They were on their way to the hotel were they would spend the night.
The streets of Fukui were quiet but not empty. The silence between the two was unbearable so Haruki started a conversation.
"So have you tried going to the police? They might be able to help."
He referred to Hori's situation, surely men in uniform should be able to help her reunite with her father.
"It's.... A long story"
Hori said dejectedly. Remembering the station she received the news of her so called "Death"
Hori didn't even want to think of the fact that even her corpse was confirmed, she simply wished to meet her father and find some answers.
Haruki on the other hand was wondering what exactly happened between Hori and the police, you woke up in a new place with dyed hair, but you can't report to the police?
"Is she on the run or something?"
He accidentally said out loud.
Ahem!
"So.... what's your family like?"
Haruki asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"Oh...I have no relatives except from my Father."
"Woah, that's the same with me, I had only my mom."
Haruki replied.
"So we're you guys rich? cause your grammar sounds.... expensive."
"I mean, I was privileged enough to not lack anything in life... so I guess you could call us rich."
Narrator - Isn't your Dad the prime minister?!!
Well I can't tell him that now can I?!
Haruki continued his interrogation as they walked.
".... so you said you just woke up with dark blue hair?"
"That is correct..."
"And you were in some abandoned warehouse?"
"That is also correct..."
Hori wore a sad expression on her face.
"But I have come to a decision! I will be joining the Sin Hunting Organization and become a priest!"
"Once I do that, I'll aim to become the best of the best, a Bishop! That way I might get a chance to speak with my father!"
Haruki went silent for a bit.
"welp, after we get some sleep we're gonna go straight to SHO to enroll!"
He yelled.
"....we?"
Hori asked.
"You got that right! I'm coming too!"
"But enrolling at SHO is very dangerous! I wouldn't want you to get hurt, Haruki-san."
Hori said worryingly.
"Yeah yeah, stop worrying about me...I just wanna do it."
"... Is that so"
No normal person just chooses to enroll at SHO. The death count for examinees taking the entrance exams were extremely high.
Haruki was quite the strange one.
"You sure those luggages aren't heavy?"
"Not at all Haruki-san! This is nothing!"
Haruki smiled and increased his pace.
--------
They walked some more then finally arrived at the hotel. Its exterior was rather lavish, with a glowing 4 star at the door's head.
They both went inside, Hori sat down while Haruki made a reservation.
The female attendant thought to herself.
Ooooh~ These people must be a couple! But the girl looks way too young!
She misinterpreted, thinking the two came for... other purposes....
"Were gonna be staying for just one night."
Haruki told the attendant.
He filled in the necessary details and made the payment.
"I've booked our room let's go."
He told Hori.
"Okay!"
She trailed behind him.
They walked upstairs to the room, it was decorated with unnecessary high class designs, sure to make anyone gaze in awe.
Bet she's impressed with how good the room looks~
Haruki thought maliciously peeping at Hori.
She on the other hand let out a happy smile, seeing such resemblance of the suite and her room at home.
She dropped Haruki's luggage and fiddled with her fingers, feeling awkward sharing the room with the opposite sex.
Haruki asked if she was going to bathe first.
"If that would be okay with you Haruki-san."
She almost instinctively bowed.
".... how long are you gonna keep adding 'san'?"
He asked.
"Well.... you are my senior, by the way, you haven't told me your full name."
Hori suddenly turned curious.
"Is Haruki your first name or family name?"
She asked with seriousness.
Haruki asked if that was really important,he wondered why Japanese were so bent on respect.
sigh~
"My name is Maru Haruki!Haruki is written with the kanji 春樹, meaning 'spring tree,' symbolizing growth and new beginnings. And Maru is written with the kanji 丸, representing unity and wholeness. Nice to meet'cha!"
An outstanding introduction.
Hori applauded his lovely charisma.
She then stared at the floor in despair.
".... so..... I've been using your first name?"
Hori said in disbelief.
"What's the big deal?! You anime girls make a fuss about simple stuff like that all the time!"
He playfully bonked her head. Assuring her he didn't need such politeness from her.
"Besides...It shows we're close!"
He said leaning towards Hori.
She turned red as their eyes locked.
"I mean why else would you spend a night with a guy."
Haruki said jokingly as he laid on the bed.
He was surprised at the soft texture as he sunk in.
Given such an expensive price for a single night, the foam the bed owned was extravagant.
"Anyways let's get some sleep! We're enrolling at SHO tomorrow!"
Haruki ordered, tomorrow was going to be a busy day.
"Then I will be on my way to my room."
Hori bowed and excused herself.
Haruki paused then grinned.
"Yeah... about that, there's only one room."
Haruki said tauntily.
Hori paused then said.
"Oh, then I shall sleep in the living room."
She bowed again about to leave.
"Yeah but you'll catch a cold, without sheets"
Haruki cuddled in the bead as he spoke still smiling.
Hori stood there analyzing the situation.
Her face quickly turned red.
