Hori apologized about Matsumoto's death, the owner of the hot springs who was Haruki's "friend"
Haruki on the other hand had already forgotten about him.
He started walking out of the burnt down hot springs and Hori followed.
Haruki explained that he was on his way to the Med-bay after visiting the Arson site with those goons.
Hori appreciated his efforts to check on her. Despite only meeting yesterday.
"Nah it's the least I could do.....yeah, about hospitals, how did you get a Dark Frame?! You caved that guy's entire nose in!And how didn't you injure your arm?
He blurted out, talking about the thug Hori asked to apologize....who she later punched. As already explained a Dark Frame is rare, not only that, Hori's punch fractured his skull without injuring her in the slightest.
"Oh, I've always had strong hands since I were little."
She said with a slight smile touching her knuckles. Although that was the first time Hori actually punched someone.
"...not very lady like is it?"
She said with an embarrassed expression feeling shy for having such strength.
"Are you kidding?! that was freaking awesome!!"
Haruki was impressed.
"You.....don't find it unattractive?
She said peeking at him as they walked.
"Huh? Attractive?"
gasp!
"Oh goodness me! Please forgive me for saying such an inappropriate word!"
She said bowing down with her face bright red.
Why did I say that?! Attractive?!, what a lewd word!
Hori felt indecency as she apologized.
I'm not sure 'attractive' is a naughty word,... this girl's giving pure a whole new meaning...
Haruki chuckled at Hori's earlier statement.
"Nah, I find it hella attractive! I love strong women."
He declared proudly.
"Oh...that's good to hear."
She said smiling, playing with her hair.
growl~
Her stomach once again ruining the moment.
She strikes her stomach telling it to shut up.
"Ehmm please ignore that-
"Nope your obviously hungry!! C'mon let's go eat!"
Hori hesitated, not wanting to impose, especially after Haruki already invited her to the Hot Springs. Besides her clothes were dusty and stained with blood.
Haruki quickly removed the black sweater he wore and handed it over to Hori.
He was wearing a dark red shirt underneath so he didn't mind.
Hori slowly collected it and appreciated with a blush.
She put it on, only for it to be too big, Haruki was slightly taller than her and he really loved baggy clothes.
"looking good! now let's go eat!"
"Understood!"
"You like sushi?!"
"Yes sir!"
They walk into the sunset
The time 5pm
"We're here!"
He yelled at the diner, they both stood outside seeing the restaurant.
It was a vibrant place packed with customers.
"Oh my, how marvelous."
Hori exclaimed because of the alluring aroma emanating from the restaurant. Roasted, grilled, boiled and steamed fish, each with mouth watering seasoning.
She began salivating accompanied by her stomach growling even louder than before.
"Oh yeah, I remember, you haven't eaten since this morning right?"
Haruki asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry if it's making you uncomfortable"
She bent her head.
"Quit apologizing and let's gooo~"
Haruki pushes Hori into the restaurant.
They burst through the door, multiple civilians could be seen chatting and dinning on delectable sushi.
"Ah, Haruki-kun, long time no see!"
The head chef greeted. He donned a classic traditional attire for cooking, no hair and a short build.
"Wassup mister!"
Haruki replied.
"Good evening sir."
Hori said bowing her head.
"Good evening to you young lady!" He turned to Haruki and grinned. "You're as quick as ever, eh Haruki?!"
The chef teased.
"Nah were not dating, she's my new maid"
Haruki cleared their relationship.
"Maid?"
Hori asked facing him.
"Didn't you say you wanna work for me?"
He was referring to what Hori asked at the hot springs.
"Oh, yes sir!"
Hori yelled respectfully as she remembered.
Haruki explained that she didn't need to call him sir, he was just 16, only 2 years older than our protagonist.
The chef asked for their order as he led them to a sit.
In front of them was a counter that had a conveyor belt displaying different varieties of sushi. The norm in Japan.
"I'll have the regular"
Haruki said.
The chef faced and asked Hori for hers.
"I'll have the same please."
Hori answered. Not recalling any particular type of sushi.
