For Haruto, Sayu mimicking his room's layout wasn't a big deal.
Standing in her room, he slowly walked to the window, gazing at the lights of the Kiyoura residence across the way. From this different angle, everything felt strangely refreshing, as if both his mind and senses had suddenly opened.
After lingering at the window for a while, he returned to the living room and looked at Sayu.
"The view from your window… it's completely different from what I see in my room. The feeling is different too."
"I… actually still wish I could live on the same floor as you. It would make visiting your place much easier."
"Doesn't it feel fine as it is?"
Haruto stepped closer and gently rubbed her soft cheek. It had been a long time since he'd done that, and feeling the warmth of her rounded cheeks made the corners of his mouth curl into a faint smile.
Sayu didn't mind at all; only Haruto had ever been so intimate with her.
Her feelings were complicated. He had helped her when she had no one else, and she longed for his attention, hoping their bond could grow even closer.
Yet because of Setsuna, she didn't know what image she held in Haruto's mind or what place she occupied in his heart. Would he someday tire of her and withdraw all his attention? The thought made her anxious.
Haruto noticed her gaze lingering absentmindedly on him.
"What are you thinking about?"
"About… what Haruto and I really…"
She almost spoke, but caught herself, pressing her lips together and swallowing the words.
"Nothing," she said finally.
Haruto found her hesitation endearing. He moved to the window and gently drew the curtains.
"Today… it's fine, right?"
"It's a safe day," she replied.
Reassured, Haruto lifted a lock of her long, smooth hair over her cheek and gently caressed her face. His warm expression made Sayu close her eyes involuntarily.
Later, Haruto returned home to find the tatami laid out and his mother, Futaba, in pajamas, preparing to rest.
"It's a bit late," she remarked.
"Sorry, I got held up. What about the sushi?"
"It's in the fridge. Were those for tomorrow?"
"No, meant for dinner, but now it's fine tomorrow's breakfast will do."
"You didn't eat while you were out?"
Haruto waved it off, moving to the fridge. He picked up a pack of udon noodles and started boiling water. Futaba, surprised that he hadn't eaten yet, watched curiously, wondering how he had spent all that time outside.
"Need help?" she asked.
"No, it's just boiling udon. Easy enough."
Normally, he would have prepared the sauce himself, but at this hour, he used the noodles' own seasoning.
Sitting at his desk, he opened his laptop and started the news.
Futaba approached him, intending to chat, when she noticed a strand of hair on his shoulder not his own.
"Is this… a girl's hair?" she asked, holding it between her fingers.
Haruto paused, thinking carefully about how to answer. Futaba gazed steadily at him and sighed softly.
"What exactly are your feelings for Setsuna?"
"Girlfriend."
"…"
Futaba Miyamizu didn't respond, simply watching him calmly.
After a brief moment of eye contact with his mother, Haruto lowered his gaze and turned back to his computer, saying nothing further.
"Do you intend to marry her?"
"I promised her. I have to follow through."
"So… you don't actually want to marry her?"
He wanted to deny it, yet he couldn't hide the truth: he had little desire to marry Setsuna. His only reason for agreeing was to fulfill a promise.
"Forcing feelings never ends well," Futaba said softly.
Her words left him puzzled. She seemed not to be pushing him toward Setsuna, which confused him. Normally, shouldn't she have been encouraging him to stay with her?
Questions swirled in his mind. He wanted to ask what she truly thought about the situation, but he couldn't bring himself to speak. Watching Futaba settle onto the couch to rest, he quietly slurped his udon, leaving his questions unspoken.
The next day, he arrived at school and entered the classroom. Itsuki, who had arrived earlier, dashed to his desk, looking both annoyed and frustrated.
"Why didn't you go to cram school yesterday?" she demanded.
Startled by her sudden outburst, Haruto instinctively poked her lightly on the cheek, a gesture he had often done with his younger sister at home.
Itsuki froze in shock. When Haruto realized what he had done, he glanced at his finger, then quietly withdrew his hand.
"Sorry… I couldn't help it. At home, I used to do this to my sister when she got close, so seeing you, I reacted without thinking."
Her face flushed even more, but the initial anger had faded. She stared at him for a moment, then kept a little distance.
"So, why didn't you go to cram school yesterday?"
"I asked Tsubota-sensei for leave. Until next year, I won't be attending. My body and energy can't handle it yet."
"Weren't you already recovered?"
"Only outwardly. I still need a recovery period. Long hours of study would just make me dizzy. It's better to rest at home."
Though reluctant, Itsuki had no choice but to accept his explanation.
"I understand," she said, walking back to her seat, a bit downcast.
Haruto pulled out his notebook and began catching up on missed lessons. Quiet and focused, he didn't mind the work.
During PE, he stayed mostly on the sidelines, watching the girls in athletic shorts with a seemingly casual demeanor that drew no attention.
'Eriri's legs are so pale… Ichika's are healthy and strong… Itsuki's … a bit chubby, huh,' he thought quietly.
At noon, he went to the lab to meet Rio Futaba. They chatted as usual, occasionally touching on news he had seen recently. To his surprise, she seemed well-informed about current events.
"You follow this kind of news?" he asked.
"Why would you think I, a genius science girl, wouldn't care about society?"
"Probably because of your genius scientist image… People assume you'd only focus on experiments and ignore irrelevant things."
"Are you an idiot?"
Rio sipped her coffee, her expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation.
Later that afternoon, as he left school, a black-suited bodyguard stopped him and led him to a sleek black car parked nearby. The window rolled down, revealing a familiar middle-aged face.
"Get in the car." The other party glanced at Haruto and said these words.
Haruto understood he had little choice. He glanced at the bodyguard beside him and quietly got into the car. Onlookers watched in surprise as they left the school.
"Koharu's Father?"
The man closed his eyes, giving no answer. Haruto remained silent, and after some time, they arrived at a luxurious mansion in one of Tokyo's wealthiest districts.
"Welcome back, sir," a maid greeted as he stepped down.
Haruto followed quietly, careful not to be impolite, and was led into the main house. The maid brought him to a tea room while Koharu's father briefly disappeared.
About half an hour later, Haruto, seated in the tea room, felt his knees stiffen. Footsteps approached outside.
The sliding door opened with a soft sound, and the man reappeared. A cup of tea was offered by a maid. He took a small sip, then slowly lifted his eyes to meet Haruto's.
"You probably guessed why I asked you here today," he said.
"More or less."
"Saying something like, 'stay away from my daughter,' wouldn't work, so I won't. Then tell me… why don't you want to be with Koharu?"
"I already have someone I'm dating—"
Splash—
The teacup in his hand was hurled at Haruto, and the tea drenched his face. Tea dripped down, but Haruto showed no surprise. He calmly wiped the small amount of tea from his face, expression unchanged, not a hint of anger.
Seeing Haruto so unperturbed, the man narrowed his eyes and grunted, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"As a father, it's natural to feel anger when your daughter is put in such a situation. If this lets you vent, so be it."
Koharu had found a doctor to help him, and all of this was thanks to the influence and energy of the man before him. In other words, this man was also a life-saving benefactor, leaving Haruto with no reason to complain.
When someone helps you, it's only right to repay them.
~~~~~~~~~~
You can support me by subscribing on Patreon and read up to 10 chapters ahead.
patreon.com/Ranabir_20