Chapter 2: Progression 4

Chapter 2: Progression 4

As Hoshimiya instructed me to do, I quietly wait in the room.

I wiped my head and body with a towel, changed into comfortable clothes, and sat down near the table.

It seems Hoshimiya and Haruno are taking a bath together.

"Will you come to pick her up tomorrow morning?"

I just called Haruno's parents a while ago and explained the situation.

That I'm staying at Hoshimiya's house and that Haruno was sitting near the apartment. Haruno's mother said she would come to pick her up immediately, but I reflexively said, "Please wait." I don't want not to be separated with Haruno right now, and I thought, we need to talk about something.

Haruno's mother hesitated, considering the circumstances, but she eventually agreed.

She seemed to have sensed something with the situation.

So it was decided that Haruno will stay at Hoshimiya's house tonight.

"Those two, I wonder what's their intention."

Well, considering the current time, it might be realistic for Haruno to stay overnight. Hoshimiya would probably agree, too.

I could hear the cheerful conversation between the girls coming from the bathroom. It seems they finished bathing.

"You know, Riku-chan has some dog-like traits."

"Right! Like giving a paw or sitting..."

"Are you giving him proper rewards? If you don't, Riku-chan might get upset."

"Oh, I forgot. I need to buy some treats for rewards next time."

........ I beg you, Please respect me as a human.

"Phew, that feels great."

Hoshimiya enters the room, letting out a pleasant-sounding voice.

Her face, illuminated after coming out of the bath, with her long hair untied...

The pink pajamas is still same as always but her gal mode has completely faded, and returned to being a natural beautiful girl.

"Riku-chan, thanks for the clothes."

Haruno appears from behind Hoshimiya, wearing my sweatshirt.

Since it doesn't fit properly, her hands don't come out of the sleeves, and it's loose overall. And I like it that way.

"Haruno, are you feeling okay now?"

"Yeah. My head feels a bit fuzzy... but it's not too bad."

"I see... Don't push yourself, okay?"

"Yeah."

"If you feel even slightly unwell, tell me immediately, okay?"

"Yeah."

"Are you really okay? Are you not pushing yourself too hard?"

"You're being so persistent, Riku-chan..."

I ended up being too annoying and made an expression of exasperation.

"Kuromine-kun really likes Harukaze-san, huh?"

"Well... when you put it that way so directly... I don't know..."

Unable to deny it, I scratch my head in embarrassment.

"Oh, right. I need to contact my mom... She's probably worried."

"I already called. I told her that Haruno will stay here."

"...That's one-sided, Riku-chan."

"I wish you had at least informed the host of the room, me."

I'm being criticized by the girls. I'm being scolded normally.

But even so, I feel like it would be different to send Haruno home in her current state.

I haven't asked why she was there...

"Then I guess I'll sleep to Chiharu-san's room tonight. You two can sleep in my room."

"Is it fine?"

"Yeah, it's fine. You two probably have a lot to talk about. I'll just be in the way."

I don't really think she would be in the way, but she's right. We need to have a calm conversation.

Then Hoshimiya approaches me and whispers in my ear.

"Good luck."

"...Huh?"

Hoshimiya had a meaningful... no, it seemed like she forced a faint smile.

"Well, it's up to you two now."

She waved her hand lightly and left the room.

The sound of the front door closing echoed.

"..."

Left in the room, neither I nor Haruno spoke.

We averted our gazes from each other, staring at the walls, floor, and at the ceiling.

"Well, um... I'll also call my mom."

"Oh, yeah, that's a good idea."

Haruno picked up her smartphone and started making a call.

Hearing the pieces of the conversation, it seemed like Haruno was being scolded.

She repeatedly bowed her head apologetically, as if her mother were right in front of her.

"Haha... I got scolded a lot."

Haruno let out a wry smile after ending the call.

"Well, of course. Your mom probably went to the police to report you missing, right?"

"Yeah, she was about to start a search... I'm causing trouble for so many people."