The chef brings out their orders and places them on their table.
The regular Haruki refered to was the usual, Sashimi served in traditional Edomae-style.
Its smell increased as the chef slid the plates towards the two.
Hori hadn't eaten sushi since she was 12, despite living in Japan. Her father was quite strict with her diet.
Haruki picks up a chopsticks and divides it into 2.
This was bad, Hori wasn't good at using chopsticks
She panicked.
The voice in her head chimed in to explain.
Narrator - Hori's father, was greatly influenced by western tradition. Like using cutlery rather than chopsticks. So despite growing up in Japan, Hori isn't accustomed to using them.
Enough, It doesn't matter if I'm good at it or not, Haruki-san is paying for this meal, I must eat it properly!
She had an expression like that of a warrior, this wasn't anything serious tho.
Hori divides her own chopsticks into two.
They both say in unison.
"Thank you for the meal!"
They begin chowing down.
"Oh my God, this is so freaking good!"
Haruki yelled in ecstacy. Classic sushi was always the best.
Hori closely observed him and tried to learn how to use the chopsticks.
She picks up a bit of sushi but it clumsily falls to the plate.
Oh dear,it isn't working...
".... you're having issues?"
Haruki asked with concern.
"Oh, please continue with your meal Haruki-san."
She said with a forced smile but was interrupted by her stomach growling.
The entire restaurant paused as they were shocked by the sound.
Hori's face was full of embarrassment.
She's a really mysterious girl, what kind of Japanese person can't use chopsticks?!
Haruki thought but decided not to judge.
Hori still seemed to be struggling despite obviously starving, like a form of torture.
Haruki sighed and carried a little bit of sushi with his chopsticks.
"Here."
He said while smiling, pointing the chopsticks with sushi at Hori's mouth.
Hori faces him and turned confused.
He couldn't possibly want to feed her in public.
Haruki said, annoyed.
"C'mon, it's not a big deal... and it's getting cold."
"Please sir!, there's no need for such a thing! Surely I can at least feed my self!!!"
Hori yelled with a flustered face.
"My hands getting tired.... and don't call me sir."
He said with a sad look.
Hori hesitated at first, but her hunger threatened. She gulped then slowly opened her mouth and eats the sushi Haruki fed her.
"How is it?!"
He asked turning to his front to fetch another.
".... it's delicious!"
Hori exclaimed.
Haruki continued feeding her with a satisfying face. He didn't mind even giving her some of his
The chef smiles, thinking to himself.
Wtf am I looking at?
-----------
Time passes by and their done with their meals, multiple plates are stacked besides Hori.
I want to die!!!
Hori cursed while covering her face. The customers at her sides were smiling seeing such a cute couple.
I can't even look at him!!!
Referring to her supposed boyfriend, Hori was flustered.
Haruki pays for the meal with cash.
A total of ¥12,500.
"See you kid's later!"
The chef waved them with a big smile on his face.
They replied and left the restaurant.
"...I promise to help in paying for our meals Haruki-san!"
Hori said with determination. Feeling bad for leeching off him so far.
"You better."
He jokingly replied-
"No seriously tho, you better, you freaking ate 23 plates of sushi!What are you?! some cartoon character?!"
"I'm so sorry! I eat a lot!"
She said repeatedly bowing and apologizing.
Haruki sighed and dropped the topic.
They both walked in a straight road for some minutes before Hori asked.
"Ehm... Haruki-san, where are we going?"
Haruki replied.
"We're going back to my place, We're gonna carry some stuff then rent a Hotel or something."
"Ah, yes, it's quite late isn't it?"
Hori added stretching her hands showing tiredness.
Narrator - The time is 7:00 PM idiot.
Narrator nagged.
They walk to Haruki's house that was in the middle of the forest, that expensive looking inn a Sinner of Addiction broke through.
Haruki wore a sad face, a little touched he'd be leaving his house for a while.
"Have you been living here for long, Haruki-san?"
She asked leaning in.
"Not too long...I moved here after I got into a huge fight with my mom...."
"Oh.... my apologies...."
"...thank you"
Haruki said with a smile.