"Oh, Sayuri-san. It's been a while," Yuu-san said to me as he saw me entered the school.
"Hello, Yuu-san. How are you lately?"
"Not bad. Just wanting to get into the real training before the mission takes place."
"Mission?" I asked him, confused.
"Ah, that's right you don't know. Guren has agreed to help me get Mika back. That baka had taken too long to finally give me his answer."
I smiled at Yuu though I feared for everyone in this mission. It was a risky mission indeed to risk many lives to save Mika-san for Yuu.
I placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
"Guren-chusa is tough on everyone and you, but he has a soft heart for family and friends. He'll put them as a top priority always."
"You always defend his name, Sayuri-san. Do you have to because you serve the Ichinose house?"
I shook my head.
"No, I'm not defending him out of duty. I grew up with Guren-chusa, so I have a good idea of his values. If there's anyone to stand for friends and families, it is Guren-chusa."
Yuu-san let out a sigh and swung his bag over his shoulder.
"I guess I will just have to put more faith in him then."
"Sometimes, that's all you can do."
"Ah crap! I'm going to run late for my next class. Nice seeing you, Sayuri-san."
"Likewise."
I sighed to myself, going over what I had just said to Yuu-san.
I had a good idea of Guren-sama's values? I honestly feel like I don't know him anymore.
Back on track with the reason why I came back to this school here, I made my way to Guren's office until I ran into Mito.
"Sayuri-chan."
"Mito-chan!"
"What brings you here today?" she asked while holding some books in her arms.
"Shinya-shosho asked me to bring Guren-chusa some files. Is he in today?"
"Nope. Guren-chusa is in his underground office waiting for some experiments to be conducted."
"Ah, I see. Then can I leave these to you, and you can give it to him when he returns?"
To my surprise, Mito-chan actually shook her head no.
"I honestly don't want to be responsible for those files. You have access to his underground office, so why don't you just give it to him yourself?"
"I…umm—"
"Sayuri-chan, what is going on between you and Guren-chusa?"
"N-nothing at all!" I said with my voice a little too high followed by a nervous laugh.
Mito shook her head and sighed. Apparently, she knew my habits too well.
"You have never been a good liar, Sayuri-chan. And may I just say that for walking out on your squad like that… it stings."
It pinched my heart and made me realized how insensitive and selfish I had been towards the rest of my squad.
"Gomen," I could only say. "I just couldn't—"
"I know you love Guren-chusa. We've been together for years, and everyone can tell. You were letting Guren go to start fresh."
"I just didn't know what to do anymore. I was tired of being…hurt."
"Especially knowing how much Guren-chusa's past lover meant the world to him. He is unable to move on and accept your feelings."
I shook my head and put a reassuring smile on.
"But I hope he can find someone that he can love again. Guren-chusa deserves happiness."
"And you don't?" She questioned with a raised brow.
"Everyone does. I'm just not the person for him."
Mito sighed and gave me a hug.
"Unselfish as always, Sayuri-chan. I swear, one day, a man will notice you and never let you go."
"Either way, I'll be fine."
"Here," Mito-chan pulled back and stuck her hand out. "I will give those files to Guren-chusa."
"You will?" I beamed at her answer, yet I harbored a small remorse because I had a tiny wish to see him too.
"Yes, I will."
"Thank you so much!" I exclaimed and handed her the files. "Well, I would love to chat with you longer, but I have a stack of paper that needs to be reviewed."
"Likewise. We can catch up some other time, Sayuri-chan."
"Okay. Again, thank you."
I was then on my way back to my compound.
GUREN'S POV
Guren looked up from the knock on his door in his underground office.
"Come in," he said.
"Pardon the intrusion, Guren-chusa," Mito said. "I have files that have been asked to deliver to you."
"Who sent and who delivered?" he accepted the papers from Mito.
"Shinya-shosho sent and Sayuri delivered."
Oh, so she had the courage to actually deliver these herself. But it still grated his nerves that she didn't completely deliver it herself to him. Sayuri knew she had access to his underground office.