"...I don't think you need to blame yourself."

"But it's true that I caused trouble, right?"

"It's not trouble, it's worry."

"You're right..."

"Haruno, why were you in that place?"

I stared into Haruno's eyes and asked straightforwardly.

"I was... following you, two."

As I thought. There was no other explanation. The question now is, why's she following us.

"Why?"

"When I saw you getting along with Ayana-chan... it made me really irritated."

"I-Irritated..."

"At first, I didn't know why I was getting irritated, and I didn't even realize I was feeling that way. But I understway it now."

As she said that, Haruno closed the distance between us.

She sat down in front of me, who was sitting on the floor, and spoke those words clearly.

"I... I like you, Riku-chan."

"Huh?"

"Not in a childhood friend kind of way. I mean... I like you as a man."

--- I... I like you, Riku.

--- Not as childhood friends. I mean... I like you as a man.

Haruno's words repeated in my head over and over again.

I wasn't surprised, I wasn't happy, I was just dumbfounded.

"..."

In Hoshimiya's room, where silence reigned, only the sound of rain could be heard.

In the space where only Haruno and I were present, I understood the meaning of her words, but my thoughts were in mess, and I couldn't say anything back.

"It's troubling even if I told you that suddenly. After all, you're dating Ayana-chan now, right?"

"We're... not dating."

"You don't have to lie. You said you were dating, didn't you? And living together... It's hard to believe you're not dating."

While what she said made sense, we truly weren't dating. There were complicated circumstances behind it.

I was contemplating how to explain that, but Haruno took the initiative.

"I like you, Riku-chan."

"..."

"When I saw you getting along with other girls, it finally hit me. I felt incredibly irritated. I mean, I was so frustrated that I could cry."

"..."

"In the past, I thought that I was concerned about you because we were childhood friends. We've always been together... and I unconsciously thought that we would continue to be together, as if it were natural."

"I... I thought the same."

"So you felt that way too. But I... didn't understand it. At first I thought, I just wanted to be with you because were childhood friends, regardless of being with opposite sex."

Haruno, who had spoken up until that point, continued her words.

"It's not because we're childhood friends that I'm concerned about you, but because it's you, Riku."

"That means..."

"Yeah. As the opposite sex, I like you."

Haruno stared straight into my eyes and expressed her feelings once again with the word "like."

I couldn't tell if this was reality.

Could it be that I'm dreaming? That thought crossed my mind.

"So, when you saw me getting along with Hoshimiya, that's when you became aware of your feelings?"

"Yeah... Seeing you and Ayana-chan getting along... No, that was just the trigger."

"The trigger?"

"I finally understood when I saw you entering Ayana-chan's house... When you went far away. After you weren't by my side anymore, I realized that I liked you."

"That's how it was..."

I agreed with Haruno. Indeed, there are things that we only realize after losing them.

It's not tangible objects but rather the intangible emotions that reside in the human heart.

It's natural to have someone important by your side.

Can people who live their everyday lives like that imagine one day suddenly losing someone important to them? Absolutely not.

"I also think Riku-chan is a little at fault."

"Why me?"

"Because, Riku-chan, you never showed any interest in other girls besides me. I couldn't understand that. We've always lived in our own world together..."

"That's true, but..."

"I think I've liked you even before I knew what it meant to have feelings of love."

"-!"

I swallowed my breath. Haruno's words were calm and spoking the truth.

"It's too late to realize it after losing you."

"Haruno..."

"I don't know when I started liking you. We used to take baths together and sleep together since we were in first grade."

"Right."

"I can't explain it well, but it was natural for me to like you. So, I didn't have the chance to become aware of it... Besides, you never talked to other girls, so there was no opportunity for me to feel jealous..."

Haruno mumbled, as if making excuses.

In the past, I didn't need anything besides Haruno. I had no interest in any other woman except her.

"I'm such a terrible person, aren't I? I ended up hurting you and having this conversation in your girlfriend's room..."