"I'm not sleeping with you!!!!!!!"
She shouted with a flustered face after realizing Haruki's intentions.
"C'mon!"
He said opening the sheets.
"Heavens no! It's too indecent!!!"
She yelled with more embarrassment.
"If you don't come here I'm sending you to sleep outside!"
He tried threatening.
"That is much better!"
It didn't work.
Hori began walking out, amazed Haruki had such thoughts about her.
"Okay wait! Please just c'mon!~ I won't do anything!"
He quickly grabbed her hand before she reached the door. Not with too much force but with enough to stop her.
Hori winced slightly as this was the first time a boy held her.
Hori stood there for some seconds and finally agreed.
She was homeless not too long ago so accepting a bed with the opposite sex shouldn't be too much of an issue.
"Please allow me to bathe first..."
She said with a voice barely audible, Hori suddenly became shy.
Haruki gently let go of her hand.
"Excuse me...."
She shuffled away from Haruki and went to the bathroom.
The feeling as she dipped in the tub was heavenly, even better than that of Matsumoto Springs.
This was a 4 stared western themed hotel after all, different from the luxurious inns you could find in Fukui.
She slowly took her bathe, making sure to stall until Haruki had slept off.
Hori was relaxing but was suddenly disturbed.l by that nagging voice.
Narrator - I'm just gonna say it this is sus.
The meta entity commented.
"Narrator! Where have you been?!"
Hori half yelled.
Narrator - Don't expect me to be talking all the time.
Hori sunk deeper in the tub and said embarrassed.
"Oh... Narrator, I'm really nervous, I— I haven't slept with a boy before!"
"What if I snore?! or mistakenly touch him! or.....fart.....!"
Hori panicked sinking in the bath.
Narrator - Everyone farts.
She assured her.
Narrator wasn't helping.
"Hori, you almost done?!"
Haruki asked standing outside the bathroom.
"Almost, are you planning on taking a bath as well?!"
"Yeah!"
"Okay! I'm finishing up!"
Hori stood up from the tub and left the bathroom in a white towel.
Her physique was unconventionally attractive despite her age.
She passed by Haruki trying to cover her body as much as possible.
Haruki slightly checked her out then returned his face.
He spoke as he casually started undressing, removing his shirt.
"I got us some nice robes. You should wear them, their on the bed."
He dropped the clothes in the box they brought.
Hori cautiously thought, wondering what she was going to change into after bathing.
"Thank you Haruki-san."
She bowed and went to grab it.
Hori dressed into the robe, it was a simple yet elegant sky blue colored robe, she wore it whilst checking if Haruki was out of the bathroom, making sure he didn't see her naked body, when she was done she sat down on the side of the bed.
"Haruki-san sure is kind, I must find a way to repay him for all he's done for me."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
---------
Some time passed and Haruki was also done bathing but had changed in the bathroom.
His hair was loose and wet which he was drying with a towel, his hair now being let loose made him look even more majestic, not looking like just a girl but a beautiful one infact.
Hori was left staring foolishly.
Haruki sat down besides her on the bed, there was an awkward silence between them.
"...feels like we just took our bath to do something lewd doesn't it?"
Haruki teased.
"Huh?! Not at all!!"
Hori tried saying casually.
"C'mon, you were totally thinking about it!"
Haruki teased some more leaning in.
"I was not!!"
She yelled shifting back.
Haruki laughed and shifted back.
"...well.... good night, Haruki-san."
She turned and laid down on the far side of the bed.
It was quite large.
The dopamine inducing feeling of laying down on soft fabric after a tiring day.
Hori had missed this.
Haruki turned off the lights with a remote and also laid down. The two faced in the opposite direction.
After some time in the darkness.
Haruki turned, now the ceiling.
"....Hori, you asleep? Cause I can't..."
Hori also turned and faced the ceiling.
"I too am finding it difficult to sleep."
Hori confessed.
"I'm sure it's because your laying with a guy."
He said casually.
"... perhaps...."
Hori answered.
She then turned to face Haruki.
"Haruki-san, I would like to thank you."
She said.
Haruki asked for what exactly, since Hori appreciated A LOT.
She continued her current thanking.
"....For everything, for taking me in on our first encounter, to believing my predicament....For taking me to the hot springs, to feeding me delicious sushi."
"Thank you, Haruki-san, I swear on my life to repay you for such hospitality."
Hori's eyes were watery, remembering her 7 days of being homeless. She would never wish that on even her worst enemy.
"Awwwn, your welcome."
Haruki said happily while turning to face Hori.
He was too kind for a normal person. Maybe him being a Sin was the reason. As he already spoke, even Haruki wasn't aware of why he was so kind to Hori...he just was.
The two stared into each others eyes, not really saying anything, at least until Hori's face turned red for the gazillionth time.
"N—now that I've gotten that off my chest, good night Haruki-san!"
She said and quickly turned her back, she couldn't handle staring directly at him.
"Good night Hori."
And so they finally slept.