It was early afternoon. Hina stood inside the supermarket, her trolley overflowing with groceries. Each packet was stacked high, almost spilling out. She looked at the trolley and placed her hand on her head, softly muttering –
"Maybe I shouldn't have bought this much stuff…"
A hint of frustration crossed her face. She mumbled to herself –
"I bought everything I needed… but now what do I do?"
Just then, she spotted someone in the next aisle – Haruki. He was walking towards her, holding a small shopping bag in his hand. Instantly, Hina's face lit up with an idea.
"Idea!" she whispered with a small smile.
Waving her hand, she called out –
"Hey, Haruki!"
Haruki heard the voice, turned, and looked a little surprised.
"Hina… you?"
Hina walked up to him with a soft smile.
"You're shopping too?" she asked casually.
Haruki raised his bag slightly.
"Yeah, I came to pick up a few things. What about you?"
"I came shopping too…" Hina replied, hiding a small laugh. Then she glanced back at her overflowing trolley and let out a sigh.
"Now I think I bought way too much."
Without hesitation, Haruki offered –
"Do you need some help?"
For a moment, Hina was shocked. (She thought to herself)
"I was going to ask him for help, but he offered on his own… all boys are the same, the moment they see a girl, they jump to help."
Haruki snapped her out of her thoughts –
"Hey… where did you drift off to?"
Hina quickly snapped back to reality.
"Nowhere…" she answered hurriedly.
"So, do you want help or not?" Haruki asked again.
"Yes, of course I do." Hina admitted.
"Give me all the bags then," Haruki said.
Without hesitation, Hina handed him the heavy bags, relieved.
EXT. ROAD – AFTERNOON
The two were now walking side by side. Haruki carried all the shopping bags, while Hina felt noticeably lighter.
"Who's in your family?" Hina asked casually.
Haruki kept his eyes on the road, speaking in a calm tone –
"Just me, my dad, and my younger brother… that's all."
"Your mom doesn't live with your dad?" Hina asked hesitantly.
Haruki's face softened slightly.
"When I was little… my mom passed away in an accident…"
Hina slowed her steps.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Haruki gave her a faint smile –
"It's okay."
After a few more steps, Hina stopped.
"Stop here," she said.
Haruki paused, looking a little confused.
"You live here?"
Hina opened the door and nodded.
"Yeah, this is where I live. Come on in."
Haruki set the bags down.
"No… it'll get late. I should go," he politely refused.
But Hina insisted –
"Oh come on, what's the rush? At least come inside for a minute."
In his head, Haruki muttered –
"This girl is crazy… inviting a stranger inside like this. Does she even realize how dangerous that can be?"
Hina noticed him zoning out.
"Hey, where did you drift off to?"
Haruki snapped back quickly.
"Nowhere… anyway, I should get going."
She grabbed his hand, stopping him.
"You're coming to my house for the first time, how can you just leave? You can at least have a cup of coffee with me."
Shock flashed across Haruki's face. (He thought to himself)
"What does this girl even want? First she asked me to come inside, now she's inviting me for coffee… her intentions don't feel right."
Hina repeated –
"Why do you keep zoning out?"
Haruki, now irritated, blurted –
"Nowhere… but I'm leaving."
Hina's patience snapped.
"Why do you keep repeating the same thing like a kid?"
Suddenly, Haruki shouted –
"Because I don't trust girls at all!"
Hina blinked, confused.
"Trust?"
Haruki raised his voice again –
"Yes! I know… first you girls lure innocent guys like me with your sweet words… then you invite them home for 'coffee'… and then do filthy things with them!"
Hina's anger exploded.
"What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Haruki yelled back –
"It's not nonsense… it's the truth!"
Hina tried to reason with him –
"But I'm a girl… how could I even do all that to you?"
Haruki got even more worked up –
"Why can't girls do it? They have desires too!"
Hina glared at him. Haruki awkwardly avoided her eyes and said –
"Don't look at my neck like that… I'm not that kind of guy!"
Hina frowned in confusion.
"You're acting like your honor is in danger!"
Haruki stuttered, his voice trembling –
"The way you look at me… it feels like that!"
Hina's anger boiled over.
"You're insane! Why are you exaggerating such a small thing?"
Grabbing Haruki by the collar, she threatened –
"If you don't come inside, I'll tell everyone you've been hitting on me. Got it?!"
Haruki froze in fear. Without another word, he quietly stepped inside the house.
INT. HINA'S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Haruki sat on the sofa, the shopping bags set aside. His face clearly said it all –
"What mess have I gotten myself into…?"