She seemed to blame herself. Upon closer look, her eyes were blooming in tears.

"The truth is, no matter what, I want to be by your side and be the special person only for you. I don't want Ayana to... take you away from me!"

"..."

"But if you're already in a relationship... if you chose Ayana... then I have no choice but to endure it..."

She was clearly forcing herself.

She kept her eyes downcast, staring at the floor, and tightly gripping her left arm with her right hand.

"Haruno, Hoshimiya and I are not dating."

"Are you still lying? Is this some kind of revenge because I rejected you?"

"No, it's not that. I really am not dating anyone."

"Then why are you staying at Ayana-chan's house?"

"Well, if I explain... it'll take a long time."

"Tell me."

Under Haruno's unwavering gaze, I hesitated but eventually decided to tell her. I told her about the day she rejected me and how I went to the mountains to commit suicide. I mentioned stopping at a convenience store on the way, where I saved Ayana from a robber. I told her about Ayana crying and begging me not to commit suicide, about staying at Ayana's house, about lying in the classroom to protect Ayana's honor by pretending we were dating. And I revealed that Ayana was being stalked and asked for my help...

"I heard everything, everything.

"............"

Haruno hung her head and kept her mouth tightly shut.

When Haruno heard about my contemplation of suicide, her face twisted, and she seemed on the verge of tears. She must be organizing her thoughts in her mind now.

"Haruno, you don't have to worry about my suicide. It's already over..."

Saying that, I muttered softly, but Haruno whispered quietly, "I do worry."

"Huh?"

"I... I worry! Of course, I worry!"

Haruno stood up forcefully, shouting as if she were about to cough up blood.

"Haruno, your voice is so loud..."

"When you were left all alone, I thought to myself, 'What can I do for you? How can I heal your heart?' And yet, it was me... I pushed you into a corner! I can't help but worry about that!"

As Haruno screamed with all her emotions, tears welled up in her eyes.

One by one, the overflowing tears streamed down her cheeks, reaching her chin.

Perhaps this is the first time I've seen Haruno's cry like this.

"Even if Riku-chan forgives me... I can't forgive myself...!"

"Well, if you look at the results, I'm alive, right?"

"It doesn't matter! If Ayana-chan wasn't there... Riku-chan, you would have died! I killed you!"

"C-Calm down!"

Haruno's desperation continued to rise. I stood up and tried to console her somehow.

"I've had enough! I... I should have died!"

"Haruno!"

Facing my childhood friend who was crying and distraught, I impulsively hugged her tightly.

Haruno struggled and squirmed in my arms, but gradually regained her sanity.

"............Riku-chan?"

"Don't talk about dying, please."

Now, I truly felt relieved that I didn't go through with suicide. If I had died, there was no doubt that Haruno would have followed suit.

"If the person you love dies, how can you continue living with what face?"

"...Riku-chan, you... can't say that about others either."

"It is. But I'm saying it because I loved you, Haruno."

"...I love you too, Riku-chan. Most of my life spent with you..."

"............"

After commotion, a very quiet moment flowed.

Haruno, who was being embraced by me, looked at my face with feverish eyes.

"Riku-chan..."

"Haruno..."

Calling each other's names seemed to be a signal.

Haruno closed her eyes and tilted her chin slightly.

I intuitively understood what she was seeking.

As I leaned closer to bring our lips together--

'...Kuromine-kun.'

"...Hoshimiya?"

"Huh?"

Just before our lips met, my movement came to a halt. Haruno, who opened her eyes, looked bewildered.

"Oh, no... I just... thought of Hoshimiya... Huh?"

"I see... So, that's it after all."

"N-No, that's not it. What is this... I'm sorry." I tried to explain but it just make me more look ridiculous.

Understanding that fact, I became speechless.

What kind of sarcasm would I receive from Haruno after ruining the timing?

However, Haruno had a smile of compassion that seemed to reassures everything.

"It's okay, Riku-chan."

"...Haruno?"

