eighteen, so she had access to the inheritance her parents left behind due to everything that happened and her settling into Tokyo. It was only recently where she even looked at that inheritance.
There were so many zero's that she had to make sure with the lawyer if it was correct. Her family had been richer than she thought, no richer than they let others know.
Some of those greedy relatives must have been aware. No wonder they acted that way. People turn greedy when it comes to money.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAnyhow, as for what she plans to do with the money. She still doesn't know. She has three kids, so for now, she has set aside some money to use on their education in the future.
Her thoughts break off when she felt a familiar pair of lips on her cheek.
"San."
"Sorry, I'm late." Sano straightens his tie. That brief kiss on her cheek and seeing the state of his clothing was enough for her to understand.
Sano is still seeing other girls.
Of course, she knew this. But it's still disturbing. He claims to love her, yet her thoughts break off when he reaches over and squeezes her hand.
"I'm really sorry." Sano apologized.
If he repeats it and looks at her like this. It's difficult for her to get angry.
"It's okay."
It actually wasn't. She already has to put up with this farce. The least he can do is equally put in the same amount of effort as her. Then again, this entire act was stupid.
"Were you--" Sumire paused.
'with a woman?' Sumire had to stop herself from saying that. They may be 'seeing each other occasionally,' but they aren't dating.
Sano must have understood since he coughed. "I had a company event."
No other explanation. He probably thinks that's enough, and it probably is. A company event means all the women there were all over him.
It does make sense why he smells of perfume.
"Do you want to come with me next time?"
"Is that such a good idea?" Sumire wondered.
"I mean, as long as you ask Hino along too."
So he is implying the possibility of it being dangerous, but asking her anyway? They must have asked him to ask her. Sumire sighed and gave his hands a gentle squeeze.
"Okay."