Her courage wavered when she was close to him?
"Thanks," he said to Mito. "I'm cutting our meeting tonight a bit short. I have another errand I must make."
"Understood," Mito said and bowed her head before she left.
Twenty minutes after I had returned to my place, I showered and dressed into my comfy home clothes which was a white t-shirt and a pink plaid pajama bottoms. My hair was towel dried, and I didn't bother to put it up, waiting for it to completely dry before I go to bed.
Somewhat hungry, I began to boil some hot water for my instant udon noodles. Just when I finished putting the seasoning in the pot, the doorbell rang.
Who could be coming here at this hour? Opening the door, I was not prepared to find a Guren-sama standing before me. He shamelessly scanned me from head to toe, then grinned which made my stomach do strange cartwheels.
Guren had made the right decision to pass up on the blond tonight and visit Sayuri. Especially when she was out of her uniform and into her comfort clothes with her unbraided hair framing her small, baby face.
"G-Guren-sama," she said.
He almost wanted her to address him "chusa" just so he had an excuse to kiss her.
What the hell. If her mouth felt like heaven then why did he ever need a reason to taste them?
He would get to taste them again before he leaves tonight.
The aroma of udon noodles hit him, and he noticed she was in the middle of cooking.
"Why are you here?" she asked, trying not to look directly at him.
Dammit, he wanted to see her whisky-colored eyes.
"I'm starving," he said.
He had expected her to deny him, but his little Sayuri was beginning to fill him with many surprises whether they were big or small.
"I…I'm making udon noodles. W-would you care to join me?"
What a temptation she is. That single invitation was enough to entice him.
Why was she suddenly willing to invite him?
Guren did not care much for the why. He nodded and shut the door behind him as he entered Sayuri's place.
"Why are you so quiet?" Guren-sama asked me as we were sitting at my small dining table. "Do I make you that uncomfortable?"
I lift my face up from my bowl to meet him.
"Uh… n-no, that's not it," I began. "It's a habit for me to be quiet when I eat."
"You delivered papers today," Guren suddenly changed the subject.
"Hai. Hopefully, Mito-chan has already given them to you." I resumed to my udon.
"I received it. But why didn't you deliver them yourself?" he asked.
Well, I certainly did not know how I should've answered that.
"You have access to underground premises," he said as he slurped his noodles.
I found it strange and likable that I was able to casually enjoy dinner with Guren-sama.
"Yes I do. But I had other errands I needed to make a run for."
Guren-sama was not convinced as he lifted a dark brow at me.
"Are you sure that was it?"
"P-please don't question me further about it," I quickly said and felt the heat climbed my cheeks.
Guren-sama chuckled and resumed to his eating.
"You're cute when you blush."
And I felt my cheeks get even hotter.
Guren-sama used a napkin to wipe his mouth.
"Thank you for your udon," he said.
"You're welcome, Guren-chu… Guren-sama." I managed to correct myself.
"I actually came here because I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
He nodded. "I'm introducing the microchip chapter to the students, and I could use your help as you are better in this field than anybody else."
"Well… if you can give me a time frame then that would help me."
"Would two to four be alright?"
"Yes, I will be free that time."
"Great," he said and rose from the table.
"I will take my leave." And he began to walk towards the door.
I walked slowly after him to send him off. "See you tomorrow then, Sayuri," he said with a genuine smile that I found oddly adorable.
"Goodnight, Guren-sama."
After I shut my door, I honestly questioned myself who was this man and what happened to the one I saw a few days ago.
GUREN'S POV
Of course he leT her go tonight. In fact, Guren went easy on Sayuri. He figured he better start earning her trust again slowly. She was beginning to open UP the slightest today, and he didn't want to instantly kill that chance by making any physical moves.
She was sweet and tempting that he almost pulled her down his lap when she served him udon, disregarding whatever mess that could have made. Her innocence invokes something primal and animalistic in him that even he was not entirely aware of.
If he was not careful, she could hold too much power over his emotions and mind.