"You've fallen for Ayana-chan too, haven't you?"

"...Yeah."

"I love you, Riku-chan. I love you so much, and you occupy most of my life. So... I still want you to be happy the most."

"Um... so, what does that mean?"

"If Riku-chan chooses Ayana-chan... I'll accept it."

"............"

"Of course, it will frustrate me and I'll be incredibly jealous if you two get along well."

Haruno repeated her words, saying, "Because I'm a self-centered girl."

"I..."

"There's no need to give me an immediate answer. You're still staying at Ayana-chan's house, right? While you two live together... Hey, Riku-chan, do you really need to share the same room? Isn't a doghouse enough for you?"

"Why a doghouse? That's human abuse."

"Well... I just don't want you to be with other girls."

Haruno traced a 'の' character on my chest with her fingertip. Her sulking childishness was adorable. (TL: の "No")

Even so, suggesting a doghouse is strange.

"I think I'll feel jealous many times from now on. Just imagining it makes me feel awful."

"Imagining what?"

"Seeing you talking to other girls, besides me."

As she said it herself, she already said she's self-centered after all. Just me talking to someone else will mostly bother her.

"I've never even imagined it before. But still, I prioritize your happiness the most..."

Haruno is considering me even while consumed by jealousy.

"I'll confirm once again, but Riku-chan isn't dating Ayana-chan, right?"

"...Yeah."

"But you do like Ayana-chan..."

"Yeah, probably..."

Hoshimiya is the person who saved my life.

Haruno is the person who supported my life.

...I can't imagine choosing one over the other.

Or rather, I don't feel like I'm in a position to choose a girl.

"Until Riku-chan finds an answer... I'll wait."

"But you'll still feel jealous, right?"

"Yeah."

Haruno responded immediately. While she waits for an answer, her possessiveness remains intact... It's somewhat skillful mindset.

But well, by expressing our true feelings to each other like this, it feels like the tension has been relieved.

One could say it's a step forward.

"If Riku-chan chooses Ayana-chan, I won't hold a grudge... But I'll get angry, cry, and probably be incredibly jealous every day."

...Isn't that an indirect threat? It's scary.

◆◆◆

"...Will they start dating?"

After moving to Chiharu-san's room, I was convinced that Kuromine-kun and Harukaze-san would reconcile. I didn't know the details, but I could imagine why Harukaze-san was near the apartment. It was because I knew that Harukaze-san cared about Kuromine-kun.

And, of course, Kuromine-kun also cared about Harukaze-san...

Without a doubt, if they had a chance to talk things through, the distance between them would shrink.

Knowing that, I left my own home.

"....!"

A sharp pain pierced my chest. I wondered why.

When I left Kuromine-kun and Harukaze-san alone, it felt really unpleasant.

...No, I had started to understand it faintly from before.

I had started to understand, but deep down in my mind, I knew it was an unattainable feeling, so I pretended not to know.

"...Sigh."

I let out a sigh and looked around Chiharu-san's room.

It was so cluttered that there was barely any space to walk. Trash bags and strange objects were scattered around.

I was forced to sit in a corner of the room, cross-legged.

By the way, Chiharu-san was fast asleep, surrounded by several empty beer cans and covered with a futon.

"Kuromine-kun and Harukaze-san dating... That would be the best. They suit each other... Besides, someone like me..."

I recalled the memories of my life with Kuromine-kun.

I had finally gotten used to this life and had a sense of anticipation for the future.

But now, it was all coming to an end.

No matter how much I was troubled by the stalker, it wasn't right to let a boy with a girlfriend stay over at my house.

I gritted my teeth and desperately held back my tears.

"Ugh... This is for the best..."

I wonder if it's still possible to deceive my own emotions.

───I also like Kuromine-kun.

I realized that my first love immediately experienced heartbreak.

Chapter 2 End

Open for Correction. Chapter 3 is the shortest chapter, I guess I'll just finished it this 2-3 days and continue it again next week. Kofi 👇

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