Mamoru
It breaks his heart whenever he sees her cry. As much as possible, he always wants to see a smile on her face. 'How stupid of me, how could I have let my guard down?' He hates seeing her cry, even more so when it ends up being his fault.
"Wait Ki, don't cry. It's just I have been busy-"
"I know you're doing some of my jobs." Sumire sobbed. "But Ru, I want you to take care of your health. You know how deadly your condition can be if you overdo it, and if you don't take your medicine."
Even though all the medicine does is decrease his coughs. Ki however seems to think it's working. For now he won't refute that theory of hers.
Mamoru nodded and mumbled an apology as he wiped her tears.
"I won't be reckless again."
It takes a few minutes before she stopped sobbing.
"I suppose it's also my fault. I haven't been around much. Dating, school, the underworld and debut preparations really makes a girl busy." Sumire sighed.
"At least when you're dating, you can relax a little?"
Sumire nodded. "It's true that when I am with Toh I feel relaxed. When I am with him, I feel safe. I know no storms would ever hurt me with his arms around me."
"That's good."
"But," Sumire bit her lip and sighed. "It's just, I'm still in love with Yuhi."
At those words Mamoru recalled what Toh said. 'Ever since we returned from our trip. I have felt the need to rush.'
"I don't know what to do Ru." She mumbled. "Toh is truly good to me, and I do think this relationship can continue working. I have always wanted to experience a normal relationship, and there is no doubt that is what I have with Toh. But, I wonder if it's okay for me to lie to myself, to him and the rest of the world."
For the first time in his life, he doesn't know what words to give her. Ever since they met in the facility, he has always known what to say. But now? Now, there are no words. No words that would save her. Instead Mamoru pulled her into a hug.
He hears her sobbing again, and holds her tighter. Eventually he finds some words. "Ki, I'll always- "
'If you do not seek treatment, your estimated time to live is less than a year.'
It was almost like she knew what he was thinking since Sumire held onto him tighter.
"I'll always be here for you. No matter what you decide, you'll never be alone."
......
Mamoru stayed with her until Toh returned, he briefed him on what happened. Toh's gaze was dim but Mamoru didn't see the need to lie. After all Toh maybe Ki's boyfriend but he is also her psychologist. He needs to know when there is a drastic change to her mental state.
'I didn't want to leave her like that. But, part of the reason why she cried was because of me.' So, after leaving, Mamoru headed to Nagawa General hospital.
When Ki was still dating Nagawa, the Nagawa family members restricted their access to the hospital. But now that Nagawa Sano seems to be in charge, nobody is stopping him from entering. Or perhaps the people he is walking by are reporting his every movement to the Nagawa family. Either way, he won't stop coming.
'I didn't see the need for any form of treatment before. But, if there is a way to make Ki worry less about me then I will take it.'
"Hey friend." Mamoru said cheerfully as he strolled into Sano's office.
Sano's eyes twitched upon seeing him. "I told you to come every week!"
"I've been busy the last two weeks." Mamoru shrugged as he slid onto the chair.
"Busy?"
Mamoru nodded. "Doing Ki's jobs for her. She has the concur to prepare for after all."
"I've seen her around." Sano mumbled. "Rushing off, sneaking away in strange alleyways. Are you sure your helping her?"
Mamoru bit his lip hearing those words. 'I should have known. Even if I take work off Ki, Aki will just give her more.'
"It's Lucifer's fault." Mamoru said accusingly. "Your boss is making Aki agitated."
"I have no clue what he is doing." Sano exhaled deeply. "He hasn't contacted me in awhile."
"That explains why you look healthier."
"and what about you?" Sano looked him up and down. "Your looking really pale. I suppose the medicine isn't doing much?"
"It helps keep the coughs at bay. So, I'll keep taking it."
Mamoru didn't have to further explain. If taking the medicine helps alleviate her worries even for a short while, he will keep coming here.
Sano exhaled deeply. "Extend your arm out, let me get your bloods checked while your here."
Mamoru does so and Sano continues speaking. "For me to be seeing Sumire around. Even though she usually avoids the places I go to, I guess it's serious?"
"I'm surprised your not questioning her ties to the underworld."
"It does surprise me, but I suppose there are a lot of things that make sense now. When I was still dating Sumire, I would occasionally see her around with some suspicious looking people."
Mamoru laughed. "You probably saw her with Aki more than once."
"Yeah."
"With your history, I am surprised you weren't seething with rage seeing her with another man."
Sano frowned and exhaled deeply. "I'll admit, it did bother me. But at the same time. I understood that there was nothing going on between them."
Mamoru raised his eyebrow at those words. "You understood?"
"I did. I mean," A rare blush appeared on Sano's cheeks. "-She was quite convincing that day I asked her."
At those words his eyes twitched annoyed. "You-You never forced her to do anything weird did you?"
Sano rolled his eyes. "Oh please, she isn't as innocent as you think. I told you already not to baby her so much."
"I know she isn't."
After all he got a glimpse of Ki's diary, he knew. A dark aura wrapped around Sano and Mamoru sweat fell. "W-well not from experience of course."
"Not you. Is it Ichinose again?"
Mamoru had to stop himself from face palming. Why is this guys so obsessed with Ichinose Arashi? It's true that Ichinose likes Ki, but Ki has never had those feelings towards him. Maybe it's a good thing that Nagawa Sano doesn't know about Yuhi. God knows what kind of war would start. Then again, if Nagawa were to pick a fight with Yuhi. Perhaps it would teach him a lesson. After all, Yuhi won't hesitate to beat him up if he learns what Sano did to Ki.
'I empathise with him too much. But, even someone like me wanted to beat him up after hearing how Nagawa treated her.'
Mamoru shakes his head. Despite his faults, right now Nagawa is helping him even though he doesn't have to.