Mamoru
As long as Ki is with Toh, then he can safely run around and investigate the looming threat in Star Town. In other words the Black alice organisation. Perhaps it was a blessing for Sumire to figure out his illness since that meant he could sneak around without her getting suspicious. He simply has to say he isn't feeling well. She would insist on staying to take care of him, but all he had to do was tell her to spend time with Toh and then she would go.
It felt like he was emotionally manipulating her and he didn't like that. But he had no choice. He knew what Sumire would say if she were to learn about him investigating in secret without her. It would hurt her. Once of the things they promised as kids was not to keep secrets from each other.
'I understand why you hid your illness from me Ru, you wanted to protect me. You wanted to shield me from anything that would harm me. But don't you see? If you died without me knowing anything, I'd never be able to forgive myself.'
Recalling Toh's words. 'She cried a lot you know? I have never seen her cry like that before, not even that thing with Terashima Yuhi devastated her as much. What hurt her the most was the possibility of a life without you. You're more important to her than you think.'
His thoughts break off when a man with black hair strolled back out of the building and shook his head. "Nothing."
"Then we go to the next place. Thanks for doing this again Nao."
"You know I don't mind helping you. But, keeping this a secret from the Princess-"
"I can't let her investigate them."
He needs to keep Ki as far away as possible from Lucifer and the Black alice organisation.
Nao nodded understanding. He is one of the few people who knew about Sumire's connection to Lucifer.
"That day, coincidentally I was called home and so were most of the Princess personal guards. We all had family emergencies to attend to." Nao clenched his fist. "It was a ruse, there was nothing going on back home and gramps certainly didn't send a message. When I saw the old man was healthy, I sensed something was amiss."
"So you immediately headed back?"
"I passed a fellow guards territory and it seemed they sensed something was wrong too and we tried to head back. But there was suddenly a storm, and we couldn't travel through the forest without endangering our lives. Still I tried."
Mamoru could sense Nao's frustration. In fact he hasn't forgotten Nao's reaction when everyone said she was missing or worse dead. He hasn't forgotten that desperation, and anguish.
"I should have been faster." Mamoru mumbled.
Nao shakes his head. "You still got to her faster than I did. Well in the end Aki found her before both of us. But, I heard that she didn't cry until you got there."
"Yeah."
"I'll look into the other locations by myself. It's almost time for your meeting."
"Are you sure?"
"If you're a second late, the Princess will worry and come after you."
That's true. Mamoru nodded. "Then I will leave it to you. If there are any new updates, let me know."
If they can locate at least one of the bases used by the Black alice organisation. Then it would help the investigation move forward. The sooner he takes down Lucifer, the sooner Ki can return to having a normal life.
____________
Everything could go wrong because of his decision. Yet something connected him to this girl. He didn't know the red string of fate was so difficult to cut. He had sins to his name, and yet he knew no matter how many sins he had to his name. Ibuki Sumire would still treat him the same way.
Everybody in his surroundings sees him as a cheerful and carefree person. It is easy to live in a delusion that he is a pure person. However, whenever he looked in a mirror. All he saw was bold, bright red letters exposing his lies.
Nao offered for him to borrow his bike, but he chose to walk. He has always preferred being able to stretch his own legs.
"Ru?" A worried voice called out to him.
Mamoru weakly opened his eyes and saw Sumire peering at him. "Do you have a headache? Are you in pain?"
"Just a bit dizzy, can you help me inside?" Mamoru asked.
Mamoru already knew the reason for his sudden reason for his dizziness. He has been running around and using a lot of his power. Sumire nodded and wrapped her arms around his shoulder as she carefully lead him into the mansion.
The minute they stepped into the living room. Toh is on his feet and starts adjusting the couch so he could lay down.
"Sorry about this, both of you."
Sumire shakes her head. "If your really feeling bad Ru, you didn't have to come today. I would have gone to you."
Mamoru laughed. "I don't want to get in your way."
He doesn't want to damage her relationship and newfound happiness. While Toh has been understanding this entire time. He can't overstep his boundaries. He already had a perfect example. Toh isn't like Sano, but there is still a risk that him hanging around Ki too much would damage their relationship.
At those words Toh speaks up. "Sumire, can you grab a few blankets from upstairs?"
Sumire bit her lip, she looked between the two of them before getting up on her feet and exiting the room. Once they could no longer hear her footsteps. Toh turned to him and sighed deeply.
"I'm not going to behave like Nagawa. So you can relax and hang around her freely."
Mamoru laughed. "Was it wrong of me to be considerate?"
"Well I am thankful for the time you gave us. But, it will be okay. I know how popular she is. If I am to get jealous over every single guy that goes near her, let's just say that it will be never ending. I don't want to waste time." Toh mumbled that last part quietly.
"So, your not oblivious to-"
Toh sighed frustrated. "I am not stupid Tsueno. I know who she likes. Did you know during our trip she rushed off and when she came back she was in tears. I didn't have to ask her, I knew why she was crying."He trailed off. "Will Terashima Yuhi really come back for her?"
Mamoru paused but nodded. "Right now he has a lot of loose ends to tie up. But, Yuhi will not give up on Ki. He loves her too much. It's already hard for him to be apart from her."
"By loose ends-"
"His mental state isn't the best. I think you should understand that as a psychologist, and as someone who is part of the underworld. We all go through crazy shit."
Toh is silent and Mamoru waits for him to process the information. He can only interfere this much. It will be up to the three of them to resolve it. If Ki is still dating Toh when Yuhi comes for her.