That one special person

Humans cannot exist without human beings. This is a core rule of life. No matter how many times somebody says, they are okay alone. The reality is they are stubborn, trying to remain strong and maintain a facade.

The feeling of being wanted and being needed by another person.

Just one person is enough for those who find it hard to interact with people.

There is that one special person.

For her, that was Terashima Yuhi.

...

Star Town - February 2012

"I told you, I don't like the beach," Sumire grumbled at the man in front of her who was dragging her along.

This person is Terashima Yuhi. He recently joined the holy knights and became her 'partner.'

"Now, it's winter. There won't be people."

"Isn't it even stranger?"

"You live in a town with good seaside views. But you never walk in these areas of

"Yuhi-san, are you stalking me again?"

Yuhi laughed, and Sumire sighed. This guy is way too carefree. Moreover, her gaze fell on his hand intertwined with hers. Isn't he being too bold?

Then again, he probably thought she would run away.

"We have loads of paperwork and could use this time to investigate."

"Why do you think I'm taking you out? You need a break."

"Your idea of a break is strange."

Yuhi's lips curve to a smile. "You'll enjoy yourself."

Why does he sound so confident? Well, it doesn't matter. Her gaze fell on their intertwined hands, and her gaze softened. Even if he is only doing this to prevent her from running away, she feels very happy.

After walking for a few minutes, they eventually arrived at the week. Places like this are normally noisy and crowded, but today there was nobody else but them.

Sumire's eyes widened as she happily rushed over to the ocean and dipped her feet in the water.

Hearing a chuckle, she turned around and pouted. "Didn't you just tell me to have fun?"

"That I did, but weren't you being stubborn?"

"There is nobody here; it's nice."

"Isn't the water a bit cold?"

"That's why I don't like the heat."

An empty beach and cold weather. It's perfect for her.

"Yuhi, you should come here too."

At those words, Yuhi suddenly appeared in front of her. Eh-? How did he get in front of her so fast- Sumire stepped back when she realized how close he was, only for her to lose her footing.

Sumire closed her eyes, bracing herself for the impact of the fall, but that didn't happen.

"You're so clumsy, partner."

She opened her eyes only to find that Yuhi had caught her. For a moment, she felt spellbound as she looked at his handsome face. Seeing the serious look in his eyes and realizing that he was staring at her too. Sumire quickly drew away.

"Thank you."

"Is this the first time you've gone to the sea?"

"Ah yes. My family often went, but I always felt uncomfortable being around so many people. Moreover, there is my condition too. I didn't want to cause trouble." Sumire laughed weakly. "I was envious of those who could freely walk under the sunlight with no issues."

"We can come here often then."

Sumire blinked. "Together?"

"Just you and me. Unless you want our great leader to come too."

"No, I thought maybe Ru would like to come here too. He acts that way but isn't good with crowded places."

"You know him well."

"Mm."

Her thoughts broke off when she felt Yuhi grab her hand. "I don't think I like that."

"Eh?"

What does he mean? He doesn't like her talking or knowing Ru very well?

"You are, my partner. I thought I was the closest person to you." Yuhi hurriedly said.

"I-I see."

That was close; for a moment, she misunderstood.

"You know, lately, you're in the base more. Are you skipping classes again?"

At those words, Sumire flinched. "The classroom is scary. There are humans there, but they act the same as monsters."

Yuhi nodded. "I see, but it's the same wherever you go. No matter where you go, there will be toxic people."

"I don't want to be around them. But, if it's like what you say, there is no safe place?"

"Yes. We have to learn to adapt to this toxic culture, even if we do not agree with it."

"It sounds complicated."

'Why do we have to force ourselves to interact with people who only wish to cause us harm? I do not understand that logic.'

"You'll learn." Yuhi trailed off. "By the way, the water really is cold. Because of you, my feet are freezing."

Sumire laughed. "Aren't you a grown man? You should be used to this."

"I should be, but I didn't have much of a childhood either. So like you, this is the first time I have come to the sea."

She looked at him with wide eyes. "But you invited me, so I thought this was normal for you."

"What's normal exactly?"

"You know, inviting women to the beach."

Yuhi extended his hands out and pinched her cheeks. "You sure have interesting ideas. But I don't have the time to waste fooling around with women."

So those rumors about him are wrong. Then again, she saw how he treated other women with her eyes. Women who aren't her.

Sumire felt her heart skip a beat when Yuhi interlocked a strand of his hair on his fingers.

"So, your hair. Are you going to grow it?"

"How does that relate to you?"

"I like long hair. Moreover, right now, you are a bit exposed."

What is he talking about? Her thoughts broke off when she felt his lips on her neck.

"Your defenseless."

If her heart was not beating already before then, it was now. He must be doing this deliberately; surely he must understand what it means to get so close to her?

"I like long hair too. I just cut it because it got in the way when I was fighting. But, Yuhi-san, if you like it, I can consider it."

Yuhi laughed. "You'd listen to my words?"

"Of course."

He extended his hand out and ruffled her hair. "Then, I guess I can make a few more requests."

"Such as?"

"On the weekends, why don't I help you study? We can come here."

"B-but," Sumire looked down. "There will be people."

"There will be quiet times, trust me."

He has no idea how those casual words sound to her. 'Of course, I trust him.' He is one of the only few people she does trust.

"Then, I'll accept."

If it means being able to spend more time with them, then she will agree.

...

Sumire woke up to a warm hand caressing her hair. Ah, is it Yuhi? Do they have to go somewhere together? She opened her eyes only to see a man with black hair shaking her awake. But it was not the one she wanted.

"Princess, hey?" Nao said worriedly.

It took her a moment to realize where she was.

"Oh."

'I almost thought Yuhi was here.' But that is a silly thought. Yuhi won't show himself in front of her until she says so. Right now, he must have returned to Tokyo."

"Were you thinking of him again?"

"H-"

"Geez." Nao wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Why don't you just go see him?"

"I won't. Besides, it's none of your business."

She won't meet Yuhi.

No matter how lonely she is, she won't see him. Normally she could suppress her emotions about wanting to see him. But, whenever she is alone, her thoughts would drift to him.

That day, there was one thing I knew for sure. 'I like this person.'

Back then, she had no idea those frequent weekend meetups would lead to her falling for him hard.

If she knew, then perhaps she could have avoided falling even deeper in love.

Love makes people weak, and her current self cannot afford to be weak.