White feathers Part 5

"Masaru-senpai, are you walking me home?"

"Huh?"

Sumire sighed. "It's dark and scary out. I need protection."

Masaru looked at the girl like she was crazy. She of all people needs protection? Isn't she getting better at lying? Then again is he not the one who taught her this?

"It would be an honour to escort you home."

The girl did not say anything and they exited the building. For the next few minutes nobody spoke a word and his thoughts drifted to the files he gave her. Despite her reluctance he saw her put the files carefully in her bag.

'I originally looked into that man intending to beat him up for laying his hands on the lady when she is underage. But, after I visited his school I overheard something interesting. It seems like those who meet the lady are fated to change, this guy is no exception too.'

To think a single meeting is enough to change a person. If the lady knew that this guy hasn't stopped thinking of her since they met, would it move her?

No, he knew her very well. The current her will not get close to people. She just admitted it a few minutes ago, she said she would push them away if they got too close. But, her reaction seemed a bit strange. Perhaps this new guy will break down the walls she put back around her since Nagawa Sano dumped her?

It was quite fun for him seeing those different expressions on her face. However his gaze landed on the brown haired girl who was walking in front of him.

He does have something important he wants to discuss with her, regarding a previous solved case. It is a solved case already but after he helped with an interrogation, a clue lead to him thinking that the case is still ongoing. Since she was the lead investigator then, it's only natural for him to inform her.

But perhaps a part of him wants to spend more time with her. He recalled what happened a few minutes ago. The hand that held onto his sleeves was unusually warm- Masaru paused in mid thought. She must not be feeling well. Her body is weak and she frequently gets sick. With all the running around she has been doing recently, it would not surprise him if she fell ill.

Still, it surprised him back there. Many years have passed since they first became friends, but he knew how complicated their friendship was. He did not think she would get mad for his sake. It is not the first time but every time she does it, he ends up feeling like this.

When he first met her, he gained emotions. But he knew that the two of them would not get along.

He did not understand the reason for that until he became a profiler. When he learned more about the human mind, he understood that they have clashing personalities. Despite having prior knowledge, when the lady got closer to him he did not push her away.

After he got to know her, Masaru realised that he wouldn't be able to pull away from her. Even if he wanted to end things, knowing her she would persistently chase after him no matter what. He thought that this time round she definitely won't forgive him. But once again she got mad and lectured him.

It's true that she talks to him more than the others, but only because they are both involved in the underworld. He did not think there was anything more to it than that.

It did not take long before Masaru realized that she was taking the long way to her home. She probably hasn't finished what she wants to say yet. Then again he too hasn't said everything he wants to. Whenever they meet, he can never seem to get the words out.

"I think negotiation is about understanding someone, and having them understand you. "

"I see. Mutual understanding. It's necessary for negotiation, otherwise there will be sparks of conflict. " Masaru nodded agreeing with her words.

What is she trying to get at? Most of her words have a hidden meaning, what is he missing?

"The reason I came was I not only wanted to sort out your crazy misunderstanding. But I just wanted you to understand what I am thinking right now."

"Is this about the council?" Masaru suddenly guessed.

The 'council' is made up of several heads of the underground world and their talented subordinates. He is naturally included in that selection, but he represents the lady more since she never wants to attend. He understands why, events like that are stifling for her.

"I understand that the council is useful. Gathering those who stand in the top, we can see their perspective on their areas and groups. Everyone can benefit from each other."

"Then why do you stay away?"

"Because there's something more important than the benefits." Sumire turned to face him, " And it's this place. "

"This place?"

"The world. It doesn't belong to them. This place belongs to us. It's not something anyone can be allowed to destroy. "

It belongs to us?

"I fell in love with this world. Fell in love with humanity. It's not simply due to seeing the beauty of the world, but seeing the ugly side to it too. Now that I've seen both, I can say these words." Sumire trails off and leans on the railing. "Masaru-senpai understands too, right? Despite the ugly and dark sides of all the worshipping and division -- this world is a lot more peaceful than that of our parents' time."

"I understand but you-"

Sumire laughed. "Do you think it's strange for me to say I fell in love with humanity since I have tried to end my life several times?"

"Yes."

"You see, the world isn't at fault. In order for their to be a balance in this world there must be darkness. Those ugly, toxic and negative emotions that I want to stay away from is necessary for the world to continue running. It's necessary, even if it does more damage to a particular person."

"Are you saying it's okay for you to be sacrificed just so everybody can be happy?"

"Correct."

'I want to refute that, and lecture her. But if I do, I am afraid what she will do.'

"You know lad-" Masaru paused in mid-sentence when he saw somebody sitting on the wall not too far from where they were.

It did sound like he was outside earlier, but who would have thought that he would be heading this way? Judging from Mamoru's appearance he got into a petty fight.

Sumire followed his gaze and sighed. "That idiot, what did he do now? Sorry about this Masaru-senpai. He probably got into a fight while waiting to fetch me."

"It's okay, get going. Goodnight lady, sweet dreams."

She nodded and rushed off. Masaru looked back at the bright moon and stars in the night sky. The words she said just a few minutes ago remained in his mind. Does she truly think there is no more hope left for her?

Did she truly give up on her own happiness?

*Unedited*